Windows 7 Media Center gets Mediaroom support
By Ben Drawbaugh 
posted January 6th 2010 11:55PM
posted January 6th 2010 11:55PM
Microsoft Unites Software and Cloud Services to Power New TV Experiences
Version 2.0 of award-winning Mediaroom TV platform enables subscription TV providers to deliver more entertainment content to more types of screens, using a single cloud-based infrastructure.
LAS VEGAS - Jan. 6, 2010 - Today at the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Microsoft Corp. is announcing Microsoft Mediaroom 2.0, the next version of the world's most deployed Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) platform. Mediaroom 2.0 will enable television service operators to provide their TV services to more subscribers than ever before, delivering more content to more screens than the previous version of Mediaroom - both inside and outside the home.
Mediaroom 2.0 is scheduled to be available for operators to start testing beginning next month. Mediaroom 2.0 can be deployed by operators as their entertainment cloud powering the delivery of a complete television service, including cloud digital video recording (DVR), on-demand features, interactive applications, and access to both operator-hosted content and externally hosted content such as Internet TV. The operators' service can be enjoyed by their subscribers on multiple screens including the TV (with Mediaroom set-top box), Windows Media Center, Web browsers (for Windows-based PCs and Macs), Xbox 360 and compatible smartphones.
Also new with Mediaroom 2.0, service providers will now be able to offer their existing on-demand TV service to their entire broadband customer base using their existing set-top box inventory, thereby expanding their service footprint beyond the reach of their IPTV network. The same on-demand service can also be enjoyed on Windows 7-based PCs using Windows Media Center,* as well as on Xbox 360. Service providers also can offer subscribers access to their on-demand programming remotely using a range of Web browsers running on Windows-based PCs and Macs and, in the near future, on compatible smartphones.
Mediaroom 2.0 also adds support for Microsoft Silverlight and Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) Smooth Streaming for the access and delivery of on-demand content. This enables viewers to enjoy an exceptionally high-quality playback experience, because IIS Smooth Streaming adapts the video stream to the user's network connection to enable optimum video quality. In addition, support for Microsoft PlayReady preserves the service providers' ability to secure their content libraries and monetize consumer experiences.
"Our strategy with Mediaroom is to combine the power of client software and cloud-based services to greatly enhance the way consumers experience digital entertainment. We want to make it easier for consumers to find and discover great content, to watch, listen and engage in new ways, and to do so anywhere and on any screen," said Enrique Rodriguez, corporate vice president for the TV, Video and Music Business at Microsoft. "Mediaroom 2.0 is a key milestone in our strategy, providing the software platform to power operators' service clouds to reach more screens, and more people, with more content than ever before."
More Screens
Watching TV on a PC is a growing trend. For some, it is a second or third screen in the home or is used for watching TV when on the go. For others, the PC may be their only screen for TV. Mediaroom 2.0's new support for Windows Media Center in Windows 7 means operators can now deliver their premium TV services, including live high-definition (HD) TV, DVR and on-demand programming, to virtually any Windows 7-based PC with no additional hardware tuner required. In addition, DVR and on-demand content can be enjoyed on Xbox 360, a broad range of Web browsers for Windows-based PCs and Macs, and, in the near future, playback on compatible smartphones while on the go.
All of this gives consumers more freedom in where and how they access their TV service, with the benefits of a familiar experience across multiple screens. For example, they could start watching a show on one screen and finish watching it on another. They also could build a video queue on their smartphone and watch it later on their TV or PC. While traveling, they could watch recorded TV on their smartphone and later watch an on-demand feature film in HD on their laptop, accessing the same storefront they enjoy at home.
More Networks
To date, Mediaroom deployments have been delivered over a fixed-line managed Quality of Service (QoS) IP network. By integrating IIS Smooth Streaming technology into Mediaroom 2.0, Microsoft enables operators to offer a premium, HD-quality video-on-demand service, with minimal buffering and fast startup times, even over IP-based networks of varying bandwidths.
This significantly expands the service reach for operators and enables them to serve customers on fixed-line as well as wireless and, in the future, mobile broadband networks. For operators wishing to deliver only on-demand TV-video services to customers via the Internet, Mediaroom 2.0 includes a set-top box client that supports this functionality and is designed for self-installation by the subscriber. This client is upgradable to full Mediaroom functionality without the need for hardware changes.
