Chris Lanier : Portable Media, Windows Vista

CES Keynote Roundup

chrisl — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 03:27:00 GMT

Media Center was basically a no show, not too much of a shock for me. The only real Media Center is that Samsung will be supporting Extender’s in the future.
Other than that, Microsoft re-announced that HP will be shipping their MediaSmart HDTVs with Extender’s built-in.
Microsoft’s IPTV software (Mediaroom) is now on over 1 million STBs. Again, AT&T U-Verse is the only option in the US.
The Xbox 360 IPTV got more information. BT in the UK will be the first allowing ~~you to buy an Xbox 360 from them to use as both a gaming console and IPTV STB~~ use an Xbox 360 as an STB. Said use includes "The service will be available to existing and future Xbox 360 console owners," but it is not clear for what cost/fee it will be enabled.
Mediaroom will also be getting some interactive TV bits from TNT and CNN.
Mediaroom (IPTV) still doesn’t work with Media Center on the PC
Mediaroom will now let you share content to other Mediaroom STBs
Over 100 million Windows Vista licenses sold to date.
Zune will be available in Canada in spring 2008.
Xbox 360 has now sold 17.7 million units
Disney/ABC and MGM are bring content to Xbox Live. Still not in Media Center.

Bill Gates Looks Ahead at “Next Digital Decade”

chrisl — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 03:12:00 GMT

Microsoft announces new entertainment partnerships with Disney-ABC Television Group, MGM and NBC Universal.

LAS VEGAS — Jan. 6, 2008 — At the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates and Microsoft President of the Entertainment & Devices Division Robbie Bach today unveiled several new entertainment services and partnerships, including new deals with Disney-ABC Television Group, NBC Universal and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM), that demonstrate how software is improving people’s ability to connect with their favorite content and communities through new and expanded forms of entertainment experiences.

In his 11th CES opening keynote address, Gates looked at the sweeping changes since 2001 that have created the first true Digital Decade, including the continued expansion of the popularity of Windows-based PCs, the growing prevalence of broadband networks, the spread of mobile phones and the advent of portable digital media devices.

“Since I first started talking about the Digital Decade in 2001, the speed with which digital technology has become central to the way we work, learn and play has been amazing,” Gates said. “But in many ways, we are at the very beginning of the transformation that software will enable. During the next Digital Decade, technology will make our lives richer, more connected, more productive and more fulfilling in profound and exciting ways.”

Gates went on to outline his vision for the next Digital Decade — an era in which dramatic advances in hardware and software will make the power of computing a ubiquitous part of day-to-day life. Gates referenced how natural user interfaces will more closely reflect the way people interact with each other. High-definition experiences will be nearly everywhere. Services-connected devices running on the Web and huge amounts of storage accessible via the Internet will mean that information and capabilities people want will be available instantly and seamlessly, no matter where they are.

Read Full Press Release

Is This Microsoft's Future Media Platform/Service?

chrisl — Thu, 24 May 2007 01:35:00 GMT

Dave Zatz wants to know what this odd trademark application is about filed by Microsoft in Australia, and frankly so do I. Long Zheng first pointed it, and I have to say that nothing here really makes sense without stretching the imagination pretty far.

First of all, Microsoft is trying to trademark an image, the “arrowheads diverging from disc” as they put it. This is followed by the most obscure classification of what it might relate to. Among them, “Computer software for delivery of broadcast-quality video and television programming over broadband, cable, satellite and wireless networks; computer software for providing video-on-demand services; downloadable films and TV programs provided via video-on-demand” and much more. It basically includes a summery of everything involved in delivery of content and then playback and personal distribution of that content.

Here’s the full list of the various “Good and Services” that it would/could provide.

Computer software for delivery of broadcast-quality video and television programming over broadband, cable, satellite and wireless networks
Computer software for providing video-on-demand services
Downloadable films and TV programs provided via video-on-demand
Computer software for transmitting personal photos, video and music over broadband, cable, satellite and wireless networks
Computer software for digital video recording
Computer software for providing a programming guide to display available video and television broadcasts and downloads
Broadcasting services, providing video and television programming over broadband, cable, satellite and wireless networks
Video-on-demand services via broadband networks
Entertainment services
Providing information concerning television and video programming
Providing online user guides featuring information on television and video programs available over broadband, cable, satellite and wireless networks and available via video-on-demand services
Provision of non-downloadable films and TV programs via a video-on-demand service
Distribution of television shows, movies and videos for others

First of all, I’m not a big trademark know-it-all, but why did Microsoft apply for this in Australia?

