Cita:
Microsoft talks TV at CES 07
Game Development GM Chris Satchell breaks down the basics on IPTV for 360.
By Sterling McGarvey | Jan. 9, 2007
It's been a momentous CES for Microsoft. Between their last pre-Vista launch hurrah and several announcements regarding Xbox 360, it's been all about MS this week when it comes to gaming. While the Xbox Live Video Marketplace has been a success for the six weeks since its Thanksgiving launch, the announcement of the 360 as a set top box for watching television was exceptional news for the system. Earlier today, we got a chance to sit with Chris Satchell, General Manager of Game Development for Microsoft and find out more about watching TV on the Xbox 360 and the Video Marketplace.
When we entered the press room, we saw a few shows on the Discovery Channel running in high definition on an unmodified Xbox 360. The channel guide resembles something similar to the same guides that people have been seeing for years on cable and satellite services. Certain shows will also be able to display at multiple angles, as we saw while watching a surfing championship. The waves, beach, and surfer were all displaying in separate windows onscreen at the same time. There's no confirmation that it will be something widespread, but Microsoft's IPTV is certainly capable of doing it.
The idea, Satchell explained, is for telecommunications companies to distribute television content over the Internet. Considering that cable companies have been muscling in on home phone service, the Bells want a piece of the television action. The idea is that digital television over IP can be available to Xbox Live Gold account holders through their 360 hardware. When asked about who would be responsible for billing and providing the service, we discovered that it will be up to the telecoms individually, which could leave a gray area for channels and content. There's no confirmation of any premium channels available at this point, but then, the details seem to be scratching the surface at this point.
Xbox Live functionalities, such as chat, will still be available while using the service, and viewers will be able to jump in and out of games while watching a show. The service, we discovered, will also function as a DVR, although we're still not getting confirmation of a bigger hard drive to support content such as Video Marketplace and IPTV. Also, while both are similar, IPTV is different. As it will be subscription-based and priced according to the standards of the ISP, the service can't, as of now, be paid for using Microsoft points. Video Marketplace should remain the same for Xbox Live Gold subscribers. Satchell believes that the key to Xbox 360's video successes has been about providing something relevant to system owners, and IPTV will meet those demands.
We tried to get an answer about the release window, but we've been told that while it will unveil this year, it's not clear whether it will happen in the summer or going into the holiday season. Undoubtedly, as 2007 progresses, we'll find out even more about Microsoft's IPTV service and deliver the latest and greatest on this new technology.
