Chris Lanier : Xbox, HD DVD

Short Bits: Xbox HD DVD, Stage6

chrisl — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:51:00 GMT

Microsoft made it official that the Xbox 360 HD DVD drive is now dead. If you wanted one, I hope you got it already. You will likely find stock marked down all over the place, some retailers going as low as $50 now.

DivX Inc has pulled the plug on their streaming service Stage6 mainly do to the high costs of keeping it running. This will impact Media Center users that take advantage of Yougle to stream Stage6 content. It also puts into question their DivX Connected STB concept that I’ve questioned in the past. DivX does say “Products powered by DivX Connected, our new initiative that lets users stream video, photos, music and Internet services from the PC to the TV, are hitting retail outlets."

Fact or Fiction: Microsoft and Blu-ray

chrisl — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 22:26:00 GMT

I’ve gotten a fair amount of reaction to the various articles I’ve posted on Microsoft and Blu-ray, and it still seems the overall consensus on the web is that Microsoft will fall head over heels for Blu-ray in their products.

I want to preface this post by saying that I’m not advocating Microsoft not supporting Blu-ray. The fact is that Blu-ray won, while I think HD DVD had its clear advantages those don’t matter anymore. I want Blu-ray support in any product that markets itself as part of a digital home.

Fiction: Microsoft should support Blu-ray on the Xbox 360

I truly don’t understand why Microsoft would add Blu-ray support to the Xbox 360 at this point. When Microsoft added HD DVD support they did so by adding some four million lines of code to the Dashboard and had Toshiba manufacturer and sell the HD DVD drives at a loss. How do I know it was at a loss? Just look at the fact that the standard IDE drive was selling for far less than any other IDE HD DVD drive on market.

Toshiba didn’t make any money on the 300,000 that were sold and neither did Microsoft. Microsoft took the development time to add support simply to counter Sony including Blu-ray in the PS3. This was an extremely poor counter, but it provided a fairly cheap way for a consumer to add support for a next gen DVD format on their Xbox.

As that was the only real reason, what reason does Microsoft have now to do the same for Blu-ray? The war is over, Blu-ray won. Your not fighting that anymore. The Xbox 360 is nearly two years old with an approximate four year total turn-over time for the next console. Why add Blu-ray in any form to the Xbox 360?

The simple fact is that it’s not in Microsoft’s best interest to provide Blu-ray support in the Xbox 360. The drives are going to be too expensive as there is no reason to sell them at a loss anymore. Pair that with the development time for BD+ and BD-J, two technologies that Microsoft didn’t agree with in the first place and you have a recipe for no Blu-ray on the Xbox 360.

As for internal drives, that’s even worse. Going back to the drawing board, yet again losing money for an integrated drive that can only be used for movie playback. Remember, developers can’t use Blu-ray Disc’s as that you limit your market by some 18 million current Xbox 360’s (Microsoft also wouldn’t allow it either).

I strongly disagree that Microsoft already has some of these things planned and working as Derek Flickinger suggested on CE Pro yesterday. I don’t believe the Xbox 360 will ever have Blu-ray Disc support. As for the Xbox 720 or whatever you want to call it, I think it is too soon to say it won’t but I don’t think you can say it will either.

Fact: Microsoft should support Blu-ray playback on the PC

There is no doubt that Microsoft should support Blu-ray playback on the PC, but as I’ve talked about several times this comes with a major technical concerns.

For native Blu-ray playback to happen in Microsoft applications they will need to update Vista’s Protected Media Path to support BD+. This is a pretty significant change to the system that already supports AACS, the only protection that was needed for HD DVD.

It has always surprised me that BD+ never got the bad press that any other DRM/content protection system does. It runs code in a virtual machine within the player, if that’s not something for the DRM opposed to get upset about I don’t know what is.

The need for BD+ and the equal need for Java-based BD-J interactivity support instead of the Microsoft developed XML-based iHD leaves a huge shadow of doubt about what Microsoft is going to do. No doubt Windows Media Player and Windows Media Center users will suffer from having to use PowerDVD or alike to playback their Blu-ray Disc’s.

This also leaves Media Center and the connected Extender ecosystem in doubt. Managed Copy in the still unfinished AACS specs will give Blu-ray the ability to offer streaming too, but BD+ is still an issue. Microsoft might get burned by the PS3 again as there is a good chance it will be the first product to take advantage of such features.

Fiction: Microsoft should wait for digital downloads

Digital downloads are exactly what Microsoft wants. Why? Because from VC-1 to WMDRM to Silverlight to Windows Server to Windows Vista they can push their products from point A to point B and collect on them all.

The clear problem with this is the lack of bandwidth in the US. Streaming and downloading of large files just isn’t an option for most US broadband users, and no matter how efficient VC-1 is as a video codec. The fact of the matter is US ISPs are holding up streaming being a viable mass market solution.

The best way to explain this is with a graphic from Vudu, another streaming hopeful (via Dave Zatz). As you can see from the graphic, those with broadband connections less then 2Mbps have up to a four hour delayed wait before they can start enjoying an HD download. It should also be noted that the audio/video quality provided in these sorts of streams just can’t match what Blu-ray has been delivering for the past year. Highly quality means higher bitrates with means larger file size which means longer download times.

