Windows 7 Media Center coming to embedded devices
By Ben Drawbaugh 
posted April 27th 2010 3:59PM
posted April 27th 2010 3:59PM
We love Windows 7 Media Center, but at the end of the day we'd never give one to our mom and expect it to just work the way an embedded DVR like a TiVo or a Moxi would. But dependability isn't the only concern about using a PC as a DVR, there is noise and how it looks in the living room to consider as well. The compromise before us might just be a thing of the past as Microsoft has announced that Windows 7 Embedded has been released to manufactures and includes many of the great features of the regular Windows 7 family, like Windows Media Center. At this point there aren't any announcements from manufactures leveraging these new found features, but in the press release Microsoft is certainly bolstering the broadcast TV and other media features in a set-top box. AOpen is the only manufacturer mention by name that we're familiar with, which also makes good small-form-factor PCs, but that won't stop us from dreaming of the best, easy to use and dependable whole house DVR ever.
Update: Video of Media Center on an embedded device in action after the jump.
Microsoft Delivers Windows 7 Technologies to Device Manufacturers With Release of Windows Embedded Standard 7
Newly unveiled Windows Media Center feature helps OEMs deliver differentiated connected media, TV and set-top box device experiences with rich user interface capabilities and integrated multimedia.
SAN JOSE, Calif. - April 27, 2010 - Today during an industry address at the Embedded Systems Conference (ESC) Silicon Valley, Microsoft Corp. announced the release to manufacturing of Windows Embedded Standard 7, delivering the power, familiarity and reliability of the Windows 7 operating system in a highly customizable and componentized form. OEMs can leverage Windows Embedded Standard 7 to create differentiated experiences and enhanced connectivity with Windows-based PCs, servers and online services on specialized devices, such as thin clients, digital signage and industrial controls for the enterprise, as well as set-top boxes (STBs), connected media devices (CMDs), and TVs for consumers.
"With the release of Windows Embedded Standard 7, Microsoft has furthered its commitment to the integration of Windows 7 technologies in the specialized consumer and enterprise device markets by providing OEMs with the latest innovative technologies to differentiate through rich, immersive user experiences and streamlined connectivity," said Kevin Dallas, general manager of the Windows Embedded Business Unit at Microsoft. "The addition of the Windows Media Center feature in Windows Embedded Standard 7 is driving the set-top box, connected media device and TV markets by providing OEMs with opportunities to develop uniquely branded experiences and service providers with capabilities to explore additional revenue streams with unique content through a centralized media hub in the home."
Announced in September 2009 during the community technology preview, Windows Embedded Standard 7 helps OEMs build enterprise devices with seamless connectivity, allowing companies to extend their existing investments in management and network infrastructure. The platform also features the latest Windows technology innovations to drive rich, immersive user experiences, including multigesture touch interfaces and context-aware applications with Windows Touch, and the ability to develop "green" solutions with smart power management APIs.
In addition to support for enterprise devices, STBs, CMDs and TVs built on Windows Embedded Standard 7 and leveraging the Windows Media Center feature will enable consumers to merge multimedia content from disparate sources, including Internet and broadcast TV, social media portals, and personal libraries of photos, music and videos, into a centralized home entertainment hub. Information can easily be shared across Windows-based PCs and individual devices.
Industry analyst firm Strategy Analytics estimates the potential market opportunity for connected STBs, digital video recorders, digital media adapters and flat-panel TVs to experience annual growth of more than 50 percent through 2014, expanding from 40 million units to more than 360 million. OEMs can take advantage of this opportunity by coupling Windows Media Center and additional features within Windows Embedded Standard 7, such as Windows Defender and Parental Controls for heightened security, to create differentiated consumer entertainment devices with integrated user experiences. This includes leveraging the customizable, extensible platform in Windows Media Center for content, services and applications, as well as powerful backend support for metadata, TV listings and content providers.
For service providers, including cable, telecommunications and satellite operators, STBs and other consumer entertainment devices with Windows Media Center provide opportunities for over-the-top content, incremental services and applications to be delivered directly to consumers, offering opportunities to build new revenue streams. Service providers also can leverage the flexible x86 architecture of Windows Embedded Standard 7, Windows Presentation Foundation, Internet Explorer 8, Windows Media Player 12 and the latest desktop innovations from Microsoft to develop customized user experiences, while ensuring integrated content from the Internet, broadcast TV and personal media through HomeGroup.
Windows Embedded partners and customers already have plans to begin shipping products and solutions for a variety of specialized devices built on the Windows Embedded Standard 7 platform. Examples include AOpen Inc., C-nario, DT Research Inc., Micro Industries Inc. and YCD Multimedia for digital signage; HP and Wyse Technology for thin clients; and Heber Ltd. for industrial control systems.
