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MS Testing Media Center TV Streaming

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

January 13, 2006, 1:43 PM

UPDATED Microsoft is currently testing a Slingbox-like add-on that would allow Windows Media Center users to watch programming on their PCs from anywhere using mobile devices and laptops, BetaNews has learned.

The feature uses a software application rather than a set-top box, as Slingbox utilizes to control a TiVo, cable or satellite box remotely. The resulting stream would play through Windows Media Player.

A demo viewed by BetaNews last week indicates that the service would even work over slower mobile data connections, such as EDGE.

Unlike Slingbox, only existing content could be viewed, as there currently is no way to control the Media Center PC remotely. However, one could start recording a live broadcast, and would subsequently be able to view it through the stream.

The recorded programming would appear through a Web interface that would then launch Windows Media Player to play the stream, the demo indicated. The bitrate of the video adjusts automatically based on the bandwidth available.

Joe Wilcox, senior analyst at Jupiter Research, says the streaming feature is a logical step. "Microsoft already has extended Media Center capabilities, for example, with the remote programming of content to record. Streaming content is another natural extension of Media Center capabilities."

Trials are now underway internally with plans to eventually publicly test the product. However, sources say Microsoft is wary of copyright issues that surround devices like the Slingbox, and is attempting to ensure that such a product would not draw the ire of broadcasters and copyright holders.

Slingbox has become quite popular in recent months following its release last year. Since the company is privately held, it does not release sales numbers, but high-profile users like Robert Scoble have helped the device attain a cult following.

Requests for comment from Microsoft were unanswered as of press time.

Add a Comment (8 Comments)

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By rickmahn

edited Jan 16, 2006 - 9:48 AM

Of course a person could simply use Orb right now for the same thing - it even has the ability to control the TV tuner as well as stream audio and video data, and view still pics as well.

And its free (www orb com).

MS will get there with a fantastic integrated add on for Media Center, but Slingbox and Orb are already available - and highly recommended.

Score: 0

By toast66612

edited Jan 21, 2006 - 10:30 PM

In the title of this article you state that this MCE beta feature will kill ORB/Slingbox. However, the writer only talked about the MCE vs Slingbox in terms of streaming home media content over the internet. The author completly skipped any mention of ORB Networks software after his article title. That is a major mistake!!! Microsoft's new MCE streaming feature should have been included in it's first release since streaming content to remote locations not on a MCE equipped LAN network is the primary reason to digitize home media content in the first place! ORB's software already has an MCE plugin that allows internet streams like this. Orb can also stream live tv channels in realtime, and set remote recordings. Orb also allows TIVO2go software to allow sharing of any recorded TIVO DVR box content over the web using your home network connections. To the writer of this article I say do not state the names of products you plan to compare in your titles and then skip over one third of the hardware mentioned!!!! Use ORB people it's free and WAY more functional than using Slingbox or any new MCE feature and you can use orb with MCE. Trust me.

Score: 0

By dadler

edited Jan 19, 2006 - 7:19 PM

MS's solution will probably be all DRM'd up anyway. I prefer olivelink (www.olivelink.com). No DRM and I can broadcast to myself or a whole bunch of people.

Score: 0

By ppastudent

edited Jan 19, 2006 - 2:53 PM

I dont understand the difference between this and between slingbox.

I was planning on buying slingbox but i also do have media center windows...

Whats the difference should i wait will it be able to stream television from my house?

Score: 0

By tonyr@puzzlingphotos.com

edited Jan 17, 2006 - 4:42 PM

check out vlc it can do this and more!

Score: 0

By tkeating

edited Feb 22, 2006 - 9:52 AM

I've used VLC myself years ago. It works well for pre-recorded content, but never was able to figure out how to change channels with the software. Unless they've improved it since I last used it. I think the Linux version has some scripts to change channels, but my home PC is Windows, so that doesn't help me.

I use Orb when I want to stream live TV content with ability to change channels. Orb also supports streaming all my Windows MCE recorded content over the internet.