Windows Media Center 2005 high definition TV support 'likely'

GristyMcFisty used our news submit to tell us he read over at the Inquirer that Microsoft representatives stated at IDF last week that it"s very likely that the upcoming release of Windows Media Center 2005 will support high definition televison signals.

It was unwilling to comment officially, but was willing enough to provide us with an update to its release schedule. Refined from a general release of Q4 2004, a mid to late October launch is planned. Unlike the free update provided to Tablet PC users with Service Pack 2, it is still unclear if Microsoft will provide this upgrade free to current users of its Media Center product line.The ATI HDTV Wonder should be added to supported hardware in this upcoming release. ATI could not comment on Microsoft"s planned features in unreleased products. This will however require ever larger hard drives to be shipped in Windows Media Center PCs that plan to support HDTV endoding.

I would be very much surprised Media Centers did not support HDTV. Microsoft knows where the money is heading. High definition is the "next big thing" when it comes to enticing consumers to part with there hard earned pay. The only trouble is, we have to wonder if this Media Center will be widely accepted, it doesn't seem likely. There are too many alternatives, something that always puts the pinch on Microsoft concepts.

Source: The Inquirer