Microsoft to Announce Media Center OS Update
source: PC World
 
Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 supports DVD burning, HDTV, and improved support for mobile devices.

Microsoft will unveil the latest version of its media-oriented operating system tomorrow, positioning Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 as its best operating system for consumers.

"Media Center 2005 is going to catapult the operating system much more to a mainstream status," says Dave Fester, general manager of Microsoft's Windows Consumer group. "If you look at the massive interest and demand by consumers for digital entertainment in music, photos, TV--this is the version of Windows you want."

Not all outsiders agree. Microsoft is aiming high with its Media Center OS projections, says Rob Enderle, principal analyst with The Enderle Group in San Jose, California. "They are basically saying that a third of consumer machines will be a Media Center over the next few years. I think that is probably aggressive," he says.

The update to Windows XP Media Center Edition, code-named Symphony, has been in beta testing since early this year. XP Media Center Edition 2005 includes a host of new features, including support for two TV tuners, DVD burning, and over-the-air high-definition television and satellite in addition to cable TV. The software also offers improved support for mobile devices and a refreshed user interface.

Send Digital Content Around the House
Windows XP Media Center Edition is a premium version of Windows XP, designed to make the PC the media and entertainment hub for the home. In addition to traditional PC tasks, the system can serve music, pictures, video, and live television to portable devices, stereos, and TVs, while also enforcing digital rights set by content owners. Users can access the Media Center PC with a remote control through a special user interface on their TV.

A key new feature is support for wireless technology, and in particular Media Center Extender, a new technology that lets users wirelessly connect up to five TVs to the Media Center PC.

Users also will be able to exchange MSN instant messages through their TV, and remotely program their Media Center 2005 system through a service offered by MSN.
With the 2005 version, Windows XP Media Center is finally a finished product, says Enderle. "This is a significant step. Last year's product was interesting, but this year's product feels mature, and where we go from here will be minor enhancements."

Microsoft and hardware makers are also expected to announce devices that use Media Center Extender technology, as well as new Media Center PCs and new digital audio receivers for an audio-only experience.

More Portability
Microsoft also is expected to announce Windows Media Player 10 Mobile for Windows-based cell phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs). The software turns these devices into portable media players that will work with Media Center PCs, allowing users to take content with them.

Windows Media Player 10 Mobile includes support for Microsoft's new DRM (digital rights management) technology, code-named Janus, which allows subscribers to online music services--services that support the technology--to download music collections to mobile devices. Currently, you may download music only to PCs. The software will ship on many new devices, including some cell phones, some PDAs, and a goodly clutch of popular MP3 players. Existing devices can be upgraded, but users will have to get an upgrade from the device maker, according to Microsoft.

Microsoft also is introducing a new logo program called "Plays for Sure." The logo will appear on portable media players and online music and video services to indicate interoperability. "When consumers see a device that has the Plays for Sure logo or a music or video service that has the logo, you can guarantee interoperability between those devices and services," Microsoft's Fester says.

MSN Music Store Launch
As part of the consumer-focused announcements, Microsoft on Tuesday will officially launch its U.S. MSN Music Store and a similar service in eight other countries through a partnership with Loudeye. The download service also will be available in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, Spain, Austria, and Switzerland.
The MSN Music Store, Microsoft's response to Apple Computer's ITunes, is also available through Windows XP Media Center's TV interface, along with dozens of other online services that provide music, movies, radio, and other content.

PC Sales Stimulator?
Windows XP Media Center 2005 is the centerpiece of a Microsoft marketing effort to revive interest in the three-year-old Windows XP operating system. With a brand new version of Windows not scheduled until 2006, Microsoft is betting XP Media Center 2005 will move consumers to buy new PCs.

Media Center PCs cost more than plain Windows XP Home machines, with price tags ranging from around $900 to over $1999 for the more expensive systems. In an effort to make these Media Center PCs more affordable, Microsoft has relaxed the hardware requirements for the systems: a TV tuner card and remote control are no longer required.

However, buyers of a dressed-down system without a TV tuner or a remote will likely want to upgrade their systems to be able to get the full Media Center experience, analyst Enderle says.

posted by tommEE pickles 10/12/2004 08:48:28 AM