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News, Analysis, and Opinion on Microsoft Digital Media Technologies (and TGB News!)
Blu-ray
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I’ve talk about Microsoft and Blu-ray more
times than I can count and it never fails I end up saying they will not be
the ones to build Blu-ray support in Windows.
My thoughts have officially come true with yesterday’s announcement that
Microsoft is outsourcing Blu-ray
support in Windows 7 to Cyberlink.
According to the press release, PowerDVD “automatically
integrate with Windows Media Center to enable full Blu-ray playback capability
on PC equipped with the appropriate hardware.”
The extent of that integration remains to be seen, but I’m hoping for
full integration using Media Foundation and PVP (aka real integration). That's a lot of wishful thinking on my part, what we will likely end up with is Media
Center launching PowerDVD in a Play Movie-esk way.
I guess this is a good start and I’m interested to see what the
product will look like but I’m not getting my hopes up too high just yet for it being the perfect solution.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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TAIPEI, Taiwan - CyberLink Corporation is pleased to announce that
PowerDVD will be utilized by Microsoft Corp. in a demonstration of their newest
version of Windows Media Center, for Windows 7. This demo will be shown in the
Microsoft booth (7144), in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Additional demonstrations of the forthcoming version of PowerDVD will be
available to PC and Consumer Electronic manufacturers and members of the press
by appointment, in CyberLink’s private suite in the Hilton Hotel.
CyberLink has been working closely with Microsoft to support
many of the advanced capabilities of Windows 7. PowerDVD Cinema mode has been
designed to automatically integrate with Windows Media Center to enable full
Blu-ray playback capability on PC equipped with the appropriate hardware.
PowerDVD Cinema mode integrates seamlessly with the advanced user experience
that Windows Media Center provides and allows consumers to be able to use a
remote control to select and watch Blu-ray titles from the comfort of their
couch. PowerDVD also provide a great user experience when launched directly
from Windows, with new and exciting ways for everyone to browse and enjoy
movies and video files on any Windows desktop or laptop PC.
TrueTheater™ HD, one of the new video technology CyberLink
will demonstrate in PowerDVD, provides the capability to up-sample videos and
transform standard definition video files, or DVD titles into high-definition
quality. This would allow users to enjoy DVDs today in high definition quality.
“We are proud that PowerDVD is Microsoft’s choice to support
Blu-ray Disc playback for Windows 7,” said Alice H. Chang, CEO of CyberLink.
“PowerDVD is the leading DVD, Blu-ray Disc and AVCHD movie player software
application, chosen by top-brand PCs and optical disc drives purchased by
consumers and businesses around the world. We are excited to demonstrate the
smooth integration and the incredible sights and sounds of Blu-ray disc movies
for Windows 7 at the coming CES.”
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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Okoro Media Systems, manufacturer of digital entertainment systems for the high
end audio video market, is pleased to announce the availability of the Intel’s
new i7 Core processing technology to our high-end 2009 Digital Entertainment
Systems. Keeping with our mission of bringing the latest in cutting edge
technology, our i7 Core series machines will continue to bring unprecedented
3-D gaming performance and will provide better performance for streaming movies,
and music to multiple zones.
“Our customers expected us to push the envelope with systems that can provide
the greatest performance when they are playing the latest Blu-ray movies in
1080p with TrueHD audio, while recording multiple HD channels and extending
content to multiple zones. With the integration of Intel’s i7Core technology in our line of premier Digital Entertainment
Systems, we can provide our customers with unparalleled video performance.”
says Christopher Curry VP of Sales and Marketing.
The following systems are based on Intel i7Core technology:
OMS-TH550
OMS-GX100
OMS-GX300
The upcoming
RK200 & RK300
During this 2008 festive season, Okoro Media Systems wants to make your
holidays even brighter with some complimentary gifts to enhance your Digital
Experience. We want to help you with those “Stocking Stuffers”.
With every purchase of a BX series or system that is upgraded with a Blu-ray
player we will add the critically acclaimed box office smash hit - The Dark
Knight Blu-ray movie to your order, as a gift from us.
We want to continue the gift giving by adding an additional 5% promotional
reduction to the listed MSPR price of the following OMS Models: TH550, BX300,
BX100, GX300, GX100, and ZX100.
