The two-part series will be presented by Laura Jackson, EDGE reports. Meanwhile, former Libertines co-frontman Carl Barat will appear as a special guest, and Everything Everything, Don Broco, and Swim Deep will perform.

Unlike traditional television, however, The Music Room will support interactivity with viewers. Xbox LIVE Gold viewers will be able to “determine the show’s finale in real-time” Microsoft says, with live polls used to guide the outcome.

That’s an oft-referred-to feature of IPTV, but we’re yet to see it comprehensively break through into the mass market. Audiences are already familiar with voting for reality TV shows, though that generally takes place via SMS text message or by calling a premium rate phoneline.

Microsoft’s approach, however, will rely on Xbox LIVE, and opens the door to a far greater emphasis on digital TV content, particularly in the next-generation Xbox. That is expected to feature a number elements designed to emphasize multimedia consumption, though the rumor-mill has proved indecisive on which, exactly, will make the final cut.

For instance, there has been talk of a pass-through HD video input, which would allow the new Xbox to sit in-line with your cable/satellite receiver and your TV. Then, if friends on Xbox LIVE invited you to join a multiplayer game, the message could be flashed up on top of whatever TV show was currently playing.

Another possibility Microsoft supposedly considered was DVR functionality, turning the Xbox 720 into a TV recorder. However, insiders claimed that concerns about prompting dissatisfaction among content owners means that’s unlikely to show up in the final console.

Whatever the final functionality, Microsoft is clearly putting Xbox at the heart of its digital TV content strategy. The company sold off its Mediaroom business back in April, saying it wanted to focus on services as part of the Xbox brand.

The Music Room will start on Wednesday, May 29, at 3:30pm ET (8:30pm BST).

Mediaroom powers approximately 22 million set-top boxes in 11 million households around the world, and the purchase by Ericsson will make the company the leading provider of IPTV solutions with a market share of over 25%, according to a statement by Ericsson earlier today. Microsoft calls the acquisition “mutually beneficial and strategically aligned for both parties.”

It was recently rumored late last month that Ericsson was pondering the idea of buying Mediaroom from Microsoft, and it certainly seemed unsurprising at the time. However, the news is official today. Now that Microsoft has Mediaroom out of the way, the company can focus on bringing TV services to Xbox Live, which has already seen some great new content added on as of late.

Indeed, it does seem like Microsoft and Ericsson, as well as Mediaroom will all benefit from the acquisition: Mediaroom won’t be shutting down (but rather growing in the future), Ericsson now has a hold of the business and now dominates the IPTV market share, and Microsoft now has more time to focus its efforts on Xbox Live. It’s a win-win-win situation.

According to the more pessimistic tipster, “delays in reaching content-licensing agreements with entertainment companies that own major TV channels” remain the primary headache. That’s not exactly a new refrain; it’s stubbornness among the traditional media to bend to the unbundling whims of entertainment upstarts like Google and Apple which is believed to have prevented previous attempts to challenge the cable market.

Intel was apparently on track to demonstrate an early version of the unnamed web TV set-top box and service at CES 2013 next week, with previous leaks indicating a small-scale trial could begin in March. However, new whispers suggest TV has been taken off the menu, with only regular desktop and mobile processors to be discussed.

Unsurprisingly, it’s not hardware that has prompted the delays, with the rumored STB said to include social networking functionality to better join together viewers watching the same program in different locations.

Currently, a source close to the ongoing negotiations claims, Intel has inked a single deal with a content partner, though there’s no word on which that partner is. Owners of channels are traditionally reluctant to offer individual channels separately, preferring more expensive bundles where cable operators must license not only the high-profile they want, but a number of less widely-known channels as well.

Another TV company executive said his firm and Intel “were far from reaching an agreement on financial terms,” with the content owners demanding “far higher fees” than existing cable operators pay.

The challenge Intel faces is just like every other company hoping to cater to viewers turned off by channel-swollen cable packages: persuading the content owners to relax their stance on only licensing huge bundles of dozens of channels. That strategy has proved lucrative so far, with cable subscribers forced to subscribe to many channels they don’t actually want in order to get a few they particularly watch.

Intel’s strategy, it’s suggested, is using its heft in chip production to demonstrate quite how committed it is to the home entertainment segment; “since Intel is used to betting billions on chip design, it has allocated a budget significantly larger than Apple or Google’s” Fortune reports. That investment supposedly looks more realistic to Hollywood negotiators used to $100m+ movie budgets.

The chip firm also has an existing legacy in working with, not against, cable providers. It inked a deal in 2011 to power Comcast’s next-gen Xfinity TV boxes, and has been producing STB chips for getting on for a decade. What technological advantages it plans to bring to the streaming TV segment has also been framed in terms of benefiting content owners, too, rather than consumers.

So, Intel is believed to be pushing a monitoring system that can deliver more accurate and detailed viewership data, including rough age range, gender, and a more precise number of how many people are actually watching. That same system is also being promoted among content owners as ideal for targeting advertising, picking more relevant promotions based on who is in front of the TV at any one time.

An evolutionary rather than revolutionary approach to pacify content providers, and more flexibility in choosing channels (or even pay-per-show), re-watching media from the past month with a “cloud PVR,” and throwing in apps and other web-enabled features to lure in viewers, could make the difference where Apple and Google have struggled. Fortune’s sources claim Intel will begin a small-scale beta to customers in March 2013, though the first-gen STB itself will be shown off at CES 2013 next week.

According to another source inside of Intel itself, an early version of the STB will be brought to CES next week, with a preview of the system tipped for its January 7 press event. However, it may be some time before the hardware actually arrives under your TV, with Intel supposedly eyeing a progressive roll-out rather than attempting to sweep across the US in a simultaneous launch.

That’s an apparent workaround to traditional content owner reluctance to “unbundle” the packages of cable channels usually offered, something which has scuppered Apple plans, among others, to help cord cutters get solely the channels they’re most interested in. Packaging channels together is a good way for content owners to keep licensing fees buoyant, especially given many of those tempted to abandon paid cable service are reluctant to miss out on certain sports, media, or other shows.

Intel’s approach will supposedly be on a city-by-city basis, initially focusing on areas where content providers have less lucrative deals with cable companies, and hoping to demonstrate that a more flexible licensing approach might also make sense financially. Such a rollout will begin “soon” according to the tipster, though there’s nothing more specific.

As for functionality, in addition to free cable content and select pay-TV content depending on what Intel can pry out of licensees, there’ll be internet-streamed shows such as from Redbox and other services. Intel also aims to offer a DVR system which would allow recall of any show aired within the past month, across any channel the individual user has subscribed to: rather than having to pre-emptively record a show, it would simply be served up on-demand.

Chatter of an Intel set-top box and accompanying service began back in March, with reports that the chip company aimed to have the system up and running before 2012 was through. Subsequent leaks tipped a complex viewer-monitoring cable box that could give more precise demographic data as to who was watching which services, to show more accurate and relevant adverts, and generally make up for any losses incurred through channel unbundling by increasing overall advertising revenue. “They’ve told us the technology is going to be so much more interactive with ads that you can make more money” one anonymous TV industry executive said at the time.

