Chris Lanier's Blog

Microsoft Unprepared for Digital TV Switch

Reports suggest that the Digital TV switch in the US went by with little confusion or problems.  Of course, if you rely on Windows Media Center your experience likely wasn’t in line with those reports.  Ben said the transition is causing grief for Media Center users, but for most that might be an understatement. 

Microsoft seemed to think they were prepared; after all they deployed a nice Service Alert tile in Media Center on the 9^th that explained the issue.  What they didn’t do is update their servers and other online components to reflect the frequency changes that came with the switch.  Unlike most setups, Media Center replies on online data instead of communication with the ATSC broadcasters.  Microsoft is aware of the issue and seems to be making progress in various places, however this is one of those key updates that Microsoft had loads of time to prepare for and when the switch came it caused mass confusion among users.

The interim fix for the issue in Windows Media Center is to edit the atscchannels.xml file in C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\eHome\EPG\prefs with the updated frequencies.  You can find those frequencies at various websites including TV Fool (just input your zip code) and the FCCs own database.  You can also delete the atscchannels.xml and manually create the channels within Media Center.  To do this navigate to Settings > TV > Guide > Add Missing Channels.  The frequency is the same as the “real” number shown in the TV Fool website.  Doing this manually requires you to assign the EPG listings to the channel through Settings > TV > Guide > Add Listings to Channel.

Update: This should now be fixed, re-run your Guide setup.

Xbox Unveils Entertainment Experiences That Put Everyone Center Stage

Microsoft rewrites the rules on fun with controller-free entertainment, Facebook for your TV, plus instant on 1080p HD streaming video.

LOS ANGELES — June 1, 2009 — The future of home entertainment has a new name: Xbox 360. Today, Microsoft Corp. opened the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) with a historic Xbox 360 briefing that rocked, tweeted, revved and awakened the world to a new era of fun and entertainment. In addition to premiering 10 exclusive new games, revolutionizing the way we watch TV, and making it easier than ever to connect to friends, Xbox also welcomed visionary filmmaker Steven Spielberg to introduce “Project Natal” and controller-free gaming.

“Today with cultural visionaries at our side and controller-free gaming on our horizon, Xbox 360 authored a new page in home entertainment history,” said Don Mattrick, senior vice president for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “For us, this E3 is about breaking down barriers — between generations, between games and entertainment, and most important, between video game players and everyone else — in a way that only Xbox 360 can.”

During its briefing, Microsoft showed why Xbox 360 continues to defy industry sales trends. First: A lineup of blockbuster games to ignite every passion, including “Forza Motorsport 3,” “Alan Wake,” “Halo 3: ODST” and “The Beatles: Rock Band.” Next? A host of groundbreaking Xbox LIVE services, from instant on 1080p HD streaming movies and television to Facebook and Last.fm tailor-made for your TV. And rounding it all out, “Project Natal,” a whole new way to play, no controller required.

“Project Natal”: No Strings (or Controllers) Attached

Unveiled for the first time to the public was “Project Natal,” pronounced “nuh-tall” and a code name for a revolutionary new way to play, no controller required. See a ball? Kick it, hit it, trap it or catch it. If you know how to move your hands, shake your hips or speak, you and your friends can jump into the fun. The only experience needed is life experience.

Compatible with any Xbox 360 system, the “Project Natal” sensor is the world’s first to combine an RGB camera, depth sensor, multi-array microphone and custom processor running proprietary software all in one device. Unlike 2-D cameras and controllers, “Project Natal” tracks your full body movement in 3-D, while responding to commands, directions and even a shift of emotion in your voice.

In addition, unlike other devices, the “Project Natal” sensor is not light-dependent. It can recognize you just by looking at your face, and it doesn’t just react to key words but understands what you’re saying. Call a play in a football game, and players will actually respond. Want to log onto Xbox LIVE? Simply step in front of the sensor.

“The next step in interactive entertainment is to make the controller disappear,” said Steven Spielberg, visionary director and producer. “With ‘Project Natal,’ we’ll see games that bring everyone together through technology that actually recognizes us.”

The Best of the Internet, Custom-Made for Your TV

Groove, party or connect with a friend. Xbox LIVE, the world’s largest social network on TV, today announced that Facebook and Last.fm would be tailor-made for your TV, only on Xbox 360. Microsoft also announced Xbox LIVE Party for movies, which allows movie experiences to be shared — on the couch or across the country over Xbox LIVE in supported movies.

“We are always asking ourselves how to make the TV more social,” said John Schappert, corporate vice president of Interactive Entertainment LIVE, Software and Studios at Microsoft. “By bringing Facebook, Last.fm and Xbox LIVE Party for movies and TV shows to Xbox LIVE, we’re not only extending the walls of your living room beyond your home to your friends in different corners of the world, we’re creating the definitive social network, uniting more than 200 million people to share status updates, pictures, thoughts on music and the world’s best online gaming experience.”

The addition of Facebook to Xbox LIVE means friends are always connected, anytime, anywhere — from virtually any couch. But updating your status and sharing photos won’t be the only things you can do. Using Facebook Connect, you can share your greatest moments in gaming by posting updates and screenshots from supported games directly to Facebook. Don’t let your moment of glory fade away — make sure everyone sees it with Facebook Connect, starting with the future version of the premier EA SPORTS golf franchise “Tiger Woods PGA TOUR^®.”