Those ISPs that do have the bandwidth (>10Mbps) charge a pretty penny when compared to a basic lower bitrate DSL connection. Are customers willing to both pay high dollar for an Internet connection and then pay high dollar for an HD download that it many cases has to be watched within 24 hours? There is still a lot of work that has to be done before digital downloads can replace physical media for good.

Of course, itshould be noted that digital downloads already exist using Microsoft technologies. The Xbox 360 has downloads via the Xbox Marketplace and the same basic concepts from above apply in terms of download times and bitrates. Many are waiting for Microsoft to extend the reach of the Marketplace downloads to Windows Media Center (and thus Media Center Extenders) as well portable devices like the Zune.

Related:

More Ramblings About Blu-ray & Xbox 360

Blu-ray on Xbox 360 Not Going to Happen

chrisl — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 17:31:00 GMT

Some websites are reporting “rumors” of Microsoft getting ready to add Blu-ray support to the Xbox 360. I’m not going to link to the main website in question, because nothing on that site has ever been true (unless there is an Xbox 360 with HD DVD intergated out there, it was said to be true by this website on at least three different occasions. There are several other false stories out of this site too).

Jason Unger of CE Pro does have the basic rundown of the issue, but don’t believe that Blu-ray is on the way to the Xbox 360.

Among the reasons behind this are outlined in a previous post I wrote about support in Media Center. All of these issues apply for the Xbox 360 as well.

Quickly…

Blu-ray support means adding a Java-based BD-J interactivity layer to the Xbox 360. Highly doubtful to ever happen
The video/audio codecs are not really in question here, both HD DVD and Blu-ray use the same basic codecs.
Blu-ray has extra DRM in BD+. The Xbox 360 can already do AACS, but they are not going to add BD+ support. Microsoft has been opposed to it from the start.

I really wish more respected sites like Engadget would stop linking to well known false stories and publishers.

Related:

Fact or Fiction: Microsoft and Blu-ray

More Ramblings About Blu-ray & Xbox 360

Xbox 360 HD DVD Player Moves to $179

chrisl — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 13:29:00 GMT

Xbox LIVE to promote HD DVD versions of “300” and “Heroes: Season 1.”

SAN DIEGO — July 26, 2007 — Today at Comic-Con International 2007, Microsoft Corp. announced it will lower the price of the popular Xbox 360™ HD DVD Player from $199 to $179 ERP (United States only) starting Aug. 1, 2007, and will add five free HD DVD movies for anyone purchasing an Xbox 360 HD DVD Player between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30. In addition, Microsoft further solidified the Xbox 360 as the ultimate high-definition (HD) entertainment platform, with key announcements around the HD DVD launches of “300” from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group and “Heroes: Season 1” from Universal Studios.

To promote the HD DVD versions of “300” and “Heroes: Season 1,” Microsoft unveiled exclusive content for Xbox LIVE^® Marketplace. Xbox LIVE will offer “300” on demand in HD starting Aug. 14, and is working with Warner Bros. at Comic-Con on a Bringing It Home campaign featuring “300” and other Warner Bros. properties. In advance of the street date for the “Heroes: Season 1” HD DVD boxed set, Xbox LIVE members will be able to download for free the show’s pilot episode in high definition for a limited time. Members will also be able to download trailers, teaser scenes and other promotional materials highlighting the “Heroes: Season 1” boxed set on HD DVD.

Already the most affordable high-definition player available, the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player is the best solution for movie lovers seeking HD content in the highest possible resolution. The player’s price reduction to $179 (U.S. ERP) continues to set the bar for value, making the Xbox 360 platform the most affordable solution for consumers seeking the broadest, most compelling selection of next-generation gaming and HD video experiences.

“With the price reduction to $179, the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player continues to be the most affordable way to enjoy high definition,” said Jeff Bell, corporate vice president of Global Marketing, Interactive Entertainment Business, Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. “From the beginning, we set out to offer Xbox 360 owners an unrivaled high-definition experience, with a choice of optical discs on the HD DVD format and digital downloads through Xbox LIVE Marketplace — both of which have a selection of the best content Hollywood has to offer. Today’s announcements around ‘300’ and ‘Heroes: Season 1’ are great examples of how we believe HD content can be offered to consumers.”

In addition to the price drop, Microsoft is extending Toshiba’s highly successful “Perfect Offer” of five free HD DVD discs to Xbox 360 consumers. Previously exclusive to Toshiba HD DVD Players, with the purchase of an Xbox 360 HD DVD Player at the new low price of $179 ERP, consumers can choose five HD DVD titles for free from a selection of 15 popular titles through a mail-in offer. With a retail value of over $140 (U.S.), this promotion makes the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player one of the most compelling offerings for consumers looking to make the leap into HD this holiday season.

