Microsoft Updates its Media Center Platform

--Platform Now Offers Multi-Room Functionality via Xbox 360
--Media Center Content Partnership with MTV Networks Expanded

Microsoft has released a software update for its Windows XP Media Center Edition platform. Update Rollup 2, as the update has been designated, allows end-users of the platform to stream digital video, standard- and high-definition TV, digital music and photos from a Media Center PC to any TV in the household via Microsoft's Xbox 360 gaming platform: it is designed to take advantage of the built-in Media Center Extender technology of the Xbox 360, which Microsoft says will be available in North America from November 22nd. Existing Media Center customers can download the update from Microsoft's Windows Update download site. Other features of Update Rollup 2 include support for an additional HDTV tuner, allowing a Media Center PC to support up to four tuners: two analog and two ATSC high- definition. According to Microsoft, US customers will be able to use two NTSC (analog) capture boards and two ATSC (digital) capture boards, allowing personal video recording of two shows at the same time, broadcast as either ATSC digital TV or HDTV. Other new features include "Away Mode," which allows Media Center PC's to perform certain tasks--such as recording shows or streaming content to Media Center Extenders--in a low-power mode (note: this feature will be available in the coming months on new PC's from Acer, Fujitsu Siemens, Gateway, HP, Phillips, Samsung, and Shuttle); and improved DVD burning and management capabilities. Microsoft claims to have sold over 4 million Media Center PC licenses and says that more than 130 PC manufacturers around the world are offering Media Center PC's. According to the analyst company, Current Analysis, Media Center PC's accounted for 46% of the US retail desktop PC market.

In other Windows Media Center news: Microsoft is expanding its Media Center content partnership with MTV Networks. Earlier this month, the latter launched its broadband channel, "MTV Overdrive," on the platform, and it plans to launch its college-targeted broadband service, mtvU, the VSpot service of its VH1 channel, and the yet-to-launch broadband service of its Comedy Central channel on the platform early next year. The services, which will feature exclusive performances, news features, music videos, games and more, will be available through the Media Center platform's "Online Spotlight" area. "Our audiences want to connect with our content on every platform they interact with--linear television, broadband, online, radio, and now on PC's that run Windows XP Media Center," Van Toffler, president of MTV Networks' Music, Films and Logo Group, said in a prepared statement. "Today's announcement helps fulfill our multiplatform entertainment promise. The distinction between TV and broadband programming is becoming less important to our viewers, and the Media Center Edition platform is helping to take the entire entertainment experience to the next level."

(Note: Akimbo's VOD service has also just launched on the Media Center--see our article in the email newsletter Issue 6.37 Part 3.)

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