A first for TV, Last.fm,¹ part of the CBS Interactive Music Group, will give Xbox LIVE subscribers access to millions of songs streaming through Xbox 360 to the best speakers in the house. Xbox LIVE subscribers will be able to create their own free, personalized radio stations and listen to them with friends in the living room or across the country.

Xbox 360 also solidified its place as one of the leading social entertainment networks by announcing Xbox LIVE Party for movies. Go to the cinema with your friends whether you are sitting on the same couch or in living rooms across the country. Starting this year, you can share a virtual theater, see your avatar (a virtual you) on the screen, all while you listen to each other laugh and cry at the movie through voice chat on Xbox LIVE. With movie parties, the only thing you can’t share is the popcorn.

Read Full Press Release

Microsoft Connects the Dots with Zune HD, Zune Marketplace, and Xbox

This week Microsoft took the wraps off the next Zune, dubbed Zune HD.  It seems to be your basic next-generation touch screen only media player with the common additions of WiFi and an web browser (IE based).  There are some other interesting parts such as a HD Radio tuner, an OLED screen, multitouch, and even HD output at 720p via a dock.

The most interesting part of the announcement is not the device, but rather the service.  The Zune Marketplace will now integrate with the Xbox LIVE Marketplace, finally drawing a realistic picture of Microsoft’s “3 screen” vision of the future. Getting the most press is the HD Radio tuner, the non-HD resolution of the OLED screen, and the concept of Microsoft competing with the iPod touch.

HD Radio tuner doesn’t do much for me, it will give people a chance to explore something they likely have never heard of before, and apparently the FM radio tuner has been a big selling point among existing Zune buyers.  The resolution on the OLED screen is only 480x272, which many have noted is not even close to HD.  I’m not really sure why people think they need 1080p on a portable player, the lower resolution screen likely benefits the majority of people who put low-bitrate and resolution content on the device in the first place.  If you have HD content, the dock now outputs 720p over HDMI.  The big question in terms of resolution is actually what codec’s and resolutions it supports syncing.  If it supports all popular codecs and HD resolutions, that means I can sync without transcoding.

I have never seen the Zune as a good competitor to the iPod, I don’t feel much different about this one.  Microsoft is still playing catch-up here by connecting their services.  This is something Apple has mostly had for years.  Within the next 2-3 years I can finally see the landscape start to change a bit, but Microsoft is going to have a very hard time going after Apple when you compare numbers.

Lacking is any mention of Media Center, which wasn’t a shock to me personally.  I firmly believe Microsoft has moved on from what most reading this wanted Media Center to be, and of course for years I’ve said the Xbox was the real competition to Media Center (this will become much clearer as we go on).  Connecting the Xbox, Zune, and Windows finally makes all of the products marketable.  Microsoft also just announced that Xbox 360 has sold 30 million units and has 20 million on Xbox LIVE.

A few have noted that all the details have not been released and that Media Center integration could still be there.  I don’t anticipate it, but would welcome it.  I doubt we will see this act as a Media Center Extender as many have wanted.  If Microsoft could of improved anywhere in the Zune-Media Center connection I hope it was with syncing content, mainly TV.  The Zune does support syncing TV, but it doesn’t support anything copy protected (CableCARD, likely any future premium Cable/Sat services), and it even support syncing content with Dolby Digital audio.  If this stays true just about the only TV content the Zune can sync (in the US) will be analog cable/satellite captures.  Even OTA content will be purely Dolby Digital next months, so even your favorite local channels will not sync unless Microsoft decides to change.

Xbox 360 Sees Record Growth in 2009

Year-over-year growth jumps as Xbox 360 console sales hit 30 million globally and Xbox LIVE community reaches 20 million users.

REDMOND, Wash. — May 28, 2009 — Microsoft Corp. announced today that sales of Xbox 360 consoles have passed the 30 million mark globally, with its Xbox LIVE community swelling to more than 20 million active members. After the biggest year in its history in 2008, Xbox 360 achieved the highest percentage growth in hardware sales of any console so far in 2009, up 28 percent over the previous year.¹

The success of the platform can be measured across the business, with Xbox LIVE now considered the world’s largest global entertainment network. Increasing consumer desire to connect with friends, download and enjoy blockbuster movies and TV shows, and extend the life of their favorite games has been the primary driver behind the growth of Xbox LIVE membership and the reason Xbox continues to expand offerings on the platform.

“We’ve always been confident that Xbox 360 offers more entertainment value than any other console on the market, and these latest numbers show that consumers agree,” said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “We expect our growth to continue to accelerate. Our news at E3 next week will underscore our commitment to bringing blockbuster entertainment experiences to everyone and to growing the Xbox entertainment brand globally.”

