Monsoon Multimedia, an innovative digital video solutions provider, confirmed its ongoing development commitment to the Windows Rally Platform by demonstrating seamless wireless setup of the HAVA device to Vista PCs. Monsoon licenses highly optimized multimedia solutions comprising applications, drivers, frameworks, middleware and reference designs. We also offer specialized multimedia customization and integration services.

    Monsoon will support Microsoft Windows Rally across its HAVA line of video place- and time-shifting devices, allowing customers to effectively integrate Monsoon Multimedia's technologies into their digital lifestyles by easily connecting HAVA devices to their home wireless networks. The Microsoft Windows Rally platform provides a seamless method for network-connected PCs to effortlessly setup and connect Monsoon's HAVA devices to the Internet or to other computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system.

    With integrated discovery and automatic configuration, Microsoft Windows Rally offers easy, reliable, secure connectivity to HAVA users, delivering a rich video streaming, place- and time-shifting user experience. Monsoon's HAVA also allows a PC to operate with TiVo-like functionality. Customers can pause, fast forward, rewind and record live TV to a PC hard disk and burn the recorded content to DVD for archiving purposes.

    Monsoon's HAVA line of video streaming devices allow customers to stream video to multiple PCs throughout the home or view and control live home TV from anywhere in the world on a broadband-connected PC, Windows Mobile phone or handheld computer. The included HAVA Player software includes a wide range of familiar virtual remote control designs allowing users to change channels and control other features of their video source as if they were sitting at home.

    In addition, the HAVA can employ WiFi to serve as a wireless network TV tuner for Media Center PCs within the home, allowing customers to enjoy the full functionality of their Media Center XP or Vista PC without having to install a TV tuner card or place their PC in the living room. Monsoon Multimedia seeks to be a global provider of digital video technology and services based on the latest industry standards. Monsoon's marketing and sales operations are headquartered in the Silicon Valley, while its engineering and development operations are based in New Delhi, India.

    "Monsoon is dedicated to creating innovative, easy-to-use technology that lets our customers do more with their TV," commented Colin Stiles EVP, Sales and Marketing at Monsoon. "Our inclusion of Microsoft Windows Rally support is a significant step in Monsoon's mission to enrich the consumer TV experience for the connected home."

    HAVA features Monsoon's vBooster technology which provides superior picture quality and enables multicast video allowing an unlimited number of PCs connected to a home network to view video content while simultaneously transmitting video to a broadband-connected PC or mobile phone anywhere in the world. Monsoon's vBooster technology allows the local MPEG-2 video streams to bypass the router, effectively doubling the available bandwidth, while simultaneously keeping the PC connected to the router for non-video traffic.

Monsoon HAVA Features:
    -  Supports Windows Vista
    -  Component input and support for HD video source (1080i, 720p, 480p/576p) played back in the native 16:9 aspect ratio on the client display
    -  All inputs include a pass-through connector, eliminating the use of splitters when connecting HAVA to home video equipment
    -  Functions as a wireless networked TV tuner for Microsoft Media Center PCs on home network
    -  Connects to any TV source including Cable, Satellite, DVD, TiVo or a camcorder
    -  Supports Windows Mobile 5.0, 6.0 cell phones and PDAs  
    -  Stream live HD TV to multiple PCs within the home (Multicast)
    -  Enables TiVo-like functionality on the PC. Users can record, store, pause, rewind and fast forward stored video
    -  Schedule and record programs for later viewing
    -  Allows archival of recorded material to DVD
    -  Streams MPEG-2 format over the home network, MPEG-4 format over the Internet