SuperSite Blog : Windows Media

Windows Media Guide Beta

pthurrott — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:36:55 GMT

I think this is new: I opened up Windows Media Player today in Windows 7 and saw the beta guide for the first time.

Netflix comes to Windows Media Center

pthurrott — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:36:21 GMT

I was literally just wondering about this in the course of writing about Media Center for Windows 7 Secrets (and I couldn't get any of the third party Netflix plug-ins to work with the Media Center version in Windows 7). From Microsoft:

As part of ongoing efforts to make Windows Media Center the best place to experience TV on the PC, we wanted to give you a heads up on the newest content addition to Windows Media Center: Netflix. Available today are more than 12,000 movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly on any PC with Windows Media Center, which is included with Windows Vista Home Premium or Ultimate, and you’ll be able to search the entire Netflix library, manage your instant and DVD Queues and even filter searches by titles that are available to watch instantly.

To get started, simply click on the green button under the Start menu, and select the new Netflix tile under TV+Movies.
With the availability of Netflix in Windows Media Center, we’re building on our broader vision to alleviate the need to jump from Web site to Web site to find the TV shows, movies, sports and news that you want to watch. With Windows Media Center, you can now find it in one place - with a consistent experience.

You can also check out our latest TV On Your PC blog post that includes some broader discussion points, an animated video that provides an overview of the Netflix application features, and a Man on the Street video that we made which gauges peoples thoughts on how they like to receive their content and why.

More info...

Netflix in Windows Media Center (Microsoft)

TV on Your PC blog post (Microsoft PR)

Windows Media Center web site

So it doesn't appear to work in the Windows 7 RC (I'm sure it will be there eventually), but it's up in Windows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate.

Napster finally offers a reasonable subscription service

pthurrott — Tue, 19 May 2009 18:59:07 GMT

So this one look interesting. From Napster, via email:

New Offer: Download 5 Songs + Play 7 Million More = $5 Per Month

Dear Valued Customer,

Play all the music you want from Napster's huge library, from any Internet-connected computer—millions of tracks covering all kinds of music. Then use your 5 monthly MP3 credits to download songs that are compatible with any player (including iPod/ iPhone), without copy restrictions or other headaches. Plus, enjoy all of Napster's great features:

Buy all the music you want, 5 MP3 credits are included every month

Get new releases every week from both major labels and independent artists

Listen to more than a thousand Napster playlists and over 60 commercial-free radio stations

Discover new music through personalized recommendations, or browse and play hits from Billboard charts going back to 1955

Napster is now an unbelievable value!

With plans starting at just $5 a month, you can get 5 MP3 credits and unlimited on-demand streaming music. To start this great offer, sign in to your Napster account, go to the My Account menu and select Account Status.

Launch Napster

More info on the Napster Blog. Looks like it's US-only and this pricing does not include devices. For that, you need Napster To Go, which is still $15 a month and, curiously, does not appear to offer any free MP3s each month.

Also, according to the actual site, "The $5 dollar monthly subscription is a special offer – get it while you can." It will jump to $7 a month after that.

Windows 7 WMP Internet Streaming Adapts to Connection Speed

pthurrott — Wed, 06 May 2009 13:14:28 GMT

More excellent info from Barb Bowman about the new Windows 7 Internet media streaming feature:

The more I use WMP secure Internet streaming, the more impressed I become. The empowering technology is obviously very slick and smart. I discovered that the bit rate for streaming is adaptive and adjusts to your connection speed. While I don’t have any technical details or white papers that explain the inner workings, I sense that on the host end, the connection type and speed is auto detected and the bit rate set accordingly.

So far, I’ve determined that on a host that is hard wired to my home router, the bit rate is 2000 and if the host is wireless 802.11n, the rate is 1200. Note that I am streaming no DRM’d HD content recorded using a Digital Cable Tuner and a CableCard. The client was my ASUS EeePC netbook, connected via 802.11n wireless. This means that most broadband users should have a wonderful experience. Comcast’s flagship speed is 12/2, so certainly the experience will be a good one for Comcast customers, especially considering that most will have standard definition Media Center recordings. (Disclaimer, I work for Comcast and this does not in any way represent any official statement or endorsement.). Given my own experience with these HD recordings, anyone streaming HD recordings or HD Videos will have a great experience as well. I’m not easily impressed, but this stuff is amazing.