Over the course of this console generation, U.S. consumers alone have spent $14.5 billion across all categories on Xbox 360 at retail.¹ This number reflects strong interest in a comprehensive entertainment offering that includes the ability to connect with others socially and to digitally download entertainment, be it games, TV shows or movies. To date, consumers have downloaded nearly 1 billion pieces of gaming and entertainment content from Xbox LIVE Marketplace, including a broad array of premium high- and standard-definition movies and TV shows from top studios and networks around the world.²

In addition, Xbox 360 continues to be the platform of choice for the industry’s top games, generating $5.9 billion in sales to date at U.S. retail for third-party publishers, which is more than those of current-generation consoles combined.¹ Xbox 360 also leads current-generation consoles in game purchases, with consumers owning an average of 8.3 titles each.¹

Activity on Xbox LIVE, the industry-leading online gaming and entertainment service, surged following the launch of the New Xbox Experience in November 2008. Since that time, the community has recorded a 136 percent increase in new members, TV and movie downloads have more than doubled, and purchases of games, Game Add-ons and more on Xbox LIVE Arcade have increased by 70 percent.² Xbox LIVE reaches 26 countries worldwide and is now in more homes than any satellite television provider.² Before the end of the year, the number of Xbox LIVE members will surpass the number of subscribers to the largest cable provider.¹ Consumers can expect more exciting announcements from Microsoft next week as Xbox 360 kicks off the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), the world’s premier trade show for computer and video games and related products, with its press briefing on Monday, June 1, in Los Angeles.

About Xbox 360

Xbox 360 is a premier video game and entertainment system. It is home to the best and broadest games plus more entertainment than any other device connected to the TV. The digital center of the living room, Xbox 360 blends unbeatable content, including personal pictures and music, with a unified online social network to create a limitless entertainment experience that can be shared at home or across the globe. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.

About Xbox LIVE

Xbox LIVE is the most comprehensive gaming and entertainment network connected to your television, delivering the largest movie, TV music and gaming library on a single device, and instant access to select movies and TV shows.

With an active community of more than 20 million people across 26 countries, Xbox LIVE brings friends together — from the same living room or around the globe — to share the best in home entertainment. With an Xbox LIVE Gold Membership, enjoy exclusive benefits and premium access to movies, music, TV and games from the top studios and services, all in one place. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/en-us/live.

Microsoft Announces the Expansion of the Zune Entertainment Service to New Platform and Markets; Confirms New Zune HD Portable Media Player

Premium Zune digital entertainment service to be available internationally on Xbox LIVE.

REDMOND, Wash. — May 26, 2009 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the evolution of Zune, the company’s end-to-end music and entertainment service, to a new platform and new markets. Zune will extend its video service to Xbox LIVE internationally this fall. This marks an important development in the Zune strategy and brings the Zune brand to more than 17 million international Xbox LIVE subscribers. In addition, Microsoft confirmed the next generation of the Zune portable media player, Zune HD. Available in the U.S. this fall, Zune HD is the first portable media player that combines a built-in HD Radio receiver, high-definition (HD) video output capabilities, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) touch screen, Wi-Fi and an Internet browser.

“The Zune music player is an integral part of the overall Zune experience, and we’re proud to be growing and extending our offering beyond the device,” said Enrique Rodriguez, corporate vice president of the Microsoft TV, Video and Music Business Group. “Delivering on Microsoft’s connected entertainment vision, this news marks a turning point for Zune as it brings cross-platform experiences and premium video content to living rooms around the world.”

Zune Service Expands to New Platform

Zune will be a premium partner in the Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace, bringing an exciting catalog of TV and film to the platform. Zune will occupy the first slot within the Xbox user interface in the Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace, exposing the Zune brand experience to millions of new consumers for the first time. At the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) next week, attendees will see firsthand how Zune integrates into Xbox LIVE to create a game-changing entertainment experience.

Introducing Zune HD

• Zune HD is the next iteration of the Zune device family and brings a new level of listening and viewing experiences to the portable media player category.
• Zune HD comes with a built-in HD Radio receiver so users can listen to higher-quality sound than traditional radio on the go. Users also will have access to the additional song and artist data broadcast by HD Radio stations as well as additional channels from their favorite stations multicasting in HD. If you don’t like the song playing on your station’s HD channel, switch to its HD2 or HD3 channels for additional programming.
• The bright OLED touch screen interface allows users to flip through music, movies and other content with ease, and the 16:9 widescreen format display (480x272 resolution) offers a premium viewing experience on the go.
• The HD-compatible output lets Zune HD customers playback supported HD video files from the device through a premium high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) audiovisual docking station (sold separately) direct to an HD TV in 720p.*
• Zune HD will include a full-screen Internet browser optimized for multitouch functionality.
• Zune HD is Wi-Fi enabled, allowing for instant streaming to the device from the more than 5 million-track Zune music store.

Does Home Server & Media Center Mean a Connected Future?

Preface: Before you read this please try and get in the right mindset.  Microsoft doesn’t care about what anyone reading this blog wants.  They don’t care what I want either.  It is a hard truth to take, but that’s a fact.  They will say that they listen to all requests, and that’s true, they do.  What they don’t do is make any sort of business decision (translation, features) based on my ramblings, The Green Button, Engadget, or anyone else.  They don’t make Media Center for “us”, and before anyone can start to understand the points I try and make about Windows Home Server you have to realize this.  You also have to understand that Media Center has not taken the market by storm, and that six years into it the vision simply isn’t working to achieve the goal Microsoft originally set out achieve (hints shift in marketing).  Knowing this, please continue.

