While there has been a lot of talk about forthcoming TV features for Windows Media Center (I find it frustrating that some of the testers are breaking NDAs and giving out incorrect information while the rest of us wait for the NDAs to be lifted) and Charlie Owen posting on why DVD streaming may never happen I thought I would post on where I would like to see Windows Media Center develop.
Rather than being a list of specific features instead I would like to see Media Center reach out and be part of a connected ecosystem. Where Apple seems to score is that their products all seems to work well together by design e.g. The iPhone is designed to work with iTunes, MobileMe, App Store etc, where as Microsoft’s digital lifestyle products do not have a coherent solution e.g. Zune is has no hooks in Media Center, Windows Home Server does not backup recorded tv etc
So what I would like to see:
Windows Home Server Integration
At the moment there is no integration between Windows Home Server and Windows Media Center (officially anyway). It would be great to see things like backing up recorded TV, storing TV content directly on to WHS and consuming content from it. Maybe some kind of archive button so you had the option of from Recorded TV in Media Center selecting a Recorded TV file and you had the option of "Archive to Windows Home Server"
Zune Integration.
I like the Zune desktop software and since 2.0 you can copy recorded tv shows on to the Zune but you should be able to do this from the Media Center UI and select "sync with Zune" , plus playlists should be shared between Media Center and the Zune. The same goes for podcast support, the Zune does it very well and in Media Center are no podcast features at all.
A unified music and video store.
This is simple: make a music store and make it accessible from anywhere in the ecosystem. The Zune marketplace seems good place to start so why not add a Zune store UI to Media Center. I could browse the music store in Media Center and purchase tracks that would be playable on my Zune. Same goes with Video I want to by able to purchase videos from the store that are accessible on the Zune , Media Center and Xbox 360. I would really like to see the Xbox 360 movie rentals system available in Media Center, Media Center is crying out for more video content.
While we are at it why not make all of Microsoft video and audio content available in Media Center. Microsoft events like CES keynotes, Channel 9 videos and MSN video should be available . Make Media Center the place to consume video content
Windows Mobile Integration.
To make Windows Mobile more attractive to consumers make it integrate with Windows Home Server and Windows Media Center as well. Add syncing to the Media Center UI and sharing of the content between Zune, Media Center and Windows Mobile
Other technologies like Microsoft’s Live Mesh should be used for storage and syncing.
Microsoft should aim to have all the systems working together with a coherent strategy and brand as such, all the components are there they just need linking together and then marketing , Microsoft’s Digital Lifestyle
Having all these components work together as a platform should help sell the individual systems, if you have Windows Home Server and you’re looking for a mp3 player then Zune should be the device that you think of first
Maybe this is all coming in Windows 7?
Is this a good idea or should Microsoft concentrate on the core features of Media Center?
I disagree on the WHS part, your not going far enough.
WHS should be able to do the recording and have extenders attached to it. Therfore promoting what allot of people believe should be the setup of media centre – central server + extenders at the TV.
It wouldnt be a client, just a server, and the technologies in it like that pseudo RAID stuff it does would be great for media centre too.
Zune – no comment, Ive only seen one Zune that a mate brought back from the US (Im an Aussie)
Music/Video store – Agree there, the problem for me is that here in Aus they tend to ignore online stuff allot. The problem is that its all renting AND it will restrict me to windows media players (inc VMC) or Apple based stuff (my iPhone). I want both, but I doubt that will happen in a long time here.
A Remote for the iPhone (yes I know, they are a competitor) or Windows Mobile would be great, The remote on the 2.0 firmware of the iPhone shows how good it can work.
I was looking at running a Hyper V setup of VMC and WHS on one box, but neither is supported by Hyper V which sucks. I could look at some other technologies, but Microosft are just going down the HyperV route it seems, so that leaves VMware…
The DVD side is trickier because of the international side. But a good ground for Microsoft to be on is that it will only allow streaming of unprotected content. That way they do not ‘break’ any stupid DRM laws, but allow us to do what we want.
