Loading ...Microsoft updates Windows® 7, just before launch…and it is very cool!
Back in June, I wrote a brief blog on some interesting developments from Microsoft, Hulu and YouTube. I covered how each of these vendors had released news and/or applications to bring more content to the HTPC in new and exciting ways. At that point in time, Microsoft’s announcement of Netflix integration into Media Center was strictly limited to Windows Vista®. However, I had suggested that they would include this integration into Windows® 7 by launch time. Well, I am happy to say that Microsoft released an update for Windows 7 in the past couple of days that now adds Netflix. However, Microsoft did not stop with just the Netflix integration; the update includes support for the Adobe Flash player and even more mainstream content from content providers like CBS, NBC, PBS and others, offering both current shows like ‘How I Met Your Mother’, ‘Dateline’ and ’60 Minutes’ to classic shows like ‘Star Trek’, ‘Twilight Zone’, ‘MacGyver’ and more.
If you have not seen this yet, Hack 7MC has a nice overview on the new features added to Windows 7.
You can also find a discussion on these new changes at The Green Button
While some may raise concerns regarding viewing quality of the content, I think this change should be viewed from a larger perspective. This change puts the framework in place for delivery of real and interesting content on Windows 7 capable PCs. I have spent some time over the past couple of nights checking out the content and while it is not HD quality, it was certainly better than low resolution web video I have seen on other sites. I’m hopeful that the visual quality of the material will be improved upon as time moves forward; it is the framework that I find really exciting.
As I stated previously, these are exciting times for the HTPC. The role of PC technology in the home is constantly changing for the better. The industry is rapidly changing, bringing more content to the consumer in ever easier ways to navigate and enjoy.
Till next time, Happy Trails!
Jay Taylor is a Senior Developer Relations Engineer at AMD. His postings are his own opinions and may not represent AMD’s positions, strategies or opinions. Links to third party sites are provided for convenience and unless explicitly stated, AMD is not responsible for the contents of such linked sites and no endorsement is implied.
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#1 by wrong20 - November 17th, 2009 at 13:21
Jay, you may want to note that the Netflix plugin does not display in HD (at least from what I have read)… I was hoping to negate the need for a Roku box with a media center, but it seems that there is a significant difference in quality between the two. Do you have any idea if Netflix in HD is a priority for Windows Media Center?
#2 by Jay Taylor - November 17th, 2009 at 14:23
I don’t think the limiting factor here is Media Center. I think this is more of a Netflix decision. They need to choose what content in what formats they want to support on the PC platform.