More at the source....

Windows 7 RC Secure WMP Internet Streaming is Impressive

pthurrott — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:25:18 GMT

Barb chimes in on one of the coolest new features in the Windows 7 RC: Internet-based digital media streaming. I was just writing about this for Windows 7 Secrets and I have to say, it's one of those spontaneous-smile features. It's just cool.

None of the info I'd seen on the web mentioned much about the ability to stream Recorded TV in Windows 7 over the Internet as part of the just revealed Windows 7 Windows Media Player Internet Streaming function added to the release candidate for Windows 7. I decided to try it for myself.

First, this is secure streaming between computers I own. The provider available for the RC is Windows Live, and any computer used as either the host or the client MUST be associated with your Windows Live ID (the same one on each computer). You’ll need to set permissions on the host machine within Windows Media Player, as well.

Incredible to me, the client I was using was an Asus EeeePC also running build 7100 W7.

She's got a nice video showing off this feature as well.

BTW, Barb, I did write about this feature in my Windows 7 RC Review and show off the configuration steps in my Windows 7 RC screenshot gallery as well. :)

Modding the WDTV

pthurrott — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:29:26 GMT

Apparently, there's quite a community growing up around Western Digital's excellent WDTV set-top box. I got an email today from Christopher C., who told me about two sites dedicated to modding the thing (and providing links to updated versions of the legit firmware, both release and beta versions). Good stuff if you want something like the Apple TV that's cheaper, more expandable, and now, apparently, about as extensible.

They are:

http://b-rad.cc/wdlxtv

WDLXTV is a souped up unofficial firmware for the Western Digital WDTV. It is based off of the 1.02.03 firmware, but with many extra features. Similar to my dvdmod firmware, this is a permanent flash, just like an official upgrade. This firmware is an option for those whos hardware is stable with Zoranders ext3-boot, or those who don’t do much firmware programming to take advantage of ext3-boot. Once again, ext3-boot is for (sorta) pro’s and testers whereas WDLXTV is for everyday use.

http://www.wdtvc.com/

Covers official WD TV new pre-release firmware and B-rad's WDLXTV firmware.

Good stuff. Thanks Christopher.

Roku flips switch, enables Amazon on Demand

pthurrott — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:51:38 GMT

I love the little Roku Netflix box, which apparently needs to be called by its rightful name, the Roku Digital Video Player, because it does Amazon on Demand now as well:

ROKU NOW OFFERS ACCESS TO AMAZON VIDEO ON DEMAND
Digital Video Player Instantly Connects Consumers To Over 40,000 New Titles

Roku, Inc., maker of the popular Roku digital video player, today announced that customers can now watch movies and TV shows from Amazon Video On Demand. With Amazon Video On Demand, Roku customers can for the first time purchase or rent new release movies the same day they are released on DVD and watch commercial-free TV shows the day after they air– all from Amazon’s extensive selection of more than 40,000 movie and TV titles.

”We are excited to give our customers access to Amazon's massive catalogue of top movies and TV shows – including many new releases”, said Anthony Wood, Roku CEO and Founder. “The launch of Amazon Video On Demand on Roku demonstrates our commitment to creating an open platform that instantly delivers the entertainment consumers want directly to their TVs.”

The compact Roku player connects directly to any TV and uses a broadband Internet connection to deliver DVD-quality video instantly. Roku customers can now choose from Amazon’s enormous selection without paying subscription fees, waiting for downloads, or running out to the video store.

“The $99 Roku player provides our customers with tremendous value and a compelling entertainment experience,” said Roy Price, director of Amazon Video On Demand. “Consumers are looking for inexpensive and hassle-free ways to watch their favorite movies and TV shows, and the Roku player meets that need head-on.”