Many have suggested this might be Microsoft’s counter to Joost, or some type of addition to their IPTV platform. I really have no idea, so here are some random ramblings about it. It seems to early to go after Joost, so I'm ruling out a direct product to compete with Joost.

Whatever all of this is will likely revolve around VC-1 to deliver this “broadcast-quality video.” Using VC-1 opens up this service or product up to various Microsoft devices including Vista PCs, Zune and Xbox 360. I feel like whatever it is will have the word “Anywhere” in the name. “Windows Live _______ Anywhere” seems like it would work nicely (maybe even a part of the Xbox LIVE Anywhere?)

So, my best guess for what this could be is some sort of whole home and/or whole life entertainment solution. It’s everything, anywhere, anytime. It’s a Slingbox-Media Center-Live Marketplace-“Social” experience. It works on your Vista PC, Zune, Xbox 360, Windows Mobile phone, etc.

It would be truly “Connected Entertainment.” Now, what are the chances of the above? I have no idea. It seems like Microsoft would need to partner with a few people to make this work, mainly for a way to provide all that content “over broadband, cable, satellite and wireless networks.”

To me that doesn’t seem like a simple addition to their IPTV platform, it sounds like a whole different concept based on being able to provide your media anywhere you are and at the same time opening the door for content providers to get their media out the door in new ways. Maybe it mixes in Windows Home Server to be the center of distribution from inside the home. Maybe it also would give Media Center users that SoftSled by any other name that we have been looking for. Maybe this is the key to connecting all of Microsoft’s half-baked products into a single unified product offering.

Only time will tell. What does it sound like to you?

Microsoft Joins Mobile DTV Alliance to Help Accelerate DVB-H Deployment in North America

chrisl — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 17:05:00 GMT

Microsoft Announces Participation in Mobile DTV Alliance to Help Accelerate DVB-H Deployment in North America | Microsoft Corp. today announced its participation as a founding member of the Mobile DTV Alliance, a new organization created to promote the growth and evolution of the open standard for broadcast digital TV on mobile devices, Digital Video Broadcasting-Handheld (DVB-H). Microsoft joins a distinguished group of mobile industry leaders including Intel Corporation, Modeo LLC, Motorola Inc., Nokia and Texas Instruments Inc. (TI). As part of the Mobile DTV Alliance, Microsoft will help promote DVB-H best practices for delivery of premium-quality broadcast media to mobile devices for the North American market.

“Demand for over-the-air delivery of digital entertainment to mobile devices is driving the need for broadly supported mobile broadcast technologies like DVB-H,” said Pat Griffis, senior director of Windows Digital Media at Microsoft and Microsoft’s board member in the alliance. “By combining our respective industry expertise, Microsoft and fellow founding members of the Mobile DTV Alliance will help make DVB-H-powered mobile TV a reality for consumers.”

“Microsoft joined at the formation of the alliance, rounding out our participation at every level of the wireless ecosystem. We are pleased to be able to announce its participation as a founding member,” said Yoram Solomon, president of the Mobile DTV Alliance and director of strategic marketing and industry relations for the Mobile Connectivity Solutions business at TI. “The Mobile DTV Alliance provides an open ecosystem for the mobile digital TV marketplace, greatly increasing revenue opportunities, innovation and services to consumers.”

DVB-H technologies enable consumers to receive live TV-like experiences directly on their mobile handset and other DVB-H-based devices. In addition, operators will benefit from increased revenue opportunities while preserving cellular network bandwidth for voice and other data services.

“Microsoft’s participation in the Mobile DTV Alliance as a founding member will accelerate the introduction of mobile digital television based on DVB-H into cell phones, PDAs, laptops and portable media players,” said Michael Schueppert, president of Modeo.

