Microsoft bringing Internet TV feature to Windows Media Center

During our chat with Microsoft today, we got wind of a brand new feature coming to Windows Media Center, and it's slated to hit just as D-Link and Linksys get official with their Media Center Extenders. Reportedly, Microsoft plans on unleashing Internet TV on or around September 27th, which will enable Media Center users to watch a variety of on-demand, ad-supported content free of charge. While details were kept slim, we do know that content will fall into Sports, Entertainment, News, Top Picks, Music and Movies categories. Additionally, the videos will reportedly be "better than SD quality, but not HD," although HD programs could certainly emerge in the future. Best of all, this feature will simply be delivered as a normal software update, and while it seems that we'll have to wait until Digital Life before we know any more, feel free to peep the gallery below for a few shots of the Internet TV beta in action.

Gallery: Microsoft bringing Internet TV feature to Windows Media Center

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[aaron @ Sep 7th 2007 10:10PM]

this could be a awesome service.... i for one thing the idea of free "ad supported" content is much better than the pay services sans ads. will be very interesting to see what kind of content is there.

but i really really like the idea of this.

[dextro @ Sep 7th 2007 10:13PM]

Uh... I wonder if Vista Home Premium and Vista Ultimate users will get this as a software update aswell? During this vacations I used the media center a lot in my laptop, I even bought a remote for it since it was so convenient to just pick up the remote and hit the windows logo...

[mattclarkie @ Sep 8th 2007 4:42AM]

I was thinking just that. As certain versions of Vista ship with a full version of Media Centre, there should be no reason not to. And why would MS not support Vista during it's important first year, this could really help sales.

[brad77 @ Sep 9th 2007 2:28AM]

I think that goes without saying. Vista Media Center only comes on Vista Home Premium and Vista Ultimate.

There is no "full version," just the version that comes with those two versions of Vista. I suppose they could treat this as a "Vista Ultimate Extra," but that's a different department...

[Camcorder Repair @ Sep 7th 2007 10:23PM]

It is great when technology moves forward. I am anxious to try Internet TV. I'm anxiously awaiting the software update. Even better its an Engadget exclusive.

[Mark G @ Sep 7th 2007 10:24PM]

Yeah, it's awesome alright....too bad everyone outside the u.s. will be excluded from it......crap!

[Adam @ Sep 8th 2007 12:10AM]

Do you know that for a fact, or just off of past experiences?

[Mark G @ Sep 8th 2007 9:53AM]

It's a fact:


"The number of content providers delivering video over the Internet continues to grow, and Microsoft is supporting this by adding a new Internet TV feature to Windows Media Center. Microsoft said its Internet TV service will be available for all Windows Vista Home Premium-and Windows Vista Ultimate-based PCs in the U.S. This new capability will allow a range of video content to be streamed to any Windows Media Center or Extender in the connected home. Further details will be announced at the DigitalLife event in New York on Sept. 27, 2007."

[lawschoolbound @ Sep 7th 2007 10:44PM]

this would be great if it comes to the 360 along with support for divx

[mfed3 @ Sep 7th 2007 10:50PM]

Yes, this will be available for any Vista Home Premium / Ultimate user (Anyone with Media Center) through windows update. Also, anyone with an Xbox 360 will be able to use it as well, since the 360 basically has access to everything the PC has except the PC's CD/DVD drive.

[mfed3 @ Sep 7th 2007 10:51PM]

Yes, this will be available for any Vista Home Premium / Ultimate user
(Anyone with Media Center) through windows update. Also, anyone with
an Xbox 360 will be able to use it as well, since the 360 basically
has access to everything the PC has except the PC's CD/DVD drive.

[mfed3 @ Sep 7th 2007 10:53PM]

ugh engadget's message board system is THE WORST. freaking fix this s***, i hate having to confirm my account via email, then it doesnt show up, or it randomly posts twice. gizmodo's system is so much better.

[I love Google! @ Sep 8th 2007 12:00AM]

How about you shut the fuck up and go to Gizmodo

[Le Master @ Sep 8th 2007 10:25AM]

They sent you a password numb nuts.

[mfed3 @ Sep 8th 2007 1:23PM]

get a life...both of you...you realize you are defending a website.

[iRobot @ Sep 14th 2007 3:27AM]

No we're just calling you stupid. Because you not being able to navigate a simple website and ranting about it is stupid -- and funny.

[Johan S @ Sep 7th 2007 10:53PM]

My question is, are they going to have HDTV's with this + wireless built in. Why don't they license Xbox etc. so that HDTVs can incorporate them? I mean if you're payin $5K for an HDTV how come you still need to buy a separate Media Center thing and a separate gaming console and configure wiring/power?