For consumers, this advancement means that more people in more places will be able to experience the benefits of cutting-edge Mediaroom-powered TV services than has been possible before. It also means that whatever the speed of their network, they will enjoy an optimal viewing experience thanks to built-in support for IIS Smooth Streaming.
More Content
Consumers are demanding access to ever-larger libraries of content, and IPTV operators are looking to meet this demand and further differentiate their services by augmenting their existing content lineup with TV and video from the Web. With Mediaroom 2.0, operators can now easily bring together live and on-demand TV with externally hosted content from Internet TV partners and other Internet-based content sources, all in one place with a consistent, easy-to-use interface. New support for playback of content protected using PlayReady, Microsoft's advanced content access and protection technology, further expands the base of potential content for operator TV services. In addition, operators can further distinguish their services with applications that provide rich interactivity and seamless blending of Web and TV content using the Mediaroom application development platform, Mediaroom Presentation Framework.
Once a Mediaroom 2.0-powered service is deployed, subscribers will be able to enjoy the content they want to watch in one place on their TV or PC - no more having to visit a multitude of sites to find what they are looking for or connect a PC to the TV. Instead, they will be able to easily find and watch TV shows on demand across different networks using one easy-to-use guide, or simply search through the programming available to find the shows they'd like to watch, all in a consistent playback experience.
More Revenue
According to analyst firm Screen Digest the top five Mediaroom customers generate on-demand average revenues per user (ARPUs) that are on average three times that of the incumbent pay TV operator in their market.
Mediaroom 2.0 includes a compelling new on-demand storefront that further enhances the monetization potential for Mediaroom service operators. The new on-demand storefront is designed to help drive subscriber usage and satisfaction by providing a richly visual browsing, discovery and playback experience, and offering easy access to other elements of the operator's service directly from the storefront.
Version 2.0 of award-winning Mediaroom TV platform enables subscription TV providers to deliver more entertainment content to more types of screens, using a single cloud-based infrastructure.
LAS VEGAS - Jan. 6, 2010 - Today at the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Microsoft Corp. is announcing Microsoft Mediaroom 2.0, the next version of the world's most deployed Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) platform. Mediaroom 2.0 will enable television service operators to provide their TV services to more subscribers than ever before, delivering more content to more screens than the previous version of Mediaroom - both inside and outside the home.
Mediaroom 2.0 is scheduled to be available for operators to start testing beginning next month. Mediaroom 2.0 can be deployed by operators as their entertainment cloud powering the delivery of a complete television service, including cloud digital video recording (DVR), on-demand features, interactive applications, and access to both operator-hosted content and externally hosted content such as Internet TV. The operators' service can be enjoyed by their subscribers on multiple screens including the TV (with Mediaroom set-top box), Windows Media Center, Web browsers (for Windows-based PCs and Macs), Xbox 360 and compatible smartphones.
Also new with Mediaroom 2.0, service providers will now be able to offer their existing on-demand TV service to their entire broadband customer base using their existing set-top box inventory, thereby expanding their service footprint beyond the reach of their IPTV network. The same on-demand service can also be enjoyed on Windows 7-based PCs using Windows Media Center,* as well as on Xbox 360. Service providers also can offer subscribers access to their on-demand programming remotely using a range of Web browsers running on Windows-based PCs and Macs and, in the near future, on compatible smartphones.
Mediaroom 2.0 also adds support for Microsoft Silverlight and Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) Smooth Streaming for the access and delivery of on-demand content. This enables viewers to enjoy an exceptionally high-quality playback experience, because IIS Smooth Streaming adapts the video stream to the user's network connection to enable optimum video quality. In addition, support for Microsoft PlayReady preserves the service providers' ability to secure their content libraries and monetize consumer experiences.
"Our strategy with Mediaroom is to combine the power of client software and cloud-based services to greatly enhance the way consumers experience digital entertainment. We want to make it easier for consumers to find and discover great content, to watch, listen and engage in new ways, and to do so anywhere and on any screen," said Enrique Rodriguez, corporate vice president for the TV, Video and Music Business at Microsoft. "Mediaroom 2.0 is a key milestone in our strategy, providing the software platform to power operators' service clouds to reach more screens, and more people, with more content than ever before."
More Screens
Watching TV on a PC is a growing trend. For some, it is a second or third screen in the home or is used for watching TV when on the go. For others, the PC may be their only screen for TV. Mediaroom 2.0's new support for Windows Media Center in Windows 7 means operators can now deliver their premium TV services, including live high-definition (HD) TV, DVR and on-demand programming, to virtually any Windows 7-based PC with no additional hardware tuner required. In addition, DVR and on-demand content can be enjoyed on Xbox 360, a broad range of Web browsers for Windows-based PCs and Macs, and, in the near future, playback on compatible smartphones while on the go.
All of this gives consumers more freedom in where and how they access their TV service, with the benefits of a familiar experience across multiple screens. For example, they could start watching a show on one screen and finish watching it on another. They also could build a video queue on their smartphone and watch it later on their TV or PC. While traveling, they could watch recorded TV on their smartphone and later watch an on-demand feature film in HD on their laptop, accessing the same storefront they enjoy at home.
More Networks
To date, Mediaroom deployments have been delivered over a fixed-line managed Quality of Service (QoS) IP network. By integrating IIS Smooth Streaming technology into Mediaroom 2.0, Microsoft enables operators to offer a premium, HD-quality video-on-demand service, with minimal buffering and fast startup times, even over IP-based networks of varying bandwidths.
This significantly expands the service reach for operators and enables them to serve customers on fixed-line as well as wireless and, in the future, mobile broadband networks. For operators wishing to deliver only on-demand TV-video services to customers via the Internet, Mediaroom 2.0 includes a set-top box client that supports this functionality and is designed for self-installation by the subscriber. This client is upgradable to full Mediaroom functionality without the need for hardware changes.
For consumers, this advancement means that more people in more places will be able to experience the benefits of cutting-edge Mediaroom-powered TV services than has been possible before. It also means that whatever the speed of their network, they will enjoy an optimal viewing experience thanks to built-in support for IIS Smooth Streaming.
More Content
Consumers are demanding access to ever-larger libraries of content, and IPTV operators are looking to meet this demand and further differentiate their services by augmenting their existing content lineup with TV and video from the Web. With Mediaroom 2.0, operators can now easily bring together live and on-demand TV with externally hosted content from Internet TV partners and other Internet-based content sources, all in one place with a consistent, easy-to-use interface. New support for playback of content protected using PlayReady, Microsoft's advanced content access and protection technology, further expands the base of potential content for operator TV services. In addition, operators can further distinguish their services with applications that provide rich interactivity and seamless blending of Web and TV content using the Mediaroom application development platform, Mediaroom Presentation Framework.
Once a Mediaroom 2.0-powered service is deployed, subscribers will be able to enjoy the content they want to watch in one place on their TV or PC - no more having to visit a multitude of sites to find what they are looking for or connect a PC to the TV. Instead, they will be able to easily find and watch TV shows on demand across different networks using one easy-to-use guide, or simply search through the programming available to find the shows they'd like to watch, all in a consistent playback experience.
More Revenue
According to analyst firm Screen Digest the top five Mediaroom customers generate on-demand average revenues per user (ARPUs) that are on average three times that of the incumbent pay TV operator in their market.
Mediaroom 2.0 includes a compelling new on-demand storefront that further enhances the monetization potential for Mediaroom service operators. The new on-demand storefront is designed to help drive subscriber usage and satisfaction by providing a richly visual browsing, discovery and playback experience, and offering easy access to other elements of the operator's service directly from the storefront.
but if u-verse isn't available in my area can I get an xbox 360 and subscribe to u-verse to use exclusively on that? We need more info and answers!
@iamlilysdad
No, I would imagine you need support in your area
@iamlilysdad
Probably not. Uverse depends on a high speed DSL line (mine runs at 38mbps) to feed the set tops in the house. While our computers are limited in speed to our subscribed internet connection speed (6mbps), the Uverse boxes can use as much bandwidth as they need for TV. What I imagine Mediaroom does is makes your computer appear like a set top, giving it access to AT&Ts TV streams as well as a higher rate of speed to view the streams. Most people's high speed internet connection probably couldn't handle the Uverse HD feeds.
@iamlilysdad
Um, no. You still need the Uverse box in your home, and traditional Uverse service.