Mobile-optimized Microsoft Windows Media technologies from Microsoft — such as Windows Media Audio Professional, Windows Media Digital Rights Management (DRM) and Windows Media Video (Microsoft’s implementation of VC-1) — have already been successfully deployed for use in mobile broadcast solutions, including Modeo’s pilot of its DVB-H mobile broadcast network last year. By participating in the Mobile DTV Alliance, Microsoft will collaborate with industry leaders on best practices both with handsets and services, further advancing Windows Media-enabled solutions for DVB-H and helping deliver comprehensive video broadcast offerings for mobile operators.

Additional information about the Mobile DTV Alliance can be found at http://www.mdtvalliance.org.

DirecTV Outlines Digital Home Plans for 2006/2007

chrisl — Fri, 24 Feb 2006 00:20:00 GMT

DirecTV Investor Meeting 2006 | On February 22, 2006 DirecTV outlined their plans to cover the digital home in 2006 and into 2007. I have yet to listen to the Investor Meeting in order to find out more details, however the Windows Media Webcast can be found here.

An overview of DirecTV in the Digital Home is also mapped out man includes PlaysForSure to portable devices and Windows PC’s, a DirecTV Tuner of some sort to enable content within Media Center and on Viiv-PC’s, and also it appears support for DLNA!

DirecTV Broadband Video will launch in Q4 of 2006 with about 2,000 titles at the launch. It is said to include cable network shows, movies, subscription services and more.

DirecTV GameStar targets casual gamers from the sofa, and you will be able to watch TV while playing.

It appears DirecTV subscribers will have some interesting new choices come later this years on how to view and use their content!

DIRECTV and Microsoft Expand Digital Content Throughout the Home

chrisl — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 02:10:00 GMT

DIRECTV and Microsoft Announce Long-Term Agreement to Expand the Reach of Digital Content Throughout the Home and on the Go | DIRECTV Inc., the nation’s leading digital television service provider, and Microsoft Corp., the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions, have formed an alliance to develop new ways to expand the reach of digital music, television and movies throughout the home and to portable devices. Under the agreement, announced today at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, DIRECTV and Microsoft will work together to enable the flow of digital content among Windows-based PCs, DIRECTV’s set-top boxes, PlaysForSure-compatible devices and the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, which will allow customers to experience DIRECTV programming and digital content stored on their Windows-based PCs in a variety of new ways.

“This agreement is a significant milestone for consumers and content owners, since it will greatly extend the reach and flexibility of digital entertainment in the home,” said Steve Ballmer, chief executive officer of Microsoft. “By integrating our Windows Media platform technologies with the DIRECTV service, we have created a pipeline for an incredible variety of premium digital entertainment to move seamlessly and securely throughout the home to anywhere a DIRECTV customer wants to enjoy it.”

“DIRECTV is committed to delivering the best television experience available, and through our new alliance with Microsoft, we will extend that experience in a way that will allow us to deliver our programming wherever and whenever our customers want it,” said Chase Carey, president and CEO of DIRECTV. “Through this agreement, both companies will be able to expand the reach of digital content and work together to create a variety of exciting new ways for our customers to enjoy the DIRECTV experience as well as the digital content stored on their Windows-based PCs.”

DIRECTV will adopt Microsoft Windows Media platform technologies to enable connectivity to and from DIRECTV set-top boxes, Windows-based PCs, PlaysForSure-compatible devices and the Xbox 360 system. The connectivity will provide the ability to do the following:

Transfer DIRECTV content to be enjoyed on a Windows-based PC or directly via a USB port connected to a PlaysForSure-compatible device
Access the music, video and pictures stored on a Windows-based PC using a DIRECTV set-top box
Extend the DIRECTV experience to the Xbox 360 system

As a cornerstone of this agreement, Microsoft and DIRECTV will also work to align the best-of-breed digital entertainment experience offered through Windows Media Center Edition with the rich TV experience offered through DIRECTV. DIRECTV customers will be able to use a Windows Media Center-based PC as a DIRECTV receiver to create an all-in-one digital entertainment environment, supporting both national and local standard-definition and high-definition services.

