Microsoft’s PBDA platform makes Big Content happy, should make TV tuning easier

September 12th, 2008 by

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Media PCs

What’s this? A little standardization in the TV realm? Announced today at IBC2008, Microsoft has launched its Protected Broadcast Driver Architecture (PBDA), a new worldwide platform that was made possible by the recent release of Windows Media Center TV Pack. In short, this system enables the “PC-TV hardware ecosystem to integrate virtually any free or premium TV service into Windows Media Center,” which keeps content guardians ultra-stoked while giving consumers more choice when it comes to TV tuning. Essentially, PBDA gives OEMs and tuner-makers the ability to develop and ship wares for WMC “regardless of geographic location or television standard.” The initiative is being backed by some serious players, too — Hauppauge, AVerMedia, NEC, and NXP just to name a few — and a couple have already shipped PBDA-based solutions overseas. Hit the read link for more… if you dare.

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Posted in Microsoft, vista, windows, content, windows media center, WindowsMediaCenter, tv, internet tv, InternetTv, mce, television, Platform, broadcast, programming, Vista Media Center TV Pack, VistaMediaCenterTvPack, Media Center TV Pack, MediaCenterTvPack, PBDA | No Comments »

Engadget HD gets a first hand look at the Vista TV Pack (aka Fiji)

August 6th, 2008 by

Filed under: Media PCs

Still a month away from its official announcement at CEDIA — Engadget HD got their hands on the final release of the Vista Media Center TV Pack (codename Fiji) and although the most anticipated features are missing, (H.264 and DirecTV) what is there, is well received. So if clear QAM, improved tuner support, and favorites is just what you ordered, then head over and have a look at the update that unfortunately you’ll probably never get without buying a new PC.

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