How It Works:
- Connect the Roku player to your TV and your broadband Internet connection (Wi-Fi is built in for ease of set-up)
- Browse Amazon Video On Demand’s extensive selection right on your TV
- Rent or purchase and instantly watch any of more than 40,000 choices, including top new releases and the latest TV shows

Over the course of the next week, current Roku customers will receive a free and automatic software update giving them access to the Amazon Video on Demand service. All Roku player customers will continue to have access to Netflix Instant Watching with unlimited access to more than 12,000 movies and TV episodes for a low monthly fee.

The Roku digital video player is available for purchase exclusively at Roku.com and Amazon.com.

Good stuff. Will test this week if I can find a spare moment.

Related: Oddly, if you visit the Roku Web site now, it's all about this player. It's other products have been depreciated quite a bit on the site.

RadioTime: Radio in Windows Media Center

pthurrott — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 20:39:12 GMT

Here's a cool add-on for Windows Media Center that lets you access FM radio stations from around the world via their Internet stations or your FM tuner...

Your Onscreen Guide to Radio

Browse RadioTime with Windows Media Center!

Get unlimited FREE access to thousands of DJs and on-air personalities
from your zip code and around the world! Listen to internet radio or local FM stations.

It appears to work in Windows 7 by the way.

Thanks to Adwait K. for the tip.

Windows 7 Play To (Updated: It works!)

pthurrott — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 17:10:02 GMT

There are a handful of Windows 7 features I’m haven’t been able to test yet, and one of them is Play To, part of Windows Media Player 12. I wrote about Play To back in October in Part 4 of my Windows 7 Preview. This description was based on a Microsoft demo of the feature in the pre-PDC reviewers workshop:

WMP 12 include a demo-rific new feature called Play To that lets the player control network-connected media devices. All this requires is a device that supports the industry standard DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) 1.5 digital media renderer. (It also works with other Windows 7 PCs.) The possibilities here are quite exciting. You could "play to" other devices around your home, say during a party. And you can combine media streaming with Play To, controlling a connected media receiver while streaming content to it from another Windows 7 PC on the home network. I hope to spend some time experimenting with this feature soon.

I don’t believe I have any Play To compatible devices, and I’m curious if anyone knows if there are any yet. But if you have the Beta version of Windows 7, the Play To application window can be manually started by running the application WMPDMC.EXE, in the Windows Media Player folder. Here’s what it looks like:

I don’t see a way to Play To other Windows 7 PCs, but that seems like an obvious way to test it. I’m also surprised you can’t Play To an Xbox 360.

UPDATE: Thanks to xiphi in the comments section, I was able to get Play To working from Windows 7 PC to PC. Here’s a shot:

Nice! Thanks xiphi.

Wal-Mart pulls an MSN, reverses cancellation of DRM servers

pthurrott — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:02:43 GMT

In case you’re not up on this issue, Wal-Mart briefly foisted their own WMA-based music service on the world and then proceeded to take it offline. The problem, of course, is that since Wal-Mart sold DRM-protected music via this service, users who purchased that music would need to occasionally connect to Wal-Mart’s DRM authorization servers to prove that they owned the music. (This would happen if they reinstalled the OS on their PC or copied the music to a new PC, for example.) Anyway, Wal-Mart announced recently that they would take these servers offline. And as Microsoft discovered previously with MSN Music, this didn’t sit so well with customers. So they’re reversing course.

Based on feedback from our customers, we have decided to maintain our
digital rights management (DRM) servers for the present time. What this
means to you is that our existing service continues and there is no
action required on your part. Our customer service team will continue
to assist with DRM issues for protected windows media audio (WMA) files
purchased from Walmart.com.

While our customer support team is available to assist you with any
issues, we continue to recommend that you back up your songs by burning
them to a recordable audio CD. By backing up your songs, you insure
access to them from any personal computer at any time in the future.

We appreciate your support and patience as we work to provide the best
service possible to you. As we move forward with our 100% MP3 store,
we'll continue to update you with key decisions regarding our service
and your account via email.

Thank you for using Walmart MP3 Music Downloads.

The Walmart Digital Music Team

Just so we’re clear. DRM is bad. But anyone who did purchase music from one of these services is advised to convert them to an unprotected format, preferably MP3. Because these servers will eventually go offline for good.'