Microsoft CES Press Releases

chrisl — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 02:40:00 GMT

Microsoft Showcases Windows Innovations to Help Customers Navigate Through the Digital “World of More”

Microsoft and MTV Networks Unveil New Windows Media Player 11 and Preview URGE, a New Digital Music Service

New Windows Mobile-Based Portable Media Centers Show Off Latest Features, Popular Movies and Sleek New Devices

Gates Outlines Vision for the Digital Lifestyle and Showcases New Products and Technologies From Microsoft

Gates Outlines Vision for the Digital Lifestyle and Showcases New Products

chrisl — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 02:32:00 GMT

Gates Outlines Vision for the Digital Lifestyle and Showcases New Products and Technologies From Microsoft | Highlighting key consumer products such as Xbox 360 and offering the first broad demonstration of the consumer features of Windows Vista, Microsoft Corp. Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates showed how the company is delivering on its vision for a digital lifestyle where devices, services and applications work together seamlessly. In his 10th annual keynote address at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Gates demonstrated how Microsoft Windows Vista, Xbox 360, new mobile devices and the emerging wave of software-based services will deliver more connected and richly personalized experiences for consumers.

In his keynote, Gates said that the consumer electronics industry is poised to deliver a quantum leap forward in rich, interactive, high-definition experiences. “Technology has revolutionized how we listen to music, watch TV, play games, communicate, and manage and share personal information,” he said. “In the years ahead, further exciting innovations will unify the software, hardware and services in people’s lives, offering them even richer, more engaging and deeply connected experiences.”

Windows Vista Unveiled

In the first broad demonstration of Windows Vista for consumers, Gates showed how Microsoft’s next-generation operating system, due later this year, will offer customers powerful new advances in security, search capability and digital entertainment. He highlighted how Windows Vista will bring clarity to customers’ digital world and help them easily accomplish everyday tasks, instantly find what they want, enjoy the latest in entertainment, keep their personal information safe, and stay connected at home or on the go.

He highlighted some of the most compelling consumer-oriented features of Windows Vista, including a sleek user interface, richer multitasking experiences and deep integration of search throughout the operating system. He also showed the new Windows Photo Gallery, which will make managing and working with digital photos easier.

He showcased the most advanced Windows games platform for everyone from casual players to hard-core gamers, including stunning graphics capabilities, by premiering Microsoft Games Studios’ forthcoming “Flight Simulator X,” the most realistic flight simulator in the franchise’s 25-year history.

Gates was joined onstage by MTV Networks’ Music Group President Van Toffler to showcase the forthcoming URGE digital music service, which is designed to bring people’s emotional connections with music to the forefront of the digital entertainment experience. URGE will give users of Windows Media Player 11 instant access to more than 2 million songs from major and independent labels as well as exclusive MTV Networks programming and content.

Demonstrating the Windows Media Center capabilities of Windows Vista, Gates cited growing momentum around the platform by announcing that more than 6.5 million Windows XP Media Center Edition-based PCs have been sold from more than 130 computer manufacturers worldwide.

In another sign of momentum for Windows XP Media Center 2005, Microsoft announced that Comedy Central has joined a group of 110 Online Spotlight content partners and that forthcoming Media Center PCs will include CableCARD support for high-definition programming without a set-top box. This will allow users to plug their digital cable signal directly into their PC to watch and record premium cable content, including high-definition programming, without a set-top box.

Xbox 360 Leads the Way in High-Definition Entertainment

Just a month after the global launch of the new Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, Gates discussed the product’s strong momentum in delivering high-definition hardware, games and digital entertainment experiences. Xbox 360 is on track to be the fastest-selling video game console ever, forecast to ship between 4.5 million and 5.5 million units worldwide by the end of June 2006.

Gates noted that Xbox 360 has also become a powerful application for high-definition television, adding that nine out of 10 Xbox 360 owners currently own or intend to purchase a high-definition television set.* He announced that more than 50 new high-definition Xbox 360 games will be available by June 2006.

Building on Xbox 360 leadership in high-definition experiences, the company announced plans to deliver a new Xbox 360 external HD DVD drive in 2006. The new drive will offer millions of Xbox 360 owners the ability to easily enjoy HD DVD movies and will provide consumers with even more choices for experiencing high-definition content, in either physical or digital form.

