Microsoft Mediaroom: IPTV gets a makeover

We know Microsoft loves TV, between its UltimateTV and Foundation set-top box businesses, continued commitment to the Media Center platform, impending Xbox 360 IPTV rollout (and current downloadable video content over Live), and its nascent Microsoft TV IPTV biz. In fact, it's pretty clear that connected television is the direction the company thinks the medium is headed, and it seems ready to make another push on its core IPTV platform (Microsoft TV IPTV Edition) to the masses by rebranding it as Microsoft Mediaroom and expanding its functionality. The new version of the platform, announced today, features picture in picture (with "enhanced MultiView"), networked media sharing, interactive services, and finally supplementary digital terrestrial television support. Will it affect you, the end user? Only if you're lucky enough to live in one of the select few markets that has IPTV integration -- none of us are, and we're none too bitter about it, too.

[Thanks, Arneh]

[INTERNETSAVIOUR @ Jun 18th 2007 3:17AM]

fantastic. now that microsoft has ruined our pcs and home video game consoles, they've finally decided to ruin our tvs too. thanks microsoft!

[ByronGman @ Jun 18th 2007 3:22AM]

It's late....

Even trolls need to get their beauty sleep!

[arccoyote @ Jun 18th 2007 4:06AM]

It's pretty, that's for sure!

That must be the Xbox 360 version pictured, because it looks like it's sharing a lot of UI elements with Windows Media Center. After all, the Xbox 360 already has the extender code on the system.

[Greg @ Jun 18th 2007 4:49AM]

I've just bought a brand new Vista Home Premium media center and Windows Media Center crashes whenever I try and open my folder with my videos in it. And Windows Media Player also crashes repeatedly. Your products suck, Microsoft.

[Ismael @ Jun 18th 2007 7:55AM]

GO blame your crappy hardware dude.
Ive been using vista since it came out (just had to sort some driver incompatabilities), I have 5 computers around the house running ultimate, and guess what? THEY BLOODY WORK LIKE A CHARM.

[evan @ Jun 18th 2007 6:52AM]

My 360 has burned out twice now, 3 red rings, just by playing a couple hours of games every day to every other day. Just imagine if the world starts using their 360 to watch television via IPTV -- people's machines will burn out faster than ever before.

Anyone who wants a 360 should buy yourself a warranty at the store you purchased it, so you can just return the broken machine there. If you bought your machine from ebay or friend, call microsoft to find out how much of the 1 one year warranty is left by telling them your serial number on the machine and if there's still warranty left then purchase an additional 1 to 2 year warranty at very little cost, because if it breaks and believe me it will and you're no longer in the 1 year warranty, you going to have to pay $140 to get it repaired. look up xbox 360 defective for more info.

[Daniel Allard @ Jun 18th 2007 7:21AM]

Is it just me, or does it look similar to the old CBC logo? http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2b/CBC_Logo_1974-1986.svg

[plchabot @ Jun 18th 2007 7:31AM]

Yep, that's true.

[Jole @ Jun 18th 2007 8:08PM]

Agreed. Someone's going to get suuuuuuued.

[Chet @ Jun 25th 2007 12:39PM]

It's just you.

[Matt Welke @ Jun 18th 2007 7:41AM]

Its theme reminds me of Ubuntu. ORANGE!!

[joeRyan @ Jun 18th 2007 8:04AM]

Mmmm. Orange. Need some matching shag carpeting. Who let through branding?

[Bob e @ Jun 18th 2007 10:32AM]

You gotta love Microsoft. They have so many ideas going at one time at least a few have to stick.

Microsoft rocks baby! Now bring on the Zune 2.0

[disciple83 @ Jun 18th 2007 11:50AM]

question: Will this be an update for the Xbox360 dashboard? I just finished my Media Center Extender system, (with MCE2005, vista won't install with my mobo for some reason), and with the exception of my roommate continuously downloading movies from Netflix, effectively bogging down my network, it works flawlessly. But, having finally worked out all the kinks in this system, is there any way I would be able to get this new piece of sexy running by the time IPTV actually starts going mainstream?

[michael @ Jun 18th 2007 11:56AM]

IPTV is truly awesome! I was visiting my sister's boyfriend's house, and he has AT&T U-verse. U-verse is based on IPTV. The guide and menu are really slick, and works so well. It's much more easy to go through, and works very fast. I mean, I just couldn't believe it, when I saw it. It was so darn cool. It's too bad other cable providers don't do it. I might just have to switch to U-verse sometime. It's like cable 10X better. Well not that much, but way better than what Comcast or DirecTV have to offer.

Microsoft really has something with IPTV here. U-verse looks very awesome, and if they fixed IPTV even some more, I can't imagine the possibilities.

[Crucial @ Jun 19th 2007 11:53AM]

Could it be any more obvious that you are a shill for AT&T or MS?

[michael @ Jun 18th 2007 1:34PM]

Here's the official site if anyone wants it: http://www.microsoftmediaroom.com/

It's pretty awesome. Check it out.

[kim @ Jun 18th 2007 7:14PM]

Can't wait for this to become available in my neighborhood. It looks pretty slick.

[ethana2 @ Jun 19th 2007 3:43AM]

I hope IPTV is a hit, but they better not go pulling proprietary standards left and right with it. I'm not gonna be using their software unless it runs natively on the Linux kernel.

Democracy player? You have a challenger. Take it out.

[Alan Weinkrantz @ Jun 19th 2007 3:31PM]

Here's my take on this at: http://alanweinkrantz.typepad.com/3screens/2007/06/having_been_a_u.html

I've got 10 questions posed about their offering
I'm now starting my 2nd year as a U-verse / AT&T Customer