Thanks Alex.

RealNetworks goes DRM-free

pthurrott — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:50:45 GMT

So RealNetwork announced this morning that it is just the latest online music service to offer DRM-free MP3 tracks. What's interesting about this is the press they're getting: Apparently no one realizes that the Rhapsody subscriptions still use DRM. Anyhoo, here are a few links:

Taking the Wraps off the New Rhapsody
BusinessWeek Online

Digital media concern RealNetworks will announce on June 30 a sweeping expansion of its music store, including the launch of its long-awaited partnership with Verizon Wireless that will bring its Rhapsody music subscription service to millions of Verizon Wireless customers.

Additionally, RealNetworks will join the ranks of online music sellers like Amazon in selling MP3 music files without copyright-protection lock technology known as digital rights management, or DRM. Amazon has been selling DRM-free MP3 songs since last year. RealNetworks will begin aggressively marketing its new offerings under the phrase "Music Without Limits."

Apple has been offering DRM-free songs via its iTunes store for some time, but as yet has only EMI in its corner. Rhapsody's songs, as MP3 files, will be compatible with practically every digital player on the market, including Apple's iPod and iPhone product families. Its catalog of DRM-free music will rival that of Apple's.

Until this point, Rhapsody has generally been known as a subscription service, where customers buy memberships for a monthly fee, usually $12.99, then check out music from the service and listen, mostly from their PCs.

The company says it delivers about 5 million songs a day to its subscribers. For $2 more per month, customers can put their music on portable digital players, including those from SanDisk.

Rhapsody to challenge iTunes by embracing the iPod
Reuters

Digital music seller Rhapsody is launching a $50 million marketing assault on Apple's iTunes, offering songs online and via partners including Yahoo Inc and Verizon Wireless, Rhapsody said on Monday.

The songs will be sold in MP3 format, which means users of the Rhapsody service will be able to play them on iPods.

"We're no longer competing with the iPod," Rhapsody Vice President Neil Smith said. "We're embracing it."

Yeah, sort of. Obviously, an iPod-compatible subscription service would be a much bigger deal. I still feel that Apple could make this work, though it would have to cost $9.99 a month or less. Maybe Apple's success with the iPhone 3G pricing model—where a price hike is disguised by a lower upfront cost and higher monthly fees—could be applied to the iPod market as well.

The press release can be seen here.

MSN Music Store Support Notification

pthurrott — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:33:03 GMT

Bowing to complaints, Microsoft announces they're doing the right thing. Via email:

On April 22, Microsoft notified you that as of August 31st, 2008, we would be changing the level of support for music purchased from MSN Music, and while your existing purchased music would continue to play, you would no longer be able to authorize new PCs and devices to play that music.

After careful consideration, Microsoft has decided to continue to support the authorization of new computers and devices and delivery of new license keys for MSN Music customers through at least the end of 2011, after which we will evaluate how much this functionality is still being used and what steps should be taken next to support our customers. This means you will continue to be able to listen to your purchased music and transfer your music to new PCs and devices beyond the previously announced August 31, 2008 date.

Microsoft continues to recommend that you back up your music on CD or hard drive along with other important data.

Sincerely,

MSN Music team

Windows Rally and the first Vista Feature Pack

pthurrott — Tue, 20 May 2008 13:27:01 GMT

You may recall a while back that there was some confusion over something called the Windows Vista Feature Pack for Wireless. The confusion was two-folder, First, one too many Windows bloggers had never even heard of Windows Feature Packs, even though Microsoft has been shipping them for over a decade. Second, you can't actually download the Feature Pack for Wireless unless you need it. And it was unclear why you would need it.

I think I've stumbled onto what it's all about.

I received an email this morning from a PR company representing Web2Storage, a company that will soon "enable Windows Vista users to remotely and securely access their home data from anywhere." The software is described as being similar to Apple's Time Capsule in terms of backup capabilities. It is being introduced publicly at the Windows Rally Summit at the Microsoft campus in early June.

