Microsoft quietly combines TV efforts

Microsoft has quietly folded its Internet Protocol television, Media Center, and HD DVD efforts into a single organization, known as the Connected TV business group.

The unit, which is part of Robbie Bach's Entertainment and Devices division, is headed by Enrique Rodriguez, the VP (and former WebTV developer) who has been heading the IPTV effort. Peter Barrett, who was CTO of the IPTV unit, takes on that role for the unit.

The move, which took place in October, paves the way for the different technologies, all centered around the television, to work more closely together.

On the IPTV front, Microsoft is moving ahead with its effort to allow additional programs to run on set-top boxes using its software. Microsoft said it now has more than two dozen companies working on software for its Mediaroom platform, including ES3 and Emuse Technologies.

In October, the company had a conference in Boston for such developers, an event the company plans to make a yearly gathering. Expect to hear more on the IPTV front at the Consumer Electronics Show in January.

Microsoft has spent years and invested billions of dollars in the TV business, changing approaches several times along the way.

[ppgreat]

Set Top Box

And what if I don't want their software on my set top box? Can I <br />shut it off?

[timber2005]

Idiot

Of course there is a power button.<br /><br />Seriously, Its a Microsoft TV Set top box! (AppleTV, MicrosoftIPTV) If you bought the darn thing, what the hell did you think you were going to get? Consider...<br /><br />"Oh Hi, I bought the AppleTV but it runs Mac OSx (stripped). Can I shut it off".<br /><br />They aren't saying your next comcast box will have Microsoft Media Center on it. (Would run better... *whistle*)

[stuxstu]

U-Verse/IPTV

Just got U-Verse today... So far I really like it. MS did a nice job with IPTV... It is in the early phase of development, but all I have to say is it much better than the cable system I had.<br /><br />All they need to do is increase bandwidth... That will really make the system scream.

[david__B]

What a MESS

I mean, come on! Just look at the "Media Center" interface! There is absolutly no way to make it more counter-intuitive or more un-friendly then it is!<br /><br />MS is doomed to fail misserably if that's the best way they can integrate multiple media types into 1 box.

[Rick Cavaretti]

Who needs software or a box??

Big picture: The whole point of this exercise is to merge your <br />COMPUTER with your TELEVISION, right?. Doesn't that simply <br />mean, in the purest form, you want to use your TV as a terminal of <br />sorts? If I can pick-up my wireless keyboard and mouse and walk <br />into the living room and plop down in front of my 46" LCD and <br />mimic all activities and functions of my desktop, then what else do <br />I need? I wired mine with a HD15 cable with integral 3.5 mm <br />stereo cable. Total cost, $23.90. My TV is now my virtual laptop.

[robvme]

Uverse

Ditto. Uverse is a great product. Some tweaks are needed for navigation, search, and definitely a need for increased bandwidth, but the picture quality and content selection is by far better than the satellite or cable I have been recieving. Love the fact that I can rent a movie in one room and watch it in any - something I wasn't able to do with Dish or Direct TV. So far I am very happy with this service and look foward to the incremental upgrades in the next quarter or so.