Google TV had promised to do something along those lines, but Intel’s partnership with Google faltered after early hardware from Logitech and Sony met with mediocre response in the market. Earlier this year, Google announced it would support low-cost, low-power ARM processors with Google TV, though despite more affordable hardware as a result, the platform is yet to take significant market share from more traditional TV entertainment sources.

Catch-up TV will be included, with shows from all of the BBC channels, and there will be behind-the-scenes content from sports and other events. The BBC already offers “Red Button” services via traditional broadcast, including news, weather, and other content, but by using internet streaming rather than the broadcast signal, the amount of data on offer can increase considerably.

Initially, 1.2m Virgin Media TiVo boxes will be compatible with the new Connected Red Button services, though the BBC says that will be extended to other internet-connected TVs “over the coming months.” We’d expect to see web-enabled set-top boxes from Freeview, YouView, Freesat, and others join in the fun in time.

According to the BBC Internet blog, meanwhile, phones and tablets could eventually be integrated, with the hint of second-screen style content shown on both big-screen and mobile device. There’s also the possibility of retroactive updates for existing web-capable AV kit to get Connected Red Button service.

“Throughout 2012 the BBC has also been engaging with a number of TV manufacturers and platform operators regarding our connected TV application plans and the related technical specifications and certification requirements” Matt Coulson, executive product manager for Red Button says. “We’ll be rolling out Connected Red Button to a range of connected TV devices during 2013 and in many cases 2012 TVs will also be upgraded to Connected Red Button.”

You’ll need to have a Virgin TiVo box in the UK in order to try the Connected Red Button service out today.

Meanwhile, older titles from Warner Bros. storerooms will also be exclusive to Sky Movies. That includes all of the Batman movies, The Matrix, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, all Superman movies and Lethal Weapon 1, 2 and 3. Sky will offer them via its NOW TV IPTV service as well, though only to Sky customers.

It’s not the only Sky deal in recent weeks that has seen content become scarcer. Earlier this month, the broadcaster inked a deal for exclusive Bond film access, which saw the entire catalog of 007 films quietly yanked from the iTunes UK store. Instead, they’ll be shown on a dedicated on-demand channel on Sky.

HD and 3D versions of films will be shown, where available, though Sky is yet to confirm how much it will be asking for each title. Still, it’s a blow to rival services such as iTunes, Netflix, LOVEFILM, and other pay-per-view offerings, which will now face a sizable hole in their catalogs.

[via Engadget]

Roku is known for its range of eponymous set-top boxes, which provide a straightforward way to supply internet-based media to a regular TV. Originally focused on Netflix, Roku expanded its platform with various other “channels” for other providers, adding in games and more. Next up – on the public roadmap, anyway – is the Roku Streaming Stick, which will provide a more discrete way of accessing Roku services.

“The streaming stick is Roku’s first step in expanding its platform from streaming players to Smart TVs and other devices connected to the TV” the company said today in a statement [pdf link]. “With the News Corporation and Sky strategic relationships, we are poised to further grow our leadership position and to become the TV distribution platform of the future.”

While the financial backing will undoubtedly help Roku keep its R&D labs running for a while longer, it’s the unspecified business agreements that could have the biggest impact. Exactly what has been promised as part of the new deal hasn’t been revealed, but with News Corp. running Fox, Sky Sports, National Geographic, and dozens of other TV services, not to mention film studios and digital content, it might mean a fresh flush of channels for Roku users.

Meanwhile, News Corp.’s chief digital officer Jon Miller will join the Roku board of directors as a side-effect of the deal.

NOW TV will be operated as a separate brand, targeting those who would like access to some of Sky’s content but are turned-off by the ongoing monthly subscription costs. “It will be available on a wide range of devices and offer instant access to a range of high quality Sky content, with no install and no contract” CEO Jeremy Darroch said this morning. ”Starting with movies, it will soon expand to offer sport and entertainment as well. And customers will be able to pay monthly or rent a movie on a simple, pay as you go basis.”

As when it first announced the internet TV offering earlier this year, Sky isn’t saying exactly what NOW TV pricing will be. Both individual rentals and longer-term access will be supported, however, with Netflix-style recommendations based on users’ previous choices.

Anytime+, meanwhile, is Sky’s on-demand IPTV offering for current subscribers. Until now, it has been limited to only those who also pay for Sky Broadband service, but reports from users indicate that has changed over the past day and that access is now independent of ISP.

As we’ve heard previously, the Apple television – or “Apple iTV” as it has been unofficially dubbed – will use the personal digital assistant voice technology debuted on the iPhone 4S to cut through complex remote controls and on-screen menus. An integrated camera, meanwhile, would track hand gestures for non-verbal control, and an on-screen keyboard could be used for more complex text entry.

Exactly how Apple will blend together on-demand and live content without making navigation overly difficult is unknown, though Steve Jobs was keen to tell his biographer that he had “finally cracked” the issue.

Earlier this week, meanwhile, it was confirmed that Apple is using complex audio DSP from specialists Audience, baked into the Apple A5 chipset found in the iPhone 4S. That technology models the human hearing system, allowing the iPhone to differentiate from user commands and ambient noise with the smartphone at arm’s length. Apple is also a licensee of Audience’s third-gen DSP, though technical details are in short supply; still, any Siri-based television would need to be able to track voice commands from across the living room, without being distracted by extraneous sounds, which would seem to mandate the audio system.

[via Engadget]

Exactly what content will be available to stream is unclear; currently content owners prefer traditional DVD and Blu-ray rentals and sales for newer media, leaving subscription-based streaming to pick up movies and TV shows later on in the lifecycle. Verizon and Redbox describe the IPTV aspect as including “expanded content offerings” suggesting back catalog shows and older films, though that’s not yet confirmed.

Still, with Verizon involved, streaming direct to phones and tablets looks like a given. Whether the carrier will also release mobile apps for devices on other networks is a good question; not doing so might encourage would-be streaming subscribers to also ink an agreement on Verizon’s network for their next phone or tablet, but it could also work to limit its appeal.

Verizon will own 65-percent of the new venture, with Redbox picking up the remaining 35-percent. The two companies say they’ll announce more pricing details, as well as branding, closer to the point of launch, which is in the second half of the year.

Initially, the Sky IPTV system will offer films from Sky Movies; however, the company expects to expand that to encompass sport and entertainment content soon after launch. Pricing has not been confirmed, though Sky says it will offer both packages – including, say, unlimited access to movies for a monthly fee, and with no minimum contract – and pay-per-view for those only wanting to watch specific content.

The system will include recommendations based on previous viewing habits, and be maintained alongside the existing Sky Go IPTV option for current Sky satellite users.

Those users will soon have access to a new Android app, set to launch in February. Initially available for Samsung’s Galaxy range and HTC devices, the Sky Go Android app will offer streaming access to on-demand movies and other content. Sky also plans to launch a WiFi hotspot roaming agreement for UK Sky Broadband Unlimited customers, offering access to around 10,000 hotspots.

Finally, Sky has revealed plans to offer a fibre broadband option to home users from April. Priced at £20 per month, the package will offer speeds of up to 40 megabits and have no usage caps.

Yesterday, Sky announced it would be adding BBC iPlayer and ITV Player content to its STBs.