The complimentary Blu-ray movie Batman- The Dark Knight and the 5% discount
will be valid until Sunday, January 11th, 2009.
For more information, please contact Okoro Media Systems at 877-539-4788 or
visit www.okoromedia.com.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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I’m a few weeks behind on this one, but those pesky Xbox 360
Blu-ray rumors came back into the spotlight early this month. Spotlight might actually be the wrong word to
use, as the usual tech blogs didn’t even bother to cover the rumor. I’ve made it quite clear over the past year
that I
don’t think Blu-ray for the Xbox 360 makes sense for Microsoft, but X-bit
Labs hears different.
According to the October 8th article Microsoft is
working with Toshiba-Samsung Storage Technology Corp (TSST) to manufacturer
external Blu-ray Disc drives for the Xbox 360.
According to the article the target price is would be $100 - $150 with
an unknown release date. Microsoft
yet again denied the rumor with “We have no plans to integrate Blu-ray into
the Xbox experience.”
Interestingly I’ve actually heard more information behind
the scenes (read: non Microsoft behind the scenes) about this rumor than any
other. Some are saying they have
word from retailers that the product is a-go, but I’m hardly going to believe
that when the source article doesn’t have an expected release date and nothing
from TSST has leaked out.
The only opinion I have to add to this is that with the recent
Xbox 360 price cuts Microsoft could compete with Sony head-to-head by
offering a Blu-ray Drive, but I still fail to see why they would want to. I’ve said several times in my other posts
that the Xbox 360 would benefit from a price cut (and fixing RROD issues) more
than it would from getting Blu-ray, and I
think that was proved a few weeks ago.
The “it has Blu-ray” factor of the PlayStation 3 has kind of died down,
and Blu-ray is hardly busting into the market and likely will not move much in
the next few months given the current global economic outlook.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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Due to a poorly worded article over at CNET I’ve seen a few
dozen people getting excited about Vista SP2 bringing “support
for Blu-ray drives,” but everyone should take a quick step back and realize
Vista SP2 will add “support
for burning Blu-ray data discs” but nothing involving Blu-ray Disc movie
playback.
So far Vista SP2 is basically a collection of previously
planned “Feature Packs” including the Storage
Feature Pack (where Blu-ray burning comes from), and the Wireless Feature Pack. My guess is that Microsoft is worried the
press behind Windows 7 is going to kick Vista sales to the curb so they want to
make sure they are keeping it current.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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New VidaBox
RoomClientHD™ supports Blu-ray & DVD streaming in full 1080p with HD audio
support - all in a miniature, palm-sized package
Westbury, NY -
September 29th - VidaBox is proud to announce the new RoomClientHD™, a
2" tall, palm-sized media extender that provides Blu-ray & DVD
streaming support for full 1080p and lossless audio codecs. Designed to be easily hidden behind any HDTV,
this breakthrough extender allows any room to get instant, on-demand access to
any content stored on a VidaBox media server.
"We're thrilled to finally offer an ultra-compact
Blu-ray extender that dealers and customers alike have been asking for,"
says Steven Cheung, President of VidaBox LLC.
"Current Blu-ray players & extenders are the size of typical
DVD players or set-top boxes, and may have slight unpleasantries like fan noise
that stopped many installers from putting the equipment directly in the viewing
area. By combining advanced hardware
design and our in-depth experience with Blu-ray streaming, we've been able to
create the RoomClientHD, answering the prayers of integrators and customers
alike.
Blu-ray streaming starts with a VidaBox server, such as the
new RACK24 system with up to 22.0TB of storage, where thousands of DVDs and
hundreds of Blu-rays can be stored. From
here, extenders like the RoomClientHD can be installed to pull the content via
standard CAT5e/6 cabling. No complicated
setup needs to be done, as the extenders are preconfigured to automatically
detect the VidaBox server on the network, making multizone installs a
plug-n-play process.
"With only a 6" x 6" footprint, installers
can cleverly hide the 2" tall RoomClientHD behind most HDTV panels,"
exclaims Cheung. "With hardware
support for full 1080p and new HD audio codecs like DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD, the
RoomClientHD sets a new standard for high-end media extenders that provide a
full set of features without any compromises in quality or experience."
