Microsoft unveils "Ultimate Extras" for Vista Ultimate
By Conrad Quilty-Harper 
posted January 7th 2007 9:31PM
posted January 7th 2007 9:31PM
At his keynote at CES, Bill Gates has revealed two features which are part of the "Ultimate Extras" bundle designed to tempt potential buyers to choose Ultimate Vista rather than any of the less featured -- but cheaper -- Vista packages. DreamScene, the first ultimate extras feature that Bill revealed, probably won't impress anyone familiar with Unix-based operating systems which are already capable of DreamScene's specific function: allowing you to play a video file on your desktop. Is this a nice piece of eye candy? Yes, but it's also probably going to be totally distracting and a waste of system resources. The second feature which will appeal specifically to one demographic -- namely sports fans -- is the Windows Media Center SportsLounge, which brings an IPTV feed of sports related media to Vista Ultimate desktops thanks to a content partnership with Fox Sports. Unfortunately for Microsoft, we have a feeling that these two features won't be enough for the majority of users to justify spending an extra $100-200 over any of the other Vista packs.
i pre ordered
The real reason to go for ultimate is if you need the features in professional like domain support, bitlocker stuff, etc AND you want the media center features.
Basically it's for IT nerds like me. I'd be pissed if I had to pick between Home Premium and Business.
Video playback on the desktop? I think I could do that on my ATi All-In-Wonder back in 1997.
Your right. OSX shine compare to Vista, go read this article that put Vista(Windows server 2003) to shame : http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=196800670&pgno=3&queryText=
Looks cool!
Always a critic in the room...I'm so getting it. Distracting or not, it's awesome technology.
help me, I didnt get what DreamScene is... for me it sounds now just like a video player, but there must be more... any hints?
So sportslounge only comes with vista ultimate? They would still need to pay a monthly subscription fee don't they. In that case, I would suspect that MS would lend this feature out as an individual package for media center. In all ways, I just don't believe that they'll offer this for free for ultimate users, and that it could be considered an 'ultimate feature'. It makes no sense for this feature to operate without monthly payment.
I'm getting Vista Business for free to replace my copy of Windows XP Pro (nice bundle deal from newegg.com and probably some other places, paid for an OEM copy of Windows XP Pro for new rig and then only had to pay 12$ for full version of Vista Business). I didn't get a choice in what I picked, but they did offer both 32 and 64bit versions, which was nice.
More info here - http://promotions.newegg.com/microsoft/vista/TechGuarn.html - if anyone is interested, just beware the website you need to use to register is in Singapore (dunno why Microsoft couldn't handle it themselves) and they are still having problems with their internet backbone because of the earthquake. The offer is open until March so you might want to wait another week.
- Tony R.
One other Extra was mentioned 'GroupShot' - nice as you can download it for free from www.snapfiles.com so how is a Ultimate Extra - freeware for $200 - any one want to buy a windows powertools suite from me on DVD for $5 I'll include GroupShot and PhotoSynth for you. And why not Virtual Earth too. Hey, get real Bill will ya.
What's the point of Video Desktop? VLC player can do that already...
I have sportslounge on my Media Centre (it just appeared) theres no IPTV streams, so no content to pay for, but there is fox statistics and it shows me the current sports programs in my guide.
I would jsut liek to point out that Videolan's VLC Media player, which is a FREE download can already play videos on your desktop.
Ok, i got the Low-down on the DreamScene for those of you who were confused. It turns your Desktop background into a video that can be stopped etc... Yes, VLC can do this, its called Fullscreen mode. However in vista, apparently you can do stuff over the video. basically your not locked into a program you can still work on your computer while watching video.
actually Harry, VLC does have the video play in the background and you can do things over it, through the menu when you right click on the video. Theres an Option that says Wallpaper. Click it and minimize VLC (and whatever other windows you have up) and you shall see it. Why exactly Microsoft seems to be making a deal out of playing a video in the background is beyond me as VLC does this already (for free) and in actuality its not all that cool. Also as far as I understand the Sports thing will be in all versions of Vista Media Center. That said if you liked the administrative tools of XP Pro, then thats the only reason why you would want the ultimate bundle. For everyone else, get Home Premium.
Why would you even want to work on something else while watching a video? There is software that will overlay windows and even theme packs that will make your system look like vista. As with XP it may be best waiting for a later service pack for vista and when there is more open support as vista doesnt do anything that any other OS wont do (apart from dx10 but this only affects the hardcore gamers). Anyway my point is this is a rather pathetic ploy by microsoft to hype up vista, the over inflated prices and no real attempt to re-invent themselves since win3.1 they have seen their market share start to slip which will rapidly gain pace within the next year when customers want value for money, not "ultimate extras" which seem laughable to most users.