PS: Here in Australia mod chips are legal (as they remove anti-competative region locking) and breaking DRM is also legal (to make backups and such). Why? Because our ACCC (similar to the better business bureau i n the US Im pretty sure) actually stands up for consumers, instead of in the US where they are pro corporation.
Window Home Server and Media Center should have worked together from day one for recorded TV, there is no reason it should not and every reason it should.
DVD streaming should be added for the extenders now.
Some love WHS, me can’t stick it… much rather use 2k8, so I don’t see why I should have to run WHS…
Zune – Launch it outside of the USA and maybe a good case for it, until then who cares?
Integrated store – Agree 100%, and they could just re-use the 360’s one!
WM – Hell yeah, I hope this happens now that they are all overlooked by the same guy.
WHS, I just dont see the point in it? perhaps for ‘newbies’ and people that dont have the know how, but 2k8 is a much better proposal for most (but then I have an MSDN subscription so hey).
I have thought along these lines for a long time now.
Look at all of Microsoft products, not just ones related to media centre!
Livemesh needs to be improved, and obviously it is still in beta, however, imagine if it could operate as a users exchange, for Outlook. Or Onenote sync via the internet.
The whole zune situation really annoys me – the fact it requires its own media player!! why would i need two microsoft media players, I’m quite happy with WMP thanks!!
Xbox live….How the features of such could be added to Mediacenter, streaming videos, etc. Especially with new upcoming update for xbox. Some sort of better integration! This could also sync with zune! so then any films could be downloaded and viewed on the zune if need be!! handy if your on the move.
Windows mobile/Zune phone? is it true? is this another reason I am going to need a piece of Zune software?!
Homeserver – well thats just been said for ages – it should have tuner farm capabilities! simple as really! rather than requiring 2 always on machine in the home, just one – a big server, with tuner support! thus cutting down on electricitry required too!!
Web guide… This should be happily inbuilt for the next release. allowing remote operations and viewing…(again, installed on WHS).
Now – I would love to see everything come together and just work….all of the “future” videos seem to show everything linked together, watches, TVs, consoles….It is all possible now – with a few updates here and there?
The only thing that I feel is stopping them is the fact that if it were too all work…….Microsoft would have less problems, less people would complain….and Microsoft would probably rule the world….(or atleast have some sort of anti-competitive lawsuit!)
It just amazes me that the minds at MS are some of the greatest in the world… they have developed some fantastic products, but why cant they talk to eachother….the results could be amazing!
Ian, you definitely hit on the biggest issue I have with Microsoft’s “connected entertainment” strategy…we are not seeing enough progress. Sure, individually each platform (Zune, XBox, Windows Home Server, etc) are getting better but the overall design/look-n-feel is not coherent with far too many road blocks (including DRM) for many usage scenarios. Live Mesh has huge promise in eliminating some of these road blocks. Streaming should be a key part of the equation as well (ie. WebGuide, SilverLight). Here are some ideas for delivering on connected entertainment…
Live Mesh
– support Windows Home Server, Windows Mobile & Zune
– relocate DRM license management to Live Mesh…not individual PC. Today, replacing a PC can be catastrophic to DRM content if the original online store is shutdown or your cablecard PC needs to be replaced. By moving this to the cloud in a personal space (Live Mesh) Microsoft can take some of sting out of such cases.
– support syncing between devices without having to store data on Live Mesh (recent Live Mesh release supports this). My WHS has far more data than is practical with todays broadband connectivity.
– support applications on Live Mesh. This has huge potential for streaming content from Live Mesh storage. I can see Zune having a sister application available for Live Mesh that downloads subscribed podcasts to Live Mesh without requiring your PC to be turned on. This example will be key for delivering content to portable devices while away from local/home networks.
– create a version of Windows Media Connect for Live Mesh. For example, on a Windows Mobile device I shouldn’t have to sync everything just to playback/view a particular item. Instead stream it to my internet connected device.
