News

The 21st Century Living Room - Digital Media Moves from The PC to The TV (13/12/2004)

Would you rather enjoy your digital photos, videos and music on your PC, or on the big screen of the television set you already have? If you are like many PC owners, you would prefer to share your digital media with your family and friends from the comfort and convenience of the couch in the living room.

In fact, industry experts say that roughly half of PC owners with broadband Internet connections want to enjoy their digital media by connecting their PCs directly to a TVs or stereos through their home entertainment center.

Well now they're in luck, because retailers are selling a growing number of new products-sometimes called "digital media receivers" or "media hubs" -- that do just that.

One such product, the new MSN TV 2 Internet & Media Player from Microsoft, allows users to quickly and easily connect their PC to the TV through a home network to play digital content, as well as to play video or audio live from the Internet. Additionally, they can surf the Web, send and receive e-mail and chat with friends via the television.

"Everything points to the fact that people want the option of taking Internet entertainment and stored personal photos, music and videos out of the confines of their home offices and into the comfort of their living rooms," according to Sam Klepper, general manager of Microsoft's MSN TV division.

In fact, retail stores now contain something for everyone. From single purpose devices that play either audio or video downloaded from the Internet to video game boxes and high end "media hub" PCs, consumers have their pick of ways to enjoy Internet entertainment -- when, where and how they want.

The range of prices for these devices is equally broad: from as low as $200 plus a modest subscription fee* for MSN TV's newest offering, up to $1600 for a sophisticated PC.

"Consumers don't have to huddle in front of a computer screen to see or listen to digital content anymore," said Klepper. "Digital media receivers make it easy for them to bring the compelling new entertainment available on the Internet -- as well as personal photos and digital home movies -- into the comfort of their living room, the traditional hub for enjoying entertainment. It's an idea whose time has come."

www.msntv.com