MS Mediaroom gives TV a “reverse gear”

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At CES, Microsoft unveiled “Mediaroom Anytime,” a feature set for the Microsoft Mediaroom multimedia and IPTV platform that allows viewers to truly watch TV on their own time. In addition to existing Mediaroom features, such as VOD, DVR Anywhere and Remote Digital Video Recording, the new Mediaroom Anytime features enable viewers to access previously aired shows directly from the Interactive Program Guide or immediately restart currently airing shows without any preplanning or prior DVR recording. In addition, Microsoft announced that the Mediaroom platform has reached nearly 2.5 million subscriber homes worldwide, an increase of more than 1.5 million new connections in the past year alone.


At CES, Microsoft also unveiled new immersive concept applications that complement the Microsoft Mediaroom TV experience with content and services from the Internet. These applications, which show new ways for viewers to engage with and personalize the TV experience, will be on display for the first time and include the following:

— BBC Worldwide TopGear.com. This demonstration application allows fans to access and interact with content found on http://www.topgear.com/. Viewers can try technologies developed by emuse such as interactive features and video on-demand functionality to download episodes of the BBC’s award winning flagship motoring show "Top Gear."

— Turner Sports and the PGA of America, together with ES3(TM), built this application to allow viewers to switch dynamically between camera feeds, watch golfing instructional videos and click from static to video advertisements.

— The Associated Press red carpet events, built by ES3 and the AP, is a celebrity news application which features up-to-the-minute information, photos and video clips at the hottest red carpet events.

— Live Capture of Photos and Video lets viewers upload photos and videos to the Microsoft Live Mesh cloud storage Web site and view their personal content via the TV.

— Visual Voicemail, a completely integrated visual voice mail application, lets TV users check their voice mail and play back messages, even at pitch-controlled, fast-forward speeds.

— TV Dashboard, designed and created by ES3, shows local news and information that Mediaroom subscribers can access while watching TV.