Back in December, Microsoft had detailed its Xbox LIVE roadmap, revealing an impressive list of upcoming content partners. There were also talks about incorporating Microsoft’s Kinect voice and motion control capabilities into its TV service for navigating channels.

Rumors suggested that Microsoft had more ambitious plans to completely replace cable TV for consumers and offer paid subscription packages similar to Netflix. But unlike Netflix, Microsoft wanted to also offer current shows and live networks on its service, which meant much higher licensing costs.

“They built Microsoft TV, they demoed it for us, they asked for rate cards but then said ‘ooh ah, that’s expensive,’” said one senior media exec involved in the discussions. Media sources say that the plan is being scaled back, but Microsoft is still working closely with TV companies and seeking content partners to extend its current Xbox LIVE service.

[Original image credit: Lewis Dowling]

Microsoft isn’t alone in that, mind. Apple’s television intentions are well-rumored, with the latest batch describing a Siri-powered trio of HDTV sets that use the virtual personal assistant technology to streamline navigation through cable, free-to-air, on-demand and recorded content. Google TV, meanwhile, has had the advantage of being on the market, but that’s about the only positive thing you can say so far. Its complex first-gen interface could well have been all the inspiration Microsoft required to push ahead with Kinect-powered speech and gesture control.

A Siri-powered TV isn’t here yet. Google TV v2.0 is yet to convince that it can deliver not only on usability with its pared-down but still technically-focused UI, but on content and access deals with providers that have proved to be wary of the Google-powered free-for-all. An Xbox 360 costs $299.99 with a Kinect thrown in the box, and you can buy one today.

I’m no gamer. I fall well outside the target audience for an Xbox 360 – or a PS3, or, despite what Nintendo might hope to convince me about “casual” gaming, a Wii – at least until today. And yet, Microsoft’s comprehensive roadmap of content partners (notable for not limiting itself to merely the US audience, too) has me reconsidering. The straightforward Kinect-based control holds no small amount of appeal, too, since anything I buy for home entertainment purposes has to satisfy that all-important spousal-approval factor.

Last Christmas I bought my parents a Blu-ray player. Not because of the Blu-ray support, but because it was internet-connected: through it they would be able to access BBC iPlayer along with other UK on-demand TV show services, in addition to streaming movies and other content. Yes, I could’ve strung across some sort of A/V connection from their PC, which just so happens to be in the same room, but the idea was to make it easier to access IPTV, not force them to jump between computer and TV.

I’m not entirely sure how much they’ve actually used it, however; I’d wager less than once a month since I first plugged it in for them last December. Sony’s Blu-ray UI is neatly familiar with that of its PS3, but since my parents aren’t gamers that’s not exactly given them a head-start. How much simpler to merely instruct their TV to search through the various on-demand services. They don’t care whether they’re talking to the TV, or actually to a Kinect sensor bar plugged into an Xbox 360, or whatever: all they’re bothered about is that, rather than having to stab at buttons on a cluttered, confusing remote, they can pull up any shows they like.

Where next? Live TV is the obvious answer; Boxee has shown that by adding a cheap USB TV tuner it can instantly bolster its streaming media service with access to what’s on right now. Even with the tuner, the Boxee Box won’t allow for PVR-style video recording, but Microsoft has a lengthy history of offering time-shifting and scheduled recordings with its Media Center PCs.

A less gaming-centric design might be the stage after that, again something that has been rumored in recent months. According to next-gen Xbox speculation, Microsoft is readying not one but two models of “Xbox 720″: an all-singing, all-dancing flagship, to sate the demands of needy gamers, and a more streamlined, cheaper alternative that targets the set-top box crowd.

Finally, there’s a sense that Microsoft is finally getting to grips with the value of platform integration, something Apple has long held the advantage in. The Xbox LIVE update tomorrow will bring a new UI to the console for gamers, as well as the Xbox TV functionality, but also see Windows Phone brought comprehensively into the fold with a free companion app for smartphones. Rather than just showing your scores and your Xbox LIVE avatar, there’ll finally be a reason to have your Windows Phone to hand while you’re watching TV, with the smartphone acting as a remote as well as showing information on what’s playing and more.

Xbox’s huge established user-base gives Microsoft an instant IPTV footprint Google could only dream of. The Kinect sensor, though not supporting such advanced voice recognition as Siri, has the benefit of being here today, not somewhere in the pipeline. Microsoft may have its faults, but in smart TV it’s definitely doing something right.

“The power of Kinect combined with the intelligence of Bing search is turning your voice into the ultimate remote control. With Bing on Xbox, you can use your voice to effortlessly find the games, movies, TV shows and music you want and discover the best offerings on Xbox LIVE, by simply saying what you’re searching for. You say it, Xbox finds it” Microsoft

Just as Apple is rumored to be planning for Siri on its own TV hardware, Microsoft’s Kinect sensor will be used as a more natural way to control the XBOX Live interface. Voice control will recognize English in the US, Canada and the UK for Zune video, the Xbox LIVE Marketplace and certain of Microsoft’s content partners. Those who don’t have the Kinect sensor bar itself – or who fall outside of those countries – will get a text search bar instead.

Microsoft’s content provider list makes for impressive reading, especially given so many IPTV services are US-centric. Set to roll out in phases, from December 6 through to the end of this month, and then sometime in 2012, the immediate line-up includes ESPN in the US, LOVEFILM in the UK, Netflix in Canada and Sky Go in Germany.

The roadmap for the XBOX Live partners is as follows:

Dec. 6:

• EPIX. United States
• ESPN on Xbox LIVE (ESPN). United States
• Hulu. Japan
• Hulu Plus. United States
• LOVEFiLM. United Kingdom
• Netflix. Canada, United States
• Premium Play by (MediaSet). Italy
• Sky Go (SkyDE). Germany
• Telefónica España – Movistar Imagenio. Spain
• TODAY (MSNBC). United States

Later in December:

• 4 on Demand (C4). United Kingdom
• ABC iView (Australian Broadcasting Corp.). Australia
• AlloCiné. France (AlloCiné), Germany (Filmstarts), Spain (Sensacine), United Kingdom (Screenrush)
• Astral Media’s Disney XD (Astral Media). Canada
• blinkbox (Blinkbox). United Kingdom
• Crackle (Sony Pictures). Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States
• Dailymotion. Available in 32 countries globally
• Demand 5 (Five). United Kingdom
• DIGI+ (CANAL+). Spain
• GolTV (Mediapro). Spain
• iHeartRadio (Clear Channel). United States
• Mediathek/ZDF (ZDF). Germany
• MSN. Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, United Kingdom
• MSNBC.com. United States
• MUZU.TV. Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom
• ninemsn. Australia
• Real Sports (Maple Leaf Sports). Canada
• Rogers On Demand Online (Rogers Media). Canada
• SBS ON DEMAND.Australia
• Sky Go (SkyDE). Austria
• TMZ (Warner Bros.). Canada, United States
• TVE (RTVE.es). Spain
• UFC on Xbox LIVE (UFC). Canada, United States
• Verizon FiOS TV. United States
• VEVO. Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom, United States
• Vudu (Wal-Mart). United States
• YouTube. Available in 24 countries globally

Early 2012:

• Antena 3 (Antena 3 de Televisión). Spain
• BBC (BBC). United Kingdom
• CinemaNow (Best Buy). United States
• HBO GO (HBO). United States
• MLB.TV (MLB Advanced Media). Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States
• Telenovelas/Sports (Televisa). Brazil, Chile, Colombia, France, Italy, Mexico, Spain, United Kingdom
• Xfinity On Demand (Comcast). United States

Sony’s system, though not technically specified at present, would stream video via the internet to the company’s array of network-enabled A/V hardware. That includes the PS3 console, of course, but also smart TV sets, Blu-ray and DVD players, PVRs and other devices. Sony could also choose to open access to its VAIO range of computers.

