Among the features supported by the new extenders, according to Microsoft, is the ability to pause a live TV broadcast playing on one TV set in a home and then resume play of the same broadcast from any other TV in the house.
“The new extenders for Windows Media Center make it easy to get a wide range of personal and Internet content not only on someone’s main TV but on all the TVs in the house,” said Dave Alles, general manager of the eHome division at Microsoft. “Whether it’s a high-def show recorded from digital cable, new Internet video, or your personal library of pictures, music and videos, it’s all on your television — just a remote-click away.”
A variety of manufacturers already are at work on devices that will incorporate new features of Media Center, including the Linksys division of Cisco Systems, the D-Link Corp. and Niveus Media, Inc. According to Microsoft, the new functions supported by these devices potentially include live high-definition video, wireless networking capabilities and increased support of audio and video formats like DivX and Xvid.
The new extenders will come in several different forms, Microsoft said, including stand-alone set-top boxes, and integration into devices like DVD players and TVs, and will facilitate easy connection of such devices to PCs running Media Center. Support for the high-speed Wireless N protocol means that consumers will not have to run Ethernet cables throughout their home in order to watch high-def video — in as many as six rooms at once, according to Microsoft.
The extenders also will allow users to send DRM-protected high-def content to compatible devices throughout their home, including recorded TV content, movies and music from distributors like CinemaNow, MovieLink and Napster. The new extenders also will support other Media Center features, like the ability to receive Rueters news feeds, National Public Radio broadcasts and subscription services from XM Radio.
New extenders for Media Center are being demonstrated at Microsoft’s booth at the CEDIA EXPO 2007 in Denver, from Thursday through Sunday.
