By Matt Rosoff [bio]
Posted: Mar. 20, 2006                             Purchase a copy of this report

The following an excerpt of a Research Report published by Directions on Microsoft, an independent research firm focused exclusively on Microsoft strategy & technology. More samples of our content, as well as a list of upcoming articles and reports are also available.

Free! Executive Summary

The underlying technologies and strategic reasoning behind Microsoft's digital media products and services, including Windows Vista and Xbox 360, and likely future directions

Free! Introduction

Establishing the PC as a home entertainment device would spur consumer upgrades and create opportunities for partners, but consumer resistance is forcing Microsoft to take other approaches as well

Understanding the Pieces

Microsoft's home entertainment strategy has four main parts: the Windows PC, portable and networked devices, content sources, and the Windows Media Platform

Vista Focuses on Video

Vista will improve the PC's capabilities as a home entertainment device, particularly for high-definition video, and will include new copy-protection technology

Devices Connect to the PC

To help establish the Windows PC as a home entertainment device, Microsoft has taken steps to ensure that portable and networked devices can retrieve content from it

Beyond the PC

With Xbox 360 and its TV platforms, Microsoft could gain an entry into the homes of consumers who don't yet see the PC as part of their home entertainment system

Challenges and Future Directions

The biggest challenge to Microsoft's home entertainment strategy is convincing consumers that the PC offers enough benefits as a home entertainment device to make up for its complexity and cost

Resources

Links to more information about the products and technologies discussed in the Apr. 2006 Research Report, 'Microsoft's Home Entertainment Strategy.'

Appendix: The Windows Media Platform

The Windows Media platform supplies a standard set of software components for encoding and protecting digital audio and video