Consumer Electronics Show Roundup (Part 1)

chrisl — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 17:23:00 GMT

So much stuff so far at CES that the main page of my blog has already rolled over. Here is a quick rundown of what has happened so far

CES Keynote/Microsoft

Windows Home Server

CableCARD

AMD/ATI

AMD Ignites Consumer Passions With New AMD LIVE! Notebook PC, Home Cinema and Media Server

HP MediaSmart HDTV with Media Center Extender Built-In

Embedded Automation

Embedded Automation’s New mCentral Simplifies Digital Home Integration

Sony

Sony Delivers Living Room PC With Blu-Ray Disc Technology (and CableCARD)

Microsoft's CES Press Releases

chrisl — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 15:06:00 GMT

Microsoft Integrates IPTV Software Platform With Xbox 360, Creating All-in-One Digital Entertainment Device | At the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Microsoft Corp. today announced a new solution that will bring together two of its leading entertainment products, the Xbox 360 gaming console and the Microsoft TV IPTV Edition software platform, to create a unique digital entertainment offering. IPTV on Xbox 360™ is expected to be available to consumers by holiday season 2007 and will be offered by providers that are deploying TV services over broadband networks based on the IPTV Edition software platform. The solution was unveiled during Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates’ CES keynote address Jan. 7.

The integration of a video gaming console with Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services is intended to deliver a first-of-its-kind entertainment experience. IPTV on Xbox 360 is expected to give consumers all the advantages of an advanced TV service along with the benefits of next-generation gaming, as well as unique new capabilities that the integrated solution brings. Xbox Live, the largest online social network in the living room, will be seamlessly integrated into the experience, providing consumers with a wide range of community-based features, such as voice chat, sending and receiving text and voice messages, and accessing Xbox Live Marketplace, all while watching TV. For example, while a TV viewer is enjoying his favorite football game, he can receive a message from a friend inviting him to a join voice chat while watching the game, or to play a game of their own with EA SPORTS “Madden NFL 07” on Xbox Live.

Read Full Press Release

Microsoft Hardware’s Innovative Industry Firsts Earn Top CES Honors | his week at the 2007 International CES in Las Vegas, Microsoft Corp. will showcase its award-winning peripherals, the Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000 and the Wireless Notebook Presenter Mouse 8000, both named CES Innovations 2007 Design and Engineering Awards Honorees on the basis of their innovative designs and advancements in peripheral engineering, including industry firsts and technologies that complement Microsoft’s new operating system, Windows Vista, as well as the 2007 Microsoft Office system.

Microsoft is responding to the changing ways consumers are interacting with their PC, and both the Wireless Notebook Presenter Mouse 8000 and the Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000 are being honored for incorporating innovative technologies and stylish designs that allow users to be more productive and move effortlessly from work to play. These devices, along with the full line of Microsoft Hardware mice, keyboards and LifeCams, will be fully compatible with Windows Vista once the operating system is available to retail customers.

Read Full Press Release

Microsoft and Broadcom Deliver Combined Hardware and Software Platform for More Cost-Efficient HD DVD Players | Today at the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Microsoft Corp. and Broadcom Corp. announced a joint effort to support a hardware and software reference design for more cost-efficient HD DVD playback. The new platform uses Microsoft Windows CE 6.0 and Broadcom’s BCM7440 system-on-chip solution, allowing consumer electronics manufacturers, original design manufacturers and systems integrators to more easily and affordably deliver HD DVD playback. Several of the more innovative, high volume electronics companies that plan to use this new hardware and software platform to speed the production of HD DVD players include Lite-On IT Corp. and Zhenjiang Jiangkui Group Co. Ltd./ED Digital.

In less than a year, HD DVD is already transforming the way people watch movies. With several hundred thousand HD DVD players in homes and more than 240 movie titles to choose from, studios are taking full advantage of the pristine video and audio quality and the ability to add interactive features to blockbuster films. HD DVD movies have received reviewers’ top ratings among high-definition media, and consistently outsell and outrank similar titles of competing optical disc formats.^* To keep up with demand, major studios have announced more than 300 HD DVD movies for 2007.

Read Full Press Release

Microsoft Technology Brings HD DVD to the Mainstream | Today at the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Microsoft Corp. showcased the growing momentum behind HD DVD through its contribution of core technologies. Microsoft helped deliver the highest-quality video with the VC-1 codec, advanced interactivity with HDi™, and a streamlined and affordable platform for player manufacturers through the use of Microsoft^® Windows^® CE 6.0.

More than 150 HD DVD titles were authored this year with the VC-1 encoding tool, due to its outstanding picture quality. Titles such as “Batman Begins” from Warner Home Video, “King Kong” from Universal Studios Home Entertainment and “Mission: Impossible III” from Paramount Home Entertainment were all recognized by the industry for their reference quality while still allowing more room on the discs for advanced interactive features enabled by Microsoft’s HDi technology. As an official SMPTE standard, VC-1 is already the codec of choice for three major Hollywood studios, and it is also being used for digital downloads by leading services including the Xbox Live^® Marketplace for high-definition videos.