Note: I don’t work for Microsoft, this post reflects my personal opinion.

Ben Drawbaugh has an excellent post on what he perceives to be the future of Windows Media Center, and that’s its integration with Windows Home Server.  Ben’s post is excellent, running down a logical path of what Microsoft should do with the assets they currently have.  You take Windows Media Center and integrate it with Windows Home Server, sell it for $500 and users can add tuners later.  Add in Live Mesh, Zune HD syncing, and really connect the dots for a truly logical integrated product.

Now, maybe it is because I’ve been following Media Center a bit longer than Ben, but why all the sudden is Microsoft going to “get it” and integrate everything in the logical manor it should be?  Why does the introduction of Windows Home Server mean everything will “just work?”

Here’s the deal.  It is clear to me that Microsoft’s shift in customer marketing means the concept of a whole home connected device with Media Center as its core isn’t working.  Why else would Microsoft shift to pushing “TV on your PC?”  It just doesn’t make sense to me that Microsoft would shift the culture and marketing of Media Center, and then turn around and integrate everything the way it should be.  You can see the shift in their marketing as well.

• 2007/early 2008: "Windows Media Center turns the home PC into the ultimate connected entertainment hub and is available in every copy of Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate."
• Today: "...builds on Microsoft’s goal to create a consistent experience on the PC for consumers to easily enjoy the entertainment of greatest interest to them."

I’ve said for years that I don’t see the market value in Home Server mixed with Media Center.  I consistently get crap for this, but that’s because everyone reading this wants exactly what I say doesn’t make sense to produce, or rather what will not help Media Center in the marketplace. How many people here are not using Media Center sticky because it requires them to run two separate PCs in their home?  How many sales are lost because of the current infrastructure?  How many sales do you gain by integrating the two?  Have you opened up a significantly new market by doing so?  I can’t come up with any answers that benefit Media Center from these questions.

If Microsoft is having trouble pushing Media Center in homes for whole home connected entertainment, the solution is not to integrate it with a product that even fewer people understand (a “Home Server”).  The solution is actually to change paths and try something completely different.  Sometimes redefining a product is needed to keep it alive.

So does this mean I don’t think Microsoft will integrate Media Center with Home Server?  No, I think the opposite.  Last year I got a tip that something is coming as a “headless” device, and I haven’t heard anything to say that has gone away.  It would be perfectly fine to suggest anything “headless” that comes out of Microsoft would be based on Home Server.

So I’ve established that I think a Home Server with Media Center integration will happen, and at the same time that the product will not have a significant amount of mass market value over that of the current model.  Microsoft’s future for connected platforms does include exactly what they say it will.  The “3 screens,” which spans the PC, the phone, and the TV.  The way I see it PC = Windows 7, Phone = Windows Phone (aka Windows Mobile), TV = Xbox 360.  I don’t see any need for Media Center as a whole home device in their grand vision, which is why I’m questioning the concept of Microsoft getting things right just by the inclusion of Media Center into Home Server.

Maybe I’m right, maybe I’m wrong.  I’m hoping I’m wrong, but given the way things have been going, especially with Extenders (which in the case of a headless device are key), I don’t see such a product making any impact in the marketplace.  More so, I don’t see Microsoft investing the time to use Media Center as the core for the home.  Media Center isn’t dying, it isn’t coming out of Windows, but I continue to think the focus will shift.  Microsoft will still work with partners on Extenders (I’ve been assured of this), but they will still release products and features that forget these Extender’s even existed.  They will connect your life, but they will not connect your life using Media Center.

What is your opinion?

The Story Behind Netflix for Windows Media Center

Today Microsoft released their native Netflix application for Windows Media Center to much fanfare.  The release comes with a catch, but let’s back up a bit before we get to that.

I’ve talked about the need for Microsoft to get Netflix within the Media Center ecosystem, and ever since Reed Hastings joined Microsoft’s board I knew it was coming.  A year ago Microsoft announced Netflix would be coming to the Xbox 360 Dashboard and that rekindled my thoughts about the Xbox 360 being Media Center biggest enemy in the marketplace.  Today those thoughts are confirmed once again by the Netflix application for Media Center not supporting Media Center Extenders.

I’ve been testing the Netflix application for a few weeks now.  Upon downloading the first beta I read  the release notes which talked about Extender’s not being supported.  I figured this was something that would change.  Sadly, it didn’t and was planned at all.  I didn’t think I’d get to post this part because it was told to me under NDA, but TechFlash actually posted it so I’m in the clear.  Part of the reason Extender’s are not supported is because Microsoft wants to make sure they don’t compete with the Xbox 360 Dashboard.

 Leaving the technical aspects of getting Silverlight to an Extender aside, this represents a huge problem and once again confirms to me that Microsoft will continue to push and promote the Xbox 360 Dashboard over that of the Extender platform.