The RoomClientHD is available now, and comes with an option
for a built-in Blu-ray disc drive for convenient local playback. For more details and specifications on the
RoomClientHD™ and VidaBox's comprehensive line of media servers, extenders, and
complete entertainment and control solutions, please visit the company website
at http://www.vidabox.com, or see them at
International CES in the North Tower Suite H22-121!
About VidaBox LLC
VidaBox LLC is a digital entertainment and controls
solutions company focused on manufacturing premium media centers, integrated
home control & automation solutions.
VidaBox is on a mission to create user-friendly, stable high-performance
Media Center systems that work right out of the box and integrate seamlessly
with multizone audio and smart home technologies. For more information, visit www.vidabox.com or call 1-516-730-7500.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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Hanover MA, Aug 13,
2008, Inteset, has updated its Movie Collection server module to fully support
Blu-ray movies.
One of the major selling features of the Inteset media
server has been its ability to store, search, and play back movies seamlessly
within the Windows Media Center interface using the proprietary Movie
Collection module. Inteset has offered this feature to its dealers for years
and has now improved the capabilities by adding full Blu-ray support. In
addition, movie profile lookups are simpler than ever. The system will scan the
inserted DVD or Blu-ray disc to identify it, and then retrieve full profile information
from Inteset's all-new movie database. Lookups can also be performed based on
UPC code and movie title.
"We're happy to make available this exciting new
upgrade of our Movie Collection module," states David Hirsh, Inteset's
Director of Business Development. "The module with additional Blu-ray
support works perfectly with our new 15 terabyte A/V NAS storage server and
Vana advanced extender systems as well," explains Hirsh.
The Inteset Movie Collection module is available on all
Inteset media servers. Blu-ray playback is now standard on the Inteset Maximus
media server and optional on the Denzel and Vana media servers. The module
upgrade is free on all prior and new Inteset servers running Vista Media
Center.
To learn more about how to obtain the latest Inteset Movie
Collection module and other Inteset products and services, visit
www.inteset.com. Get a live demonstration by visiting Inteset at CEDIA 2008,
Denver, CO, booth 452.
About Inteset
Inteset, LLC has been creating high-end home entertainment
products since 2003. Inteset offers four categories of products: media servers,
media extenders, high-capacity storage devices, and exclusive software for its
systems. The near silent media servers come with up to 8TB of internal, 15TB
external, protected storage. The advanced media extenders are independent
systems as well as A/V distribution clients. All systems are shipped with an
enriched Microsoft Windows Media Center interface that includes a movie
management module and a multi-zone music module among other exclusive software
offerings. These systems appeal to A/V dealers and integrators domestically and
internationally for their high-integrity construction, reliability,
ease-of-use, unique entertainment modules and services, price point, and interoperability
with advanced control systems.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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I never thought I would get a dozen posts out of this topic,
but what do you know! Some said I was
dead wrong when I predicted that Microsoft wasn’t planning on adding Blu-ray to
the Xbox 360. After covering the issue
from every different angle possible (Here,
Here,
Here,
Here,
Here,
Here,
Here,
Here,
Here,
Here,
Here)
I still couldn’t come up with a good reason why it was in Microsoft’s best
interest to add Blu-ray to the Xbox. It
isn’t hard to come up with reasons why potential or existing Xbox 360 buyers
want Blu-ray, but taking a Microsoft perspective is a bit different.
Cut to today, Forbes
has a story that quotes Shane Kim, vice president of strategy and business
development for Microsoft Entertainment division
saying “I
can categorically say that we're not working on a Blu-Ray player for Xbox 360.”
What is Microsoft’s focus?
Digital distribution. As I’ve
talked about either today Netflix
adds just another option for downloads/streams on the Xbox 360 (but
not Media Center Extenders) and while I don’t
think Microsoft should just focus on digital distribution you know that is
their goal and it isn’t going to change.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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We don’t even have to wait until tomorrow to find out that
the Xbox
360 isn’t getting Blu-ray. Why? Because
Robbie Bach was asked if Microsoft had plans for Blu-ray to appear in the next generation Xbox (Via
Engadget) and answered “No. There is nothing to even talk about right now with regard to the
next generation. That is so far out that there isn't anything to talk
about.” Now I’m sure some of you will
tell me that he didn’t deny Xbox 360 with Blu-ray and instead just talked about
the next generation, but trust me Blu-ray is not coming to the Xbox 360 tomorrow or anytime
soon. He also touches on Xbox 360
lasting longer than the previous Xbox as I also
talked about today.