Steve Guggenheimer, corporate vice president of the Original Equipment Manufacturer Division at Microsoft, shared more insight around recent OEM and partner activities with Windows Embedded Standard 7, the upcoming availability of Microsoft and Intel Corporation's digital signage platform during Screen Media Expo Europe 2010 in London, and Microsoft's commitment to Windows 7-based technologies for specialized devices, in his blog at http://blogs.technet.com/microsoft_blog/archive/2010/04/26/putting-windows-7-technologies-to-work-in-specialized-devices.aspx.
Newly unveiled Windows Media Center feature helps OEMs deliver differentiated connected media, TV and set-top box device experiences with rich user interface capabilities and integrated multimedia.
SAN JOSE, Calif. - April 27, 2010 - Today during an industry address at the Embedded Systems Conference (ESC) Silicon Valley, Microsoft Corp. announced the release to manufacturing of Windows Embedded Standard 7, delivering the power, familiarity and reliability of the Windows 7 operating system in a highly customizable and componentized form. OEMs can leverage Windows Embedded Standard 7 to create differentiated experiences and enhanced connectivity with Windows-based PCs, servers and online services on specialized devices, such as thin clients, digital signage and industrial controls for the enterprise, as well as set-top boxes (STBs), connected media devices (CMDs), and TVs for consumers.
"With the release of Windows Embedded Standard 7, Microsoft has furthered its commitment to the integration of Windows 7 technologies in the specialized consumer and enterprise device markets by providing OEMs with the latest innovative technologies to differentiate through rich, immersive user experiences and streamlined connectivity," said Kevin Dallas, general manager of the Windows Embedded Business Unit at Microsoft. "The addition of the Windows Media Center feature in Windows Embedded Standard 7 is driving the set-top box, connected media device and TV markets by providing OEMs with opportunities to develop uniquely branded experiences and service providers with capabilities to explore additional revenue streams with unique content through a centralized media hub in the home."
Announced in September 2009 during the community technology preview, Windows Embedded Standard 7 helps OEMs build enterprise devices with seamless connectivity, allowing companies to extend their existing investments in management and network infrastructure. The platform also features the latest Windows technology innovations to drive rich, immersive user experiences, including multigesture touch interfaces and context-aware applications with Windows Touch, and the ability to develop "green" solutions with smart power management APIs.
In addition to support for enterprise devices, STBs, CMDs and TVs built on Windows Embedded Standard 7 and leveraging the Windows Media Center feature will enable consumers to merge multimedia content from disparate sources, including Internet and broadcast TV, social media portals, and personal libraries of photos, music and videos, into a centralized home entertainment hub. Information can easily be shared across Windows-based PCs and individual devices.
Industry analyst firm Strategy Analytics estimates the potential market opportunity for connected STBs, digital video recorders, digital media adapters and flat-panel TVs to experience annual growth of more than 50 percent through 2014, expanding from 40 million units to more than 360 million. OEMs can take advantage of this opportunity by coupling Windows Media Center and additional features within Windows Embedded Standard 7, such as Windows Defender and Parental Controls for heightened security, to create differentiated consumer entertainment devices with integrated user experiences. This includes leveraging the customizable, extensible platform in Windows Media Center for content, services and applications, as well as powerful backend support for metadata, TV listings and content providers.
For service providers, including cable, telecommunications and satellite operators, STBs and other consumer entertainment devices with Windows Media Center provide opportunities for over-the-top content, incremental services and applications to be delivered directly to consumers, offering opportunities to build new revenue streams. Service providers also can leverage the flexible x86 architecture of Windows Embedded Standard 7, Windows Presentation Foundation, Internet Explorer 8, Windows Media Player 12 and the latest desktop innovations from Microsoft to develop customized user experiences, while ensuring integrated content from the Internet, broadcast TV and personal media through HomeGroup.
Windows Embedded partners and customers already have plans to begin shipping products and solutions for a variety of specialized devices built on the Windows Embedded Standard 7 platform. Examples include AOpen Inc., C-nario, DT Research Inc., Micro Industries Inc. and YCD Multimedia for digital signage; HP and Wyse Technology for thin clients; and Heber Ltd. for industrial control systems.
Steve Guggenheimer, corporate vice president of the Original Equipment Manufacturer Division at Microsoft, shared more insight around recent OEM and partner activities with Windows Embedded Standard 7, the upcoming availability of Microsoft and Intel Corporation's digital signage platform during Screen Media Expo Europe 2010 in London, and Microsoft's commitment to Windows 7-based technologies for specialized devices, in his blog at http://blogs.technet.com/microsoft_blog/archive/2010/04/26/putting-windows-7-technologies-to-work-in-specialized-devices.aspx.
