Cable-ready PCs in time for next Christmas

REDMOND, Wash., and LOUISVILLE, Colo. - An agreement announced Wednesday between Microsoft and CableLabs means Microsoft’s dream of easily delivering high-quality TV signals to PCs is right around the corner. The world’s biggest software company and the North American cable industry’s research and development organization today announced they have reached an agreement that will allow Microsoft and PC manufacturers to bring to market digital-cable-ready Windows Media Center-based PCs in the holiday 2006 time frame. These Media Center PCs, capable of supporting a CableCARD module, will allow consumers to enjoy one-way cable programming, including premium high-definition cable content, on their personal...