The name Windows Rally sounded familiar, but I admit I had to look it up. Turns out, it's just the new name for Windows Connect Now. It's basically a way to seamlessly connect Windows PCs with media devices like set-top boxes, but also emerging classes of devices like electronic picture frames, network-attached storage, IP streaming video cameras, print servers, and even VoIP phones.

Info about the Windows Rally Summit, meanwhile, can be found here. (My guess is this event is happening now because WinHEC 2008 was delayed until late in the year.) Among the downloadable documentation on that page is a link to the agenda at the event, which includes a discussion by Microsoft program manager Yatharth Gupta about, yes, you guessed it, the Windows Feature Pack for Wireless. So this feature pack, clearly, is aimed at Windows Vista users who buy a next generation Windows Connect Now/Windows Rally device. That's why it's not widely available: Virtually no one needs it yet, and those that do will get the software in the box with whatever device.

The Netflix Player

pthurrott — Tue, 20 May 2008 13:06:20 GMT

While I'm not sure the world was asking for Yet Another Set Top Box (YAST, trademark is patent-pending), this should be of interest to Netflix customers at least:

The Netflix Player makes it easy to instantly watch movies and TV episodes over the Internet on your living room TV, or anywhere you have a TV and an Internet connection. Compact and lightweight, inexpensive but powerful, simple to set up and use (it’s the perfect answer for people who just can’t get enough Netflix).

Choose Movies on Your TV

Movies and TV episodes in your Netflix Instant Queue appear right on your TV screen. Use the included remote control to browse through the items you’ve added to your Instant Queue and pick something to watch — whenever you want. You can even read descriptions and rate movies, right from the comfort of your couch.

Universal Compatibility

Whatever kind of TV you have, the Netflix Player is guaranteed to work with it. Connect to the latest HDTV or one that you’ve had for years. With standard RCA jacks, S-video, component video, HDMI, and optical audio, the Player will work with virtually any TV, AV receiver, or home theater system.

Unlimited Entertainment

The Netflix Player lets you explore even more possibilities from the world’s largest online movie rental service. Access a growing library of over 10,000 instant movies and TV episodes. Watch as many as you like, as often as you want—with no additional fees. You’re in control with the power to play anytime and finish watching whenever you like.

Looks like its $99 plus an active Netflix membership. More important, perhaps, it has HDMI support as well as older connectors, but doesn't yet support the streaming or downloading of HD content: In fact, the quality is based on your Internet connection speed, which is interesting. Netflix says there are currently over 10,000 movies and TV episodes available to watch with more being added every week.

DVD Jon goes legit (sort of) with doubleTwist

pthurrott — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:24:00 GMT

doubleTwist:

doubleTwist desktop enables you to easily share media with friends and sync with popular devices.

doubleTwist’s mission is to enable consumers to enjoy their digital media on the widest possible range of devices. Although the explosive adoption of CE devices has enabled any consumer to create and consume digital media, the process of sharing and moving media between the desktop and various devices such as mobile phones, gaming platforms and set-top boxes has become increasingly painful. doubleTwist is addressing this pain point by empowering consumers to easily share, consume and sync audio, video and photos regardless of device, file format or social network.

The initial doubleTwist product offerings include doubleTwist desktop, an application featuring an intuitive interface for sharing, consuming and syncing personal media; and “Twist me!," a social network application that allows users to share media directly from their profile pages. The beta release enables consumers to share media with their Facebook friends and provides sync support for the Sony PSP, Nokia N Series, Sony Ericsson Walkman & Cybershot phones, LG Viewty, and Windows Mobile smartphones such as those from HTC and Palm. Apple iPhone users will soon be able to view content they receive from friends by accessing doubleTwist from their phone’s Safari browser.

The desktop application, which currently works on Windows XP or Vista, is available as a free download at www.doubletwist.com.

I'm not sure what to make of this yet. But the big deal here is this bit, from their FAQ:

doubleTwist can automatically convert music you have purchased from the iTunes store to MP3, a universal format supported by all devices that play digital music. doubleTwist does not delete or move the original files.

You can only convert files that you have legally purchased and are authorized to play with iTunes.

OK. But what about video? And how is the conversion done, electronically or via an analog hole? Interesting, but I suspect Apple will shut this down pretty quickly.