At IBC Microsoft was giving demonstrations of Silverlight , first introduced at NAB in April. This is Microsoft's browser plug-in answer to Adobe Flash, allowing anyone with a browser (including, eventually, Linux) and a fast connection to stream high definition video. The plug-in was demonstrated offering some impressive "immersive" video experiences, including a multi-window "video puzzle" (the user had to re-create a full screen video from scattered puzzle pieces), as well as picture-in-picture and multi-screen capability. The demonstration was running on an Apple Macbook Pro, which did manage to freeze at one point until a new plug-in had been installed. What did they say about never performing with kids, animals and Microsoft software? But with an adequate broadband connection and sufficient PC power, these demonstrations indicate again how close the PC/web combination is to rivalling the TV/broadcast model for high quality content distribution. Interestingly Microsoft confirmed that they were unable to bundle Silverlight with Vista because of EU rulings. This may hold back its market penetration in the near term but is unlikely to do any lasting damage.