Mediaroom 2.0 Extends IPTV

Mediaroom 2.0, a forthcoming update to Microsoft’s Internet Protocol television (IPTV) platform, will let operators deliver Mediaroom content, such as TV broadcasts and video-on-demand, over unmanaged IP networks, allowing users to access this programming with a Web browser on a PC or mobile device. In addition, users will be able to receive Mediaroom content through the Media Center interface on Windows 7 and will be able to view Web-based video from within the Mediaroom program guide. While the new services could increase demand from end users, Mediaroom deployment, and IPTV in general, still lags far behind cable and satellite TV.

What’s New?

Introduced as Microsoft TV IPTV Edition in 2003 and rebranded in 2007, Mediaroom is a platform for TV providers, including telephone companies, to deliver live television and video-on-demand programming over IP networks. The platform includes a combination of Microsoft software and partner-provided hardware, including set-top boxes, and is deployed by partners such as Alcatel-Lucent (which also sells a competing IPTV platform), Motorola, and Hewlett-Packard.