| Free add-on outfits Windows CE for DVRs, IP-STBs |
Apr. 04, 2006
 Microsoft on Tuesday unveiled a Windows CE add-on intended to simplify the development of next-generation DVRs (digital video recorders) and IP STBs (Internet protocol set-top boxes). The free "Networked Media Device Feature Pack" aims to overcome the early lead of embedded Linux -- pioneered by TiVo -- in the rapidly growing consumer DVR/IP-STB market.
"Networked media devices" (NMDs) are consumer electronics products that are characterized by the "consumption and transport of media," Makund Ghangurde, group product manager for Microsoft's mobile and embedded division, told WindowsForDevices. Unlike Media Center PCs, NMDs do not create or edit media, Ghangurde noted.
Typical applications are expected to include networked TVs, DVRs, and digital media adapters. NMDs are, generally speaking, non-mobile consumer electronics devices -- not to be confused with Microsoft's Windows Mobile-based Portable Media Center category of devices.
While TiVo dominates the DVR market, Windows CE has seen growing success in STBs and digital media adapter consumer products from companies such as Linksys, Hewlett-Packard, and others.
      
A handful of previous Windows CE STB/NMD successes
(Click each image for details)
Jane Gilson, director of Microsoft's Mobile and Embedded Devices division, stated, "Windows Embedded has established a strong presence in the consumer electronics space, with more than 30 device makers currently shipping tens of thousands of Windows Embedded-based STBs around the world."
What's in the feature pack?
According to Ghangurde, the new Windows CE 5.0 NMD feature pack -- formerly codenamed "Tomatin" -- provides a DVR engine, networking capabilities, device drivers, and video codecs typically required to develop consumer NMDs and IP-STBs.
The feature pack also enables PlaysForSure certification, an interoperability logo that aims to assure consumers that multimedia streams and files will be usable on their devices (this support is designated "Cardea" on the block diagram, below).
The new Windows CE 5.0 feature-pack adds a DVR engine, codecs, and other "NMD"-oriented functions
(Source: Microsoft)
While Microsoft did not specify precisely which functions result from the addition of the NMD feature pack, the company attributed the following NMD-oriented features to the composite, Windows CE 5.0 + NMD Feature Pack OS. - Protocols and wireless standards support:
- TCP, IPv4, IPv6, NDIS, SSL, SNMP, XML
- 802.11x, BlueTooth, IrDA, USB 2.0, SDIO
- Windows Connect Now USB configuration
- Extensive multimedia support:
- Windows Media 9 / VC-1
- Software VC-1 compliant codec (SD & HD); license to be acquired through MPEG LA, LLC
- Faststart, Multicast, and Unicast Streaming
- HTTP 1.1, MMS, or local file streaming
- Additional codecs
- Included: WAV, MP3, MPEG-1, MPEG-4 MS ISO
- Through third parties: MPEG-2, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, Real, On2...
- Direct Show -- flexible media playback engine for software- or hardware-assisted decoding
- Sample media player application
- OCX control
- Graphics through GDI, DirectX 8, or Direct 3D Mobile
- Integrated NMD middleware and sample UI:
- UPnP, UPnP A/V, UPnP DCP
- Windows Media Connect v2.0 compatible Media Query Engine
- Sample NMD user interface (UI) with play list management and playback (photo, video, music)
- Full UI source code provided
- Content protection and DRM:
- Windows Media Digital Rights Management 10
- Support for direct license acquisition (IPTV, Internet download,...)
- Windows Media DRM 10 for Network Devices (for faster PlaysForSure certification)
- Third party DVB Conditional Access Systems (CAS) available
Additionally, the composite Windows CE 5.0 + NMD Feature Pack OS provides a customizable Internet Explorer 6.0 Web browser that features Jscript, VB script, and HTML 4.0 support, along with what Microsoft describes as a "TV-lens for 10 foot experience: directional tabbing, disabled scrolling." Plus, of course, all other Windows CE 5.0 features.
All in all, the NMD feature pack "eliminates the need for device makers to search for compatible third-party middleware, translating to faster time to market, lower total cost of ownership and less device complexity," Microsoft said. This is in contrast to the situation faced by companies developing products based on open source operating systems such as Linux, the company suggested.
Sample UI
As mentioned above, in addition to various OS extensions, the feature pack provides a sample user interface (UI) that can be adapted according to specific NMD or STB device requirements. Microsoft provided the following UI screenshots -- click each image for a larger view:
         
Portions released as "shared source"
Microsoft says that it has released the feature pack's NMD middleware, DVR engine, and sample UI under a Shared Source license, in order to allow developers to customize the software to meet specific device requirements.
According to Microsoft, the Windows CE Shared Source program provides "extensive access to Windows CE source code," and "includes the right to modify and redistribute custom components, while retaining intellectual property rights under Microsoft's IP Indemnification Program."
Microsoft initially released Windows CE-related source code on a read-only basis, whereby companies were not permitted to ship products based on modified code to their customers. However, the company subsequently expanded the flexibility of Windows CE shared source to allow modified code to be redistributed within products. The latter move enabled device makers to customize the OS to meet their products' requirements, or to differentiate their offering in order to be more competitive.
New interim release strategy
The MMD feature pack represents the first instance of a new "go-to-market strategy" whereby Microsoft will offer optional sets of software components that run on top of the Windows CE 5.0 "stable core base," Ghangurde noted.
Microsoft said it plans to "[create] new functionalities for an existing version of the operating system through multiple, cumulative feature packs without impacting existing integrations." The intent is to "[help] device makers implement must-have features and plan for future high-demand devices between major new versions of Windows CE."
"If Microsoft takes a more modular approach, this will result in more Windows CE stability over time, which is a good approach in the embedded market," JupiterResearch Senior Analyst Joe Wilcox told WindowsForDevices.
Chris Lanfear, Embedded Market Analyst with Venture Development Corp (VDC), stated, "As software increasingly defines innovation, Microsoft's new feature pack for Windows CE 5.0 allows for greater device differentiation, potential cost savings, and time-to-market benefits by offering pre-certified and integrated middleware, fully customizable shared source code, and IP-protected redistribution rights. These enhancements make Windows CE 5.0 a leading platform for developing next generation consumer electronics, networked media devices, and IP-set-top boxes."
Availability
Microsoft said it expects devices incorporating the new Windows CE 5.0 NMD feature pack to begin shipping during 2006 from Amoi, Celrun, Humax, Media Excel, MSTV/Motorola, Samsung Electronics, and TeleGent. Additionally Philips, SA, KiSS Technology, Tatung, and Thomson are developing Windows CE 5.0-based STBs that will support MSTV's IPTV Edition software, Microsoft said.
The Windows CE 5.0 Networked Media Device feature pack is available immediately. It can be downloaded at no charge by Windows CE licensees from Microsoft's website, here, according to the company.
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