Robbie also went on record again saying the ZunePhone (eg. first
party hardware) isn’t happening, but does suggest that a Phone+Zune
software might be on the way as I suggested a few months ago. I can
actually say it will be happening and that I know Microsoft is currently trying
to get OEMs on board. The Zune software
(or a variation of it) will appear on several different OEMs handsets. Not sure if it will just be Windows Mobile,
but I’d love to see them open it up to other platforms.
Lastly on the mobile side, Bach said “We don't make phones ourselves. We don't have any
plans to make phones ourselves” which I thought
was interesting considering Microsoft now owns Danger. Danger isn’t a hardware company per-say, but
I guess it can shine a bit of light on what Microsoft isn’t planning to do with
their new acquisition.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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Another day, another
horrible rumor. Microsoft will not
announce that the Xbox 360 is getting Blu-ray on Monday.
This latest rumor does give me a good chance to cover Shane Kim of Microsoft Game Studios saying the Xbox 360
is set
to last seven years. This would clearly go against what I’ve been
saying about the shelf life of the Xbox 360 playing into Blu-ray considerations,
so I’ll admit that I’m wrong on that front.
That said, I still don’t see an Xbox Blu-ray addition near-term.
If they are going to stick with
the Xbox 360 and focus on games, the community aspect, media downloads, etc
then a Blu-ray Disc drive still doesn’t fit into their plans. An internal
drive isn’t can’t be used for games, an external drive is not going to allow
the Xbox 360 to compete with the price of the
PS3. There is still little advantage
from Microsoft’s perspective to do Blu-ray in the Xbox 360.
Console design and graphics are
getting to the point where the Xbox 720 will most likely not blow you away in
comparison to the Xbox 360. What has
more chance of bringing in gamers are new experiences, which is why you will
see that Xbox
motion sensing controller before year’s end. On the media side, downloads are still
Microsoft’s business more than ever, Blu-ray isn’t.
Update: Bach says
no Blu-ray on Xbox 720
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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Hardened Whole-Home Media System Now Available with Industry-Leading Blu-Ray San Jose, Calif., May 19, 2008 – FUZE Media
Systems, makers of the industry’s most hardened whole-home media system, today
announced that it has partnered with ArcSoft for Blu-Ray playback. Following
the company’s recent OEM software announcement, ArcSoft is the first announced
software partner that will be leveraged in both FUZE Media Systems and OEM
partner media devices.
Adding Blu-Ray disc playback is the latest in feature enhancements
for the appliance-like media system that delivers whole-home live &
recorded TV, traditional DVDs, home movies, digital photos, and music. The
selection of ArcSoft highlights that organization’s software leadership in
Blu-Ray playback.
“FUZE has come to represent the vanguard in whole-home media,” said
Bob Silver, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at FUZE. “In the past year,
we have continued to enhance our whole-home media solution to make it even more
desirable, and this partnership with ArcSoft is a logical next step for us.
Arcsoft has proven its Blu-Ray leadership, and our partnership has enabled us
to rapidly implement for our dealer network and our OEM partners.”
Michael Downs, VP of Marketing & Business Development at ArcSoft,
added, “This is an exciting announcement for us. FUZE has delivered an entirely
different sort of media system to market—one that is simplified, robust, and
delivers a performance that functions more like an appliance than a computer.
This is a powerful force for the industry, and we are confident that ArcSoft’s
Blu-Ray software will play a key role in improving whole-home media
distribution moving forward.”
Both companies noted that the Blu-Ray capability has been
implemented and is immediately available for sale.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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I hope you didn’t really think Microsoft
was doing an Xbox 360 with Blu-ray, because they
are once again denying it. So, what do
you think is really going on?
- These sites are flat out making up
the rumors to drive web traffic
- OEMs think constant reports will
help get them a contract, suggesting they would be able to provide the drives at $xx to Microsoft.
- Microsoft has expressed interest
in Blu-ray Disc drives for the Xbox 360, reports are truly leaking out.
- Microsoft has expressed interest
in Blu-ray Disc drives for the “Xbox” (360 not implied, meaning it could be
Xbox 720).
- Other – Let me know
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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