Windows 7: Silverlight heads to set-top boxes, TVs, Blu-ray player

Microsoft is readying new products that make it easier for broadcasters to reach consumers with Silverlight-encoded content. The software giant wants to bring Silverlight to consumer electronics via system-on-chip (SOC) support, through Internet Information Services (IIS) Media Services 4, and the upcoming release of Silverlight Media Framework 2.0.

Two Microsoft partners, Intel and Broadcom, will use Silverlight for SOCs to bring the complete Silverlight platform to set-top boxes, connected TVs, Blu-ray players, and other consumer devices. SOC support means that content owners will be able to deliver high-definition programming to the living room with Silverlight and IIS Smooth Streaming (bringing benefits such as adaptive bitrate streaming over standard Internet connections, DVR-like capabilities, and support for Microsoft PlayReady digital rights management).