DirecTV inks deal with Microsoft

Among the many TV-related deals that have been sprouting up lately, DirecTV has announced that it's working with Microsoft to integrate Windows Media technology to allow direct downloads from set-top boxes (what, you thought Google and Apple had the market to themselves?). Some of the features on tap include easy transfer from DirecTV boxes to PlayForSure-compatible devices, the ability to watch video stored on a PC via a DirecTV box, and a vague promise to "Extend the DirecTV experience to the Xbox 360 system." The companies also plan to integrate DirecTV technology into Media Center PCs, making it possible to use link a PC directly to a DirecTV dish and use it as a receiver.

[jabari @ Jan 10th 2006 6:42PM]

WOW...nice.....only if i had a pc.....fUk it im keeping my mac!

[MarvinK @ Jan 10th 2006 7:27PM]

Sounds good to me. I like the new features of the 360 hooking into a PC for music & pictures. Video would be better. I'm sure DirecTV is using this to soften the blow for those who will end up losing their HD Tivo for DirecTV's own HD PVR.

[John @ Jan 10th 2006 7:31PM]

FINALLY! I am one of the Media Center junkies... I have all my TV's and computers networked with Media Center. I quit DirecTV because I was sick of the stupid IR Blaster way of changing channels. I hope they get it right!

[Grant @ Jan 10th 2006 8:13PM]

This would be great. One of the biggest downfalls to Direct TV is purchasing the boxes, but I already run a MCE machine plus using 360s as extenders...I'm stoked! My guess, tho, is that this isn't going to happen until Vista. Hopefully I'm wrong, though!

[Oran Turner @ Jan 10th 2006 9:57PM]

And at the rate DirecTV moves, we'll see results from this in about 5 years...maybe.

[Joe @ Jan 11th 2006 9:43AM]

I'm just glad to have a viable option to ditch my HR10-250. A BYO Vista Media Center PC with a D* tuner sounds VERY good to me.

[Craig @ Jan 11th 2006 10:15AM]

So TiVo is now standing against the wall at the prom wondering if it'll ever be asked to dance. How sad. :-(

[The Jeremy @ Jan 11th 2006 1:15PM]

Further proof that Murdoch-led DirecTV is idiotic. They dumped TiVo to shore up Murdoch owned NDS, yet sticking with TiVo could have enabled such features without giving Microsoft the key to invading the digital satellite market...and probably would have been cheaper.



Way to go, Murdoch! Not...

[InSaNeBoY @ Jan 11th 2006 3:07PM]

Well, I was already miffed that DirecTV dumped TiVo (thankfully I already have my DTV TiVo) But this just seals the deal, when I finally (in a few years) get a highdef TV I'll be dumping DirecTV in favor of a TiVo3 and cable.

[Joe @ Jan 26th 2006 11:49AM]

#8 - Who are you kidding?

MS has already been in the DBS business. Arguably their UltimateTV boxes are better than the DTiVo's. And how does enabling PC OEM's (and hopefully BYO'ers) to put a D* tuner card in their Vista machine's hurt Rupert? Do you think he makes money on STB's?!?! They lose millions on STB's to make billions on programming. If Billy G's Vista machines have enough DRM'ish protection to keep pirates to a minimum, this is Rupert's best move ever. He gets subscribers without having to subsidize hardware purchases - BRILLIANT!

I'm jonesing to build a HTPC along the lines of the Engadget one from last week, but I think discretion is the key right now. Hold out for these tuner cards, make sure your video out supports an HDMI/DVI output with HDCP and I think you're golden. I bet you'll be able to put together a sweet Viiv-like HTPC with > 500GB of storage, all the Vista media-center functionality, multiple D* HD MPEG 4 tuners, and all the digital content you own for under $2K.

Rupert has to sit back and giggle about that one. Think of it, here I am, dreaming of ditching my HR10-250 in favor of spending $2K of my hard earned money on an media server in my home that will tie me to a near lifetime subscription with him - and he didn't have to subsidize anything more than the 5LNB dish on my house and some RG6. Brilliant.