Comcast and Microsoft Join Forces for Interactive TV


Comcast has announced that they will be fully backing and implementing Microsoft TV Foundation Edition 1.7 middleware software on upcoming set-top boxes. The alliance will bring Interactive TV features like interactive programming guides, video-on-demand, digital video recordering (dual-tuner support), high-definition TV, and gaming capabilities to Motorola’s new DCT6412 set-top designed for Comcast later this summer.

We wouldn’t be surprised if Microsoft throws in its Windows Media Center Extender technology into future Microsoft TV Foundation versions, which will enable consumers to access their Windows Media Center PC (audio/video/photo) files from the cable set-top box.

Motorola DCT6400 series set-top box standard features include:
Integrated DOCSIS-compatible cable modem, a smart-card reader, Ethernet and USB interfaces, Y-Pb-Pr video output, S/PDIF optical and coaxial digital audio outputs, and baseband and RF audio-video I/Os. All models enable direct digital connection to consumer audio and video devices via 1394-DTV and DVI interfaces.

* More info from Motorola

News Link: Staff, “Comcast and Microsoft Announce Licensing Agreement For Microsoft TV Software,” Press Release, Microsoft, May 20, 2004.

Leave a Comment »

// Category: Digital Media Servers
[Subscribe to this Blog]

Comment Form: