The writers over at Kotaku dug up a very interesting patent that was filed by Microsoft in 2007, and finally granted by the USPTO on December 27th, 2011. This patent, number 8,083,593, describes a way to include DVR functionality into Microsoft’s gaming console, the Xbox. From the patent request:
An integrated gaming and media experience is disclosed, including recording of content on a gaming console. A digital video recorder (DVR) application running alongside a television client component allows users to record media content on the gaming console. The DVR application also integrates itself with the console menu. Once integrated, users can record media content while playing games. Alternatively, users can record content when the gaming console is turned off. The recorded content can include television programming, gaming experience (whether local or online), music, DVDs, and so on. When in the recording state, users can also switch between various other media modes, whether gaming, television, and so on.
The idea that the Xbox sholud include tuners and operate as a DVR is one that has been kicked around by the Windows Media Center community for years. It makes a lot of sense. Microsoft has been trying to win the living room for over a decade, and while Media Center used to be the Redmond company’s main weapon in that battle, it has clearly leaned on the Xbox 360 to take the fight to the next level. You can’t blame them for the shift either. Despite the fact that Windows Media Center has around 6 million people using it as a DVR, the Xbox 360 is already in 57 million living rooms.
This patent doesn’t just suggest the ability to watch and record television on the gaming console though, it also adds another key feature. If Microsoft were to implement this patent in their next console it would also enable gamers to record their gaming session. No longer would they need to buy stand-alone video capture devices, such as the [amazon_link id=”B0018LX0DY” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Hauppauge HD-PVR[/amazon_link] to record their latest Modern Warfare frag-fest.
If Microsoft is able to pull this idea off, especially if it uses CableCARD tuners (here’s looking at you Ceton), they may finally have the one box solution to occupy the holy input 1 position on millions of televisions!
Souce: US Patent and Trademark Office via Kotaku
