Microsoft will roll out Intertainer video-on-demand (VoD) subscri...

and concerts for broadband-connected PCs. Companies touted service as better than VHS quality, with no titles ever out of stock, no worn-out tapes or late fees. Intertainer library has programming from more than 70 content providers and its partners include A&E TV Networks, Discovery Channel, Dreamworks, EMI Music, ESPN, NBC, New Line Cinema, PBS, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., others. Service is delivered using Microsoft’s Windows Media, and content is protected with Windows Media Digital Rights Management. All video content is encoded at 500 kbps using Windows Media Video 8 to deliver full-screen video. Content plays in an embedded Windows Media Player that offers VCR functionality, allowing viewers to pause, rewind and fast-forward. Intertainer’s subscription service begins with FirstPass, which gives subscribers unlimited access to a library of TV, life-style and children’s programs for $7.99 per month. Programming is updated every week. Once users sign up for FirstPass, full-length feature films can be purchased on a pay-per-view basis. New releases are $3.99, library titles $2.99 and music videos free. Internet subscribers with broadband connection speeds of at least 580 kbps who reside in country’s top 35 broadband markets will be able to access service. Viewers can watch directly on PC or on TV linked to PC with S-video cable or a wireless connection.