Media studios, however, are said to be reluctant to offer Sony a pared down selection of channels for its service, as currently cable and satellite providers pay handsomely for comprehensive bundles and are dissuaded by high pricing from licensing a smaller set. That reluctance apparently blocked Apple from launching a web-based “best of TV” package in early 2010, using the Apple TV as a receiver. Sony could end up bypassing the big networks altogether, and opt for niche content to build out its US-wide service, sources claim.

The Japanese company has faced a significant struggle with its TV business over the past 12-18 months, with dreary hardware sales prompting Sony to split its LCD division into three. Sony CEO Howard Stringer has promised a “four screen” strategy to take on the expected Apple television with Siri-powered controls, pulling together Sony’s PC, TV, tablet and phone businesses to deliver a joined-up entertainment platform.

“We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause you” the terse message on the site reads. “If you have purchased content for ownership through Alphaline Entertainment, we have sent you an email setting out how purchased content for ownership is being handled.”

There’s no mention on Sears’ site as to what happened to the service, though it’s likely that waning appeal in an over-saturated digital downloads marketplace saw usage underwhelm. Alphaline was charging around $19.99 for movie purchases or $3.99 for rentals, with availability promised for the same day as physical media release. Back in March, Sears added further compatibility with internet-connected TVs and other platforms.

Did you use Alphaline Entertainment for digital downloads or rentals? Received an email telling you what to do with your purchases now? Let us know in the comments.

[Thanks Chris!]

That chip is good for up to 1080p Full HD resolution media, though the entry-level 3000X/Roku 2 HD will be limited to 720p and has half the RAM of its siblings. Connectivity includes WiFi-n, Bluetooth and a microSD card slot, though you’ll need the top-spec 3100X/Roku 2 XS if you want a 10/100 ethernet port. There’s also composite video across the range, plus the 3100X gets a USB 2.0 Host port.

Finally, there’s a new RF remote for the 3100X, though the others make do with IR as before. No word on what that might look like, however, but fingers are collectively crossed for a QWERTY keyboard. The Roku 2 HD will be sold direct from the company’s site, while the Roku 2 XD will be offered in stores; both routes will be used for the Roku 2 XS. No word on when that might happen or for how much, however.

[via Engadget]

[Image credit: Pierangelo Rosati]

It all started when we moved our TV away from the comfortable reach of the in-wall TV outlet. If we owned the apartment then I’d have drilled some holes, run a length of coax, but it’s a rental and they’re less enamored with my DIY whims. We’d been relying on Freeview – free-to-air digital TV – here in the UK, and that doesn’t like portable, indoor antennas, especially when you’re using them in garden-level flats.

For a while, we had a Slingbox hooked up, next to the main antenna socket – usefully next to the master phone socket, so thus close to the ADSL wireless router – and used a laptop hooked up via HDMI to our TV, streaming through Sling’s browser-based UI. May sound silly, but the company actually tells us that’s a very common use of its system. Whereas the expectation was that people would “sling” content to remote and/or mobile devices, in fact the majority rely on their Slingbox to placeshift around the home.

It worked, sure, but after a networking blip that saw me unplug everything from the router (and come close to throwing it through the window, though that’s a different story) the Slingbox never got plugged back in, and we didn’t really miss it.

Instead, we’re relying on a mixture of on-demand streaming and downloads. Hulu and Netflix are blocked here in the UK, but we do get BBC iPlayer, ITV Player and 4oD, the streaming versions of the main networks. All have back catalogs of varying sizes, which can often help out when you’re in “but there’s nothing to watch” mode. The BBC even offers live streaming, in time with its regular broadcasts: if there’s something we simply have to watch as it happens, we can stream it in real-time, as if we were using an antenna.

The gaps get filled by rentals and downloads, though streaming rental services are still behind what’s on offer in North America. We abandoned our Lovefilm subscription – basically the European equivalent of Netflix – a year or so ago, since we were never organized enough to arrange for DVDs to be mailed out. In the meantime it’s started offering streaming content, but the selection is still poor. Hopefully, now that Amazon has acquired Lovefilm, that will begin to change, but if content owners want to replace piracy like BitTorrent with legitimate, paid services, they need to start offering content in a timely and affordable manner.

The odd DVD and some YouTube clips, and our digital home entertainment is pretty much complete. Best of all, we now generally actively choose what to watch, rather than slumping in front of whatever’s showing and zoning out.

Next step is an HTPC, which will liberate the laptop and hopefully save me from walking over to the TV every time I want to change the “channel.” Is this setup for everyone? No, not yet: iPlayer, 4oD and other services are good, but the UI still falls short of picking a channel from a cable or digibox GUI. Sometimes there’s a show we’d like to watch, but whoever screened it on broadcast TV didn’t also secure the streaming rights, and so it’s not available online. They’re the times Hulu Plus and similar start looking tempting (or, indeed, less legitimate options like torrenting).

Still, it’s getting better all the time, and that’s movement in the right direction. Anybody else out there finding they’ve been liberated from their broadcast, cable or satellite service?

Microsoft’s demonstration is expected to consist of the Kinect avatar control, as well as the IPTV streaming, assuming it can sign off on the rights before the keynote. “Microsoft is currently in last minute negotiations to secure the necessary agreements in time” the source claims, pointing to Apple’s similar talks over iCloud.

Xbox LIVE Diamond is rumored to be the first stage in a standalone hardware IPTV push by Microsoft, powered by special SoC’s based on Silverlight. Ex-Microsoft Hardware head Tom Gibbons shifted over to the TV and Services business, in a move that’s said to be at least partly connected to the “Xbox LIVE, Kinect & Mediaroom mash-up.”

Microsoft’s other announcements at E3 are believed to be around a new “Fusion” line of branded products or services, with trademarks for “Fusion Vault”, “Fusion Genesis” and “Fusion Sentient” all having been spotted. The domain xboxfusion.com has also been acquired. Finally, there’s Microsoft Ventura, a set of streaming music and video services that uses social networking and recommendations to promote new content.

SlashGear will be at E3 2011 next week, bringing you back all the details of what Microsoft – and others – announce!

“The vision for Xbox is straightforward: All of the entertainment you want. With the people you care about. Made easy. That is why you’ve seen us invest in partnerships with ESPN, Netflix and Hulu. That is why we’ve baked social directly into the experience with Xbox LIVE – connecting gamers, friends and families across the globe. That is why you’ll see Xbox marketed more as an entertainment brand this year. And that is why we’re investing so much in Natural User Interface technologies (speech, touch, gestures) to make the entertainment experience that much easier—and more fun. With Kinect, we’ve made NUI real for millions of people, and we’ve only begun to scratch the surface of what’s possible.” Frank Shaw, Corporate VP of Corporate Comms, Microsoft

Although there’s no specific mention of Project Orapa, Shaw’s enthusiastic promises have been enough to spur ZDNet and others on to join up the dots. According to earlier leaks, Orapa includes Kinect motion-sensing control, Xbox LIVE avatars and the underlying recommendations engine, along with Mediaroom streaming content and elements from the Microsoft Ventura social ratings project.