Fellow MVP Richard Miller asked if I would rather Microsoft have not released the Netflix application, and it isn’t so much that I think Microsoft shouldn’t have released, but what I really want is Microsoft to define who Media Center is for (do I sound like a broken record yet?) and the future of some basic items like Extenders (I’ll have another post on this later, but Microsoft keeps assuring me Extender’s are not “dead”).

A few months ago I suggested that Microsoft was changing directions with Media Center to the more customer friendly “TV on your PC” concept.  I took a bit of flack from Microsoft on the post who suggested that wasn’t the case.  Maybe is it and maybe it isn’t.  Correct or not, I’ll stick to my story because it seems like everything that comes out confirms my suspicions.

Back to the Netflix application, the delivery of this is the future of Media Center.  Just like Internet TV, the Netflix application was automatically pushed to Media Center without any initial user interaction.  If they can just improve the installation it will be much more beneficial to end users.  While the interface is very intuitive I don’t have my Media Center connected to a TV.  Given this, I find Netflix’s website more convenient.  Moving forward, if the whole “TV on your PC” thing catches on this will be a huge issue of mine.  Media Center was designed as a 10-foot interface, using it as a 2-foot interface is kind of tricky and it's not as intuitive as it could be.  This has improved with Windows 7, but I would still rather use a website to find such basic content and leave the 10-foot UI where it belongs.

Microsoft and Netflix Enhance Movie and TV Watching on the PC

Latest content addition offers more than 12,000 choices of movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly on a PC with Windows.

REDMOND, Wash. — May 19, 2009 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that more than 12,000 movies and TV episodes from Netflix Inc., the world’s largest online movie rental service, are now available to watch instantly on the PC using Windows Media Center on PCs with Windows Vista Home Premium or Ultimate. This newest content addition builds on Microsoft’s goal to create a consistent experience on the PC for consumers to easily enjoy the entertainment of greatest interest to them.

With Windows Media Center, consumers no longer need to jump from Web site to Web site to find the TV shows, movies, sports and news they want to watch. Windows Vista customers who are also Netflix members can simply start Windows Media Center on their PC and then select the new Netflix tile under TV+Movies to begin streaming movies and TV episodes instantly. People can also search the entire Netflix library, manage both their instant and DVD Queues, and even filter searches by titles that are available to watch instantly. Windows Media Center takes advantage of the Netflix recommended category lists to make it even easier to quickly find the movies and TV shows that consumers want to watch. Conveniently, Netflix in Windows Media Center is also designed to work with any Windows Media Center-compatible remote control.

The availability of Netflix in Windows Media Center marks the second recent content milestone for Windows, following the March 2009 launch of the Sports Channel, which offers a variety of interactive sports content from CBSSports.com, FOX Sports, MSNBC.com and more.

“Netflix is excited that the majority of the Windows Vista users in the U.S. can now access a vast array of movies and TV episodes from Netflix through Windows Media Center,” said Steve Swasey, vice president of corporate communications. “There’s no better way to enjoy movies than with Netflix, and this latest offering is another milestone that gives Windows Media Center customers a great experience using the Netflix service.”

The Netflix instant watching in Windows Media Center is powered by Microsoft Silverlight, one of the industry’s most comprehensive and powerful solutions for the creation and delivery of applications and media experiences. The use of Silverlight means that customers will have more accessible, more discoverable and more secure experiences. Windows Media Center is available on Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate.

In addition to Windows Media Center users, Xbox 360 system owners already have access to watch movies and TV episodes instantly from Netflix via an Xbox LIVE Gold Membership. The offerings through both platforms allow customers to enjoy more than 12,000 movies and TV episodes.

“We’re continuing to work with the top content providers today to make watching TV on the PC a mainstream experience for the future,” said Craig Eisler corporate vice president of entertainment client software for the TV, Video and Music Business Group at Microsoft. “Consumers understand that content is the driving force when it comes to experiences, and with Netflix, we’re underscoring our broader commitment to deliver a rich experience with Windows Media Center.”

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Not Dead Yet

School is out for the semester which means more time to kick back.  I'm sure most of you know that there is a lot going on, so post any specific questions you have here and I'll see what I can cover.

Microsoft, Media Center Integrator Alliance Announce 2009 Ultimate Install Contest

Co-sponsoring this year’s contest with Media Center Integrator Alliance, Microsoft again seeks best residential project design based on Windows Media Center in custom installation industry.

ORLANDO, Fla. — March 12, 2009 — Today at the Electronic House Expo in Orlando, Microsoft Corp., in cooperation with co-sponsor Media Center Integrator Alliance, announced the 2009 Windows Media Center Ultimate Install Contest. This industry design contest, now in its third year, seeks to recognize the residential integration business that best utilizes Windows Media Center in a custom home installation project. With the support of the newly formed Media Center Integrator Alliance (MCIA), a group dedicated to driving awareness and adoption of Windows Media Center technologies in the custom channel, the Windows Media Center Ultimate Install Contest will represent the best of the best in the ecosystem.

Last year, the winner of the Windows Media Center Ultimate Install Contest was a home installation designed and implemented by Los Gatos, Calif.-based integration firm cyberManor. The system was created for a family in Sunnyvale, Calif., that desired a centralized, user-friendly entertainment and automation system. The result was a complete integration solution with Windows Media Center at the helm.

