Microsoft braces for crucial TV test

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Microsoft braces for crucial TV test

According to Cnet, Microsoft and Comcast are going to make a big announcement on Monday. The article is short on details but hopefully it'll be plans to integrate Media Center 2005 with Comcast's HDTV (so comcast customers won't have to use their branded DVR box), but it'll probably be the unveiling of new set-top boxes for Comcast, powered by MS software. [thanks, Loren!]

by Matt Haughey November 7, 2004 in Windows Media Center XP

Comments

I hope that it's a replacement for Comcast's current HDTV DVR set-top box. While I love the ability to record HD programming, I really dislike Comcast's software. Compared to TiVo, it's an embarassment of bad software design. I'm not a big Microsoft fan, but I'm confident that they'll improve on Comcast's current design.

Posted by: Sean Devine at Nov 7, 2004 5:41:12 PM

Sean, you hit the nail on the head: yesterday's announcement was about Comcast's launch of Microsoft's "Foundation Edition" software on Comcast cable boxes in Washington state. See http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2002085610_msftcomcast09.html.

Posted by: Paul Robichaux at Nov 9, 2004 8:53:11 AM

Well according to this article

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6438774/

the set top box is Microsoft's first test of their MSTV foundation edition software

http://www.microsoft.com/tv/content/Solutions/Foundation/MSTV_Foundation_Main.mspx

The word on the street is that the Comcast boxes will have two tuners (watch and record at the same time), support HiDef and features like pause, play, rewind. Standard TiVo stuff.

I live in Seattle, so I called Comcast last night and set up an appointment to have one installed next Friday. It's going to be an extra $5 a month (I've already got Digital/HD service from them) to rent the box (the currrent HD receiver is $5 a month).

I asked if I could just stop by and trade my old receiver out for a new one, but the guy said the DVR boxes are really expensive (I've heard $1000 per unit) and they want to hand deliver each one. As part of the rollout, the installation is free.

Provided everything goes alright next Friday (I wouldn't be surprised if they ran out of units before delivering mine), I'll be happy to write up a quick review for this site.

Posted by: Jim Ray at Nov 9, 2004 9:00:20 AM

I ordered mine. ANYTHING has got to be better than the abortionware from Gemstar/TVGuide.

Posted by: Ian at Nov 9, 2004 8:38:48 PM

I wanted to know if:
Do u have anybody that talks in spanish?
How much would it cost to get braces?
Where is one here in Raleigh, North Carlolina?

Posted by: Nelly Andrade at Nov 21, 2004 10:47:43 AM