Somehow I got on the good list at Microsoft. I have lots to share with you about two of their products that allow you to watch TV with and with out a cable service.
First I want to introduce you to media center:
We have been using Windows Media Center since it was in beta. It has come a long way since then. Now you don’t even need to get a special copy of Windows. You’ll find that it comes with Windows Vista. Most people don’t even realize what they have. I love it and we don’t even have cable anymore. With Windows Media Center you can use it to organize all of your photos, videos, home movies, DVD collection, CD collection. All of you media can be organized and you can make playlists and show off all of your photos when friends come over. It is very easy to use. There is a guide built into it so you can find your TV programs using the guide or the search engine. You can record all of your programs with the use of a TV tuner in your computer. We were recording four programs at one time with the DVR. I can’t even begin to mention all of the options you have.
There is even something called internet beta. The internet beta has the ability to watch TV or shows, and commercials, including movie previews with out cable service. We’ve watched a lot of movie previews this way. I haven’t used it to watch TV yet but we have used it to check out the local weather. You might find not having cable impossible but it’s not.
Second, Microsoft Mediaroom:
Microsoft Mediaroom-powered TV services go beyond what is possible with today’s satellite or cable TV. Users can watch what they want — live, recorded and on-demand TV in digital and
high definition — coupled with the opportunity to enjoy interactive content and services.
Microsoft Mediaroom gives users the control to enjoy TV on their own terms, without ever having to miss a thing.In addition to on-demand content accessibility, Microsoft Mediaroom enables users to record multiple shows at once while watching both live and recorded TV and offers picture-in-picture so users
also can continue watching their show while they browse to see what else is on.
Microsoft Mediaroom makes TV more engaging with the ability to blend Web content and services with broadcast TV and personalize content such as weather, traffic, sports and news. MicrosoftMediaroom also offers a Web-like search capability that makes it easy to quickly find what you want to watch by title, actor or director — wherever it is showing.
Microsoft Mediaroom also delivers connectedexperiences so users can enjoy shows and video anywhere on any screen — the TV, PC or mobile. With DVR Anywhere users can enjoy full digital video recorder (DVR) capabilities on any TV in the home and,
using Remote Digital Video Recording, set their DVR from anywhere using an Internet-connected PC or mobile phone. Further, with the release of Xbox 360 with Microsoft Mediaroom, users also can easily move
between games and TV on the same TV set with an integrated game console and Microsoft Mediaroom set-top box.
TV services powered by Microsoft Mediaroom havereached nearly 3 million subscriber homes worldwide, an increase of more than 1.5 million new connections in the past year alone.
My Opinion
It seems like you can use Microsoft Mediaroom on the Xbox 360, and I know you can get Windows Media Center on the Xbox 360. We used to use the Xbox Windows Media Center extender to watch our recorded shows from our Windows Media Center in our bedroom. Microsoft Mediaroom has more functionality than Windows Media Center. Because you can use your cell phone to record programs and you’ll never miss a show no matter where you are. Or if your watching TV don’t miss a phone call. Microsoft Mediaroom seems like Direct TV except you have more options than Direct TV.
Microsoft Mediaroom is an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) software platform powering a new generation of TV services that connect users to the TV they love and give them control over when and where they watch. The software platform is deployed by leading service providers, including AT&T, BT, Deutsche Telekom and others to offer a personalized and connected alternative to existing TV services.
Finally the Giveaway.
You can win TV tuner and a copy of Windows Vista Ultimate (it includes Windows Media Center)
Enter:
Tell me why you want a TV tuner and a copy of Windows Vista Ultimate?
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Leave a comment for every entry and the giveaway ends May 30th
I love technology but my computer is seriously outdated! I need this.
I am following you on Twitter as lelandsmama
Hi, I tried tons of mediacenter sw, but not Microsoft Media Center. I’d like to try it, but I have Win XP… can I download it somewhere?