Back in May, Orapa – and the Microsoft TV and Services division as a whole – came under the remit of ex-Microsoft Hardware boss Tom Gibbons, prompting renewed talk of a Google TV/Apple TV rival system. That, it’s been suggested, could consist of a Mediaroom STB based on Silverlight with a new, custom SoC at its heart. If true, Microsoft could roll out Project Orapa to Xbox users first, then look to release dedicated STBs and integrated Blu-ray decks afterwards.

Now, I should note that I’ve used Hulu quite often. While I’m having lunch, I’ve been known to surf to Hulu’s Web site and watch some episodes of shows I might have missed recently. I guess you could say that I’ve been a Hulu veteran for quite some time now.

However, I had yet to take the plunge into Hulu Plus. I reasoned that as long as I had Netflix and a DVR, I didn’t need it. But after considering the sheer number of shows available to me via Hulu Plus for the cheap price of $8 per month, I decided recently to subscribe.

My first impressions were quite good. I was able to sign up for Hulu Plus in a matter of seconds, and after logging in to my account from my HDTV, I was welcomed to try out all the content the service offered.

And then the trouble started.

First, I realized that the browsing feature on Hulu Plus is atrocious when you use a television remote. I can’t tell you how much time I wasted holding down the right arrow key on my remote just to find the show I was looking for. And when I got there, I was even more upset to see that only three out of the six episodes that have aired so far this season were available to me.

Once I started playing one of the episodes, I was forced to sit through not one, but two commercials. Overall, the video quality was quite good, which made me happy, but then, after sitting through just seven to eight minutes of content, I was presented with another ad. During the rest of the hour-long show, I had to sit through ads with each commercial break.

Now, I should admit that I knew that would be the case. After all, I’ve been covering Hulu Plus for quite some time now. But to actually experience it first-hand and realize that my $8-per-month fee to watch programming wasn’t enough to save me from some of the most annoying ads I’ve ever witnessed was too much to handle.

So, after trying it out for just a few days, I can now officially crown Hulu Plus a loser. Admittedly, I didn’t have high expectations going in, but I did offer up an objective mindset. After just a few minutes of using the platform, things went awry — and they never recovered.

I’m sure there are some out there that use Hulu Plus and scoff at my opinion on it. They would tell me that I need to sit through ads because I’m watching recently aired content. They would also point out that the service does offer a wide array of worthwhile programming. And while I might agree with the second point, the idea that I should accept ads in a paid service simply because that’s the way it is just isn’t enough for me.

As far as I’m concerned, Hulu Plus is another example of all that’s wrong in the streaming-entertainment business nowadays, and not a glowing example of where the industry should be going.

Now more than ever, I believe Netflix has it right. And Hulu Plus, well, Hulu Plus is a downright disappointment.

Current broadcast 3D systems basically squash the left and right eye image into a single frame, which are then expanded out and upscaled by the TV itself. That means the broadcasters can use the same HD pipes to send over 3D, but at the cost of picture quality.

The new Japanese Hybridcast system, however, uses digital broadcast paired with IPTV or internet-based video, with the Full HD picture for one eye going over the former and the Full HD picture for the other eye going over the latter. Since IPTV can lag behind broadcast TV, “time stamp signals that are embedded in airwaves for synchronizing video and called PTS also in video data to be transmitted via a communication line” are used to make sure the two feeds are matched up correctly when they reach the HDTV, the NHK Science & Technology Research Laboratories said. “And we synchronize images for the right and left eyes based on PTS on the side of TV.”

3D sync is just one of the uses envisaged for the timestamping, which the NHK team rely on for their new Hybridcast system. That promises to deliver content to tablets and other companion devices that’s linked with what’s playing on the TV at that point in time, mixing together internet- and broadcast-based content with no difference between the two visible to the end-user.

I’m speaking next month in San Diego at the Internet Retailer conference on the subject of the future of TV. I plan to dive into depth on how internet-connected or Smart TVs combined with over-the-top-services are will soon provide a viable alternative to paying a cable or satellite company. In fact, for a growing number of consumers they have already made this leap, cutting the cable cord in favor of online TV.

This doesn’t mean that the issue of ads will go away. Of that 22-24 minutes of ads per hour show you see, many of them are not relevant to you, which is why we skip them. Instead they will become more relevant and more personal.

Images of Minority Report come to mind.

My primary point is that there are a good deal of brands and consumer goods, electronics etc. that I am very interested in and I am willing to subject myself to marketing if it is indeed something I am interested in.

As I begin to consume more TV related content using the internet as a delivery mechanism, the personalization power of the web comes into affect. This will allow me to set my preferences or even have the service learn about my interests and deliver me more relevant ads.

Now, at the end of the day, we know nothing is truly free. The studio networks, your internet provider and more will all want a piece of this action. What I think will happen in the future as over-the-top services become more mainstream is that access to TV online will be bundled with your internet service costs.

This may mean internet service costs go up, but right now one would reasonably pay $110 dollars for TV and internet service from Comcast. In this model, perhaps the cost is $60 dollars a month and you get the internet with access to over-the-top TV services.

The reality, however, is right now TV on the internet is much like the internet itself in the early days. It’s not mature and is in the infant stages of maturing. There are still a number of challenges to bringing TV in its entirety over the internet:

• - The networks are still not sure how to monetize streaming vs. their revenue from cable companies
• - The cable companies don’t want to lose control of their broadcast pipe to your home
• - There aren’t enough internet-connected TV’s or long form web streaming demand to justify the costs
• - Legal issues between content rights holders, licensees and the networks need to be solved

That’s why this isn’t going to happen tomorrow or at the end of the year and not even next year. This is probably a five year journey at a minimum.

As a Microsoft executive once said to me, “Television is going to change in the next five years more than it has changed in the last fifty.” The only problem is, that was four years ago.

Like the Eden X2 dual-cores announced back in March, the new E-Series chips support processor-level AES encryption and virtualization. As well as Windows 7 they’ll happily run Linux and other platforms.

VIA is sampling the new chips now, and expects the first products and boards using the E-Series processors to hit the market later this quarter. Microsoft is rumored to be working with OEMs on a reference design for potential Microsoft TV hardware, though of course there’s no telling whose CPUs are at the heart of it.

Press Release:

VIA Announces New Nano™ X2 E-Series Dual Core Processors

VIA Nano X2 E-Series processors deliver a highly-optimized power-efficient dual core solution for advanced 64-bit x86 embedded system design applications

Taipei, Taiwan, 5 May, 2011 – VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator of power efficient x86 processor platforms, today announced that it will release its latest edition to its new family of low power dual core VIA Nano X2 Series processors.

VIA Nano X2 E-Series processors combine a highly optimized, power-efficient dual-core architecture with advanced performance for the most demanding 64-bit x86 embedded system design applications. Available in two models running at speeds of 1.2+ GHz and 1.6+ GHz, VIA Nano X2 E-Series Processors also come with a component longevity guarantee of 7 years.