Read Full Press Release

Short Bits: Bill Gates CES Keynote

chrisl — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 02:53:00 GMT

Media Center SportsLounge with FOXSports.com combines live television, real-time scores and online sports media. Also, Windows Vista (premium versions) will have new content from existing partners and new ones, including, Nickelodeon, Showtime and Starz.
HP TouchSmart PC, Vista-inspired PC with touch-screen experience to desktop computing, entertainment hub, etc. Designed for everywhere, family room or living room. [Engadget Pics/Info]
Sony VAIO VGX-TP1, stylish PC for entertainment experience. Watch live and recorded TV and movies or surf the Web from their sofa using the wireless keyboard or remote control. [Engadget Pics/Info]
Xbox 360 with Microsoft TV IPTV Edition, expected to deliver world-class TV experiences such as digital video recording capabilities, with gaming, movie viewing, and even voice and video communications. Expected by holiday season 2007, offered by providers that are deploying TV services based on the Microsoft TV IPTV Edition software platform. [Engadget UI Gallery]
10.4 million Xbox 360 console-sold mark. Strong sales of the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player and strong demand for downloadable movies and television.
Windows Home Server, software product to connect multiple PCs, digital devices and printers to help easily store, protect and share their rapidly expanding collections of digital content and entertainment. Later this year, HP plans to deliver the HP MediaSmart Server, powered by Windows Home Server. Automatic backup feature, remote access to data using Windows Live. Serve as a platform for independent software vendors to build innovative products for the digital home. [Engadget Pics/Info]

Microsoft Unveils Wave of New Products and Services at CES

chrisl — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 02:39:00 GMT

LAS VEGAS — Jan. 7, 2007 — Speaking at the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates and Microsoft Entertainment and Devices Division President Robbie Bach showed how the company is delivering a new generation of connected experiences that are inspired by the universal desire to create community and share interests and passions with friends and family.

Gates and Bach announced several new products and services that include new Windows Vista™-inspired PCs, never-before-seen Windows Vista features, an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV)-enabled Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system, and a new partnership with Ford Motor Co. that will extend digital experiences to the car. The company also unveiled Microsoft^® Windows^® Home Server, which provides a central place to help store, protect and access all the digital content in the home.

“As the magic of software makes it easier for people to be creators, publishers and consumers of digital content, it is expanding the way we think about community and entertainment,” Gates said. “From your living room to your car, we’re delivering a wave of new software products and services that make it easier for you to manage your day-to-day lives, express your ideas and share your interests.”

Windows Vista: New Features Revealed as Countdown to Launch Begins

With less than a month to go until the Jan. 30 consumer launch of Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office system, thousands of PC manufacturers and system builders across the globe are preparing to deliver new PCs designed to run the new versions of Microsoft’s flagship Windows and Office products. By Jan. 30, more than 1.5 million devices will work with Windows Vista and more than 2,000 products will be Certified for Windows Vista, helping to make Internet and networking connections, home entertainment and business tasks faster, easier and more secure than ever.

As a part of his keynote address, Gates provided a first look at a number of Windows Vista features and announced several new content partnerships that will enable people to explore their interests and express their creativity with greater freedom than ever. For example, Windows DreamScene™, available to Windows Ultimate customers through Windows Ultimate Extras, transforms the PC desktop from static background wallpaper into a full-motion, personalized video canvas. Windows Media Center SportsLounge in conjunction with FOXSports.com seamlessly combines live television, real-time scores and online sports media to keep people close to their favorite games, teams and players. Premium versions of Windows Vista will also offer brand-new content from existing partners and new ones, including, Nickelodeon, Showtime and Starz.

Gates also unveiled a series of exciting new Windows Vista-powered PCs that ranged from innovative desktop designs and ultra-portable models, all scheduled to be available Jan. 30, including the following:

The HP TouchSmart PC, a Windows Vista-inspired PC that introduces the convenient touch-screen experience to desktop computing, serves as a fast and easy-to-access information, communication and entertainment hub designed to fit wherever life happens: in the kitchen, family room or living room.

The Toshiba Portege R400 is a Windows Vista-inspired signature mobile PC that incorporates innovative connectivity and display technologies to provide timely access to e-mail and appointments via Active Notifications and is built on Windows SideShow technology.
Sony VAIO VGX-TP1 is a stylish PC that delivers a high-performance entertainment experience so users can enjoy their favorite live and recorded TV and movies or surf the Web from their sofa using the wireless keyboard or remote control.
The Medion UMPC is an ultra-mobile PC that provides multiple input options such as a keyboard, a pen and touch capabilities and features the new Origami Experience, a user interface that optimizes entertainment and communications on the smallest class of personal computers running Windows Vista.

“Windows Vista is the catalyst for a variety of new hardware devices being made available to consumers,” Gates said. “The result will be an incredible set of new connected experiences that link our interests, our communities and our desires in ways that extend across home, work and play.”

With its powerful graphics capabilities, advanced parental controls, and connectivity to the Live games and entertainment network, Windows Vista promises to capture the imagination of 200 million hardcore and casual PC gamers alike. Titles such as “Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures” (Eidos Interactive Ltd./Funcom) and “Crysis” (EA Partners/Crytek) take advantage of DirectX^® 10, and offer some of the smoothest, most lifelike visual experiences available on any gaming platform today. Microsoft also showed off “Shadowrun” (Microsoft Game Studios) and “Halo^® 2 for Windows Vista” (Microsoft Game Studios), the first of many titles that will enable gamers on Windows Vista to connect with their friends on Xbox 360 through the Live network. And for casual gamers, the company demonstrated a cross-platform game of “UNO!,” with some players joining from their Windows Vista-based PCs and others joining from their Xbox 360 consoles.

