Microsoft has unveiled version 2.0 of its Mediaroom IPTV middleware at the CES 2010 show currently taking place in Las Vegas, which is designed to enable operators to deliver more content to more screens than the previous version, both inside and outside the home.

Mediaroom 2.0 enables new features such as cloud digital video recording (DVR), new on-demand features, interactive applications, and access to both operator-hosted content and externally hosted content such as Internet TV.  The new version enables subscribers to access IPTV services on multiple screens, including the TV (with a Mediaroom-powered set-top box), Windows Media Center, Web browsers (for Windows-based PCs and Macs), the Xbox 360 games console and compatible smartphones.

Mediaroom 2.0 also adds support for Microsoft Silverlight and Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) Smooth Streaming for the access and delivery of on-demand content, enabling viewers to receive a high-quality playback experience.  Meanwhile, support for Microsoft PlayReady preserves the service provider's ability to secure their content libraries and monetise consumer experiences.

“Our strategy with Mediaroom is to combine the power of client software and cloud-based services to greatly enhance the way consumers experience digital entertainment," said Enrique Rodriguez, Corporate Vice President for the TV, Video and Music Business at Microsoft.  "We want to make it easier for consumers to find and discover great content, to watch, listen and engage in new ways, and to do so anywhere and on any screen.  Mediaroom 2.0 is a key milestone in our strategy, providing the software platform to power operators’ service clouds to reach more screens, and more people, with more content than ever before.”

The new version of Mediaroom is scheduled to be available for operators to start testing from the beginning of next month.