Microsoft adds Slingbox-like capability to its Media Center PCs

Microsoft, never content with just monopolizing one segment of the market, has decided to dip its big, scary toes into the Slingbox-ish world of anywhere-TV with a new piece of software for its Media Center PCs. Using the newly acquired (but not new) WebGuide component -- created by a gentleman named Doug Berrett -- you can now tune into your Media Center content from any place you have web access. The software actually goes beyond what Slingbox is capable of, giving you full control over your system remotely, allowing you to set record times, change schedules, and generally go buck-wild, even from a mobile phone or WiFi equipped PDA. Ballmer and Co. also added an ITV function to MC PCs, though apparently all it does is offer C-rate "internet" content for MCE users. Clearly, what's exciting here is WebGuide -- the software is free, and presuming you already have your system up and running, you could be "slinging" video around before you know it.

[Via Cedia]

[dmitry @ Sep 17th 2007 2:16PM]

And this is different from what orb has been offering to media center pc's for a while, how?

[DC @ Sep 17th 2007 4:18PM]

This is realllllllly old news.

[vypergts @ Sep 17th 2007 4:54PM]

It's not different from Orb at all, but considering that there is already a Windows Home Server add-in for Webguide and the work being done on the media-extender side, one can get a sense of the direction they are heading in. Orb does a lot of things well but it does have some drawbacks such as hardware compatibility and playing nice with network shares. It can't touch things like terminal services access, drive storage pooling, in other words it's more comparable to a font-end solution whereas Microsoft is starting to offer a fully integrated solution. Every update MS seems to be doing on the media end seems to be chipping away at the feature set offered by Orb little by little...

[pkilla @ Sep 18th 2007 1:55AM]

@DC
This is old to you, everyone doesnt read every single thing on the internet.

This is the hottest thing Ive seen in a long time. And its so easy to use. Engadget keep up the good work!!!

[jennyfur @ Sep 18th 2007 4:19PM]

Yes DC, this news is from back on Sept. 5th and webguide has been around for years before that. But not everyone knows about it, and since it's such a great program I sure don't mind having an audience the size of Engadget's seeing it.

My reason for posting however, is for all the people who keep asking what the difference is between this and Orb. Missing Remote had a review/shootout between various streaming software including Webguide and Orb a few months ago: http://www.missingremote.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1367&Itemid=232

As well as an article specifically about Webguide: http://www.missingremote.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1289&Itemid=153

I'm happy for Doug, he adds some great talent to the Media Center team. Unfortunately that does mean that Webguide won't get any new features though, which kind of sucks. We'll see how things pan out.

[holyschmidt @ Sep 17th 2007 2:16PM]

vista support?

[holyschmidt @ Sep 17th 2007 2:22PM]

answered my own question - yes

[james r @ Sep 17th 2007 2:20PM]

Why didn't they just buy out ORB? They offer almost an identical service to this. I'd be interested to see how these two compare, and also, is this thing Vista only?

[harveyhanson @ Sep 17th 2007 2:27PM]

Isn't MCE just XP home with a media centre built in (add a bit more), so XP compat as well

[R1cebrner @ Sep 17th 2007 2:28PM]

They have to have competition in order not to upset the anti trust people.

[Brian @ Sep 17th 2007 2:53PM]

No, it's XP Pro with domain disabled.

[Brett L @ Sep 17th 2007 2:22PM]

I've been using this for a few weeks now and I gotta say, its pretty cool. Its slow at times, but its awesome to be able to watch live TV from anywhere.

[m16 @ Sep 17th 2007 2:34PM]

this would be great if I had cable!

....anyone want to let me log in to their media center :)

[mattstl77 @ Sep 17th 2007 2:37PM]

Is it possible to get a link to where we can download this software?

[holyschmidt @ Sep 17th 2007 3:30PM]

click the read link

[Fred @ Sep 17th 2007 2:39PM]

"Microsoft, never content with just monopolizing one segment of the market, has decided to dip its big, scary toes into the Slingbox-ish world of anywhere-TV with a new piece of software for its Media Center PCs."

Wow, what a professional display of objective reporting, Engadget...

[besobeso @ Sep 17th 2007 2:58PM]

Here is the version if Apple released it:

Apple, never content with just providing trouble free benevolent goodness to one segment of the market, has decided to dip it's dainty ruby red toes into the world of anywhere-TV (which was originally conceived by Steve Jobs but was allowed to be dominated to-date by Slingbox) with a new piece of software, which boasts an innovative new user interface and brushed (insert random shiny metal here) skin.

[stephenbratz2 @ Sep 17th 2007 3:07PM]

Uh-oh! You said the Reporting word. Any minute now you will have the Engadget people jumping all over you saying that this is a blog and they can say whatever they want even if it is harmful to a company (remember the Apple stock slide?)

But yes, that is the usual around here. Somehow releasing some software for free to support a product, not making it mandatory to use, and adding functionality brings out the anti-MS fanboy in the authors around here. Isn't this the same thing as Apple adding streaming support to iTunes except, you know, you need to pay $299 for an extender (Apple TV), can't stream across your private network, can only stream to a PC/Mac, not a phone, etc. etc. etc. but those products are praised.

