Featuring new multi-view capabilities and the ability to share media like music and photographs in the home TV environment, Microsoft has revealed the latest update to its internet protocol TV (IPTV) platform which will now be known as Mediaroom.
The new software enables multimedia capabilities such as multiple pictures on the one screen and comes with digital terrestrial television support.
“Microsoft is committed to providing our IPTV customers with the very best software platform so they can take full advantage of their intelligent, two-way IP networks, and begin deploying richer and more personalized TV and connected entertainment experiences,” said Enrique Rodriguez, corporate vice president of the Microsoft TV business at Microsoft.
“With personal media sharing and new application development capabilities, Microsoft Mediaroom brings the consumer television experience to a new level, enabling the best in TV, plus access to all your media in one place.”
The company also introduced Microsoft Mediaroom Application Development toolkit, which provides service providers and third party developers with tools to create revenue generating TV applications.
The new Mediaroom release features existing Microsoft IPTV features such a enhanced digital video recording, video on demand high definition TV and instant channel zapping.
The software also enables consumers to listen to digital music and watch digital photographs stored on PCs elsewhere in the home.
The software also features support for web services such as dynamic video on demand portals, casual games and interactive TV services.
More than 18 of the world’s leading service providers have selected the Microsoft Mediaroom platform for their digital TV offerings, and commercial deployments are currently underway with 10 providers.
“As the digital TV services market continues to grow, service providers will search for competitive differentiators that set them apart in terms of features and overall consumer experience,” said Michelle Abraham, principal analyst at In-Stat.
“A compelling and competitive feature set, powered by one of the strongest consumer brands in the world and the ability to create unique applications and services, is the recipe to convert consumers’ demand into service revenues,” Abraham added.
By John Kennedy
