Microsoft, Allies Take on Apple TV
PC-to-TV Devices Can Stream Cable Programming
By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 9/30/2007 8:00:00 PM
Microsoft has lined up four hardware partners to deliver devices that will let users stream multimedia content — including live or recorded cable-TV programming — from Windows Vista computers to high-definition television sets.
The software kingpin is also expanding the free content available to Vista PC users through a new “Internet TV” service, launched last week with more than 100 hours of video.
While analysts said such features will appeal mainly to high-tech hobbyists for now, the initiatives represent the latest steps in Microsoft's broader strategy of trying to set Windows machines at the center of the home-entertainment universe.
The four manufacturers of the forthcoming “extender” devices for Microsoft's Windows Media Center software are Cisco Systems' Linksys division, Hewlett Packard, D-Link and Niveus Media. Microsoft's own Xbox 360 gaming console was the first such extender.
The basic concept is similar to the one embodied by Apple TV, which can pull videos, photos and music from a personal computer over a home network for playback or display on a TV.
But Microsoft's take is different in one key respect: The Windows Media Center Extender devices will be able to stream live cable and broadcast TV programming from computers to TV sets, provided a user's Vista PC is set up to receive that content. Sony Electronics, Dell and HP have announced CableCard-enabled Vista PCs with tuners to receive cable programming.
Among other features, the Media Center Extenders will allow users watching a recorded TV show in the living room to pause it and resume the program from another room — if both TVs are connected to the Microsoft-compatible set-tops.
The devices also can play on-demand Internet content on TVs supplied by Microsoft's Media Center Online Media partners, which include MTV Networks' Nickelodeon, Showtime Networks and Starz Entertainment's Vongo.
Microsoft and the “extender” partners previewed the devices earlier this month at the CEDIA Expo, and now they've provided pricing and other details.
For example, Cisco's Linksys DMA2200 Media Center Extender ($350 estimated street price) includes a DVD player and a dual-band Wireless-N connectivity. The Linksys DMA2100 ($300 street) is a smaller-footprint device that omits the DVD player. Both devices, scheduled to become available in November, provide HD connectivity and digital and optical audio outputs.
In addition, HP's MediaSmart LCD HDTV will support Extender for Windows Media Center technology through an optional software download, expected to be available in early 2008.
“These products are the initial third-party devices that can wirelessly connect a TV with a PC, with features including live high-definition TV, PVR, movies, pictures, music and online services,” Joe Belfiore, corporate vice president of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices eHome Division, said in a statement.
Meanwhile, starting Sept. 28, U.S. users of Windows Vista were able to access the Internet TV feature. The video content will be supported by an advertising platform from YuMe Networks.
Microsoft's Internet TV content will include full-length episodes of TV shows, such as Fox's Arrested Development; news segments from MSNBC; clips from Fox Sports; music concerts; and movie trailers.
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