“Once again, custom installers have the chance to demonstrate how a connected home can be designed using the Windows Media Center platform,” said Kevin Collins, director of the Custom Installer Channel in the Connected TV Business, Entertainment and Devices Division, at Microsoft. “Microsoft and MCIA are excited to give custom installers the opportunity to showcase their creativity, execution and personalized solutions for their customers using all the products that make up the Windows Media Center ecosystem.”

Contest Eligibility

The goal of Windows Media Center Ultimate Install Contest is to identify the best implementation of the Windows Media Center platform as designed and installed in a residential electronics system:

Read Full Press Release

Media Center Gets More Web Marketing

Pete pointed to some excellent new marketing videos that were done for Microsoft and I noticed one thing that just keeps coming back to me.  None of them have anything to do with connected home entertainment!  What do they have to do with?  You guess it, watching TV on your PC.

Media Center definitely needs more marketing like this, preferably I’d like to see this wrapped up with Zune, Xbox, and Windows 7 but this is a good start (I’ve said that before though).  The Key Moment video was good, as was the Singing Antenna but I’d like to see this taken further.  The Sports with Windows video wasn’t bad, but between SportsCenters ads and DIRECTVs March Madness/NFL Sunday ticket ads I feel like the film maker could have taken a different direction that didn’t just merge and copy the two.

What do you think Microsoft needs to focus on in web advertising?

VidaBox vAutomation adds Powerful, Semi-Automatic LiteTouch Lighting Integration

Westbury, NY - March 11th - VidaBox is proud to announce support for LiteTouch®, an innovator in residential lighting controls, on their vAutomation™ control and integration platform.  All of the standard lighting controls can be integrated onto a single VidaBox TouchClient™ or vPad™, providing the convenience of whole house lighting control from any location.

"Not only did we develop a driver for LiteTouch®," says Steven Cheung, President of VidaBox LLC, "but we've created a semi-automatic, integrated solution where virtually no programming is needed.  First, every lighting station and button can be configured within the LiteWare software. Next, by running a special program we've developed, this configuration is then exported for use by the CQC driver, and presented on our vAutomation templates.  These custom templates automatically generate scene keypads with LED status feedback, along with scene buttons for each LiteTouch® station.  This solution makes it extremely easy to set up LiteTouch® on vAutomation™ touch interfaces without any programming."

"We are excited to work with VidaBox in providing an excellent whole home automation solution," says Kevin Davidson, Corporate Training Manager of LiteTouch, Inc.  "VidaBox provides a simple interface and a powerful platform which allows LiteTouch to maintain our focus in providing the very best and the most reliable lighting control solutions in the world."

"By choosing LiteTouch® and VidaBox vAutomation™," Cheung continues, "dealers can offer a tightly integrated solution that allows lighting control to be added easily, without any complex programming.  This tremendously minimizes installation time without sacrificing quality.  Combined with integrated support for media centers, audio servers, and other smart home technologies, the vAutomation™ platform provides a truly all-in-one, complete solution."

vAutomation support for LiteTouch® is available now.  For more details and information on this innovative automation platform and VidaBox's comprehensive line of media servers, extenders, and complete entertainment and control solutions, please visit their company website at http://www.vidabox.com, or contact them at 516-730-7500.  For more details on LiteTouch and their lighting solutions, please visit their company website at http://www.litetouch.com.

About VidaBox LLC
VidaBox LLC is a digital entertainment and controls solutions company focused on manufacturing premium media centers, audio servers, and integrated home control & automation solutions.  VidaBox is on a mission to create user-friendly, stable high-performance Media Center systems that work right out of the box and integrate seamlessly with multizone audio and smart home technologies.  For more information, visit www.vidabox.com or call 1-516-730-7500.

About LiteTouch Inc.
LiteTouch lighting control products offer real-world benefits including convenience, security, time-savings, safety, energy conservation and design aesthetics. "Experience Lighting Control", an online tour detailing many of these benefits is available at LiteTouch.com LiteTouch, a lighting control industry leader for more than two decades, is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.

VidaBox Launches the Affordable RoomClient:SE Media Server

Westbury, NY - March 4th - VidaBox has launched the new RoomClient:SE system, an entry-level, Vista-based media server.  Starting at $2248, the RoomClient:SE stores movies, pictures, music, and more for on-demand access via an on-screen, remote controlled interface.  Cover art from movies and music titles are automatically downloaded along with every archival.  Complete with 1080p upscaling and full Dolby Digital and DTS support, it's designed to deliver a stunning entertainment experience without compromising quality.

"The RoomClient:SE is the perfect entry-level unit," says Steven Cheung, President of VidaBox LLC. "It has all the features and capabilities of our larger systems, such as storage and playback of DVDs, music, pictures, video, and TV - all in a compact-sized form factor.  What's even better is that integrators can expand upon the RoomClient:SE at a later time by offering their clients various upgrades, such as more storage, additional extenders for Blu-ray support, etc.  The RoomClient:SE strikes a great balance between being feature-rich, easily expandable, and affordably priced."

