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Just in time for the start of the Western Cable Show in Los Angeles, Microsoft released a slew of announcements targeting content and hardware alliances in the digital cable market.

Microsoft has been targeting its investments this year in Europe—this show gave the software giant the opportunity to show its cards in the emerging US broadband market.

Specifically, Microsoft announced:

• A demonstration with Philips operating a digital set-top box with the Microsoft TV platform (see Microsoft Continues Set-Top Push with Launch of MicrosoftTV Platform). The Philips digital set-top box is being powered by the Trimedia chip—a new MIPS-based platform developed by Philips that allows for PVR-like time-shifting, IP telephone, and DVD. The platform has full DVB support with support for Open Cable.
  
• The development with Cisco of QoS (quality of service) technology for Windows Media-streamed content over broadband networks.
  
• Agreements with Louth Corp., Chyron Corp., Peak Broadcast Systems, as well as a letter of intent from Avid Technology and a letter of understanding with Associated Press' Electronic News Production System (ENPS) to support the Microsoft TV platform. Each of the companies will develop software applications to generate interactive TV compliant with the ATVEF (Advanced Television Enhancement Forum) spec.
  
• A possible strategic alliance with Excite@Home to develop its broadband TV portal application, user interface, and broadband applications and services to work on the Microsoft TV Platform. In addition, Microsoft would work with Excite to extend the Microsoft TV Platform offer to deliver a turnkey system to support enhanced TV cable systems. AT&T's Excite@Home is a high-speed data network available to 60 million US homes.

Edited by Tom Butts

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