Windows
– integrate Live Mesh into OS (Explorer, etc)
– Window Media Player should have new option to access/playback content stored on Live Mesh
Windows Media Center
– add functionality to select/mark content to be sync’d with a particular Zune device (be mindful of multiple portable device household).
– Some sort of capability to watch Live TV on PCs around the home is needed. We all know the scenario, you have one PC with tuners and a laptop that you’d like to watch TV on. See Windows Home Server for my proposal.
– XBox Movie Store needs some relationship with Media Center. At least, allow Media Center PC to access downloaded content from XBox console.
– consider porting WMC to the Windows Home Server platform. I think its an easier proposition for consumers to understand than using their PC as a DVR.
Windows Home Server
– support WHS as a key resource in your Live Mesh.
– short of creating an Extender mode in Windows Media Center, add WebGuide (including Live TV) type of functionality to WHS. Not only does it provide a local network capability of watching Live TV on PCs around the home but also adds some serious remote capabilities as well.
Windows Mobile
– For starters get Windows Mobile connected to Live Mesh and Windows Home Server. This needs to happen this year, pronto, at least in beta form.
– In 2009, add support for Zune/Media Center DRM and standardize codec requirements.
– 2009/2010, add support for streaming content to windows mobile. I could see some combination of Windows Home Server, Live Mesh, SilverLight and WebGuide to accomplish this.
– Match Zune WIFI capabilities for sharing content, etc.
XBox
– Make XBox sound level reduction a top priority. Its hurting XBox’s viability as a connected entertainment device.
– Update the look-n-feel of XBox GUI so it is not foreign to users of Media Center and Zune. (Microsoft announced at E3 that a major update is coming to XBox GUI and it does seem to move in this direction. Kudos if that was part of a collaborative roadmap)
– Add option to Launch/Use Media Center Extender when inserting a DVD movie.
– Add option to hide XBox’s local Music/Photos/Videos menus. If I’m using XBox as an extender, I don’t want menu duplication.
Zune
– support Zune connecting to Live Mesh via WIFI Internet connection
– add capability to share content, as Zune currently does in local proximity, via WIFI Internet connection. For example, lets say I want to send a photo to a friend…so long as they are on my friends list, I should be to transmit the photo and let Live Mesh/Zune backend deliver it to them when they make a WIFI Internet connection.
– minimize Zune Software need to transcode DVR-MS content by supporting higher resolution/bitrate video.
– create an add-in for Live Mesh and/or Windows Home Server to handle License Management (renewal etc)
I’ll just add that J Allard is now overseeing this “connected entertainment” strategy. This is an important move because I don’t think any one product group had been or should be driving this initiative. By placing some senior management focus on this should give it some of the traction it needs. Should be interesting to see what he comes up with.
completely agree with you on people breaking the NDA on the VMC beta floating around not good but honestly did MS really expect it to go any other way when they released it? I think not.
Live mesh is very good it’s a clever idea i keep all of my business stuff on it what i’d really like to do is upload all my pictures/MP3’s but with the broadband structure in the UK uploading 100Gb of data would take a while. I’d even pay to have the extra storage space required. I hope they also make mesh work on more than just windows mobile devices this would be great on my N95.
Zune, ah zune i’d like to see a zune but if i can’t buy one in the UK what’s the point the zune pass just seems like such a good idea $15 a month for all the music you can take brilliant my ipod would be gone tomorrow.
VMC needs H264 TV support, It needs multiple tuners support (DVB-S2 DVB-T) for uk minimum) and we need it now we don’t need an oem only solution if this is the case VMC is dead i’ll be swaping to something else.
WHS i haven’t got one yet but it seems like most of the VMC functions could be done by a home server everything could be streamed to extenders/PC’s. Sound’s like something for post Vista to me though.
I just want to more or less agree with everything else that has been said…. to me this is by far microsoft’s biggest problem with all their “media” suites. but whats worse is i can see how cool and compelling everything would be if there was better integration.
