I recently came across a post over at Ian Dixon’s Digital Lifestyle blog, and first reported by Broadcast Buyer, talking about a new addin that will be available in November from Microsoft as a free update to Vista Media Center.
According to Alex Springer’s website, “MY PERSONAL TV DIGITAL permits the creation of personal TV channels on the basis of conventional TV programs and internet video offerings.” The Internet TV Beta that is available currently for VMC is rather anemic and I have found the quality rather lacking. While this addin sounds interesting, the announcement is long on hyperbole and short on substance. Just the mention of TV Pack in the announcement kind of leaves me wondering what this addin will really do for current VMC users. And I really wonder what is meant by “conventional TV programs”. I guess we will have to wait until November to learn more.
But hope springs eternal. Perhaps this addin will bring much needed new content options to users of VMC. Like the rest of you, I am looking for better quality (i.e., HD picture and 5.1 sound) and more programming variety. If neither of these become available through VMC, the great shining star of VMC will become a little more tarnished.
For those of you who are interested in the announcement, the following comes directly from Alex’s website.
Berlin, August 28, 2008 – MY PERSONAL TV DIGITAL, the intelligent Personal TV service from Axel Springer and APRICO, a technology venture of Philips, will be available starting November 2008 for free downloading from the Online Media of the Microsoft Windows Vista Media Center. Microsoft indicates that the Windows Vista operating system has been sold worldwide more than 100 million times since January 2008.
MY PERSONAL TV DIGITAL permits the creation of personal TV channels on the basis of conventional TV programs and internet video offerings. The intelligent and self learning service uses the software-based recommendation technology from APRICO, as well as the program guide technology and program information services of Axel Springer Digital TV Guide. Axel Springer and APRICO plan to introduce this innovation in the sector of digital and interactive program navigation progressively throughout the global digital media market by the end of 2008.
“We are delighted to have secured Microsoft as our partner: one of the most innovative firms in the world. Microsoft Windows Vista enables MY PERSONAL TV DIGITAL to achieve the greatest possible reach internationally“, says Stephan Zech, Managing Director of Axel Springer Digital TV Guide. “At IFA we are showing new features of our TV Pack as well as several new solutions from partners for Windows Vista Media Center“, says Isabell Scheuber, Director Windows Client, Microsoft Germany.
“With MY PERSONAL TV DIGITAL from Axel Springer and APRICO users will have an even larger choice of attractive and interesting multimedia applications.“
Alongside Microsoft as sales partner MY PERSONAL TV DIGITAL has already secured the first marketing partner and premium brand as an advertising customer: Mercedes-Benz will have its own TV channel on MY PERSONAL TV DIGITAL offering new content in the genres of lifestyle, motor and sports, as well as the history and innovation of this leading automobile brand.
About MY PERSONAL TV DIGITAL
The Personal TV offering has been proven on the basis of long-term studies and research over the course of two years among test households concerning the current and future requirements of television viewers. MY PERSONAL TV DIGITAL enables viewers to add to their existing program offering a range of “virtual” personal television channels. These personal channels are created automatically and are continuously updated, and reflect individual television preferences and viewing behavior. In this manner the viewer has a personally-tailored TV channel, which can be easily accessed thanks to its intelligent and „self-learning“ program profile.
About Axel Springer Digital TV Guide GmbH
Axel Springer Digital TV Guide GmbH (ASDTVG GmbH) provides CE producers and network operators with access to the premium editorial content of Axel Springer. It offers technological solutions – in particular electronic program guides (EPGs) – for extended navigation and insertion of targeted, personalized advertising through digital content on digital receivers, personal video recorders (PVRs), game consoles, PCs, mobile phones and other terminals and platforms. The company is a 100-percent subsidiary of Axel Springer AG (XETRA: SPR.DE) and cooperates closely with the editorial offices of the Axel Springer program guides and other global publications. For more information visit: http://www.as-guides.com
About APRICO
APRICO solutions help people to enjoy the wealth of content available through broadcast networks and on the internet in a personalized television experience. The company’s recommendation technology finds, filters and delivers content from different media directly to the viewer’s TV screen. This solution is a perfect platform for the use of customers all over the TV, multimedia and advertising markets to fulfill one mission - provide pure personalized TV entertainment and advertising to the end user. Founded in 2008, APRICO delivers its solutions across the globe. Corporate headquarter of APRICO is based in Eindhoven. APRICO is a technology venture of Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI). For more information, please visit http://www.aprico.tv
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