Microsoft Integrates IPTV Software Platform With Xbox 360


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Microsoft Integrates IPTV Software Platform With Xbox 360, Creating All-in-One Digital Entertainment Device

New solution combines next-generation TV and gaming into unique entertainment platform for service providers.

LAS VEGAS ? Jan. 8, 2007 ? At the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Microsoft Corp. today announced a new solution that will bring together two of its leading entertainment products, the Xbox 360? gaming console and the Microsoft? TV IPTV Edition software platform, to create a unique digital entertainment offering. IPTV on Xbox 360? is expected to be available to consumers by holiday season 2007 and will be offered by providers that are deploying TV services over broadband networks based on the IPTV Edition software platform. The solution was unveiled during Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates? CES keynote address Jan. 7.

The integration of a video gaming console with Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services is intended to deliver a first-of-its-kind entertainment experience. IPTV on Xbox 360 is expected to give consumers all the advantages of an advanced TV service along with the benefits of next-generation gaming, as well as unique new capabilities that the integrated solution brings. Xbox Live?, the largest online social network in the living room, will be seamlessly integrated into the experience, providing consumers with a wide range of community-based features, such as voice chat, sending and receiving text and voice messages, and accessing Xbox Live Marketplace, all while watching TV. For example, while a TV viewer is enjoying his favorite football game, he can receive a message from a friend inviting him to a join voice chat while watching the game, or to play a game of their own with EA SPORTS? ?Madden NFL 07? on Xbox Live.

?Both Xbox 360 and Microsoft TV IPTV Edition by themselves deliver unique and exciting entertainment experiences today, but IPTV on Xbox 360 is truly a solution that is greater than the sum of its parts and will enable even more exciting experiences to delight consumers, service providers, content providers and game developers alike,? said Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft?s Entertainment and Devices Division. ?By integrating these industry-leading solutions, we are delivering on our promise to drive innovation and enable new connected entertainment experiences for consumers in a way that only Microsoft can.?

With the addition of IPTV Edition functionality, Xbox 360 builds on its position as the centerpiece for high-definition digital entertainment in the living room, offering the best in next-generation games, TV and movies along with the ability to share experiences online with the industry-leading online game network, Xbox Live. Xbox 360 continues to extend its lead with more than 10.4 million consoles sold in 37 countries since launch.

The Microsoft TV IPTV Edition software platform enables a best-in-class digital TV service that offers advanced features such as instant channel zapping, a rich and responsive user interface, video on demand with branded video-on-demand storefronts, digital video recording and high-definition television. Some of the world?s largest telecommunications service providers have chosen IPTV Edition as their IPTV software solution, with scale commercial deployments currently under way with AT&T in the United States, BT Group PLC in the United Kingdom, Deutsche Telekom in Germany, T-Online in France aSource: Switzerland.

Source: Gamerscore Blog

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Great news, I hope the pricing is reasonable! :)

Microsoft doesn't have control over the pricing of the service because this isn't a MS service, you need to get a contract via XBL with a service provider in your country. :happy: :yes:

here MS is only providing the "box" for the IPTV service... ;)

BTW, isn't there already a few threads on this? There needs to be some mergin'! ;)

360 news belongs to the console sub forum... :p

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Microsoft doesn't have control over the pricing of the service because this isn't a MS service, you need to get a contract via XBL with a service provider in your country. :happy: :yes:

here MS is only providing the "box" for the IPTV service... ;)

Yes, I understand that. Can't I still hope that the pricing is reasonable? :p
360 news belongs to the console sub forum... :p
Agreed, but there are a couple threads about this very thing in the console sub-forum. I'm just saying :)
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Yes, I understand that. Can't I still hope that the pricing is reasonable? :p

reasonable for somebody like you or somebody like Bill? :laugh: :rofl: :p

Agreed, but there are a couple threads about this very thing in the console sub-forum. I'm just saying :)

I'm just saying too... :blush:

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Surely this will trigger some form of HDD announcement, in regard to size?

Well, that and the HDMI thing hasn't been confirmed, I was sure it would of been mentioned last night? Unless there is a dedicated keynote for the Xbox360 sometime during CES?

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ohh, in that case is dirty cheap... :happy: :yes:

Really? I would think it'd be on par, if not more expensive, than current TV services considering all the features IPTV offers over current services. But, then again, we are being severely ripped off really.

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Really? I would think it'd be on par, if not more expensive, than current TV services considering all the features IPTV offers over current services. But, then again, we are being severely ripped off really.

I was talking about features + quality = dirty cheap... :p

not IPTV vs whatever you have now... :shifty: :whistle:

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Sounds interesting, but the hardware could be expensive if you want it on every TV in your house. I'd rather not pay for 2 services unless the service is relatively cheap for people that just want IPTV on their main TV.

Either way, I'm keeping an eye on it.

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Well, that and the HDMI thing hasn't been confirmed, I was sure it would of been mentioned last night? Unless there is a dedicated keynote for the Xbox360 sometime during CES?

Well if IPTV takes off and somehow they can pull off being able to stream 1080p which requires a lot of bandwidth there will no other choice but HDMI. Its the only way to implement HDCP. High definition copyright protection. Well they could also use DVI with HDCP but that is older technology and I don't see that happening. I am at CES now and am hoping for Microsoft to bring out there 360 HDMI box. I personally believe it is real but do to the manufacturing costs for the new CPU, consumers are not going to see these buggers for quite some time.

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This is the first I have heard of IPTV. It sounds like a pay-for-TV-service like satalite dish or cable, but through your internet connection.

What kind of strain will you be adding to your internet connection through this kind of service? If the pricing isn't competitive with cable/dish then count me out.

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Hey 1st post... anyway

In the UK British Telecom is rolling out BT Vision - IPTV + set top box (made by Philips... not sure if thats good or bad) using their ADSL Max "up to" 8Mbps broadband. Not heard anything about it really but I emailed BT's innovation dept asking about the Xbox 360 tie-up and they said...

" BT Vision is about offering consumers entertainment choice and

convenience in the TV space and across other devices and platforms. We

share this vision with our partner Microsoft and we'll be making a range

of announcements in this space shortly.

Regards "

So looks like they have plans, lets hope so!

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welcome to neowin :)

I really like the idea of IPTV on my 360 but I seriously hope I wont be forced in to getting BT's ADSL to use it :( I'm currently on telewest cable and it's the best internet service I've ever used, there's no way I'd switch to BT.

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Unless I'm much mistaken, this magic jump to IPTV will be WMV streaming, just like the current media center extender functionality built into the 360 from launch.

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