You know, the idea of it all working together is great (I’ve got a WHS machine at home as well as VMC) but to me the problem is really centered on Media Center. The huge misses with program guides, blu-ray, h.264, etc. really undermine the whole proposition. We’re told either to be extremely patient and/or buy a whole new OS or OEM system. I feel like an idiot for laying out for Vista Ultimate only to be treated like a beggar by MS. I suppose in their view we’re getting VMC for free with their wonderful OS, but since most of us run it on dedicated systems, that really doesn’t fly. I feel a Sage to Apple movement coming on.
If WHS is a server, an extender a client and VMC is both then to me the obvious improvement would be in common client capabilities for the extenders and the “media player” component of VMC on the one hand and common server capabilities for the WHS and the “server” utilization of VMC. For example, the reason I got a WHS was for the Drive Extender technology so I would add this to Vista/VMC. Likewise, the GUI on VMC and an extender should be identical with identical capabilites. Also, no Swiss army knife is worth having if it does not have all the tools you need. So such things as native playback of .ISO files, streaming DVDs from any drive on the network to an extender and the rest mentioned in this excellant blog+comments should be done, and if done, then quickly done while the opportunity is still present.
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Hey Ian
Good feedback – will circulate with the relevant teams.
cheers
James
I disagree on the WHS part, your not going far enough.
WHS should be able to do the recording and have extenders attached to it. Therfore promoting what allot of people believe should be the setup of media centre – central server + extenders at the TV.
It wouldnt be a client, just a server, and the technologies in it like that pseudo RAID stuff it does would be great for media centre too.
Zune – no comment, Ive only seen one Zune that a mate brought back from the US (Im an Aussie)
Music/Video store – Agree there, the problem for me is that here in Aus they tend to ignore online stuff allot. The problem is that its all renting AND it will restrict me to windows media players (inc VMC) or Apple based stuff (my iPhone). I want both, but I doubt that will happen in a long time here.
A Remote for the iPhone (yes I know, they are a competitor) or Windows Mobile would be great, The remote on the 2.0 firmware of the iPhone shows how good it can work.
I was looking at running a Hyper V setup of VMC and WHS on one box, but neither is supported by Hyper V which sucks. I could look at some other technologies, but Microosft are just going down the HyperV route it seems, so that leaves VMware…
The DVD side is trickier because of the international side. But a good ground for Microsoft to be on is that it will only allow streaming of unprotected content. That way they do not ‘break’ any stupid DRM laws, but allow us to do what we want.
PS: Here in Australia mod chips are legal (as they remove anti-competative region locking) and breaking DRM is also legal (to make backups and such). Why? Because our ACCC (similar to the better business bureau i n the US Im pretty sure) actually stands up for consumers, instead of in the US where they are pro corporation.
Window Home Server and Media Center should have worked together from day one for recorded TV, there is no reason it should not and every reason it should.
DVD streaming should be added for the extenders now.
Ian,
Some love WHS, me can’t stick it… much rather use 2k8, so I don’t see why I should have to run WHS…
Zune – Launch it outside of the USA and maybe a good case for it, until then who cares?
Integrated store – Agree 100%, and they could just re-use the 360’s one!
WM – Hell yeah, I hope this happens now that they are all overlooked by the same guy.
WHS, I just dont see the point in it? perhaps for ‘newbies’ and people that dont have the know how, but 2k8 is a much better proposal for most (but then I have an MSDN subscription so hey).
WHS is much more hands off and wizard driven.
Its basically small business server for home.
I posted this on my blog and I thought it would be worth talking about on here. While there has been…
I have thought along these lines for a long time now.
Look at all of Microsoft products, not just ones related to media centre!
Livemesh needs to be improved, and obviously it is still in beta, however, imagine if it could operate as a users exchange, for Outlook. Or Onenote sync via the internet.
The whole zune situation really annoys me – the fact it requires its own media player!! why would i need two microsoft media players, I’m quite happy with WMP thanks!!
Xbox live….How the features of such could be added to Mediacenter, streaming videos, etc. Especially with new upcoming update for xbox. Some sort of better integration! This could also sync with zune! so then any films could be downloaded and viewed on the zune if need be!! handy if your on the move.
