Microsoft TV

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Microsoft TV is a division within Microsoft Corporation that develops software platforms for use in set top boxes to access programming over a Cable TV network. It provides integrated audio, video and data services over a single network.

1 Products
2 References
3 External links

[edit] Products

[edit] UltimateTV

UltimateTV was a DirecTV receiver, with integrated DVR and Internet access capabilities. It was Microsoft's second product to integrate a built in satellite tuner with a digital video recorder and Internet access in a set-top box. It was released on October 26, 2000. The software to decode and view digital video programming was derived from WebTV. UltimateTV had support for picture-in-picture and could record up to 35 hours of video content. The internet capabilities were provided by Microsoft TV Platform software, which was used for the TV guide. The TV guide could display programming schedule for 14 days, and recording could be scheduled for any of the shows. It could also be used to access E-mail.^[1] However, it was a commercial failure, and by 2003, it was taken off the market, even though it is still supported by DirecTV.

[edit] Foundation Edition

The Microsoft TV Foundation Edition platform integrates Video-on-demand (VOD), Digital Video Recording (DVR) and HDTV programming with live Television programming. It includes an interactive programming guide (IPG) that could be used to access any supported service from a centralized directory. The IPG could be used to search and filter the listings as well.

Microsoft TV Foundation Edition platform also included an authoring environment that could be used to create content consumable from the set top box.

[edit] IPTV Edition

Microsoft TV IPTV Edition is an IPTV platform for accessing both on-demand as well as live television content over a 2-way IP network, coupled with DVR functionality. It is to be used with cable networks that have an IPTV infrastructure. A version of this platform is going to be included with XBOX 360.

On June 18, 2007 Microsoft Mediaroom enables a new, personalized television experience. Consumers can easily find and discover TV, video, movies, and digital media at the touch of a remote control. Live programming and video-on-demand in standard-definition and high-definition formats, digital video recording, MultiView picture-in-picture, music, and photos are presented together with an intuitive on-screen interface. With Microsoft Mediaroom, consumers get the best in TV plus all their media in one place..^[2]