Intel's VIIV : the mystery is unveiled
 

Come on... everyone is doing viiv

FOLLOWING ON OUR riveting 'eyes spinning like pinwheels' coverage of the confusion around VIIV, we decided to take a little time to offer a public service - namely the edumacashun of the unwashed masses as to what VIIV is. Fortunately Intel dropped the 'Intel Inside' slogan otherwise this tutorial might head into some rather risque territory.

Because we understand a picture is worth a thousand (1045 with inflation) words, we will supplement the tutorial with images. First, the key component of any VIIV experience as discussed in the above article is a computer.

We based the tutorial on Intel's informative pdf located here.

Fun facts. Heh.

Any old computer will do, but VIIV allows you to "indulge your design style." mmmmKay. Our submission for this tutorial: A luvly Coolermaster case. Throw in a dual core Merom and voila! It's 'VIIV'ed.



Sorry for the dust on the top. Intel hasn't solved that issue yet, although I understand that there is an intiative to catch all the dust causing meteorites and bounce them at the moon. Cosmic ping pong.

Next, and probably one of the keys to any VIIV home, is the display technology. Enter.... A monitor!



In the "Look, listen and play, on your own terms" arena, what better tool to signify that then a VIIVDVD-R? It's like a roman numeral on acid!



I can think of several ways to enjoy entertainment on 'my own terms' with a DVD-R, but I'm sure you can use your imagination.

One of the focuses of VIIV is to bring the computer function to a living room, so much of the focus and efforts with VIIV have been on making the technology more living room friendly. Again from their PDF, "Don't get up from that comfy couch."

Couch? Check!



I've even gone so far as to "double your pleasure" and VIIVify some cozy chairs. You can never have too many cozy chairs. Unfortunately there are no plans to VIIVify that rather fetching throw blanket.

Another key element to the VIIV strategy is audio, with a little extra pizzazz and secret sauce thrown in. Azalea? Forget that. We're going to 'pimp my ride' with a little Dream System.



Because of licensing restrictions we were unable to VIIVify the lilies, but the vase was a breeze. The shelf which was the product of much cursing and swears was a special exemption for the VIIV logo as it supports a full range of VIIV'd appliances.

One of the things I really admire and respect about Intel is that they have almost unlimited resources. When they found out about this little tutorial they wanted to help in any way they could because of the rampant confusion surrounding VIIV. Is it a technology? Is it a brand? Is it a platform? Or is it just a whole bunch of smoke blown into our nether regions until we can toot calliope music out of our ears?

Intel had a special treat in store. The image is self explanatory.



Yes, boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen! Intel sent up a VIIV rainbow! At the same time I can point out that the 'Great White North', while great, is not terribly white where I live, even in January. More of a greeny grey. More grey when it rains, which is always. Always.

Hopefully our little tutorial has cleared some of the VIIV mystery and shed some light on one of the more misunderstood elements of the clear, concise and competitive marketing plan Intel is bringing to the table. I imagine very few people are still reading to this point as everyone has probably rushed off to fill their homes with the latest in VIIV, but for those who stuck around I have a parting gift. We had a lovely sunset the other night and I thought I would share it with you.




The INQuirer