I guess as people predict we'll have to wait for Apple to do HDTV right someday. That and a reinvented LCD + OLED button remote control.

[mike.s @ Sep 10th 2007 9:56AM]

Hp has a media smart TV that will interface with your computer with built in wireless b/g. the reason they dont have stuff built into said $5000 tv's is for the same reason they don't have DVD players built into them. when it breaks (360 anyone?) youre not out a TV just an Xbox.

[Spoon!! @ Sep 9th 2007 2:07PM]

"we'll have to wait for Apple to do HDTV right someday"

Oh God I hope not. I don't feel like paying the Apple tax when buying accessories.

[armand martin @ Sep 7th 2007 11:01PM]

...

[Zaidyn @ Sep 7th 2007 11:27PM]

Awesome. Anyone know if this will apply to XP MCE 2005, or only the Vista versions? Media Center hates my TV Tuner.

[Alexander @ Sep 8th 2007 12:03AM]

IPTV XBOX 360 FTW!!!

[DAZA @ Sep 8th 2007 3:07AM]

I'm from Australia, and I have nfi what this cable card crap is.

[AndrewP @ Sep 8th 2007 2:03AM]

Past experiences show they do this... who uses cable card crap outside of the US? The amount of DVB-S users out there compared to cable card would be a million to 1 ;)

[Tyler @ Sep 8th 2007 12:29AM]

WoW....I still cant get regular T.V. because ATI wont make a driver for my ALL in Wonder.....Bout to be a nvidia forever person

[nojok3 @ Sep 8th 2007 12:48AM]

Is it safe to assume it will be free? Minus movies? Or are they just trailers?

[Phoenixfury @ Sep 8th 2007 1:09AM]

Did anyone else get a 404 on that first pic to? LOL

[AndrewP @ Sep 8th 2007 2:02AM]

When will they release DVD-S support, so all the PayTV people outside of the US can use their sat cards!

I'm still waiting so I can have a DVB-S and DVB-T card in the same system, so I can record paytv and free to air shows on media center.

I love media center interface, its sexy, but have to use media portal.... long live media portal, till MS picks up there game.

[Ende @ Sep 8th 2007 2:18AM]

Excellent! I love the way the technology advances.

@mfed3: only if you had enough sense to read the e-mail and use your password...

[Michael @ Sep 8th 2007 2:54AM]

It's about time. This is an area that I'd say Apple with its iTunes has been innovative (I use iTunes but I am not an Apple-oholic. I prefer Windows). I have been considering dumping my cable. This may be the perfect opportunity to do so. I only wish that it would work with a portable player as sleek as the iTouch iPod. I am considering one but if MS can launch a Zune replacement that is as thin and minimalist as the iTouch iPod but with more memory, I definitely dumping cable and maybe even iTunes.

[shawnmos @ Sep 8th 2007 2:57AM]

Awesome. I love my Media Center setup!

[Dale @ Sep 8th 2007 9:57AM]

The IPTV functionality for Xbox 360 better work without a connection to a PC - I use a Mac at home, ONE Microsoft-based device is enough for any household.

[Flalex @ Sep 8th 2007 11:13AM]

a feature i could use, and on my birthday too

[Patrick @ Sep 8th 2007 1:23PM]

Yes!
Can't wait to try this out!

[Craig7006 @ Sep 9th 2007 11:43AM]

This is always the way Microsoft RIPOFF the UK customers for all their products such as Vista is £100 more and xbox 360 with no Video Marketplace outside USA its really unfair and the EU have told M$ of before for RIPPING off and excluding the rest of the world. If Sky and five can show CSI NY etc then what is the problem with offering all service after all we all pay for the OS and ISPs. The only walk round i can thing of is for UK users set up Vista as Country USA and set your Router/connection to go throu USA connections (Poxies) - sorry about spelling.

[Ray @ Sep 28th 2007 9:46AM]

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.

[Andy Hopper @ Oct 3rd 2007 4:26PM]

For those of you who don't have TV tuners set up (i.e., no Guide under TV settings):
1. Click "Tasks"
2. Click "Settings"
3. Click "General"
4. Click "Automatic Download Options"
5. Click the "Download Now" button.

Give it a sec, and it should show up under the main "TV + Movies" section.

[Chris @ Nov 19th 2007 11:35AM]

Months later and still no Internet TV for me. I'm in the US, I've tried all the tips above. I work in an office with 3 other Vista Machines making 4 total. 2 automatically got internet tv and 2 still don't have it, any suggestions?