All this does is allow you to use some of your existing hardware as 2nd, 3rd, 4th STBs.
You still need the physical connection, the residential gateway, and the main DVR in your home.
This is actually pretty awesome. I was looking at U-Verse, trying to price it out to my current cable plan, and found that it would be useless due to the number of computers in my household that are used as TVs. If this works how it should, I might have to reconsider U-Verse...
Cuz if you only have to buy 2 adapters for TVs, it suddenly becomes a decent deal!
@Mike10010100: AT&T U-Verse is pretty well price for the service -- I only pay $99 for EVERYTHING: HD and ALL PREMIUM Channel. Of course, you have to pay for the equipment. The only drawback is that there are only 2HD and 2SD streams (for now).
@shotta Uh, no, you don't pay for the equipment. Far as I know only satellite plays this game.
@cdheer
No, they all do. Satellite often makes you BUY the hardware, but you PAY for it with cable, FiOS, and Uverse, too.
The monthly fee for adding more than one connection--whether it's an outlet fee, STB lease fee, etc.
Microsoft first needs to get their game together and create a media extender app for streaming TV tuner cards over your network. Don't know whether they hold out on this to force people into buying 360's and extenders...
@gadgetdevil
Softsled FTW!
Hey Ben did you notice right after he showed the recording of 4 simultaneous shows with the Ceton Tuner that he scrolled up and there was a "Silverlight (streaming???)" option? Do you know what that was?
@Starkenator
No, but they said they were on a PC, so silverlight is supported.
@BenD
OK, I just rewatched it. The option was Silverlight Movies. I was just wondering if it is a new VOD service through 7MC.
@Starkenator Silverlight movies streamed? Sounds exactly like Netflix in Media Center.
I have AT&T U-Verse service and can't wait for 2.0 -- I think I'm at 1.6 now.
why is no one saying anything about the bigger news CETON cable card tunner
@raaaaaa
We've already covered the Ceton news extensively including the price and availability.
@BenD I didnt see any CES post about it
@raaaaaa
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/cetons-quad-cablecard-tuner-for-windows-media-center-gets-a-pri/
Is Josh going to be on Fallon tonight?
no wonder AT&T is expecting something like 3 million total subscribers to u-verse by the end of 2011 (if I remember correctly from their presentation earlier)
Can someone break this down for me? I don't understand. They say we won't need tuners for our Windows 7 computer to receive AT&T U-Verse TV. What do I plug my computer in to? Do I just plug a USB cable in to an AT&T U-Verse cable box?
@Smurf
AT&T U-Verse is a IPTV provider and Media Center PCs have NICs so they can access the content via IP. So no STB or tuner is required.
@BenD
So the answer to his question is it will work over the internet, correct?
@(Unverified)
No. While the internet and IPTV share the IP protocol, they are not the same thing. This works across AT&T's private IP network, not the internet.
I hate to burst everyone's bubble on a U-Verse MCE, but if If you listened to Steve closely, he stated that AT&T would allow U-Verse integration to XBox "by the end of the year", and that Mediaroom 2.0 would also "allow providers, such as AT&T, to integrate Mediaroom 2.0 into MCE."
He clearly did NOT say that AT&T WOULD integrate U-Verse into MCE - very carefully worded, subtle difference, but big difference for us MCE enthusiasts!
If it takes them 3 years to allow an XBox to plug into Mediaroom, how long do you think that we'll have to wait for a MCE plugin? Does anything ever happen quickly for us with MCE?
To love MCE as much as we do is comparable to the painter that loves to watch his paint dry.
@watchingpaintdry
Yes I know, which is why I said "IPTV providers like AT&T U-Verse" and not "you're getting it."
I assumed that you and I were on the same page, but everyone else here seems to be mistaking Mediaroom with U-Verse, and thus jumping to the conclusion that they will be able to integrate U-Verse into MCE at the end of the year. That's more than a little optimistic.
@Smurf In the UK you can already officially get Sky on demand via Media Centre, and there are unofficial ways of getting BBC iPlayer within Media Centre as well. All the information is pulled down from the web and the channels appear as a menu option in the 'televsion' or 'movies' blades.