[dj-kenpo @ Sep 17th 2007 3:09PM]

I know eh, since when is free evil?

it's bad for slingbox I guess sure,.. but how is free bad for ME?

evil = all that ms does.. even if it benefits the end user because now I get something for free I;d otherwise pay for... right... damn you microsoft!!! *waves hands int he air cursing the sky, then remembers steve is the one in the sky, bill is the one in the ground. apparently.

[Frank @ Sep 17th 2007 3:38PM]

So, does anyone know of a site like Engadget, only more professional when it comes to objectivity? I'm tired of blogging fanboys, but Engadget is pretty snappy on the updates, which is pretty much the only reason I still come here.

[axemte @ Sep 17th 2007 6:44PM]

Please point me to other sites. I'm really getting tired of this apple thing too. It's not funny or amusing anymore.

[hady @ Sep 17th 2007 10:22PM]

Seriously, this is why I stopped reading gizmodo during the iphone fiasco. I've got nothing against apple, but this bias is ridiculous.

[Igor @ Sep 17th 2007 2:42PM]

Mattstl, click on the image on top of this page.

[Goobes @ Sep 17th 2007 2:42PM]

So, Microsoft puts tremendous effort into exploring all facets of a "digital lifestyle", and you make fun of them, while Apple sells crippled, old-tech products and they get accolades?
Granted, MS doesn't always hit the mark (Zune), but at least they try (Xbox, MCE, WinCE, etc)
I guess it's cool to bash MS, y'know. So easy.

[Will @ Sep 17th 2007 2:44PM]

Yeah this looks way more like orb then sling... what?

[Ant @ Sep 17th 2007 2:48PM]

duh, dont you know if microsoft moves into any area theyre trying to monopolize it and stifle all creations.oh and they drown puppies!

[Chip @ Sep 17th 2007 2:51PM]

This software is just a natural progression. Many have been wanting Placeshifting on MCE for quite some time. This software isn't a Placeshifting "client", though. It adds webserver interface to MCE and does streaming. What's the difference? An actual Placeshift client can be optimized for the OS and hardware its running on, better/custom GUI and screen formatting.

I still don't understand why MS can't develop an actual client for Windows Mobile, XP and Vista. This stop-gap wasn't even developed by MS.

[mattstl77 @ Sep 17th 2007 3:07PM]

This is engadget...we should expect and tolerate MS bashing articles now.

We should thank the tech gods that they saw this story as being worthy of being put on this blog - even if they put a bias on it.

[Shawn McClelland @ Sep 17th 2007 3:14PM]

I use Vista MC and have been using webguide for a couple months. Funny that everyone with vista mc is complaining about it NOT HAVING certain features, then when they add those features people complain about them HAVING those features (monopoly).

[Jon @ Sep 17th 2007 3:16PM]

Screw you engadget! What a loser comment, "never content with just monopolizing one segment of the market"!!
Microsoft drops an AWESOME feature, FOR FREE and you still give them s**t for it??
I love this site, but that's a pretty low blow right there.

[Joel @ Sep 17th 2007 3:24PM]

sarcasm, 1
jon, 0

[rudebo @ Sep 17th 2007 3:16PM]

Jon Stewart George W. Bush Voice : Eheheheheh !
thank you

[e_rocm @ Sep 17th 2007 3:17PM]

I have been using orb for a long time and love it, but I am going to try this for sure. One thing Orb cannot do is schedule recording in MCE. If you schedule it in Orb there is bound to be a problem if both apps try to access the same tuner.

[Lenny @ Sep 17th 2007 3:18PM]

I'm not sure I'm willing to open any holes in my firewall for a Microsoft product. I run Vista, but I don't run it as any sort of server to the web.

[Kyle @ Sep 17th 2007 3:19PM]

Quote: "The software actually goes beyond what Slingbox is capable of, giving you full control over your system remotely, allowing you to set record times, change schedules, and generally go buck-wild"

I am not sure what Microsoft's system can do that Slingbox cannot. I can do anything on my Slingbox that I could do if I was sitting in front of my TV including scheduling recordings and going "buck-wild"

[Jon @ Sep 17th 2007 3:20PM]

How much did you pay for your slingbox? How much is this new MCE feature?
Man, MS gives something away for free and still gets shit on for it.
I say thank you MS!

[engadget#1 @ Sep 17th 2007 3:22PM]

its free

[Eric Carroll @ Sep 17th 2007 3:24PM]

Thank YOu Kyle, I was just about to post that exact sentiment... Ever used a Slingbox Josh? If so, can you try to clarify what you think the Slingbox is not capable of that this solution is?

[Eric Carroll @ Sep 17th 2007 3:32PM]

Jon and Engadet#1,

Kyle and I paid $179 for our sling boxes...

How much did you pay for the MCE PC you run this "Free" Software on... was it less than $179? Doubt it. And all the extra costs a SlingBox creates , like a phone or PC to watch it on, the need for High Speed internetand so on, are the same for the MCE solution, so don't try and argue that...