“Windows Vista marks the biggest investment from Microsoft around Windows games since Windows 95, making games easier, safer and more fun to play on the PC,” said Gates. “For consumers, we believe gaming is one of the top reasons to upgrade to Windows Vista.”

The development of Windows Vista and the 2007 Office release are the result of an unprecedented collaboration between Microsoft and its customers and partners. After more than 5 million beta downloads of Windows Vista and the 2007 Office release, the two products were designed with the help of millions of customers worldwide, including 50 families from seven countries taking part in the Life with Windows Vista program.

Xbox 360 and Microsoft TV: Together Expanding the World of Games and Entertainment

In a move that will combine the power of Xbox 360 with Microsoft TV IPTV Edition, Bach provided an early look at a new service, IPTV on Xbox 360. The offering is expected to deliver world-class TV experiences such as digital video recording capabilities, with gaming, movie viewing, and even voice and video communications. Tapping into an expanded set of entertainment experiences, users will be able to watch their favorite sporting event live while chatting with their friends, for example, or participate in a match on Xbox Live^® while they record a TV program in the background. IPTV on Xbox 360 is expected to be available to consumers by holiday season 2007 and will be offered by providers that are deploying TV services based on the Microsoft TV IPTV Edition software platform.

“Our goal is to make entertainment more personal, more interactive and more social,” Bach said. “IPTV on Xbox 360 and Xbox Live are powerful examples of ways we are bringing together the worlds of gaming, TV viewing and community to make it easy for people to access and discover their favorite content and share their personal experiences with the communities they are part of.”

Microsoft TV IPTV Edition continues to strengthen its position in the market with deployments under way with five of the world’s largest service providers and trials with 11 additional companies, representing a footprint across 14 countries on four continents.

Bach also showcased the strong momentum behind Xbox 360 and highlighted the company’s success in delivering high-definition viewing experiences with HD DVD. Exceeding expectations by hitting the 10.4 million-console-sold mark this holiday season, Xbox 360 is the leading next-generation games and entertainment platform. It is also the largest social network in the living room, with 5 million Xbox Live members.

In addition, strong sales of the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player and strong demand for downloadable movies and television programs are a clear indication that increasing numbers of consumers see Xbox 360 as an ideal device for connecting to a broad range of entertainment experiences. In just over a year, people have downloaded more than 100 million pieces of content to their Xbox 360 consoles, which include game content, television shows and movies.

Connecting Digital Devices and Experiences at Home and on the Road

During his keynote address, Gates announced Windows Home Server, a new software product for families with multiple PCs that want to connect their home computers, digital devices and printers to help easily store, protect and share their rapidly expanding collections of digital content and entertainment. Later this year, HP plans to deliver the HP MediaSmart Server, powered by Windows Home Server.

Windows Home Server was created to help consumers deal with the explosion in digital content. For example, 273 billion digital images were captured worldwide in 2006.¹ Today, more than 40 million homes in the U.S. have more than one PC² and one in three homes in the U.S. has an MP3 player.³ Windows Home Server automatically backs up home PCs and provides a central location for storing a family’s photographs, music, videos and documents. Using a personalized Windows Live™ Internet address, people will be able to remotely access digital content on Windows Home Server when they are away from home. At CES, companies such as AMD, Inventec Corp. and Quanta Computer Inc. will demonstrate hardware reference designs for Windows Home Server. Windows Home Server will also serve as a platform for independent software vendors to build innovative products for the digital home.

Gates also announced a partnership between Microsoft and Ford to deliver Sync, a voice-activated, intelligent means to connect personal electronic devices to vehicles, including a wide range of mobile phones, storage media, and portable music players such as Zune™ and others.

Sync, developed by Ford and based on the Microsoft Auto platform, will offer hands-free phone dialing, address-book synchronization, and other features such as the ability to read text messages through the car’s audio system. Drivers can also control their digital music players using voice commands or controls on the steering wheel. In addition, the Microsoft Auto software is easily updatable, so Sync can integrate new devices as they are introduced, with a simple software upgrade.

With Sync, Ford is using Microsoft Auto to give drivers greater control by unifying their mobile phones and portable media players into a single voice-operated in-car system. Sync is planned to be available in the second half of 2007 in 12 models of 2008 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars and trucks and will expand to all Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars and trucks by the 2009 model year.

Manufacturers Exploit Vista for Home Automation & A/V

chrisl — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 20:05:00 GMT

[EHX] Manufacturers Exploit Vista for Home Automation & A/V (CE Pro) | Julie has a post with some of the great stuff that was on show at EHX. Embedded Automation, Cortexa, Exceptional Innovation, Honeywell, Niveus, Superna, and more are showcased. Check it out!

