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Microsoft Windows CE .NET to Enable Next Generation Of IP-Based Set-Top Boxes for DSL Networks
Platform Enhancements and New Partner Products Propel
Momentum In Rapidly Growing IP Set-Top Box Industry
LAS VEGAS -- April 8, 2003 -- Today at NAB2003, the National
Association of Broadcasters convention, Microsoft Corp. announced
that the forthcoming release of Microsoft® Windows® CE .NET version
4.2 will include the latest Windows Media® 9 Series, which offers the
same video quality in one-third the bit rate of MPEG-2 and one-half the
bit rate of MPEG-4 over Internet Protocol (IP) networks, Internet
Explorer 6.0, with special support for a richer television Web browsing
experience. The company also announced that top silicon vendors ATI
Technologies Inc., National Semiconductor Corp., STMicroelectronics
and VIA Technologies Inc., and leading set-top box software vendors
iMagicTV and Stellar One Corp. will optimize their solutions for the
Windows CE .NET operating system. In addition, set-top box original
equipment manufacturers (OEMs) CosTron Co. Ltd., HUMAX Co.
Ltd., NEC Corp. and Tcom&DTVro Co. Ltd are currently building
set-top boxes powered by Windows CE NET.
"IP-based set-top boxes are emerging as a key delivery platform for
multiple service operators (MSOs) that are eager to offer television and
interactive content services to homes around the globe," said Keith
White, senior director of marketing of the Embedded and Appliance
Platforms Group at Microsoft. "Windows CE .NET 4.2 delivers a robust
real-time operating system platform to enable the delivery of high-quality
video services and Web capabilities. And MSOs can now choose from a
broad range of hardware and software providers to help them develop
new offerings that are feature-rich and cost-effective, and can be
deployed quickly."
Windows CE. NET
With the release of Windows CE .NET 4.2 in the second quarter of
2003, Microsoft will provide enhanced technologies that enable its
industry partners to build richer media and content solutions that include
the following:
Windows Media Audio and Video 9 Series provides enhanced
compression that enables full-screen streaming video over existing
networks.
Internet Explorer 6.0 and enhancements for set-top boxes enable
easy navigation with remote controls, Windows Messenger and
Microsoft Passport.
Digital Rights Management 7.1 provides infrastructure for content
protection.
Extensive multimedia format support is included: Formats including
MPEG-1, MPEG-4 and MP3 are supported in the operating
system, enabling OEMs to build devices for a broad range of
formats.
Partner Ecosystem
Building on the rich capabilities of Windows CE .NET 4.2, a growing
number of industry partners can now deliver innovative software and
hardware solutions, including these:
CosTron used Windows CE .NET 4.2 to create the CS 300, the
most advanced set-top box in its class, with video-on-demand
streaming, Internet Explorer 6.0, MSN® Messenger chat, digital
rights management (DRM) and Internet shopping.
HUMAX is building an advanced set-top box optimized for IP
multicast broadcast television. Applications will include video on
demand, Web surfing, e-mail and games, high-end Web browser
applications, and an electronic programming guide.
iMagicTV offers a software platform to enable on-demand and
broadcast content on multiple devices. This solution includes
support for digital-broadcast television and pay-per-view with an
interactive programming guide, video on demand and network
digital video recorder.
NEC, a leading Japanese manufacturer of set-top boxes, will
deploy set-top boxes based on Windows CE .NET that include
streaming video, residential gateway and personal video recorder
capabilities.
Stellar One is now shipping StellarTV Client 4 on Windows CE
.NET for the delivery of digital television and on-demand services
over IP broadband networks. StellarTV Client 4 software benefits
service providers and set-top box manufacturers with
cost-effective interoperability.
Tcom&DTVro is shipping one of the most advanced IP TV
set-top boxes based on Windows CE .NET. Boxes include
capabilities such as video on demand, games, video phone, voice
over IP (VoIP), Web browsing, e-mail, electronic programming
guides, and picture-in-picture and picture-in-graphic
functionalities. The company is building Windows CE .NET-based
high-end set-top boxes with home gateway functionality as well.
In addition, leading silicon vendors ATI, National Semiconductor, ST
Microelectronics and Via are optimizing on their CPUs to deliver
cost-effective and flexible solutions for industry partners building on
Windows CE .NET 4.2.
"CosTron has been able to develop a rich, multimedia IP-based set-top
box using Windows CE .NET 4.2 very quickly," said Jin Kwon Kim,
lead software engineer at CosTron. "When compared to alternatives such
as Linux, Windows CE .NET has many advantages. The biggest for
CosTron was that Windows CE .NET allows our developers to focus on
the product and not on learning how to use tools."
About the Microsoft Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group
Microsoft Windows Embedded operating systems and tools provide
comprehensive software platforms for building the next generation of
intelligent, 32-bit connected Windows Powered devices that demand rich
applications and Internet services for a wide range of flexible solutions. In
addition, Microsoft offers a wide range of programs and services
designed to meet the specific needs of Windows Embedded customers,
industry partners and developers. The Windows Embedded operating
systems currently include Windows CE and Windows XP Embedded.
The Server Appliance Kit for Windows 2000 helps OEMs build
Windows Powered server appliances, including Network Attached
Storage (NAS) and Web servers. Windows CE was honored at the
2003 International Consumer Electronics Show for innovations in the
category of Software/Embedded Technologies. The Embedded and
Appliance Platforms Group also delivers the Windows CE for Smart
Displays software technology that powers a wide range of Smart
Displays to extend the Windows XP experience to any room in the
home. Currently in development is "Media2Go," which is the code name
for a new device platform for powering the next generation of portable
media player devices that enable consumers to enjoy their videos, music
and pictures on the go.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader
in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business
computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services
designed to empower people through great software -- any time, any
place and on any device.
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