Based on Vista Media Center, it includes enough storage for about 150+ unencrypted DVDs, 900+ hours of TV, or tons of music and pictures.  Multizone AV distribution can be done by adding other VidaBox extenders, making the system flexible and expandable.  Integration of IPTV and other internet-based media on the RoomClient:SE interface provide access to a myriad of content out of-the-box.  The addition of third-party applications to provide and add more features make the RoomClient:SE an even more appealing choice for dealers and consumers alike.

"Integrators and tech-savvy customers can even add support for Netflix's 'Watch Now' feature on our systems," Cheung continues. "Media Center-based third-party apps like these allow clients to access and choose from thousands of movies instantly.  With its vast multimedia storage & playback capabilities and great price point, the RoomClient:SE is an excellent choice for any AV project."

The new RoomClient:SE is shipping and available now.  For more details and information on the RoomClient:SE or other VidaBox media servers, extenders, and complete entertainment and control solutions, please visit the company website at http://www.vidabox.com, or call 516-730-7500.

About VidaBox LLC
VidaBox LLC is a digital entertainment and controls solutions company focused on manufacturing premium media centers, audio servers, and integrated home control & automation solutions.  VidaBox is on a mission to create user-friendly, stable high-performance Media Center systems that work right out of the box and integrate seamlessly with multizone audio and smart home technologies.  For more information, visit www.vidabox.com or call 1-516-730-7500.

Short Bits: DivX, Links, News

You might have noticed I’ve been quiet for the past month, sadly that might continue for another month but I’ll be sure to try and fill the gaps (meanwhile tons of other Media Center blogs covering everything new out there).

I’m not sure yet when it will be posted, but in a few weeks several of us in the Media Center community will have a big surprise that everyone will be interested in.  You’re going to want to watch here for that.

On a completely separate side note, if anyone involved with Yahoo’s Connected TV Widgets please let me know via e-mail.  I’ve got several questions on the technology and signing up online hasn’t yielded any results.

One of the best articles I’ve read in the past month is Davis Freeberg’s analysis of DivX’s downfall.  If you have a few minutes it is a really good read.  As DivX is based off of MPEG-4 ASP I’ve always told people that even if the device doesn’t have a DivX logo on it doesn’t means it will not play DivX (likewise with Xvid).  Davis is right that as soon as the DivX brand loses value they are in huge trouble (eg. for this exact reason).

Some other interesting links and post.

How to automatically download and import HD to Windows Media Center [Engadget HD]

Big Screen EPG : PVR Ratings (Some Initial Results) [Mobilewares]

How Ben Drawbaugh uses Windows Media Center [Ben Drawbaugh]

Interview with Doug Berrett on Webguide [New England Digital Media] via Entertainment 2.0

CableCARD Takes First (Unofficial) Step to DIY PCs

A fair amount of headroom has recently been made for CableCARD support on non-OEM machines.  CableLabs regulations have limited only Microsoft approved OEMs to build and sell CableCARD machines using well outlined stipulations including a special BIOS and additional product key.

Smart thinking guy’s at The Green Button cracked open the public CableLabs specs to find out more.  As I’ve talked about before, the BIOS is actually a OSFR table which in theory can be put in any motherboard BIOS.  Turns out Asus might have shipped a revision of their P5K with the table present and populated.  Two fun threads to follow for more are here and here.

Now, getting the BIOS "hacked" doesn’t mean too much.  The hard part of this equation is the OCUR PID that will be much harder to hack.  Right now people are recycling their Dell XPS 420’s PIDs to home build a custom CableCARD mahine.

I will caution everyone, Microsoft and CableLabs are supposed to have a method to remotely disable this stuff and your PC is also supposed to check every so often to ensure everything is cool.  If you spend a lot time and money getting into something like this and one day it just breaks don’t get too mad.

Unlikely That Hulu is Holding Out for Microsoft

Julie Jacobson at CE Pro speculates that Hulu (who has been all over the news for killing third party apps) is holding out for Windows 7 Media Center support.

As great as this would be, don’t get your hopes up.  Hulu has very few reasons to even look at Microsoft here.  All Microsoft really brings to the table is a very small number of users (none of which are really going to add new pageviews that Hulu isn't already getting).  Microsoft internal numbers are actually quoting a good amount of users, but I’m not really convinced that the numbers represent the whole picture.

Bottom line here is that Hulu isn’t looking to target any third party application (yet).  Jury is still out on if Hulu has any interest in being more than a browser based application.  I think the market is there in several different forms, but yet again this could come down to NBCU, Fox, et al fighting to keep the web from replacing traditional broadcast TV.

Short Bits: Power DVD, Sage TV, Updates

Engadget HD got some shots of PowerDVD 9, or rather what we now know is the extent of the "native” Media Center Blu-ray integration announced CES.  Native is a bit of a stretch as I figured it might be.  Instead of native playback we now have a native MCML UI that launches PowerDVD (a la Play Movie, TotalMedia, etc).  It’s a start, I guess.  I’m not really that impressed with what is being offered.  On the plus side, word is video decoding is pretty top notch which is good to hear.