Using Xbox 360 and the Xbox Live service today, consumers are already able to access high-definition entertainment such as Xbox Live Arcade titles, game demos and high-definition movie trailers. Consumers can also use their Xbox 360 system to access high-definition television and movies from their Windows XP-based Media Center PC.

Gates’ keynote also showcased the momentum behind Xbox Live, announcing that more than half of all Xbox 360 owners are already connected to the online games and entertainment service, which boasts a worldwide community of more than 2 million members. He demonstrated Electronic Arts Inc.’s forthcoming EA SPORTS “Fight Night Round 3,” scheduled to be available in February 2006, and announced that a free, playable high-definition demo of the game is now available at the Xbox Live Marketplace, a one-stop digital download center where consumers can access high-definition games, music and movie content from leading industry partners.

Staying Connected With Powerful Windows Mobile-Based Devices

Gates highlighted the Treo 700w, an innovative new device that brings Palm Inc.’s celebrated ease of use to the Windows Mobile® platform. The Treo 700w, available exclusively on the Verizon Wireless network, combines a great mobile phone with easy access to wireless e-mail and business applications, giving professionals more ways to stay connected while on the go. The Treo 700w is available at retail Jan. 5.

The keynote also included a demonstration of how future technologies will transform the way people manage information in the office or on the go, communicate with co-workers in richer and more immersive ways, and be more productive wherever they are.

Continuing his keynote, Gates showcased Microsoft’s advancements in mobile entertainment by unveiling next-generation Windows Mobile-based Portable Media Centers from Toshiba Corp., Tatung Co. and LG Electronics. The new devices, scheduled to be available this year, will feature extensive battery life, support for new high-resolution and widescreen (16:9) displays, direct audio/video recording, gaming, FM tuners and direct connections to digital cameras.

New Content to Energize the Digital Lifestyle

Gates’ keynote address highlighted a number of new alliances that use Microsoft software to provide broader and richer content to consumers. He showed Starz Entertainment Group’s new Vongo video download service, which offers more choices and great experiences for people using Windows Mobile-based devices. Vongo subscribers will enjoy unlimited access to more than 1,000 first-run movies and video selections as well as the streaming Starz TV channel.

Microsoft announced a broad agreement with DIRECTV Inc. that will open up new ways for consumers to enjoy their digital media in the networked home and on portable devices. Microsoft and DIRECTV will work together to enable digital content to flow between Windows-based PCs, DIRECTV devices, PlaysForSure™-based portable media devices and Xbox 360.

It was also announced that Microsoft and British Sky Broadcasting (Sky), the leading pay-TV provider in the U.K. and Ireland, plans to create a Windows Media Center version of Sky’s forthcoming broadband content service, Sky by broadband. The service will enable millions of Sky TV customers to access video content from their PC, including hundreds of movies and sports clips.

Windows Live Services Deliver Rich, Seamless Experiences

In the area of software services, Gates previewed new Windows Live™ offerings, designed to bring together relationships, information and interests that are important to people on PCs and a wide range of devices. He unveiled two new telephones from Royal Philips Electronics and Uniden America Corp., designed to work with the voice communications capabilities in the upcoming Windows Live Messenger, the soon-to-be-released successor to MSN® Messenger, which has more than 200 million active accounts around the world. The new phones will allow consumers to make calls from a cordless handset connected to both the Windows Live Messenger service and public telephone networks. The Philips VOIP433 Dual Phone will debut in Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America in 2006. The Uniden WIN 1200 Digital Cordless Phone will offer people another option for making calls over the Internet and will be available in North America in spring 2006.

Gates also previewed forthcoming services for Windows Live and Windows Vista that will help people find and manage their entertainment on the Windows-based Media Center PC or Microsoft TV IPTV Edition-powered set-top box from almost anywhere in the world. TV gadgets on Live.com will enable people to find, manage and share personalized TV recommendations as well as remotely schedule recordings on their Media Center PCs.

Gates concluded his keynote address by looking back on the great momentum of 2005 in consumer technologies and outlining key trends that will shape future innovation in the consumer electronics industry.

“The incredible momentum around all these new products and services shows that the digital lifestyle has truly gone mainstream this year,” Gates said. “Now it’s time to bring together the devices, software and services in people’s lives and take all these experiences to the next level.”

