Microsoft Debuts Mobile Video Downloads

[Chris Gohlke]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://news.designtechnica.com/article6975.html' target='_blank'>http://news.designtechnica.com/article6975.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Microsoft has announced the launch of MSN Video Downloads, which will provide daily television programming, including video content from MSNBC.com, Food Network, FOX Sports and IFILM Corp., for download to Windows Mobile -based devices such as Portable Media Centers and select Smartphones and Pocket PCs."</i><br /><br />Pretty good amount of content available for $19.95 a year. Be interested to see how updated it is kept. If it is, IMO $19.95 is a steal.

[Jason Dunn]

I'm downloading the content now - the setup is really strange! Once you install the client, it starts to download dozens (100+?) of videos - it's been downloading for the past hour and the ones in WMP won't play - it's prompting me for a username and password to get a license. :roll:

[rlobrecht]

Windows Mobile-based Pocket PCs with media capabilities (Dell x50; HP Rx 3715 with Ozone Update AKU2 upgrade (available on the HP site now)

Does that really mean that the x50 and 3715 are the only Pocket PCs supported, or are those just example devices? I would have thought that any 2003SE device would be ok (since they have WMP10 on them.)

[Jason Dunn]

I would have thought that any 2003SE device would be ok (since they have WMP10 on them.)

Unfortunately not all Pocket PCs with 2003SE have WMP 10 on them. :?

[lonesniper]

I tried this service about a month ago and the best clip that its small install program downloaded was the first episode of 'Paddington Bear' (if you are from the UK and 30-ish you will know Paddington Bear). But apart from that I was not impressed as the download program just keep downloading the same content again and again filling my HD. Also the content never changed, so maybe I just discovered the beta before it's release.

Nice to see MS provide at least some legal video for the Portable Media Centers as the only other content is largely illegal from filesharing networks.