Also Kyle's post was obviously about the fact that Josh claims it can do things like set record times, something I've been doing on my SlingBox for years, but he claims this is an example of some of the FUNCTIONALITY that the SlingBox doesn't have. Klye debated that and asked what functions it had that Sling didn't you replied it was free. Thats not a function.

[engadget#1 @ Sep 17th 2007 3:51PM]

Well obviously eric, a TV tuner PCI card(or even a USB one) cost a whole $30 (i assume since you are infact reading engadget you own a pc already) and most of the time at best buy i see tv tuners built into the PC's...

so i say free since hey maybe it doesnt have any new features, but if it is free then

free>$180

[classic white @ Sep 17th 2007 4:04PM]

yeah you dumbshits,

hundreds of thousands of people already have media center PC's in their living rooms or bedrooms or what ever. so for those people this is FREE

and sure maybe a media center PC cost like $800 or so, but it does more than your f*c*ing slingbox does.

im tired of all these fanboys comming around here none stop. I hope i can find a different unbiased NEWS source.

[Eric Carroll @ Sep 17th 2007 4:37PM]

Actually Engadget#1 your logic is less than sound... If you are actually going to say this is cheaper than a sling box. Come on, I know you realize it isn't actually free, it is just a new feature of something I am willing to bet cost someone over $180 (be it you, your parents, your employer, SOMEONE paid for a Computer to run MCE on... That or you are a smooth Criminal and though we disagree on this I invite you to send me any extra free computers you have from you criminal exploits)...

For THIS solution you need a PC with Windows MCE, THEN this is a free download, or free feature. Then you also need a device for watching remotely...

For a Slingbox you need a Slingbox and the device for watching remotely...

Even if all it takes to turn a PC into a MCE is a copy of Windows Media Center which goes for at least $119 (and thats for the XP OEM from TigerDirect, not what I could just walking to a Best Buy and get it for), and a $30 TV Tuner Card, that leaves you $30 to spend on the PC to install MCE on and put the TV Card in. Not a lot of $30 computers meet the requirements for Windows XP, let alone MCE. You mentioned that since I read Engadget you assume I have a PC, great, you are right, but it is a laptop, meaning I'd need a second PC that stays at home hooked up when I want to use this. And since more than half of all computer sold are laptops I am willing to bet I'm not unique in not having a spare XP ready PC that I can leave at home. Even if you have a Windows MCE Laptop, you could only use this feature if you leave your laptop at home and hooked up, then you don't have the laptop to WATCH your content with... And all this leaves out the fact that you need all the things you need for a computer to configure this, like a monitor or TV, and input devices. With a Sling box you use the device or devices that you plan to watch remotely with to configure your set-up... You don't even need a TV or anything hooked up to it (I for example have a DirectTV box just for my Sling hooked up to nothing other than the SlingBox...)

And again I have left out the things both solutions need, like a subscription to a cable or satellite tv company, high-speed internet, cables to hook the devices up and so on.

Sure, Windows MCE does OTHER things too, so if you actually take advantage of all that and already have one and have a second device to take advantage of this with, then YES, for YOU implementing this would be cheaper than buying a sling box and getting another video source for it and so on. But for the record IT DID cost you more than $180 to set-up.

[John @ Sep 17th 2007 8:16PM]

well, I'd say tl;dr, but I managed to skim your intro, and I can safely say you're an idiot. If you do not own a computer, I would have to guess that a slingbox wouldn't do much for you. They added a free feature. You should not be giving the shit for it unless it also happens to be a virus. End of story. You were never promised this, no one had hopes of this coming out and blowing away Slingbox, it's just a little "hey guys, have a freebie on us". So, find some other thing to make a snarky comment about, mkay?

[pete @ Sep 17th 2007 3:33PM]

I'm with Lenny. I'd love to do use this, but I really don't want to open an attack surface, especially in Vista...

[Justin @ Sep 17th 2007 3:33PM]

Take a look at his forum post about it:

http://www.asciiexpress.com/webguide/forums/Default.aspx?g=posts&t=1754

And then his post in this thread:

http://www.asciiexpress.com/webguide/forums/Default.aspx?g=posts&t=1765

It would appear that this is not an ongoing feature that Microsoft is going to keep up to date. Instead they hired the guy writing it and put him in a completely different area of the software (high-end custom installation).

Even though they've opened up the software as free to download, it looks like it will now be abandoned. It's sad cause I use it and it could still use some development to make it faster and more reliable.

[Argot @ Sep 17th 2007 3:39PM]

Just imagine if Apple had done this:

"Apple saves the day with new amazing technology. All hail the glorious Jobs!"

[George @ Sep 17th 2007 3:40PM]

It isn't explicitly mentioned, but the "buck-wild" functionality is a Vista-only feature.

[Josef F @ Sep 17th 2007 4:12PM]

Vista Ultimate, actually. If you have Home Premium, Basic, or Business, all you get is "buck disorderly"

[L8 4 Tahoe @ Sep 17th 2007 3:51PM]

I have used both webguide and orb and since webguide doesn't like my treo 750 (at&t) it tries to play it in kimona when i run wm5, i use orb and works like a champ.

[AndrewNeo @ Sep 17th 2007 3:54PM]

I love WebGuide. I had it before it was free!