Orb Networks’ MyCasting 2.0 software turns PCs and game consoles into broadcasting devices.
We keep talking about how software is the weakest link in the digital home. Vendors are struggling to build “bridging software” that lets networked devices communicate and stream content.
But even router software can still be hit or miss.
The New York Times’ David Pogue set out to test 802.11n routers last week. Better him than us, apparently.
In his weekly blog, Netgear’s software installer caught the brunt of Pogue’s negative attention—15 screens of nonsense buttons, dead ends, and scary legal warnings. If a networking vendor can’t ensure a smooth install, how will they ever deliver satisfying media convergence?
On the other hand, Orb Networks makes it look easy. Downloading Orb’s remote-access software onto your PC (Windows only) transforms it into a “broadcast device,” the content of which you can now access from any Web-enabled device (PC, phone) with a streaming media player. Orb Networks’ software, MyCasting 2.0, is free.
Cool, yes, but it still doesn’t get PC content onto your TV.
But wait. Orb recently announced MyCasting 2.0 now works with gaming consoles. So if you have an Xbox 360, Wii or PS3, you can stream PC content onto the TV—today and for free. Go here for more information.
Orb’s little piece of software just enabled 17 million households (according to ABI Research) to bridge the PC-to-TV divide using what’s essentially existing technology. Go Orb!
Who needs (to buy) Apple TV?
I believe Orb is dead! They have shut down their Europe operations, fired their sales guys who have closed all their deals, failed to raise a large round of funding, and haven’t been successful in obtaining new users. This isn’t a viral product Good luck…..
yeah. the 360. what about the wii & Ps3 John?
Do you use Hauppauge products with this ?
Yes, you can already access some content through the Xbox360 but some of the features people may want (ability to stream content from a TV tuner card or HDTV tuner card on a PC are only available with Media Center Editions of XP. Those of us with XP Pro were out of luck. The Orb software appears to allow this functionality even without using XP MCE. It also appears that you would be able to stream video formats that the Xbox360 cannot support natively.
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Again people are guessing about something thats not even out for sale yet. People… 
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