New extenders and internet TV unveiled for Windows Media Center


Posted by Nick White on Friday, September 07, 2007 12:09 PM 16 Comments

17:25 PDT note:  due to a misunderstanding wholly on my part, I stated that this week we'd announced an IPTV feature for Windows Media Center, when in reality the new feature is a form of internet TV (meaning broadband video delivered over any internet connection, such as MSN Video).  My apologies for any misapprehension caused by my miscue.

At CEDIA EXPO 2007 in Denver this week, a few of our partners unveiled new Windows Media Extenders that will let customers easily extend the Windows Media Center experience to other rooms in their homes.  Companies involved included Linksys, D-Link and Niveus Media Inc.  Their hardware is the latest attempt to breach the PC-to-TV barrier by way of Windows Media Center.

The new Windows Media Extenders are designed to utilize the Windows Media Center capabilities from PCs running Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate.  Now they'll be sporting some great new features:

  • Support for Wireless N high-speed technology
  • Extended video codec support to include DivX and Xvid
  • Continued support for Windows Media Video HD files
  • Ability to send protected HD content to additional rooms, including recorded TV from over-the-air Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) or CableCard tuners
  • Ability to send movies and music available from providers such as CinemaNow, MovieLink and Napster
  • New Reuters news feeds, National Public Radio broadcasts, up-to-date sports reports from the FOX Sports Lounge and subscription music from XM Radio
  • Parental Controls built into Windows Media Center, allowing parents to choose the content their children are/not allowed to view

Also at CEDIA EXPO 2007, Life|ware and Niveus Media have both announced Windows Media Center PCs that support quad-CableCard setups.  This new configuration enables users to enjoy four cable TV channels simultaneously.

We also announced plans to add an IPTV internet TV feature (US only) to Windows Media Center in Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate.  Expect more information on this new IPTV feature at DigitalLife in New York City on 27 September.

One more thing:  I'd like to welcome Doug Berett to Microsoft.  Doug developed the now free third-party plug-in WebGuide for Windows Media Center.  WebGuide allows users to schedule TV shows and stream recorded TV shows from their Windows Media Center PC over the web to any device with a browser.  Glad to have him aboard!

SEP 07
 

Posted by Xvid and DivX-friendly Windows Media Extenders at graemef.com

PingBack from http://graemef.com/2007/09/07/xvid-and-divx-friendly-windows-media-extenders/
SEP 07
 

Posted by ryanwagner

I love WebGuide...I actually bought it earlier this year after Vista was released. Hopefully you guys can find a way to get it integrated into future versions of Media Center.
SEP 07
 

Posted by Espiox

Now we need that DivX and Xvid support added to the 360 extender software. :)

Also, what's up with Internet TV being US only? There was me thinking the internet was a worldwide thing.
SEP 07
 

Posted by bazanime

Does this mean i can now play divx and xvid files locally on my Vista media center or does this only apply to the extenders?
SEP 08
 

Posted by Jean-Marc, XP Geek !

Beaucoup d'infos plus intéressantes les unes que les autres circulent en ce moment sur Windows Media
SEP 08
 

Posted by someone

Nick,

Which of these formats are supported? Can you clarify?

MPEG-1

MPEG-2 (DVD) with MPEG audio

MPEG-4 Part 2 (DivX/XviD)

MPEG-4 Part 10 (H.264)

AAC, HE-AAC

MPEG Layer 3 (MP3)

Dolby Digital (AC3)

WMV 7, 8, and WMV9 (VC-1)

WMV Image 1 and 2 (Photo Story 1, 2, and 3)

WMA Standard

WMA Pro

WMA Lossless
SEP 10
 

Posted by newscientist2000

Sounds good, yet another way to listen to NPR :-)

I tend to listen to NPR quite a bit, as I like the programming even if it is a little biased due to being underwritten by Merck.

Guess well have to wait till the 27th for more info on the internet TV feature, speaking of which cant Microsoft pressure the BBC to let international viewers have access to their programs with ads, because as a US Expat I really miss British Television and their corrupt television phone in competitions!

Sure BBC America is nice, but I dont have cable and even if I did it doesnt quite cut the mustard, and with the current exchange rate a UK Slingbox is out of the question.

Oh and welcome Doug Berett, its great to see someone develop some usefull software to enchance the windows experience, I guess if my parents had a Media Center PC maybe they could stream me some shows from the UK.

Maybe worth a trip to the other side of the pond.
SEP 12
 

Posted by grantlairdjr

So cool :)

I have MCE computer and Xbox 360 at home. I hope this new version will support subtitle or captioning for live Internet TV.

Can you find out and let me know?

Thanks!
SEP 12
 

Posted by Nick White

Hey grantlairdjr:  we'll have more to share on Internet TV in the near future.
SEP 13
 

Posted by Tac-Elf

Will these new extender provide DVD, HD-DVD, and/or "Bloo-ray" capabilities?  Ideally, it would be nice to have an HD-combo drive to be someone future-proofed?
SEP 13
 

Posted by Nick White

Hey Tac-Elf:  please await more news on Internet TV and Extenders via this blog in the near future.  Thanks for being patient in the meantime.
SEP 21
 

Posted by jamesdean

There you go, get some internet TV - but how can we watch these streams through Media Center? ;)
SEP 21
 

Posted by jamesdean

ok, the URL box above doesn't work... www.liveuktv.com
SEP 28
 

Posted by Solarchaos

Here’s how you get the update for anyone interested:

1. When in Media Center, go down to Tasks, then go over to settings and press ok

2. Go down to TV and press ok

3. Go down to Guide and press ok

4. Go down to “Get Latest Guide Listings”, press ok and then click Yes.

That’s it, after the download you’ll be able to see the Internet TV option under TV and Movies.
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