“The VIA Nano X2 E-Series demonstrates how VIA continues to lead the way in bringing highly optimized, power-efficient 64-bit x86 processors to the embedded market,” said Epan Wu, Head of the VIA Embedded Platform Division, VIA Technologies, Inc. “With their advanced performance, these processors provide developers with exciting new embedded system design options.”

VIA Nano X2 E-Series

Leveraging the latest 40nm manufacturing process, VIA Nano X2 E-Series processors combine two 64-bit, superscalar VIA Nano cores on one die, offering enhanced multi-tasking and superb multimedia performance on a low power budget.

VIA Nano X2 E-Series processors bring additional features that include VIA VT virtualization, a technology that allows legacy software and applications to be used in virtual scenarios without impacting on performance. The unique VIA AES Security Engine offers hardware-based data encryption on the fly, an essential tool in content protection and system security.

VIA Nano X2 E-Series processors are natively 64-bit compatible, facilitating an essential transition for the future of the embedded industry as 64-bit operating systems such as Windows® Embedded Standard 7 allow for vastly improved data throughput per clock cycle. This makes it easier to manipulate large data sets and improves overall performance. VIA Nano X2 E-Series processors are also fully compatible with Windows CE and Linux operating systems.

VIA Nano X2 E-Series processors are based on the latest 40nm manufacturing process using a VIA NanoBGA2 package of 21mm x 21mm with a die size of 11mm x 6mm. They are also fully pin-to-pin compatible with VIA Eden, VIA C7 and VIA Nano E-Series, and VIA Eden X2 processors.

Product Highlights

• Industry-leading power-efficient architecture
• 7 year longevity guarantee
• Advanced multi-core processing
• Native support for 64-bit operating systems
• High-performance superscalar processing
• Out-of-order x86 architecture
• Most efficient speculative floating point algorithm
• Full processor virtualization support
• Advanced power and thermal management
• VIA AES hardware security features
• Pin-to-pin compatibility with VIA processors range

VIA Nano X2 E-Series Processors are sampling now to project customers. Systems and boards featuring VIA Nano X2 E-Series processors will be available in Q2 2011.

That’s because Windows Phone developers have already been coding apps for the mobile platform using Silverlight tools. Microsoft announced back in November 2010 that it intended to bring Silverlight – its Flash alternative – support to the 360, though failed to attach a specific timescale to the update.

The move is believed to be part of Microsoft’s play to push the Xbox 360 into the middle ground between smartphones and PCs. The company is also believed to be using the platform for a new range of STBs that would work with its Mediaroom IPTV platform, though it’s also been suggested that the Xbox could act as the STB instead.

Microsoft’s Silverlight team has apparently committed to a mid-April ship date of Silverlight 5, though the company will  also push ahead with HTML5. It will be particularly useful for Windows 8 developers coding apps for slates and tablets, with a new Metro-based UI tipped and a new application model called “Jupiter” that will allow for Silverlight-based apps distributed as AppX packages through a new Windows application store pre-loaded onto the updated OS.

Earlier this month, leaks suggested Microsoft was working on project Orapa, described as an “Xbox LIVE, Kinect & Mediaroom mash-up” which would use Mediaroom streaming content with avatar and Kinect control together with social networking and recommendations. Before that, a a “Santa Fe” Mediaroom/Silverlight set-top box was rumored, along with a “Silverlight system-on-a-chip” (SoC) implementation that could form the basis of third-party STB and Blu-ray player hardware with a Microsoft heart.

Gibbons’ involvement could suggest that Microsoft is now shopping a reference hardware specification around its OEM partners, or indeed heading a team of in-house designers putting together their own product. The company already has a foot in the living room thanks to Xbox 360 and its media extender functionality.

[via Business Insider]

Of course, Motorola also has a STB business providing cable and satellite tuners and DVRs, so it’s entirely possible we could see Dreampark technology show up in that hardware as well. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but Motorola expects it to close in Q2 2011.

Press Release:

Motorola Mobility Announces Intent to Acquire Dreampark

March 23, 2011

LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – March 23, 2011 – Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Dreampark, a leading IPTV software provider based in Norrköping, Sweden. The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 2011. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Dreampark’s software portfolio maximizes operator flexibility and performance by taking advantage of the powers of open standards, such as HTML and scalable vector graphics (SVG), which, when combined with comprehensive software development kits (SDK) , allows operators to obtain full control of their television portals for complete customization. The Dreampark portfolio is expected to be integrated into the Motorola Medios service management software suite.

“This transaction enables us to continue to enhance our Medios software portfolio and capitalize upon the convergence of wireless technology, media, mobile computing and the Internet,” said John Burke, senior vice president and general manager of Motorola Mobility’s Converged Experiences business. “With the acquisition of Dreampark, Motorola Mobility will strengthen its ability to provide systems integrators, service providers, enterprises and content providers with innovative solutions for deploying converged media experiences. It’s great to have the Dreampark team on board.”

After the transaction closes, Dreampark will be integrated into Motorola Mobility’s Converged Experiences business — complementing Motorola Mobility’s mobile device and home experience and broadening its reach across multiple screens. “We are pleased to join Motorola Mobility and bring a broader software portfolio to our existing customer base,” said Per Skyttvall, CEO of Dreampark. “It’s a fast-evolving time in the industry as consumers are looking to view content on their own terms, and we are excited to be extending our software innovation across multiple devices as a result of this agreement with Motorola Mobility.”

The “mash-up” would pull in Kinect motion-sensing control, Xbox LIVE avatars and the underlying recommendations engine, and Mediaroom’s streaming content, together with elements from the Microsoft Ventura project tipped earlier this week. Ventura is believed to be a social ratings and recommendations system, similar in concept to Pandora.

Orapa would be part of an overall IPTV system that could see the Xbox get content first and then Windows, Windows Phone and STB customers afterwards. ZDNet guesstimate a March test preview of the technology, with a RTM release over the summer.

Meanwhile there’s an ongoing project to develop a Silverlight system-on-a-chip (SoC) implementation, which could potentially form the basis of a STB like Santa Fe, or indeed a Blu-ray player or HDTV. Microsoft has confirmed that “the Silverlight team is still actively working with a variety of key partners on SOCs” but will only say that it has “no new information to share at this time.”

Meanwhile, a new job advert for a Software Development Engineer on the Silverlight for Devices team calls for someone interested in taking “the great product that Silverlight has become and take it to a new space of TVs, Autos, Tablets, iPhones, Set Top Boxes, XBOX, and a host of other devices”:

“Internet TV is taking over the traditional TV steadily. One of the Microsoft mission goals is to provide a TV solution. Consumer media device (CMD) is one of the exciting products we are currently working on and we are looking for strong SDET to come in and help us deliver this product. The project vision is ‘Windows Embedded Powers TV worldwide’ and our mission is to provide both broadcast & internet content to meet future demands of consumer media devices.” Microsoft job advert

It’s unclear at this stage whether Microsoft envisages a STB running a Silverlight-powered Mediaroom, a version of the platform which runs on the SoC powering the Xbox 360, or OEM STBs and A/V devices hooked into an overall ecosystem of IPTV that can be accessed on PCs, Windows Phone devices and more.