Windows mobile/Zune phone? is it true? is this another reason I am going to need a piece of Zune software?!
Homeserver – well thats just been said for ages – it should have tuner farm capabilities! simple as really! rather than requiring 2 always on machine in the home, just one – a big server, with tuner support! thus cutting down on electricitry required too!!
Web guide… This should be happily inbuilt for the next release. allowing remote operations and viewing…(again, installed on WHS).
Now – I would love to see everything come together and just work….all of the “future” videos seem to show everything linked together, watches, TVs, consoles….It is all possible now – with a few updates here and there?
The only thing that I feel is stopping them is the fact that if it were too all work…….Microsoft would have less problems, less people would complain….and Microsoft would probably rule the world….(or atleast have some sort of anti-competitive lawsuit!)
It just amazes me that the minds at MS are some of the greatest in the world… they have developed some fantastic products, but why cant they talk to eachother….the results could be amazing!
PingBack from http://windowshometheater.com/2008/07/23/microsoft-needs-a-coherent-digital-lifestyle-strategy/
Ian, you definitely hit on the biggest issue I have with Microsoft’s “connected entertainment” strategy…we are not seeing enough progress. Sure, individually each platform (Zune, XBox, Windows Home Server, etc) are getting better but the overall design/look-n-feel is not coherent with far too many road blocks (including DRM) for many usage scenarios. Live Mesh has huge promise in eliminating some of these road blocks. Streaming should be a key part of the equation as well (ie. WebGuide, SilverLight). Here are some ideas for delivering on connected entertainment…
Live Mesh
– support Windows Home Server, Windows Mobile & Zune
– relocate DRM license management to Live Mesh…not individual PC. Today, replacing a PC can be catastrophic to DRM content if the original online store is shutdown or your cablecard PC needs to be replaced. By moving this to the cloud in a personal space (Live Mesh) Microsoft can take some of sting out of such cases.
– support syncing between devices without having to store data on Live Mesh (recent Live Mesh release supports this). My WHS has far more data than is practical with todays broadband connectivity.
– support applications on Live Mesh. This has huge potential for streaming content from Live Mesh storage. I can see Zune having a sister application available for Live Mesh that downloads subscribed podcasts to Live Mesh without requiring your PC to be turned on. This example will be key for delivering content to portable devices while away from local/home networks.
– create a version of Windows Media Connect for Live Mesh. For example, on a Windows Mobile device I shouldn’t have to sync everything just to playback/view a particular item. Instead stream it to my internet connected device.
Windows
– integrate Live Mesh into OS (Explorer, etc)
– Window Media Player should have new option to access/playback content stored on Live Mesh
Windows Media Center
– add functionality to select/mark content to be sync’d with a particular Zune device (be mindful of multiple portable device household).
– Some sort of capability to watch Live TV on PCs around the home is needed. We all know the scenario, you have one PC with tuners and a laptop that you’d like to watch TV on. See Windows Home Server for my proposal.
– XBox Movie Store needs some relationship with Media Center. At least, allow Media Center PC to access downloaded content from XBox console.
– consider porting WMC to the Windows Home Server platform. I think its an easier proposition for consumers to understand than using their PC as a DVR.
Windows Home Server
– support WHS as a key resource in your Live Mesh.
– short of creating an Extender mode in Windows Media Center, add WebGuide (including Live TV) type of functionality to WHS. Not only does it provide a local network capability of watching Live TV on PCs around the home but also adds some serious remote capabilities as well.
Windows Mobile
– For starters get Windows Mobile connected to Live Mesh and Windows Home Server. This needs to happen this year, pronto, at least in beta form.
– In 2009, add support for Zune/Media Center DRM and standardize codec requirements.
– 2009/2010, add support for streaming content to windows mobile. I could see some combination of Windows Home Server, Live Mesh, SilverLight and WebGuide to accomplish this.
– Match Zune WIFI capabilities for sharing content, etc.
XBox
– Make XBox sound level reduction a top priority. Its hurting XBox’s viability as a connected entertainment device.