(Photo Courtesy of CE Pro)

Microsoft Showcases 110 High-Definition Xbox 360 Games; Xbox 360 HD DVD Player and 1080p Support

chrisl — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 03:18:00 GMT

TOKYO — Sept. 20, 2006 — Today at the Tokyo Game Show 2006, Microsoft Corp. delivered information on new and improved entertainment experiences for Japanese gamers, including details of the Xbox 360™ library of nearly 110 high-definition games available this holiday season in Japan, which will include the highly anticipated “Blue Dragon” from Microsoft Game Studios. Microsoft also paid tribute to NAMCO BANDAI Games and “Pac-Man,” announcing that the first “Pac-Man” World Championship will be held in early 2007 using Xbox 360 and Xbox Live^® Arcade. Microsoft also revealed details of other entertainment offerings enabled through Xbox 360, with availability date and pricing provided for the Xbox 360 HD DVD player in Japan, as well as news of an update that will allow the Xbox 360 console to output full 1080p games and video.

At the best-attended gaming convention in the world, Microsoft showcased games that will boost the Xbox 360 software library in Japan to nearly 110 titles by holiday season 2006 as well as more titles coming well into 2007. The Xbox 360 games showcased include “Blue Dragon” (Microsoft Game Studios), “Lost Planet: Extreme Condition” (Capcom), “Dead or Alive: Xtreme 2” (Tecmo Inc.) and the newly announced “Trusty Bell” (NAMCO BANDAI Games), and a host of anticipated Xbox Live Arcade titles. For 2007, Microsoft also announced a pipeline of great games that include the epic role-playing game (RPG) “Infinite Undiscovery” (Microsoft Game Studios).

“The key to winning the hearts and minds of the Japanese market is great games, and this great lineup demonstrates that Xbox 360 has those games in spades,” said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business in the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. “Our lineup of role-playing games from the acknowledged masters of the genre is proof positive that there has never been a better time for Japanese gamers to jump in and pick up an Xbox 360 system.”

Many game titles, including the much-anticipated epic RPG “Blue Dragon,” will be playable for the first time in the Microsoft^® booth at the Tokyo Game Show. Other playable titles include “Lost Odyssey™” (Microsoft Game Studios) and “Viva Piñata™” (Microsoft Game Studios).

Xbox Live Arcade and the “Pac-Man” World Championship

With the creator of “Pac-Man,” Toru Iwatani, onstage, Peter Moore announced that Microsoft and NAMCO BANDAI Games will host the first “Pac-Man” World Championship in early 2007. The top 10 players in the world for “Pac-Man” on Xbox Live Arcade will compete for the title in New York City. More details, including how to qualify for the championship, will be made available in the coming months.

Continuing its tremendous momentum, Xbox Live Arcade has also announced in Tokyo a host of exciting new games, including some that will be exclusive to the Japanese market. Gamers will have the opportunity to try a host of new games on the show floor, including the classic side-scroller “Contra” (Konami Corp.), the space-shooter “Gyruss” (Konami), the enemy-popping classic “Dig Dug” (NAMCO BANDAI Games), arcade favorite “Track & Field” (Konami), “New Rally-X” (NAMCO BANDAI Games) “Rush’n Attack” (Konami), a favorite 1980s side-scroller, and the inimitable “Ms. Pac-Man” (NAMCO BANDAI Games). In addition, the Japan-exclusive Xbox Live Arcade game “Yie Ar Kung Fu” (Konami), one of the very first fighting games, was announced for release in 2007.

Xbox 360 HD DVD Player and 1080p Support

Microsoft announced pricing and availability details for the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player in Japan. The accessory will launch on Nov. 17, 2006, priced at ¥19,800 (estimated retail price), and will come with an Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote.

“Xbox 360 and the HD DVD Player together deliver the most powerful and affordable games and movie system for Japanese consumers,” Moore said. “The freedom to choose their entertainment experiences is extremely important for consumers as they enter the next generation.”

In addition, Microsoft announced that its fall software update, scheduled for release later this year, will allow all Xbox 360 consoles around the world to output game and movie content in 1080p resolution.

XNA

Demonstrating its pledge to democratize game development for tomorrow’s game developers, Microsoft announced that four Japanese universities will use its XNA™ Game Studio Express software in educational material and research within their course offerings. The XNA software allows hobbyists, students and independent game developers to create games for Windows^® and, for the first time, Xbox 360 with the goal that user-generated games made with XNA will arrive on Xbox Live Marketplace. Tokyo University, Tokyo Polytechnic University, Ritsumeikan University and Osaka Electro-Communication University join the dozens of universities worldwide that have pledged support for Microsoft’s XNA vision and are recognizing the potential of XNA Game Studio Express as an educational tool. As a result, these four schools will integrate XNA software into their game development curricula, labs and games-related research.

“As I turn my attention and passion toward teaching the next generation of game developers, I am thrilled with XNA Game Studio Express and related products,” said Toru Iwatani, a lecturer at Tokyo Polytechnic University and original creator of “Pac-Man.” “I believe that these products are attractive and effective because they create a development environment that matches the skill level and area of expertise, widening the entry of future developers into game development.”

XNA Game Studio Express beta was made available to users worldwide on Aug. 30, 2006. The final version of XNA Game Studio Express will be made available this holiday season.

About Xbox 360

Xbox 360 is the most powerful video game and entertainment system, delivering the best games, the next generation of the premier Xbox Live online gaming network and unique digital entertainment experiences that revolve around gamers. Xbox 360 is expected to have a catalog of 160 high-definition games by the end of 2006 and to be available in nearly 40 countries by the end of 2007. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.