From the off, Charter will offer the TiVo Premiere for regular DVR recording together with access to the cable company’s on-demand TV catalog. The Premier UI will incorporate both the traditional system and any IPTV on offer from the new partnership, as well as online streaming video in a similar manner to Google TV.

After that will come “new devices, features, and third party applications” all using TiVo’s search/navigation/discovery engine, in an ecosystem which Charter is hoping will be somewhat easier to use than having dozens of different STBs. No word at this stage on what the Charter TiVo Premiere will cost.

Press Release:

Charter Announces Next Generation TV Strategy With TiVo

Charter and TiVo Enter Into Strategic Relationship to Deliver Innovative IP Enabled Video Platform
ST. LOUIS, MO and ALVISO, CA, Jan 24, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) –

Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHTR) and TiVo Inc. (NASDAQ: TIVO), today announced that Charter is setting its strategy for the next generation of television into motion with TiVo Inc. Charter and TiVo have finalized a multi-year agreement that will leverage the TiVo user interface to bring a new and enhanced entertainment experience to customers using a hybrid platform that leverages traditional cable and next generation IP technologies. Through this agreement, Charter is making a significant commitment to deploy the TiVo service to enable an enhanced television experience for consumers.

The initial phase, which is expected to launch in Charter markets later this year, will utilize TiVo’s latest generation high definition user interface and TiVo(R) Premiere set top box, as well as upcoming multi-room and non-DVR platforms. Beyond the initial phase, the strategy will encompass next generation platforms that will expand the service with new devices, features, and third party applications — all enhanced by TiVo’s highly regarded discovery, search, navigation and recommendation features which allow Charter customers to experience the best of traditional and next generation television, including linear TV, video on demand, vast libraries of Internet-delivered video and IP applications.

Consumer electronics research indicates rapidly increasing numbers of Internet-connected devices in the home, and Charter is developing the strategic means to become the advanced television solutions provider for customers, bringing simplicity to the increasing complexity of home communications and entertainment. This new generation of television service will complement Charter Internet and wireless home networking services.

“We’re integrating formerly disparate worlds of traditional television and online content, and making it simple for customers to quickly find the content they’re looking for, as well as greatly expand their entertainment choices,” said Mike Lovett, Charter’s President and CEO. “Our strategic relationship with TiVo is a significant step in Charter’s multi-year effort to become the solutions provider for home entertainment and consumer information technology. With our superior IP infrastructure, we’re leading the way with TiVo to create a user-friendly entertainment experience that leverages an open standards platform to enable IP content and bring a whole new world of applications to the television.”

Tom Rogers, President and CEO of TiVo Inc., added, “We are thrilled to have been selected by Charter for its next generation video platform, which builds on the distribution momentum we saw throughout 2010 for our products. Charter’s strategic direction is highly aligned with the way we see consumer entertainment demands evolving. We believe Charter is uniquely positioned to offer consumers a ground breaking video service combining the best of traditional cable television with the dynamic world of Internet delivered video. We are pleased to offer a solution that seamlessly delivers DVR based video on demand, traditional network based video on demand, and the newest in broadband to the TV video on demand. While numerous consumer electronic players point to so called connected experiences on various platforms, our relationship with Charter underscores our mutual recognition of the importance of a fully integrated user experience in building a video platform that truly unifies all available content in a world of rapidly expanding choices for the consumer.”

The following features are planned for the initial product:

– TiVo’s high-definition user interface including integrated search:
Instantly scans across all channels and sources, including TV, VOD,
and available online content, to help find what customers want to
watch
– Web applications: Allows customers to access local news, sports and
weather, as well as Facebook and Twitter(TM) updates, right from the
TV
– OnDemand: Offers access to thousands of hours of video from Charter’s
OnDemand library, including 900+ high-definition titles
– Online: Internet video from top destinations
– iPad app: Serves as command central, with an ability to browse the
program guide and recorded shows, schedule recordings, post on
Facebook or Twitter, schedule, search and browse for shows from
anywhere, and much more
– Control live TV: Allows pause, rewind, slow-motion, and instant replay
functions during live TV
– Multiroom DVR: View a common list of recordings and playback recorded
content throughout the home, pause a recorded program in one room and
resume playback in another, use trick-play functions on recorded
content and delete recordings from any room*
– Remote Management: Search and schedule recordings from the Web or from
a mobile phone
– TiVoToGo(TM) transfers: Transfer photos and movies from a personal
computer to the TiVo Premiere, for viewing on the TV set; or from the
TiVo Premiere to a laptop, media device, or smart phone, for viewing
outside the home*
– Automatic recordings: Records favorite shows each week with Season
Pass(R) recordings on the TiVo Premiere. In addition,
WishList(R) searches will find and record suggested programs based
on customer interests
– Content storage: Records up to 45 hours of high-definition (HD)
programming or up to 400 hours of standard-definition programming –
equivalent to more than 16 days of content
– Full HD support: Offers full support for 1080p and 1080i HD formats

*Only video programming without copy restrictions may be transferred using multi-room viewing or TiVoToGo.

It’s really cool to be able to watch programs via your game console and on your mobile device if you want to. AT&T has announced that U-verse customers now have access to programs from a couple more mobile destinations. The new access includes premium cable content from HBO and Max online portals.

Access to HBO Go and Max Go are available to U-verse subscribers right now, assuming they subscribe to HBO and Cinemax on the U-verse service already. Together the two new services add about 1,200 more hours of programming options for viewers. You can even get access to the Skinimax shows that come on after 10 p.m. if you are so inclined.

Whatever the eventual device and OS, it would be intended to bridge the gap between internet-based content – presumably such as YouTube, Netflix and Amazon Video on Demand – and users’ big-screen TVs, with Dell hoping it helps bring their product line out of the office and into the living room.  Various prototypes are under consideration, Camilletti says, from traditional STB manufacturers and ODMs.

Hooked up to both an aerial and a broadband connection, the STB itself – the hardware details of which are yet to be confirmed, though a preliminary specification has been published [pdf link] – is likely to be available from multiple providers, just like Freeview DVRs at present.  It will include both IPTV and twin-tuner Freeview technology, a digital program guide, USB 2.0, ethernet (and optionally WiFi b/g/n), an HDD at least 300GB in size, HDMI and SCART, a digital audio output and be passively cooled for fanless operation.

The platform will be open to developers, too, who will be able to code Linux apps to run on the YouView boxes.  We wouldn’t be surprised to see basics like a YouTube viewer built in from the start, however, and the system will be able to make recommendations of free, catch-up and pay-per-view content depending on what the viewer is watching at the time.

YouView expect to have the first boxes on the market in the first half of 2010, manufacturers and regulatory hurdles depending, and predict both standalone STBs and YouView-integrated HDTVs on offer.  No word on what sort of pricing we can expect, but there’s talk of ISP subsidized hardware too.

[via FT]

The box gets WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth and gigabit ethernet, together with HDMI 1.3, composite and component video, RGB, S-Video and analog/digital audio.  There’s also USB 2.0 and a 500GB internal hard-drive.  As you’d expect from the CE4100, Freedom supports up to 1080p Full HD video with various local media and streaming formats.

