HDTV with built-in Windows Media Connect
By Kevin C. Tofel 
posted Dec 30th 2005 11:08AM
posted Dec 30th 2005 11:08AM
This could be the start of an interesting trend. We
thought we needed an Xbox 360 or other computer-based media extender to get HD programming from a Windows Media Center
PC to an HDTV. ED Digital gave us a big "boo on you" today with the announcement of integrated Windows Media
connect functionality in their upcoming LCD
televisions.The new Digitrex line of LCDs will include network capability to play back digital media from WMCE computers or any other Plays for Sure content downloads. ED Digital is officially launching the product as well as themselves at a super-secret shindig next week. Oh, that's right, you already heard that CES is around the corner, so the secret's out. Before they launch the company, we recommend changing their name to HD Digital as "ED" is sooo not "HD."
How would this work? An ethernet plug that would go into the monitor?
Ruiz, since there was no mention of WiFi, I'd have to believe there will be an RJ-45 jack for an Ethernet cable. A hardwired connection would be the simplest and be capable of carrying more bandwidth than a wireless connection, but we'll try to check this out when we hit up CES next week.
Ahhhh yes, integrating Windows Media Connect into a TV will be an (r)evolutionary(-ish) step. I am genuinely excited about it. However, I won't be plonking down the Benjamins until there's an HDTV with full Xbox-360-style Windows Media Extender functionality built in. That is to say, one that provides the MCE interface and supports live SDTV/HDTV streaming from my MCE server like the Xbox 360 does. I love the Xbox 360, of course, but it's not really logical to have one in (e.g.) my bedroom, where I'd still like to stream TV. One can only hope that Bill for once has a Jobs-like trick up his sleeve for around the Vista lanch.