ShowShifter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
ShowShifter is widely regarded as the original Media Center/10 foot UI/HTPC software application created by Edinburgh-based developer Home Media Networks Ltd. It is often acknowledged as the inspiration for Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center Edition.
ShowShifter offers features such as TV recording, PVR facilities, EPG, audio and video Jukebox, and a picture viewer from within a user interface designed to be used by a remote control at a comfortable viewing distance from the video display, hence the term 10 foot UI.
[edit] History
ShowShifter first appeared on the market in June 2000 and was the first Media Center application available for download by end users.
ShowShifter initially supported analogue cards compressing to AVI and WMV formats in software but version 3 (now called ShowShifter DVB) added support for DVB and Hauppauge WinTV-PVR cards.
In May 2005 Home Media Networks Limited was acquired by SkyNet Global an Australian home networking venture for an undisclosed sum. Shortly afterwards SkyNet ran into financial difficulties and put Home Media Networks into voluntary liquidation.
[edit] The future of ShowShifter
Unfortunately Showshifter seems to have closed as its site is no longer available .
Following liquidation ShowShifter source IP rights were acquired by a number of groups.
BT&T Services, a venture consisting of the original ShowShifter founders, acquired both ShowShifter source IP plus the brand name and website. They are now providing custom software development services based on the ShowShifter IP portfolio.
A group of former ShowShifter users also entered a successful bid for the ShowShifter source IP. They plan a new product developed from the source that will go under the name MediaPhoenix.