Chances HD DVD Brings H.264 Decode to Xbox 360 Extender?

chrisl — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 15:50:00 GMT

Microsoft picked ATI's H.264 Decoder for use with their upcoming external HD DVD drive which will connect to the Xbox 360. This should add to InterVideo's MPEG-2 Decoder and Microsoft VC-1 Decoder to handle all video formats that could possibility be on an HD DVD. Now let’s ask the Media Center question. Will H.264 content be able to be decoded on the Xbox 360 in a Media Center Extender session?? Hmm…….

Introducing Media Center Pro, a New Publication Focused on MCE

chrisl — Thu, 25 May 2006 03:05:00 GMT

Introducing Media Center Pro, a New Publication Focused on MCE | The guys (and gals) at CE Pro have introduced Media Center Pro at new published that is focused on Media Center. This is the magazine for “people who build, sell, install, integrate and support Media Center PCs.” Just a bit of what’s lined up for the first issue in June is a Q&A with Microsoft's Todd Rutherford, information about extending Media Center throughout your Home, optimizing A/V with Media Center, and more.

I’m positive this will be the magazine for everyone reading this blog right now! Stay tuned for more and don’t forget to subscribe to CE Pro and then Media Center Pro (site coming soon).

HD DVD's Managed Copy with Xbox 360 Extender

chrisl — Tue, 21 Feb 2006 15:40:00 GMT

The Green Button member Neon asked a question about HD DVD's Managed Copy with Xbox 360 and I thought I would post a bit of the information here too, since many people have the question on their minds.

The question was asked by Neon, “With Vista there will be the ability to make a Managed Copy of HD DVD, but the question remains what format will it copy too, and will it be able to be played on an Extender or 360?”

There will be much more information on this in the upcoming months. However, AACS is going to define a "Managed Copy" as making available the same resolution and functions (user experiences, menu features, etc) as the licensed physical content. This would lead most to think that it will be an exact copy in its original form.

Now, AACS is also going to include WMRM (aka WMDRM, I like to leave out the "D" since "DRM" makes people uneasy) which is Windows Media Digital Rights Management as an "Authorized Digital Output". Your Xbox 360 supports WMRM and even better it support WMRM-ND. That -ND stands for Network Devices which is approved for "Remote Viewing" which everyone basically calls streaming.

I'm not sure what the plan is for streaming the content around (in terms of the format), but if on-the-fly converting to WMV9 could be done I would think that would be choice for bandwidth considerations. I don’t know if WMRM can be applied if the content isn’t ASF/WMV, it will be interesting to see and again it’s still going to be a bit before all details are released. The Xbox 360 is going to have to get a software update (unless it’s already in place: InterVideo?!) when Microsoft releases the External HD DVD Drive since it will need to be able to decode MPEG-4 AVC, in addition to MPEG-2 and VC-1.

The way I'm reading things you still need HDCP output to get full resolution playback, so Microsoft is going to have to release a new dongle which will most likely have HDMI in order for the Xbox 360 to output full resolution. Unprotected output with WMRM is not allowed from what I can see.

Note: I have seen Blu-ray presentations that say BD+ doesn’t interfere with Managed Copy. So, if true the above relating to Managed Copy would also apply to Blu-ray once released (one would think).

Why No HD-DVD Drive In Xbox 360?

chrisl — Fri, 02 Dec 2005 20:33:00 GMT

Why Didn't Microsoft Ship the Xbox 360 with an HD-DVD Drive? | Alexander Grundner wants to know why Microsoft didn’t ship an HD-DVD drive with the Xbox 360. I would suspect that one of the largest reasons is cost. It is estimated that Microsoft loses $126 for every Xbox 360 sold, and that’s with a standard dual-layer DVD drive. It’s not cost-effective at all to ship an Xbox SKU this year with an HD-DVD at a reason price. The two options for that would be to wait to release the unit, or suffer the financial consequences. Getting the Xbox 360 out before Sony’s PS3 was clearly a goal, so forget about waiting until it’s more cost-effective. And at the ~$126 lose per system now, adding an additional components to the Xbox 360 would present too much of a loss. However, Microsoft and Toshiba signed their “cross-patent license” deal so if cost wasn’t the issue, it was likely the lack of drives that would have been available for this years launch. And again, they didn’t want to push back the launch until 2006 to match Sony.

Another reason for not including an HD-DVD drive is that Microsoft knows you will be able to make a Managed Copy of your HD-DVDs and will likely get those copies to stream to an Xbox 360. I brought that point up 6 months ago and its re-enforced by the latest CableCARD information. We know that Microsoft has some sort of plan (HDCP/HDMI Output?) to allow secure output of protected content on the Xbox 360, since it was approved by CableLabs. I wouldn’t doubt that secure output of HD-DVD titles would be far behind that.

Thoughts and Answers on Managed Copies

chrisl — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 00:08:00 GMT

I’ve been talking about the ability to legally “rip” HD-DVD’s to your hard drive for some time now, and of course today Microsoft finally made their announcement that they will pair with Intel to provide support for HD-DVD in Windows and with Intel's Viiv-based PC's. I have seen many questions pop-up about some of the features and about your ability to do certain actions with the media.