@watchingpaintdry
Alright. So what you're saying is the XBOX's mediaroom will be able to log-in to a new IPTV service through my internet connection, which will most likely only be available if I have a U-Verse television subscription. So this is basically be X-Cast nFinity instead of it's YouTube-esque VoD, I'd be able to access all the live channels.
Unless I'm mistaken that I what I took out of all of these replies. Thank you.
@Smurf No, you won't get full U-Verse service over your Internet.
U-Verse requires being on AT&T's Lightspeed network.
What it does mean is that you will be able to use a media PC or Xbox 360 as a U-Verse set-top box.
@BenD yeah I saw that I was hopping you would get some hands on and talk to them directly, keep up the good work
@raaaaaa
The floor doesn't open until tomorrow, but I'm meeting with Ceton first thing, so stay tuned. I really hope they have the new low profile card on them so I can get some pics of it.
@BenD
Hey, from your comments I'm reading "network tuner" for W7MC.
"when they do upgrade to Mediaroom 2.0, Media Center fans will have access to all the same content as a set-top like HD and on-demand"
The press release seems to point to on demand only. Are you able to confirm LiveTV in W7MC?
@MSBob
From the release "Mediaroom 2.0's new support for Windows Media Center in Windows 7 means operators can now deliver their premium TV services, including live high-definition (HD) TV, DVR and on-demand programming, to virtually any Windows 7-based PC with no additional hardware tuner required."
@BenD
Thanks. Heh, reading IS fundamental. I'll go polish up my comprehension skills now...
wake me up when I can do the same on FIOS... or when they finally release Softsled to pair with a beautiful new Ceton card!
I want nothing to do with AT&T
@One Love
You must be stuck on the recent quality of their wireless service. AT&T U-Verse is such a different animal, it's pretty good. Even consumer reports rates IPTV providers as the top service packages worth buying.
@Vuph The problem is they're still running the last (up to) 3000 feet over copper. So the HD is pretty heavily compressed (although it seems to have gotten better) and you'll have a limited number of HD streams (one-three) available depending on how far away you are from the VRAD.
Awesome.
I was thinking of buying a set top box for my shoody old dial nob TV, but this is good as well.
I just wish I could hook that TV up to my PC without extra hardware.
Ceton Card info: http://www.cetoncorp.com/buy.php ... Available for $399.99 on March 31!!! I was hoping to get it for my bday which is at the beginning of March, but I don't mind waiting... Mediaroom 2 sounds promising as well..
Does this mean that one day I can ditch one of my U-verse set tops and use my 360 as a media center extender in its place?
@moldymac Yes
U-Verse on a PC kinda sounds like subscription Hulu or AppleTVservice (as if) with downloads.
I can't wait to ditch my comcast DVR and my TIVO DVR (I'll keep the CableCard inside to put in my ceton tuner). This is a huge week for TV all around. Windows 7 Media Center all around!
So it sounds like one will still need to have U-Verse's DVR in the house as a gateway, and the MC7 would run as a thin client, pulling media from U-Verse's DVR storage. This, of course, leads me to wonder a couple of things:
* Could you easily put a 2TB drive in this system (does U-Verse currently have expandable eSATA storage functionality?)
* Will the interface on those clients be MC7's, or would it be the black and orange interface seen in the previous article about the XBox360 being supported in U-Verse homes.
IF the answers to these are "Yes", and "MC7 interface", then I don't really see any reason why I need to plunk down $400 for a CableCARD tuner and deal with TimeWarner's spotty CableCARD service.
@dmccall
It doesn't sound like it... sounds like it will be to provide service to customers outside of the dedicated U_verse network area, but on broadband/dsl. So this seams to be a silverlight based pure web play, but we'll have to wait and see.
All I know for sure is U-Verse is 2 blocks south of me, and probably will be for a long time. If I could get the Service over my DSL, on my PC, and without having to rent their boxes....
All I can say is this makes Cable Cards, satellite dishes, and rented boxes/cars/remotes/etc look VERY LAME!!!!
@frankinla
No. This will be available only to Uverse subscribers. It is a live television service, not Hulu or Netflix streaming. You still need the Uverse residential gateway in your home in order to receive the television streams at all.
@asfdsad
go back and read it again... this is an extension to u-verse, probably only for att dsl subscribers, that aren't fully wired for the higher level QoS u-verse requires.