Microsoft Corp. and Cable Television Laboratories Inc. (CableLabs�) 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 computer and throughout the home on compliant network-connected devices, such as Xbox 360�, while protecting cable operators� investments in high-value content in a digital environment. Microsoft is working closely with CableLabs to document final approval of Windows Media� Digital Rights Management (DRM) as a content protection technology for OpenCable� products that receive one-way cable content under the terms of this agreement.

�This agreement is an important milestone for our customers who want access to high-definition digital cable content on their PCs and a major step toward enabling a solution for the delivery of that content,� said Joe Belfiore, corporate vice president of the Windows eHome Division at Microsoft.