Microsoft Signs OEMs for Windows CE IP Set-top Boxes.

Microsoft announced that eight additional original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will use Windows CE to power their IP set-top boxes. Specifically, AboCom Systems Inc., Akimbo Systems, Bast Inc., Dave Networks Inc., Handan BroadInfoCom, Humax Co. Ltd., ImpressTek and TCL International Holdings Ltd. Device have selected Windows CE to power their new lines of set-top boxes. These new Windows CE partners are in addition to leading vendors Biostar Microtech Int'l Corp., Broadband Networks Inc., Costron Corp., Pace Micro Technology plc, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Tcom&dtvro Co. Ltd and Thomson. Additional examples of deployment include Handan's Zenega brand, which was selected by T-Online in Germany, and Tcom&dtvro Co. Ltd., which has deployed more than 150,000 units in a hotel chain in Japan.



Microsoft said the chief advantages of using Windows CE in a set-top box includes easier customization, remote management capabilities, the option to add new applications and services to boxes in the field, a rich multimedia experience for users, native support for the Windows Media 9 Series Codecs and DRM.



The company noted that the standardization of Windows Media Video 9 into the VC-1 video codec standard (formerly VC-9) is now being considered for ballot as a Final Committee Draft (FCD) with SMPTE's C-24 group and has received acceptance by the Blu-ray Disc Association and the DVD Forum's HD DVD. Microsoft is a founding member of Advanced Access Content System, an organization defining the next-generation copy protection for HD content in optical media. http://www.microsoft.com/