Microsoft has announced the release of Windows CE 5.0 Networked Media Device Feature Pack, which is a set of software components designed to help device-makers wanting to create networked media devices (NMDs) and Internet protocol set-top boxes (IP STBs). Microsoft believes that these technologies are paramount to the coming of the digital home.
The Windows CE 5.0 Networked Media Device Feature Pack is being launched with support from consumer electronics companies such as Amoi Electronics Co. Ltd., HUMAX Co. Ltd., Media Excel Inc., Microsoft TV and Motorola Inc., many of which will bring to market new Windows CE 5.0 Networked Media Device Feature Pack-based devices this quarter. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) across the globe, including U.S.-based Cisco Systems Inc. and Taiwan-based Tatung Co., currently use Windows CE 5.0 to develop STBs supporting the Microsoft TV Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) Edition software platform.
The pack contains everything a developer needs to provide all the key networking, device drivers and codecs needed to develop an NMD or IP STB. The new software also supports a broad range of video formats, including digital video recorder (DVR).