@flux
Just to add, that works amazingly well. I can watch any video (of various formats) on my 360 via Media Center Extender, connected to my Win7 PC upstairs. I can access all my videos (various formats/containers) and the TV tuners I have upstairs. HD content looks great, particularly OTA HDTV programs.
hmmm, HP Slate... hmmm
Yay! Microsoft has an amazing history of success in creating software for embedded devices.
Sounds great, but I'll believe it when I see independent reviews/overviews of a test unit.
If they could add softsled functionality and an official Microsoft Windows Media Center App store, it would be HOT! Oh, and while I am dreaming throw in full Zune integration!
If someone could impliment media center 7 or a media center extender into a LCD or plasma screen TV i would be sold immediately,id choose this over 3d any day
In my own HTPC system, the PVR software is actually the least of the worries. The most fidgety components of the system are the tuners. The STB's like to go on holiday and then trash a bunch of recordings. Once stuff is installed, it's pretty trivial to use.
Microsoft's flavor can't be as bad as all that...
This is very good news for Media Center as a platform and I have been harping for years that Microsoft needs to sell Media Center as an "appliance" or a "CE device" in addition to the standard computer platform.
Maybe I am not dreaming. Check out this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZURyPvxXTDE
A Blu-ray player with Media Center built in? Sounds like Ben's dream is coming true.
@Starkenator I just watched the video. That 'Social' section, the one with Dailymotion, Youtube, and MSN Soapbox in it, is a third party plugin for Media Center called Macrotube.
http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/t/86771.aspx
Does this mean current 3rd party apps and plugins will work? I sorta assume that this also means its x86 compatible.
Heck, I realize now that he's using a number of plugins, and probably Media Studio to have that custom background, and well as organizing those plugins into their own section.
@SikSlayer I would guess that the manufacturer would pick and choose from existing Media Center plugins and have them preinstalled. Letting the user fiddle with these on their own would lend to a pretty unstable consumer electronic device.
Now if a manufacturer would sell a box with ShowAnalyzer & DVRMSToolbox installed, I'd be sold.
@SikSlayer Thanks for the link! I had given up on Youtube integration for MC a long time ago. Now could you please provide a link to the Zune marketplace app?? :)
@Starkenator Unfortunately, I don't know of one.
Microsoft should be all over this.
The only real competition out there is Tivo - which is over priced and showing an inability to be agile.
It makes few worthwhile improvements, seems to take forever to get them on store shelves, and then over-charges for them.
MS is letting opportunity slip by.
I'm hoping this means Softsled isn't as dead as Microsoft lets on. Unfortunately, that's probably not the case.
Looks like the future of U-Verse to me.
The real question I have is how much these things are going to run. It seems like unless they can keep them around the $250 range ($50 more than the cost of a Arcade xbox 360), then they are going to have trouble selling. I realize these can record unlike the 360 media extender, but if you are going to charge a bunch then you might as well just put a Windows 7 PC together.
I sure wish there were a Zune streaming app for MC7. Thanks for posting this, Ben.
If only it was coming to the new WHS, the one place it aught to be.
I really hope some companies take advantage of this. I would love to see some TiVo alternatives/competition out there especially one that you can buy off the shelf and just plug in. A HTPC isn't an option for my parents.
Of course then I wonder if this would motivate Microsoft to add some of the requested features mentioned here and other sites.
Windows Media Center (2003) was for me the best MS creation since the creation of Windows.
The most important thing on the remote for Windows Media Center is a Ctrl+Alt+Del button. Too bad none of the remotes come with it, but it does need it. I've been using WMC for years and I can assure all of you it is not as stable as a DVR. It's Windows after all, so you can expect crashes, freezes, and random loss of audio all of which are repaired by a reboot.
I hate to say it but it's been my experience.
@sr1329
I've been running Windows 7's MC on an AsRock 330 Ion for 6 months without a hiccup. I don't run any extraneous junk on this PC, so it's a fairly stock Windows 7 install.
Are you referring to previous versions of WMC, or the latest Windows 7 version?
The biggest question here is, will this act like an extender a media center box? ie - can i watch live TV streaming from a media center server setup, will copy once protected files play on this box, etc.
@SpongeBobPistolPants edit - The biggest question here is, will this act like an extender or a media center box?
I have been waiting for something like this to give to my mom for awhile. The monthly fees put me off Tivo, but if WMC comes in a set top box for a reasonable price I will pick one up for myself and her.
First (German) STB for Windows 7 Embedded Media Center Devices is on : http://www.mce-community.de/mceBlog/index.php?/archives/2437-Ist-die-Reycom-Settop-Box-von-Reycom-ein-Embedded-Media-Center.html