Microsoft has announced an ad-supported Internet TV upgrade to Windows Vista Media Center to be released later this month. Engadget.com has the scoop:
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.
This service could be interesting but I have low expectations. With Vista MCE, it always seems like the devil is in the details. No HD? Not sure how appealing that will be. I would love to see Microsoft ink a deal with the three major networks to integrate their streaming offerings into Media Center. ABC already offers most of their shows in HD for free online. It would be interesting.
Mon, Sep 10, 2007
Vista Media Center