AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands, Sept. 8, 2000 — Today, for the first time in Europe, Microsoft Corp. will demonstrate
“What TV Can Be” during the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) 2000 in Amsterdam. Cable, satellite, network operators and others attending IBC2000 will see the Microsoft® TV platform in action with industry partners including Motorola Inc., NDS Group plc, Octal Systems Inc., Philips Electronics and TV Cabo showing examples of Enhanced TV features and services.
Also, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, Microsoft will hold a developer’s conference for people interested in learning more about developing content for interactive television.
Microsoft TV Platform Booth
The Microsoft TV platform offers Enhanced TV software technology and services to help make television more useful, fun and engaging for consumers. The Microsoft TV platform is a comprehensive end-to-end software solution that helps network operators deliver Enhanced TV services to their customers. The software allows operators to deliver a fully customizable and scalable solution including interactive programming, personal TV features, e-mail, Internet access and home networking.
The booth will feature extensive Microsoft TV platform and partner demonstrations of Enhanced TV. In addition, a living-room theatre will offer ongoing educational presentations focused on interactive TV (ITV) features, Enhanced TV services and more. The booth will also include a lounge area where refreshments will be served.
When: Friday, Sept. 8 12:00-18:00hrs
Saturday, Sept. 9 09:30-18:00hrs
Sunday, Sept. 10 09:30-18:00hrs
Monday, Sept. 11 09:30-18:00hrs
Tuesday, Sept. 12 09:30-18:00hrs
Where : The Microsoft booth is No. 321, Hall 5.
Microsoft TV Partner Summit
Microsoft is hosting a free developers conference that will highlight opportunities for industry professionals interested in developing ITV programming in accordance with industry standards. This conference will be particularly useful for solution providers who want to learn about Microsoft TV and how to create applications and services for the Microsoft TV platform, and for content developers who want to learn how to create interactive programming for Microsoft TV and other platforms supporting industry standards.
When: Tuesday, Sept. 12, 10:00-18:00hrs
Where: Grand Ballroom, Okura Hotel
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Digital Television Progress – A New World Report. Alternative digital terrestrial television systems have been the subject of evaluations in South America in the last year, and after two years their rollout in the United States is almost complete. This session, chaired by Microsoft’s Pat Griffis, is designed to bring attendees the latest information from around the world.
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When: Friday, Sept. 8, 15:30-17:00hrs
Where: RAI Centre, Room N
Microsoft speaker: Pat Griffis, director of worldwide TV standards
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[email protected]. This session will explore what can be done today with webcasting and video and audio streaming. Three months is a year in the evolution of the Internet. Web technology continues to evolve, and better compression tools for video and audio are making Web content ever more compelling. Will we move closer to the radio and television experience on the Web, or will the bottlenecks of delivery capacity and IP unicast continue to jam traffic on the information superhighway?
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When: Sunday, Sept. 10, 15:30-17:00hrs
Where: RAI Centre, Room N
Microsoft speaker: Algie Abrams, television industry manager
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Flat, Friendly and Fantastic? The Home Media Display of the Future. The future home display may take many shapes, but other barriers, including size, may prove significant. Projection devices seem able to provide stunning pictures but may not prove attractive in the European home environment for reasons of space. Coupled with these, new software systems for providing user interfaces and new forms of Enhanced TV may influence the choice of display. This panel will analyze the situation.
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When: Monday, Sept. 11, 13:00-15:30hrs
Where: RAI Centre, Room N
Microsoft speaker: Sean Hayes, manager of European TV standards
About Microsoft
Other Chances to Hear from Microsoft at IBC2000
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
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) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.
Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
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