Microsoft's building an Orb/Slingbox killer into Media Center?

So we heard it through the grapevine that Microsoft's gonna one-up Sling and Orb with the possibility of integrating a streaming media playback feature into Media Center. We always kind of thought Microsoft would just up and buy Orb Networks for their technology -- especially since it doesn't seem like Orb has any real long term business plan-- but according to BetaNews, Microsoft is far enough into their home streaming media server development that they're showing working demos of video and textual remote Media Center control over EDGE cellular connections. Well hot diggity, with any luck we won't have to wait for Vista to get it, too.

[Via eHomeUpgrade]

[Nick @ Jan 19th 2006 2:23PM]

You'll probably need a crappy windows smartphone to use it though...

[n8 @ Jan 19th 2006 2:27PM]

I don't Sling should be worried. Media Center PCs are still a rarity and they are overpriced. Sling's boxes are the kind of appliance that Microsoft for all its wanting will never be able to make because they just keep wanting to add one more [subscription] service.

[Lite @ Jan 19th 2006 2:37PM]

This would make sense.

You can already watch MC content from other machines on your network, why not over IP ?

[Victor @ Jan 19th 2006 2:42PM]

I certainly think sling will be ok, their idea has already had some root time, and the idea is just very fresh.

Microsoft just wouldnt make that work I dont think, I dont see it. But they need to do something to make money because software is about 1 year away from being totally free. I dont even use MS office anymore, I use the free programs and they work just fine.

[Raskawa @ Jan 19th 2006 2:46PM]

This will be cool, media center pc's have dropped in price tons recently ($650 on the low end at Best Buy).

As far as pay subscription service - I don't know that MS has anymore pay subscription services than the next guy.. I subscribe to all types of crap and don't have any pay MS subscriptions. Are you talking about free services??

[Spencer @ Jan 19th 2006 2:52PM]

I just hope it's compatible with the Mac.

[Rich @ Jan 19th 2006 2:55PM]

I'm one of those that started building my own MCE box when MCE just came out and seeing MSFT have done virtually no upgrades since then simply sucks. So what do I think about this streaming feature? It'd be great if it works flawlessly, but if they can integrate features such as converting to more "popular" format, or compiling all shows into format you like than automatically burn that onto DVD (w/ other programs or yet w/ MSFT burning tools) would be lovely. Yes, plug-ins are out there now, but I'm just that lazy to find one that fits and work flawlessly. That's why we pay these guys to write software right? So why not write one that's going to work and work for the consumers?

[Jeremy S @ Jan 19th 2006 3:20PM]

ya... You can build your own Media Center for a little more than a regular computer... Considering XP MCE is only 169 for the full version with a remote... I am running that on my XP box,"best" XP build yet.

[Russ @ Jan 19th 2006 3:25PM]

Why doesn't the MCE edition fix all the thing wrong with the OS/hardware before trying to jump in an take some one else's market share.

I wish my extenders could output to something other than 480i. I wish I didn't have to buy a Xbox360 in order to strean recorded HD content. Is it that hard to shove a DVD player into an extender device? That's even ignoring all the DRM and format limitations that I've just forgotten about. Here's to hoping DirecTV's HD PVR and home network distribution comes out sooner. As someone using Vista BETA 2, it currently doesn't look pretty.

[Mike @ Jan 19th 2006 3:28PM]

The types of users that Sling caters to are the exact opposite of the Media Center crowd.

Sling is practically plug-and-play with your existing satellite or cable box. The media center requires an internal tuner card and other configuration steps to get this sort of thing working.

I'm still betting that we'll see FrontRow 2.0 from Apple with the rumored DVR functionality and that it'll smoke em both... though knowing Apple it'll include iPod connectivity, but in-home streaming only.

[Rob @ Jan 19th 2006 3:55PM]

All of this functionality is already available for free (and more) with MythTV. MS is done.

[jg @ Jan 19th 2006 3:59PM]

this is great, i've been wanting to buy a treo 700 and already have a media center. with this i can stream all the content on my media center to my treo 700. who needs a portable media player with a hard drive in it then.

[Yong @ Jan 19th 2006 4:11PM]

That all sound good - but would MCE do Dvix, Xvid, MOV & RM? NO? thanks then, I'll stick with ORB.

[Tony @ Jan 19th 2006 4:27PM]

Not sure it would have been necessary for MS to buy any companies streaming technology considering they already have one of the best streaming platforms available: Windows Media Server 9 (built into Server 2003). Maybe they are just using that engine.

I use it now, and have for years, with Windows Media Encoder to stream ReplayTV to watch anywhere.

[Tony @ Jan 19th 2006 4:29PM]

#7 - sounds like you need to trade in that lame MCX for an xbox 360 for HD and DVD playback. Or VOB2MPG and play using "My Movies"?

[Z @ Jan 19th 2006 4:33PM]

what color will the screen o death be?

[Jay @ Jan 19th 2006 5:40PM]

More Microjunk. Exactly what the world needs.

[JonnoB @ Jan 19th 2006 5:43PM]

This report is a little silly to indicate that MS may be interested in buying ORB. Remember, ORB is using the Windows Media Encoder from Microsoft to accomplish the streaming. What they have is a nice web portal to your data.

[MW @ Jan 19th 2006 7:52PM]

This will be fantastic - I love Orb and I have all my shows on my MCE... letting me access my MCE content "Orb style" is what I need - I'll be set!

[Raider @ Jan 19th 2006 8:46PM]

The only question now is, what else is Microsoft going after next? Or better yet, what else is left to go after?

[Rishi Khaitan @ Jan 20th 2006 6:06AM]

Streamind media to cellular devices is the killer app for cellular data. Once you can stream your music collection , the need for an iPod quickly disappears.

[Aaron @ Jan 20th 2006 10:53AM]

The MSFT bashing here is hilarious. We should move this thread to Slashdot so that the *real* haters can have a shot.


"I'm one of those that started building my own MCE box when MCE just came out and seeing MSFT have done virtually no upgrades since then simply sucks."

No upgrades since the intial MCE release? Is this a joke? Multi-tuner, HDTV, burning, Online Spotlight, extenders....these aren't upgrades?


"I wish I didn't have to buy a Xbox360 in order to strean recorded HD content."

Why? It's the same price as any other extender and you get a heck of a lot more features. The V1 extenders likely don't even have the hardware to decode HDTV.


"Microsoft for all its wanting will never be able to make because they just keep wanting to add one more [subscription] service."

You know that (unlike Tivo, Replay, etc) MCE gives you *free* guide data, right? No monthly charges. Remote Record is also free.


"All of this functionality is already available for free (and more) with MythTV. MS is done."

Ahhh, the best one yet. Where will MythTV be when MCE is running on CableCARDs later this year? Let me guess, Isaac over at MythTV is going through the Cable Labs certification and proving how strong his DRM technology is. Doubt it. I'd guess that Myth will never see CableCARDS and will wither and die as a result. Not that it's all that popular in the first place.

[steve @ Jan 21st 2006 8:47PM]

Check out AuraOne Systems (the ones who have the wireless over cable product)at CES this year they were demoing a windows installable version of this! They were streaming 4 DVD quality streams over wireless!!! Even SLingbox can't do that. Not sure when this will be released but it was pretty cool!

[liquidnw @ Jan 27th 2006 7:24PM]

#7 You could by this which is the same price of an xbox 360 anyway.
http://www.rokulabs.com/products/photobridge/PBModels.php