Thomas Hawk had questions about the quality and file size of a “Managed Copy” over the original HD-DVD. Ed Bott speculates that better compression will cut down the file size which is kind of true, but I’m not sure if Ed is thinking of the compression used in the correct manner. While we do have much more advanced and efficient video and audio codec’s, it doesn’t always mean file sizes will be drastically cut. There isn’t much stopping “studio x” from encoding their video using MPEG-2. For a feature length movie at 1920x1080p, you’re looking at 30GB cutting it close! You will have to add audio and extras too! Most studios will be encoding video with either MPEG-4 AVC HP or VC-1. This will cut down file size of the overall disc, but you as a consumer should really want that disc to be as full as possible. Greater bitrates (in turn larger file sizes) means better video and audio quality to start with. Oh, 30GB HD-DVD’s might be available at launch, but that doesn’t mean the all studios will play the price for them. Think about it!

If I remember correctly, you will be able to make at least a single “Managed Copy” at full resolution. Look for a host of other information on this near the end of October or start of November. This is where that crazy AACS content protection system I’m always talking about starts to come into play. =)

Sean Alexander had also posted this news and his views on “Managed Copies” and Kenn left a comment about the type of “reactivation” that will be needed to keep the content secure. This is true, and you will need an active Internet connection to take advantage of “Managed Copies” for HD-DVD.

Ian Dixon asked if the process will be easy to get your copy, and you can bet the answer is yes! It will be extremely simple to copy an HD-DVD to our hard drive. =)

Windows Vista will of course play into this in many ways. I would very much assume that Vista will be needed to take advantage of “Managed Copies“. There are some downfalls to the “Managed Copy” feature with HD-DVD that will play out in the upcoming months. To try and kill a bit of what might pop-up in the feature, while it is a “guaranteed feature”, it doesn’t mean that you purchased the right to make a copy when you bought the HD-DVD.

My single question about all of this is where is the HDMI output on the Xbox 360! There will be a secure path with WMRM to get content TO the Xbox 360, so there must be a path OUT to also keep it secure. I still hold my thoughts that Microsoft has the best chance to win your Living Room, the rest of the pieces just need to start falling. This mainly comes with Vista and the framework that is being built to allow the consumer to get this media on their PC!

Why Microsoft is Still My Choice to Win Your Living Room

chrisl — Fri, 03 Jun 2005 03:59:00 GMT

Last week I wrote that Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 will most likely not be seeing CableCARD support and that we will be waiting for Longhorn for such a feature to be correctly implemented. This has left a few of you questioning Microsoft’s future role of owning the living room. If they don’t further HDTV support in Media Center 2005 this year is it over for Microsoft? Quite frankly, the answer is no.

The race to win your living room still belongs to Microsoft as a frontrunner. Microsoft might just have so many tricks up their sleeve that it’s not even funny. While Media Center is part of the equation to winning, the second largest part is actually the Xbox 360. Before you stop reading because you think I’m going to take about it having a built in Media Center Extender or the ability to be a Windows Media Connect client for non-Media Center PC’s, how about if Microsoft had a damn good reasoning behind not including an HD-DVD or Blu-Ray drive in the Xbox 360? While the cost factor of either drive is part of the reason, there may indeed be a bigger reason.

What if the Xbox 360 would play Blu-Ray and/or HD-DVD content over your home network? That would sure be cool, but could it work? It sure could, and it just might be Microsoft’s other key to win your living room.

Microsoft just happens to be one of the founding members of the Advanced Access Content System LA (AACS LA) organization. IBM happens to be another member, and we know that the Xbox 360 includes PowerPC processors; I’m not sure what else is made by IBM in the box, but stay with me for a second. The AACS is the copy protection system that will be used in HD-DVD and I believe that the BD Group has also adopted it for use with Blu-Ray titles One of the goals of the AACS is to actually give you back some of your fair use, it’s shocking but true. That would include giving you the ability to store a copy of the movie on your PC/Media Server and stream it throughout your home. Of course that comes at a price, buying specific components that will abide by the new system. Microsoft may have already thought about that and could have the Xbox 360 update it’s software over Xbox Live!, and thus enable playback of HD-DVD and/or Blu-Ray titles that you legally have stored on your home PC/Media Server. Remember that the Xbox 360 will be Live! enabled out-of-the-box at no additional cost to the owner. Release a software update, get it for free over Xbox Live! and add a huge feature to your Xbox 360? Sounds too good to be true, but it might just be the key to Microsoft really winning the battle for your living room.

Having said that, I would not be surprised if the Media Server functions would again not be possible until Longhorn ships. Longhorn will be the key to digital media and your home, and I doubt that offerings from other companies could even start comparing to what Microsoft could offer us (in theory).

This brings up another point, are people willing to wait for Longhorn? As I see it, the answer is yes. In terms of the living room, I think we are still a year or so from the majority of people being into it. If Microsoft can start laying the basic framework for all of these devices to talk to each other and share content, and then make it all upgradeable for a low price, they will win the battle for the living room.