T-Online France, the French subsidiary of T-Online International and a major network operator in France, says it has selected Microsoft's IPTV Edition software platform to run trials of next-generation television for its pilot project of "triple-play" services (voice, video, and data) in France. Last fall, T-Online of Germany selected a
Windows CE-based STB from Zenega for its IPTV service.
Additionally, Microsoft announced the names of several set-top box and encoder providers that will be embedding Microsoft's IPTV Edition client-side software in their products. Among these are Motorola, Scientific-Atlanta, Tandberg, and Harmonic. At least some of the resulting products could be expected to run
Windows CE.
Microsoft's MSN TV Division is also showcasing its own "comprehensive set of information and communication services" for IPTV deployments. Among these services is Mobile Remote Record technology, which lets users command a Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005-based PC to record a specific TV show or program via a mobile phone or Pocket PC, according to Microsoft.
New IPTV Edition capabilities shown off by Microsoft at SuperComm are said to include:
- Support for new games
- Multiple picture-in-picture services
- Customized channel lineups
- Parental blocking
- Photo sharing
Microsoft launched the
initial version of IPTV Edition in the fall of 2003, touting it as a "complete end-to-end solution spanning a range from video management and delivery to consumer TV experiences." Shortly thereafter, Swisscom/Bluewin
selected IPTV Edition for trials in Switzerland over Bluewin's ADSL network. Last fall, SBC Communications
selected the platform for use on its two-way broadband network, with consumer field trials expected to begin soon.
Last fall, the MSN TV Division unveiled its
MSN TV 2 Internet & Media Player, the broadband-oriented, Windows CE based successor to its earlier modem-bound WebTV Internet receiver.
In a statement issued today, Microsoft TV division vice president Moshe Lichtman said, "We expect to bring on a new wave of video innovation for the telecommunications industry that enables service providers not only to offer the video component of the triple play to their customers, but also to deliver a much better digital TV experience than conventional distribution platforms."
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