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MS Launches Video Download Service

renderhead writes "According to ZDNet and many other sources, Microsoft has launched a new video download service for playing back television content on Windows Mobile devices. Partners include CinemaNow, MSNBC.com, and TiVo. According to another article from ployer.com, the service will require Windows XP, Internet Explorer 5 or higher, and Windows Media Player 10 or higher."

12 of 194 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Tried it by DeathFlame · · Score: 2, Funny

    Excpet the article says you have to pay an annual $19.95 subscription for this. And SOME free content is available too.

  2. backed by a trustworthy brand name by sdMMk · · Score: 4, Funny

    Sounds great - where can I sign up?

  3. Weird. by bigtallmofo · · Score: 5, Funny

    I gave it a spin but the only thing I could see was some insane bald man screaming, "DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS!"

    --
    I'm a big tall mofo.
  4. Anti-trust bait? by J+Barnes · · Score: 5, Funny

    Why do they persue and advertise these as minimum requirements? Microsoft Windows XP required, Microsoft IE required, Microsoft Media Player 10 required...what no Microsoft stock requirements?

  5. Re:Windows Media Player 10 or higher? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Not yet. That's so when they do release another version of it they don't have to update the page.

  6. Re:Windows Media Player 10 or higher? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Yeah, that's what makes it better than RealPlayer or Quicktime. They go up to ten, but sometimes you need just a little more media than that, and that's when it's good to have one that goes up to 11.

  7. Re:Windows Media Player 10 or higher? by The+Ultimate+Fartkno · · Score: 3, Funny

    Yes. It comes bundled in the new Windows XP - Derek Smalls Signature Edition.

  8. Re:Tried it by Trelane · · Score: 4, Funny

    Step 1 Build mythtv box Step 2 Record a show (manually or automatically) Step 3 Use nuvtranscode (or whatever the name is; my box died a quite while ago) to export to divx/mpeg2/mpeg4/whatever Step 4 Place final video on SD/CF/whatever card (or on your webserver) Step 5 Enjoy videos on your palm, laptop, or whatever, without commercials (if you've removed 'em) or drm crap to get in your way Step 6 Try to get momentum behind a mythfrontend port/server version to make steps 3-5 reduce to "5) Attach your webserver (with proper auth, natch) to your mythtv server and enjoy your shows wherever you go without commercials (if you've {auto,}removed them) or drm crap to get in your way"

    --

    --
    Given enough personal experience, all stereotypes are shallow.
  9. Only one video I'm interested in... by cmburns69 · · Score: 2, Funny

    I have lost the link, but the only video I'd be interested in downloading from Microsoft would be the one with Steve Ballmer running around the stage, yelling "I love this company!".

    If anybody has a link or torrent, please post it..!

    --
    Online Starcraft RPG? At
    Dietary fiber is like asynchronous IO-- Non-blocking!
  10. Media Players by Seanasy · · Score: 3, Funny

    Slightly OT rant: but why do commercial media players insist on looking so god-awfully ugly and breaking as many usability rules as possible. Apple has been, rightfully, taken to task about this for QT Player. And MS seems intent on outdoing them in terms of interface destruction. I hate WM9's interface but quickly reverted back to it after trying WM10.

    Does anybody like that glitz? Just because it's video do they think they have to copy TV aesthetics? You just shouldn't let the title designers for Channel 6 Local News near window decorations, IMHO.

    Thanks, I feel better now.
  11. In the not so distant future... by Ralph+Spoilsport · · Score: 3, Funny
    Family and friends are gathered around the 52 inch LCD screen they bought at Fry's for $199 last Xmas. It's cheap because the assembly job was outsourced to trained penguins who, as we all know, come from the Antarctic, not the zoo. But I digress.

    They are watching the Super bowl. The announcer is former QB Tom Brady, now somewhat late middle aged. He occassionally pops up in 2.5 D transparent windows that seem to float just in front of the screen. This glitzy spectacular is brought to you by:

    MICROSOFT "We're here to fuck ya little buddy!"

    and AMD "Keeping what's left of the American middle class Fat, Dumb, and Happy."

    and the TMZ Zinc Bushing Corporation / USgov "If you push something hard enough - It Will Fall Over!"

    They all settle in to what promises to be yet another route of the New Jersey Proles by the seemingly invincible Las Vegas Patriots, which is fine by this bunch - ever since they got their RFID tatoos, they see it as UNAMERICAN to support any other team BUT the Las Vegas Patriots!

    When a morbidly obese Britney Spears waddles out to sing the national anthem, their hearts leap with joy. The game proceeds uneventfully. The Patriots are destroying the Proles all through the first half. Fatalities are high - the Proles lost their QB in the first five minutes. Half time was glorious. A rousing and glittering tribute to the American troops who were killed in the invasion of Brazil earlier that year. This group had hardly a dry eye, as they all remembered Uncle Dick's last letter:

    Dear Loved Ones,

    Killing these idiots for their resources has gotten kind of stale and boring. Wish I was home watching televised sports like a good citizen. Still, if President Jenna Bush decides I have to walk across a mine field for the sake of Microsoft shareholders and Wall Street speculators, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Love you all-

    Your Stupid Uncle Dick

    In the third period, things get a little lively - the Proles come back and start pounding the Patriots. They are on the edge of their seats. Multiple 2.5 D windows are bursting all over - every angle is covered as the Proles go into the 4th quarter tied. There's a brief time out to hose the blood off the field, but soon, it's right back to the action!

    They're tied all through the 4th quarter, and it's down to the last few seconds of the game! The Proles are on the goal line of the Patriots! Spirits are running high - people all over the country are screaming at their screens! They set up for the final play.

    "Hut One! Romeo Tango Foxtrot Mike! HIKE!"

    The Proletarian QB takes the ball, takes a half step back, crouches and LEAPS INTO THE AIR! A Patriotic defender does the same! They're going to collide at the goal line - but will the ball cross the plane of the goal? all of the floating windows are covering his every move in excruciating detail! In mid air, he turns and

    Sorry. This device has performed an illegal opera

    BSOD...

    The screen turns bright blue. The group assembled grab the LCD Screen and heave it out the window as the entire country roars with anger at their blue screens of death.

    The grand children of Bill Gates are eaten in public.

    All Microsoft employees (a solid 7% of India) are given safe passage to nations of their choice.

    The penguins cry, because no-one knows who won the game...

    It was all virtualised.

    RS

    --
    Shoes for Industry. Shoes for the Dead.