We, too, love Media Center! We’re putting all of our DVDs on the computer to eliminate clutter in the living room. I would love to have the tuner to watch and record TV through the computer, too.
I would love to be able to watch TV t hru the computer- this would eliminate all the fighting over the main TV with my husband watching sports 24/7!
I’m in love with Media Center. I’m trying to cut the cable cord and a TV tuner would certainly help, and Vista is the best MCE out there (until Windows 7).
My twitter id is @lozenp, and I’m now following you.
I would love to be able to watch something other than Baby Einstein and Blue’s Clues!
The TV tuner: I have kids and just dont’ want to do the tivo thing and I can’t watch my programs anymore because my children can understand it all, so it would be nice to able to store things and pause or whatever and watch them later.
The Vista. I definitely need something like this for my computer. Shoot I think we still have Windows 7 on our xp! It would help too with my little office work.
Tweet
http://twitter.com/calliesan/status/1720771639
It would be great to watch shows that I can’t save off of satellite with DVR at a later date…and I’d love to put vista on my laptop so that all of my computers are on vista.
My daughter would love the technological aspect of the system and it would increase our ability to personalize the content that is delivered to our set.
madamerkf at aol dot com
I tweeted this at @jmintuck on Twitter.
devonm @ sasktel dot NET
I followed you on Twitter @jmintuck
devonm @ sasktel dot NET
I subscribed to your blog in a reader.
devonm @ sasktel dot NET
I would like to try out the new WIN Vista for free. That would be cool
devonm @ sasktel dot NET
I have tweeted twice already since I first entered this. @jmintuck
devonm @ sasktel dot NET
Well I probably got ‘em all beat as we don’t even have tv…LOL
Okay, we watch everything online thru the Hulu but with this program it would be sweet to just turn on some show happening right now.
Thanks for the chance!
tweeted & follow too
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feed subscriber at my yahoo
lisalcolorado2007
I would love to win this so that I can record movies.
Thank you!
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The wave of the future. Boy; would I love to win this one.
my husband saw this and wants this for his old computer
Fantastic option for me! I don’t watch that much television, but still have cable-great way to get rid of it but still watch the few shows I DO enjoy.
I really hope to win this because my Windows XP is corrupted and crashes pretty often. I really need to do a clean install of a new version and I love Vista. I have it at work and I think it’s great. I use my PC at home for work and school and my kids use it too so I really would love to be able to fix it with this prize.
I am following you on Twitter (cre8tveminde)
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I tweeted: http://twitter.com/cre8tveminde/status/1745520508
I love technology
it looks too good to be true
I love to win this I live on my computer anyway thanks.
I need to upgrade my old computer
I would love to turn my pc into a media center
I spend alot of time on the PC and would enjoy being able to watch a show and put my favorite cooking shows on DVD, to play back while cooking in the kitchen
The wave of the future. Sure would love to get my hands on one of these.
be nice not to fight with my wife over the tv shows to watch!!!!!!!!!
I like trying new things, especially for my computer
I would love to use the dvr feature and record shows that I can’t watch due to fighting kids or not being at home.
I would love this so I can feed it right through and cut the cost of my cable bill. Count me in!
Thanks
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I have been so curious to try vista as a media center. How I dream of cutting my cable bill! I keep rolling the idea around and this would really let me do it.
I don’t have time for anything so if I could just watch everything on my computer that would be great. And my husband has been wanting Vista for a very long time.
We have a hard time getting certain channels in, and have to watch some tv shows over the internet. It would be much easier with the tv tuner. I would love the Vista Ultimate because I tried Vista and loved it. I just don’t update my operating system unless I get a new computer.
i follow you on twitter
http://twitter.com/vanessanoel
This is really cool – particularly the dvr feature. I have 3 vcrs and not one of them will record anymore. My computer is at one end of the house and the TV is at the other end. There are many times I wish I could close that gap. This would be close. Now that I have tried Vista on my desktop computer, I would love to update our laptop to it. I love its photo sorting abilities.