The !ROFL itself is a palm-sized box with ethernet and HDMI connections, USB 2.0, WiFi b/g, a 3.5mm headphone socket and an S/PDIF port, together with an SD slot for up to 32GB cards.  As well as streaming content it can play local files in up to 1080p HD resolution, and if you plug in a USB webcam it can apparently make Skype video calls (there’s also an integrated microphone in the !ROFL itself).

That’s alongside a browser, internet radio client, IM, photo gallery and other apps.  IN Media aren’t saying much about their Android install – we don’t even know what version it is – but they do reckon it’ll allow for “seamless integration” with phones and tablets running the Google platform.  Right now the !ROFL is supposedly available in China, with US and Indian launches planned, but we don’t know pricing or anything more.

Press Release:

IN Media Announces Set Top Box Integration with Android

Integration of Google Platform Brings Seamless Access to Applications and Content to HDTV

LOS ALTOS, Calif., Aug. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — IN Media Corp. (OTC Bulletin Board: IMDC) today announced the Set Top Box integration with Google’s Android platform.

IN Media’s !ROFL IP Set Top Box is now integrated with Google’s Android platform providing consumers the ability to download games and applications from Google’s Android Market application store. Customers will experience seamless integration with their Android based mobile phones, Tablet PC’s running Android and all Android enabled devices within IN Media’s Set top Box !ROFL.

Consumers can now share, view, play and interact with content driven from their hand-held devices to their television sets. “With !ROFL, we have taken the applications to big screen TVs, not only providing a 1080P High Definition content viewing experience, while enjoying the full range of Android supported applications,” said Dr. Nick Karnik, IN Media C.E.O.

“In today’s world of convergence, having a seamless experience on multiple devices using a standard platform of delivery, new cloud computing technology takes users to an era of on demand content,” Karnik stated. Personal content storage streaming to multiple devices allows users to store content on the network hosted by players such as Amazon eliminating the need to burn DVDs to a hard disk to create a content library. !ROFL takes advantage of Cloud Computing solutions.

”My Time is the new Prime Time,” Dr. Karnik said.

IN Media is a leading developer of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) appliances and interfaces with implementations of the technology in key provinces of China and planned roll outs in India and the United States.

Dr. Karnik is a technology entrepreneur with strong technical and marketing background in media and technology businesses. His vision for IPTV induced him to design new hardware and software platforms for cost effective delivery of content. Dr. Karnik has over 20 years of experience in information technology and media companies.

IN Media Corp. is a key driver in the convergence of Internet and broadcast television as Internet based content becomes more prevalent with mainstream consumers. IN Media’s set top solution takes advantage of these initiatives and is starting to be shipped to international markets.

The new set top box carrying the name is the first fully integrated IPTV set top box to support internet content and content from broadcasters at the same time. The device supports a USB video camera and phone to make calls via third party software.

Supported resolution is up to 1080p and it can connect to a wired network or a wireless network. Users can watch on demand content from Netflix and Blockbuster. The box also has a SD card reader, 3.5mm headphone jack, SPDIF output, remote control, and up to 32GB of NAND flash. The box will land in China to start with and there is no word on availability elsewhere.

The new package will require the customer to use Sky Broadband as well as the company’s Freetime calling package, together with viewing all Freeview channels, on-demand Sky TV and various pay TV channels including Comedy Central, FX and National Geographic.  Pricing is tipped at £5 to £10 ($7-14) per month for the basic TV, with further channels such Sky Movies as levied as additional fees on top.  No word on when this might arrive on the market.

Video demo after the cut

The hardware consists of a STB with dual DVB-T2 HD digital TV tuners for OTA high-definition broadcasts, along with a 500GB hard-drive, UPnP and DLNA streaming, and two USB 2.0 ports.  There’s also 10/100 ethernet connectivity (though 3view will sell you a USB WiFi dongle if you ask nicely), HDMI, SCART and S/PDIF.  Out of the box, the 3view software will support YouTube videos, MPEG 1, 2 and 4 H.264, Windows Media (with and without DRM) and both 720p and 1080p HD.  BBC iPlayer support is expected to be added in a subsequent upgrade.

As for home automation, that depends on 3view’s software and what Z-Wave kit you already have around.  The only thing the company are talking about now is an energy monitor, which would track your home electricity use via an on-screen TV widget.  The 3view box is set to hit the market at £299 ($448), though there’s no specific release date at the moment.

[via TechCrunch Europe]

There’s also Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound, instant fast-forward and rewind, together with chapter navigation.  So far VUDU offer over 2,000 titles in HD and HDX (1080p) resolution, together with SD films and TV shows.

The update will be rolled out to existing LH50-series and PS80-series internet-connected HDTVs starting from August 2009, as well as being preloaded onto new sets.  There’s no monthly rental fee for the VUDU service, and we imagine other IPTV-capable TV manufacturers are already eying up their system for possible inclusion. 

Press Release:

VUDU’s Streaming Movie Service Transforms HDTVs into Movie-On-Demand Video Stores

VUDU Launches Unparalleled New Movie Streaming Service For Next Generation Smart TVs

Santa Clara, CA – July 29, 2009, VUDU Inc., a leading provider of on-demand Internet entertainment services today announced its second-generation service platform specifically optimized for Internet capable smart TVs.

“Smart TV’s are part of an exciting new industry trend. VUDU is partnering with leading consumer electronics vendors to embed the new VUDU service directly into the TV, eliminating the expense and hassle of purchasing, installing, or connecting another device to the TV”, said Alain Rossmann, CEO of VUDU.

The new VUDU service delivers a compelling environment for consumers to discover and watch high definition 1080p movies on-demand. The company is also announcing that industry leader LG Electronics will ship new HDTVs that include the new VUDU service.

VUDU customers can instantly buy or rent from the largest library of on-demand high definition movies – including the newest releases from all major Hollywood studios, with no monthly fees. The VUDU’s service uniquely delivers movies in true 1080p high definition and high resolution Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound, setting the industry standard for on-demand HD movies.

“Internet-delivered video to the TV, sans box, is the Holy Grail for what the TV industry today calls ‘over-the-top’ providers, “said Jimmy Schaeffler, Chairman and CSO of The Carmel Group. “I believe VUDU’s widely acknowledged excellence in video quality and user experience is likely to be a key driver for customer adoption of this next generation of smart devices in the living room.”

“With our second generation platform we are pushing the envelope even further by delivering for the first time features such as instant fast forward and rewind, instant start for all movie qualities including HDX, and an even faster and more refined user interface” said Alain Rossmann, CEO of VUDU.

Key VUDU Features:
Instant viewing experience: unlike typical Internet and on-demand video streaming, VUDU movies start immediately, and viewers can fast forward, rewind and browse chapters without the delays or the frustration associated with buffering.
Highest quality on-demand experience: VUDU’s unique HDX format delivers true 1080p resolution, TruFilm picture enhancements, and high resolution Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound
No monthly fees: customers can instantly buy or rent from VUDU’s extensive library of standard and high definition movie and TV titles.
Largest HD library anywhere: over 2,000 titles are available in HD or HDX format.
New releases: Newly released titles from all major studios are available day and date with the DVD release, months before they are typically available on subscription-based services.

The new VUDU Service for smart TVs will make its debut on LG Electronics’ upcoming models of Broadband TVs.