Microsoft unveiled its new MSN TV 2 Internet & Media Player designed to bring premium MSN content, PC-stored digital media and e-mail to TV.
MSN TV 2 is a broadband-home-network-enabled device manufactured by Thomson under the RCA brand. The device is powered by an Intel 733 MHz Celeron processor and the Windows CE operating system. It includes 128 MB of RAM and 64 MB of flash memory. It has an Ethernet port and two USB ports for accessories such as digital media card readers, wireless network adapters and printers. The unit also ships with a wireless keyboard and remote control and has an MSRP of $199.95 plus a subscription fee of $9.95 monthly (or $99.95 annually) for users who connect through their own broadband service. Microsoft expects the device to be in major retailers by mid-October.
The MSN TV2 device enables the TV to play Windows Media-compatible music, video and photos on their televisions from the Web or shared from files on their networked PCs. MSN will package content, including hundreds of news, sports and entertainment video clips, updated daily from leading content providers. The MSN service includes access to 200 commercial-free radio stations, a primary MSN e-mail account with 2 GB of storage, 10 secondary e-mail accounts with 250 MB of storage, and constantly updated spam protection.
- In July, Microsoft said it was working with Thomson to develop a broadband home-network-enabled version of Microsoft’s MSN TV Internet receiver. The new system is a complete overhaul of the existing device and service based on Microsoft technologies and incorporates new advanced technology from Thomson. The product will be available through major retailers in time for the 2004 holiday shopping season.