Microsoft and RealNetworks Resolve Antitrust Case

chrisl — Tue, 11 Oct 2005 16:36:00 GMT

Microsoft and RealNetworks, Inc. today announced three agreements valued at $761 million to RealNetworks to settle their antitrust case and create a new partnership to innovate and promote consumer choices in digital music and games.

The three agreements include an agreement to resolve all the companies’ antitrust disputes worldwide; an agreement for a wide-ranging digital music collaboration between the parties, including promotional and marketing support of Real’s leading digital music subscription service, Rhapsody, on MSN properties; and an agreement to offer RealNetworks’ digital games through MSN Games and Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox 360.

Under the music and games agreements, Microsoft is scheduled to pay Real $301 million in cash and provide services over 18 months in support of Real’s product development, distribution, and promotional activities. Microsoft will earn credits at predetermined market rates to be applied to the $301 million for subscribers delivered to Real through MSN. Additionally, Real will take steps to support MSN Search, and Real and Microsoft will jointly promote use of Windows Media technologies with Rhapsody to Go.

The antitrust and technology assurance agreement resolves all antitrust disputes worldwide, based on a $460 million up-front cash payment to resolve all damages claims and a series of technology licenses and commitments under which Real will obtain long-term access to important Windows Media technologies that will enhance Real’s media software solutions.

“Today we’re closing one chapter and opening a new one in our relationship with Microsoft,” said Rob Glaser, Founder and CEO of RealNetworks. “The legal chapter is being closed with an appropriate and fair outcome that sets the stage for a very productive and collaborative relationship between our companies. By integrating Real’s premier music and games services into Microsoft’s very popular MSN service, we will reach more consumers today and deliver even better products and services tomorrow.”

“This agreement will provide MSN’s millions of customers with easier access to subscription services for the music and games they love,” said Bill Gates, Microsoft’s chairman and chief software architect. “Digital music is one of the fastest growing segments of the online entertainment industry, and by promoting Rhapsody’s subscription music services from within MSN, we will provide a better experience for our users."

Read Full Press Release

JupiterResearch @ CES

chrisl — Tue, 11 Oct 2005 15:06:00 GMT

Michael Gartenberg, Joe Laszlo, and Joni Blecher of Jupiter Research will be doing “Just the Facts” sessions at CES this year. Topic’s are covered below as well as on Michael Gartenberg blog.

The Battle for the Digital Home - How the PC, Game Console and Set Top Box will fit into the role of the hub for digital life
Portable Media Players - How to Compete with Apple in Areas Beyond Music Downloads
Digital Imaging - How the Digital Shift Has Changed Consumer Usage Patterns for Photographs
Navigating Home Networks: Connecting Devices at the Dawn of the Digital Home

Get Ready for Digital Convergence

chrisl — Sun, 09 Oct 2005 22:54:00 GMT

Get Ready for Digital Convergence (SmartMoney) | “Entertainment, media and technology are converging as never before. Homes are being pumped full of video, audio and data via cable wires, digital subscriber lines and satellite beams. One day, consumers will have vast digital libraries of movies, videos and music at their fingertips (for a downloading fee, of course). They might stream home movies from the PC in their den to their flat-screen television in their living room, or wirelessly access music files from any spot in the house. Imagine a basket of gadgets — videogame consoles, set-top boxes, televisions, stereos and other various consumer electronics devices — humming together in seamless connectivity. Welcome to digital bliss.”

Microsoft and Intel Back HD DVD

chrisl — Tue, 27 Sep 2005 17:19:00 GMT

Microsoft and Intel Back HD DVD as Next-Generation High-Definition DVD Format of Choice | Intel Corporation and Microsoft Corp. today announced that they will join major consumer electronics manufacturers, content providers and other companies as members of the HD DVD Promotion Group. After extensive review, both companies determined that the HD DVD format developed by the DVD Forum meets important criteria and delivers unique advantages, including PC and connected device interoperability and an easy, affordable transition to high definition for consumers. HD DVD can bring the excitement of HD video to the consumer faster than competing formats, with the potential for more affordable hardware and more interactive experiences.