– Update the look-n-feel of XBox GUI so it is not foreign to users of Media Center and Zune. (Microsoft announced at E3 that a major update is coming to XBox GUI and it does seem to move in this direction. Kudos if that was part of a collaborative roadmap)
– Add option to Launch/Use Media Center Extender when inserting a DVD movie.
– Add option to hide XBox’s local Music/Photos/Videos menus. If I’m using XBox as an extender, I don’t want menu duplication.
Zune
– support Zune connecting to Live Mesh via WIFI Internet connection
– add capability to share content, as Zune currently does in local proximity, via WIFI Internet connection. For example, lets say I want to send a photo to a friend…so long as they are on my friends list, I should be to transmit the photo and let Live Mesh/Zune backend deliver it to them when they make a WIFI Internet connection.
– minimize Zune Software need to transcode DVR-MS content by supporting higher resolution/bitrate video.
– create an add-in for Live Mesh and/or Windows Home Server to handle License Management (renewal etc)
I’ll just add that J Allard is now overseeing this “connected entertainment” strategy. This is an important move because I don’t think any one product group had been or should be driving this initiative. By placing some senior management focus on this should give it some of the traction it needs. Should be interesting to see what he comes up with.
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/exec/jallard/default.aspx
completely agree with you on people breaking the NDA on the VMC beta floating around not good but honestly did MS really expect it to go any other way when they released it? I think not.
Live mesh is very good it’s a clever idea i keep all of my business stuff on it what i’d really like to do is upload all my pictures/MP3’s but with the broadband structure in the UK uploading 100Gb of data would take a while. I’d even pay to have the extra storage space required. I hope they also make mesh work on more than just windows mobile devices this would be great on my N95.
Zune, ah zune i’d like to see a zune but if i can’t buy one in the UK what’s the point the zune pass just seems like such a good idea $15 a month for all the music you can take brilliant my ipod would be gone tomorrow.
VMC needs H264 TV support, It needs multiple tuners support (DVB-S2 DVB-T) for uk minimum) and we need it now we don’t need an oem only solution if this is the case VMC is dead i’ll be swaping to something else.
WHS i haven’t got one yet but it seems like most of the VMC functions could be done by a home server everything could be streamed to extenders/PC’s. Sound’s like something for post Vista to me though.
You can wait and hope MS will deliver this in the future, or you can go buy it now. Just so long as you like it Apple flavoured.
I just want to more or less agree with everything else that has been said…. to me this is by far microsoft’s biggest problem with all their “media” suites. but whats worse is i can see how cool and compelling everything would be if there was better integration.
I see a lot of progress over the last year, but of course we want more. If only Microsoft would be more open on what their strategy is.
For robecq: I went to an Apple store to look at AppleTV. Turns out I can’t even watch tv with it…
You know, the idea of it all working together is great (I’ve got a WHS machine at home as well as VMC) but to me the problem is really centered on Media Center. The huge misses with program guides, blu-ray, h.264, etc. really undermine the whole proposition. We’re told either to be extremely patient and/or buy a whole new OS or OEM system. I feel like an idiot for laying out for Vista Ultimate only to be treated like a beggar by MS. I suppose in their view we’re getting VMC for free with their wonderful OS, but since most of us run it on dedicated systems, that really doesn’t fly. I feel a Sage to Apple movement coming on.
If WHS is a server, an extender a client and VMC is both then to me the obvious improvement would be in common client capabilities for the extenders and the “media player” component of VMC on the one hand and common server capabilities for the WHS and the “server” utilization of VMC. For example, the reason I got a WHS was for the Drive Extender technology so I would add this to Vista/VMC. Likewise, the GUI on VMC and an extender should be identical with identical capabilites. Also, no Swiss army knife is worth having if it does not have all the tools you need. So such things as native playback of .ISO files, streaming DVDs from any drive on the network to an extender and the rest mentioned in this excellant blog+comments should be done, and if done, then quickly done while the opportunity is still present.