[Sammy2]

 http://www.broadbandreports.com/shownews/Ericsson-Buys-Microsofts-IPTV-Software-Platform-123795


I can say that this platform is very similar to WMC and is used on the UVerse system and many others. Why would M$ sell this when IPTV will probably be the delivery method in the future. This on top of giving us Win8 makes you wander what is going on in Redmond.

 

[tman247]

Indeed. What the hell is going on in Redmond. Very good question. It seems to be being run by a bunch of monkeys at the moment.


Apparently MS sold MediaRoom so they can concentrate 'fully' on the TV/media features of the new Xbox. Nobody yet knows if this will support live TV (I highly doubt it), so it's all going to be about delivery over IP, and the interface, well, it's obviously going to look very similar to Metro in 8 (god help us). The interesting thing is though, that a tweaked Metro could make a stonkingly good 10" UI for media playback, but MS don't seem interested in this any more. A real shame.

 

[pizznock]

The focus is on Xbox and Xbox Live which have shown growth year over year. What does MS need IPTV for? The number of people "cutting the cord" to move away from cable/satellite is growing and TV manufacturers are adding DLNA/DTCP-IP capabilities on top of netflix, amazon, youtube and etc.

 

[Sammy2]

After a time, cord cutters will discover that streamed content isn't all it is cracked up to be but even then streamed content can easily be delivered via IPTV. Right now it is called OnDemand or Pay Per View.

 

[pizznock]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy2  /t/1467556/microsoft-sells-mediaroom-to-ericson#post_23184733


After a time, cord cutters will discover that streamed content isn't all it is cracked up to be but even then streamed content can easily be delivered via IPTV. Right now it is called OnDemand or Pay Per View.

What do you mean by streamed content? In US most of the TV content is available for streaming though iTunes, Google's Play Store, Hulu, or channels own website/server such as HBO Go.

 

[Sammy2]

Internet Protocol Tele-Vision is entirely streamed as it uses an internet device to receive the information. When I had Uverse there was the Residential Gateway and then there was a PVR and another STB all connected via Ethernet in my home with no RG6 used whatsoever. The Video On Demand and Pay Per View was streamed and even TV content was streamed with four HD streams available for use from the node where the fiber stopped and the two wire began. Not all content was available all the time and the PVR/STB had to send a request for a channel to be streamed to the end user, similar to SDV on CableTV.

 

[tman247]

Moving to an IP based delivery system (be it on Xbox or 8) for media is all about generating extra revenue streams, that's why MS are concentrating on it. WMC (with Live TV) was not a revenue generator, so they've moved away from it. This is exactly the same as is now happening with the 8 App Store (something 7 never had). It's there to create a closed-wall development environment that can generate MS revenue from App sales, and at the same time tailor ad delivery through the same channel. You wait, within a couple of years Windows 8 (and 9 or whatever it is) will be a prime ad delivery system straight into the 'Modern UI'. Those 'live' tiles will be popping up ads left, right and center. That's one of the reasons MS are so intent on pushing it.


As with most things though, the streamed media video/audio quality will suck, you'll be charged per episode or movie you watch. You won't be able to download them because they'll be laced with DRM, but the worst thing is the average punter will lap it up. Exactly the same as what happened with CD/SACD/DVD-A losing out to the vastly inferior MP3, and what may just happen with Blu-Ray. It's convenience over quality all the way...