Intel and Microsoft are the two most recent additions to the HD DVD Promotion Group, joining such companies as NEC Corp., SANYO Electric Co. Ltd. and Toshiba Corp. and content providers such as Universal Studios and Paramount Pictures Corp. A complete list of over 100 companies is available.

“There are both challenges and opportunities in the transition to high-definition experiences throughout the home,” said Blair Westlake, corporate vice president of the Media/Entertainment & Technology Convergence Group at Microsoft. “And after looking at the core advantages to the PC ecosystem and how it would benefit the consumer, it is clear that HD DVD offers the highest quality, and is the most affordable and highly flexible solution available.”

“Our vision with Intel Viiv technology is that digital media content can be enjoyed on these Intel-based PCs and consumer electronics devices in and around the home in an easy and affordable manner,” said Brendan Traw, Intel Fellow and chief technology officer of Intel’s Digital Home Group. “Intel has determined that HD DVD best meets the needs of consumers and the requirements for the respective consumer electronics, computer and entertainment industries for delivering a high-definition, interactive experience to the home on optical media.”

Microsoft and Intel cited the following consumer and industry requirements of any successful next-generation optical format for high definition, which is reflected by what HD DVD delivers today:

Managed Copy: A first for DVDs. Managed Copy is a guaranteed feature within HD DVD that gives consumers the freedom to make copies of their discs to a hard drive or home server, including Media Center PCs using Intel Viiv technology, and enjoy them in every room of the house over their home networks. HD DVD discs also will allow copies of the movie to be played on portable devices.
“Future-proof” compatibility. Using proven HD DVD “hybrid disc” technology, a single disc can store both high-definition and standard-definition versions of a film, allowing consumers to immediately enjoy the standard-definition movies stored on these discs on today’s DVD players, while HD movies can be replayed later on the HD DVD platform. This is an opportunity for consumers to buy discs at launch that future proof their collections — in other words, helping assure customers that the discs they buy will remain viewable in the future.
Proven low-cost, high-volume manufacturing. HD DVD discs use essentially the same manufacturing equipment as existing DVDs, meaning that production of HD DVD can ramp up easily and with lower costs.
Superior capacity. HD DVD-ROM discs will offer dual-layer 30GB discs at launch, compared with BD-ROM discs, which will be limited to 25GB.
Superior interactivity. HD DVD discs will offer greater interactivity using iHD technology, allowing for enhanced content, navigation and value-added functionality for high-definition films. For example, HD DVDs can offer advanced picture-in-picture capability so that other video, such as a director’s commentary, could play on top of the movie.
Superior format for notebook PCs. The compatibility of HD DVD with standard DVD facilitates and simplifies development of slim disc drives for integration in notebook PCs, one of the fastest-growing segments of the PC market.

As longtime leaders in the development of new industry specifications, Intel and Microsoft believe a single optical disc format is an ideal solution that would drive rapid consumer adoption. Although the companies have determined that HD DVD is the only viable solution at this time, each remains committed to working toward one format that meets consumer and industry requirements.

CNET Recommends My Blog?

chrisl — Wed, 29 Jun 2005 20:38:00 GMT

CNET Newsburst | I’ve noticed some clicks from CNET Newsburst in the past, but the other day I visited the site to see what it was all about. Newsburst is basically a web-based RSS Aggregator. Nothing new or extremely exciting there, RSS is all over the place.

What got my attention was when I clicked on their Recommended Sources link to find non-other then my blog listed! The most interesting part about that is where I’m listed and who else is associated with those categories.

I’m listed as a Recommended Source for news on Microsoft! In the same group are none other then Mary Jo Foley (Microsoft Watch), Joe Wilcox (Microsoft Monitor), and Robert Scoble (Scobleizer).

I’m also listed as a Recommended Source under the Tech Blogs category. In the same group as Doc Searls, Tim O'Reilly, Mark Cuban (Blog Maverick), and Dan Gillmor!

Just and interesting tidbit there! And I'm sure if you use Newsburst to read my blog your thinking I'm crazy for just now realizing this, but that's okay. ;-)

Action Required: Broadcast Flag Still an Issue!

chrisl — Tue, 21 Jun 2005 01:01:00 GMT

URGENT: Call your Senator RIGHT NOW or live with the goddamned Broadcast Flag forever!