If I can ever find time I’ve got to do an in-depth Sage TV review.  Why?  Because not only have I been impressed with them more and more over the past year but they have also just added Blu-ray streaming to their Extenders.  That’s a huge step forward that a lot of people are looking for.

If you haven’t checked it out yet, Media Browser is one of my favorite new plug-ins.  I don’t do a lot with ripped DVDs, but an add-in that automatically finds cover art and metadata about my ripped content without me doing a single thing is a beautiful thing (did it just based on folder names).

Microsoft released the February update for Media Center a few weeks ago.  Big item here is a fix for CableCARD machines that was introduced way back in October.

February 2009 Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista

February 2009 Cumulative Update for Media Center TV Pack for Windows Vista

I’m on The Media Center Show

A few weeks ago I did an interview with Ian Dixon for The Media Center Show.  We covered everything from CableCARD, to the TV Pack, to Windows 7.  The interview is a bit short on substance and time in my opinion (my fault completely), but I hope to do another with Ian (and hopefully some of the new Media Center podcasters out there) in the near future.

Last week Ian also pointed to Ben Drawbaugh post on why the TV Pack was released as OEM only, and much of the TV Pack talk in the interview plays around the same basic concepts.  The TV Pack worked well for some and added some cool features, but given the issues and what it broke I think Microsoft could have handled the release in a much different fashion.

One of the things I didn’t get to in the interview that I wanted to was some of the new features of the Windows 7.  I think most of these have been covered great by other blogs (as I’ve been extremely busy for the past month or so), but maybe as Windows 7 gets closer to release Ian and I can do another show.

Yes, The Green Button is Having Issues

Microsoft appeared to have fixed one of the issues I was having on the backend, but that fix has caused the entire site to come to its knees with wonderful message like "Value cannot be null. Parameter name: relativeUrl" when attempting to make a new post or reply.  Unfortunantly, since I don't have direct access to the server there is nothing I can personally do about it.

Sadly since you can’t make a new post or reply, The Green Button will effectively be down until Microsoft can fix the issue.  Ian’s forums on The Digital Lifestyle might be a good overflow forum until Microsoft fixes The Green Button.

Update: Looks like some are having luck posting (I'm not one of them).  Try signing out and then back in.

Microsoft Focuses Media Center Marketing, Platform to Follow

The first sign of a business in trouble is when you must reinvent yourself to stay alive.  Microsoft might not actually be reinventing Media Center, mostly becasue you can't reinvent something that you never actually defined a market for in the first place, but they are finally attempting to delineate where they see Media Center competing in such a growing marketplace (and that’s not a good thing for most reading this).

Media Center started as a method to watch TV on the PC.  Essentially it was marketed to college students to cut down the number of devices in their dorm.  Then it grew up and Microsoft focused on getting Media Center off the PC and onto the big screen.  Media Center 2004-2005 and Extenders helped drive this concept.  Media Center was the star of CES keynotes of the past focusing on the next-generation home.  Much of this is outlined in the Evolution of Windows Media Center that Microsoft just finished.

The video might have a few hidden messages that are hard to catch, but I think they define Media Center’s future and show that Microsoft has finally attempted to focus on a specific market.

 “TV on your PC” is Microsoft’s new marketing talk for what Media Center is and does (hear it from Media Center marketing PM Ben Reed here ~30 seconds in) .  Not whole home connected entertainment, not Media Center in your living room, not Extenders, not high-end theaters, but “TV on your PC.”  In other words, the days of Media Center being billed as the do-it-all center of your home are over (except for the custom market).

For the first time, Media Center officially has a market, and while that is good news that Microsoft has finally defined who they are developing for, it is bad news for most reading this post as you can now be sure Media Center will never be the platform you have dreamed of.

Thinking about it, the signs have been developing over the past months.  The lack of Media Center at CES keynote makes perfect sense if it is being billed as just a way to watch TV on your PC.  No need to make a big deal about that.  Microsoft touting touch screen support in Windows 7 half has to do with them putting way to much emphasis on touch in Windows 7 in general, but also helps them show off using a kitchen PC for watching TV on.  Why exactly do I need this in a product that is meant to be controlled with a remote?  This was recently questioned on The Green Button and Engadget HD’s most recent podcast.  Mouse clickable seekbar in Windows 7, yet again a sign of Media Center moving onto the desktop and away from the TV.

I think Microsoft will continue to focus on the CEDIA channel as well, which most likely means my fears of Microsoft developing new cool features that are only available to OEMs is going to come true.  Niveus Media and Exceptional Innovation (Life|ware) will likely see the majority of the attention.  Smaller Media Center OEMs will start to fade away after being ignored by Microsoft who hasn’t grasped the concept that all of the smaller OEMs serve the exact same high-end customers as Niveus and Life|ware (examples include support for 10 Extenders, 8 CableCARD tuners for only Niveus/Life|ware).  I think we will see Microsoft heavily market an appliances-like device to these OEMs (unclear if the functionality will be avaiable to the masses, but I don’t see it marketed to them).

If there is a plus side (hard to think of it as that) to this it would be in the form of much lower expectations.   Hopefully I’m wrong, but this change could end Media Center as we know (or think we know) it today.