What do Microsoft, Netflix, and Moms have in common?

May 20, 2009 by MomStart 2 Comments

The desire to make lives easier on moms of course.

Every mom is always looking for ways to make life easier. Well, Microsoft (yes the big bad wolf is not bad at all, sorry, I LOVE MICROSOFT, my husband works at Microsoft and he still has a job so yes I really do love Microsoft and this post has not been sponsored by them in any way. I just wanted to share this wonderful information.)

Sorry for my little rant there.

Microsoft has teamed up with Netflix and created live streaming video at your fingertips (it’s really fast). Do you have Microsoft Windows Vista? If you do then you already have Windows Media Center if you don’t, then you should enter my contest.

By loading Windows Media Center you can have access to internet TV, all of your movies can be stored on your computer and you can play them with Windows Media Center. Now with the addition of Netflix, you have even more options.

Available today are more than 12,000 movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly on any PC with Windows Media Center, which is included with Windows Vista Home Premium or Ultimate, and you’ll be able to search the entire Netflix library, manage your instant and DVD Queues and even filter searches by titles that are available to watch instantly.

To get started, simply click on the green button under the Start menu, and select the new Netflix tile under TV+Movies. There is even a free two week trial. Easy Peasy!

With the availability of Netflix in Windows Media Center, they are building on their broader vision to alleviate the need to jump from Web site to Web site to find the TV shows, movies, sports and news that you want to watch. With Windows Media Center, you can now find it in one place – with a consistent experience. You have all the options of stop, skip, fast forward, re-wind. If you have a touch screen computer you can scroll with your hands. Pretty cool.

Here is some random guy’s opinion on the topic.

“We’re continuing to work with the top content providers today to make watching TV on the PC a mainstream experience for the future,” said Craig Eisler corporate vice president of entertainment client software for the TV, Video and Music Business Group at Microsoft. “Consumers understand that content is the driving force when it comes to experiences, and with Netflix, we’re underscoring our broader commitment to deliver a rich experience with Windows Media Center.”

More of My Thoughts

I love the idea. We are already sold on the idea of Windows Media Center so adding on movies and TV access without having to go to the web browser is extremely appealing. So I’m probably going to be trying out the free trial. I was told that it’s only 8.99 a month for full access which is a whole lot cheaper than going to the movies or to Blockbuster every night. Saves us from having to go rent a movie and return it. We don’t even have to go to our mail box for the movie mail programs. It’s all at our fingertips.

TV of Tomorrow Mediaroom/ Windows Media Center giveaway

May 4, 2009 by MomStart 382 Comments

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. Microsoft Mediaroom 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 connected experiences 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 have reached 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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