website hit counter October 2004 - Posts - Chris Lanier

October 2004 - Posts

Sat, Oct 30 2004 15:37

More WMP Help Articles

In addition to the ones listed below, you can now view all of the help articles in the side menu of this site.  Just click on WMP Help Articles.

Guide To Error C00D1197 In WMP
http://msmvps.com/chrisl/articles/17310.aspx

Guide To Error C00D10D1 In WMP
http://msmvps.com/chrisl/articles/17304.aspx

Streaming Video/Audio Issues In WMP
http://msmvps.com/chrisl/articles/17303.aspx

Troubleshooting ASX File Playback In WMP
http://msmvps.com/chrisl/articles/17294.aspx

Posted by chrisl | 1 comment(s)
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Fri, Oct 29 2004 17:00

New WMV-HD Trailer Downloads

Friday Night Lights

 Friday Night Lights

Run Time 2:22 min
720p (138 MB)
* Uses DRM

 

Meet the Fockers

 Meet the Fockers

Run Time 1:29 min
720p (70 MB)
* Uses DRM

 

Ray

 The image “http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/images/highdef/screenshot_ray.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.

Run Time 2:44 min
720p (153 MB)
* Uses DRM

 

Alexander

 Alexander

Run Time 1:53 min
720p (90 MB)
1080p (123 MB)
* Uses DRM

 

Experience Windows Media Player 10

 Amazon

Run Time 1:00 min
720p (49 MB)
1080p (63 MB)

 

Striker Windows Media Player 10

 The image “http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/images/highdef/screenshot_trailer_striker_new.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.

Run Time 2:31 min
720p (33 MB)
1080p (48 MB)

 

Digital Life Windows Media Player 10

 The image “http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/images/highdef/screenshot_trailer_digitallife_new.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.

Run Time 1:46 min
720p (47 MB)
1080p (87 MB)

 

Posted by chrisl | 8 comment(s)
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Wed, Oct 27 2004 13:42

Photo Story 3 Released! And It's Free!!

Bring life into your favorite memories with Photo Story 3 for Windows® by adding motion, effects, music, and more to your digital photos. Easily retouch your images with a single click and add slick-looking titles, or add dramatic pans and zooms that give your creations a professional finish, create a soundtrack—even record narration. Then enjoy the show. Start sharing your stories today!

Capture memories Bring photos to life Share your stories
Capture memories
Create slideshows using your digital photos. With a single click, you can touch-up, crop, or rotate pictures. It's that easy!		 Bring photos to life
Add stunning special effects, soundtracks, and your own voice narration to your photo stories. Then, personalize them with titles and captions.		 Share your stories
Small file sizes make it easy to send your photo stories in an e-mail. Watch them on your TV, a computer, or a Windows Mobile–based portable device.

Microsoft Photo Story 3
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/photostory/default.mspx

Posted by chrisl | 16 comment(s)
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Sat, Oct 23 2004 17:00

Multilingual User Interface Packs for WMP 10

The Multilingual User Interface Packs for Windows Media Player 10 enable customers using the Windows XP Multilingual User Interface versions of the operating system to switch the user interface (menus, dialogs and help files) for the Windows Media Player 10 from one language to another.

Overview
Many enterprise customers have deployed the Windows XP Multilingual User Interface Pack in their corporations as a way to ease desktop administration and reduce desktop management costs in multilingual computing environments.

The Windows Media Player 10 provides support for customers who have deployed this version of the Windows operating system through the release of the Windows Media Player 10 Multilingual User Interface Packs.

Windows Media Player Multilingual User Interface Packs are available for download for 25 non-English language versions of Windows XP. Individual language versions of the User Interface Packs are available for download, and users are able to choose the specific target language version of the language that they want to enable.

System Requirements

  • Supported Operating Systems: Windows XP Professional Edition
  • Windows XP Multilingual User Interface Pack
  • Prior to attempting to install any of the Media Player Multilingual User Interface Packs, you must install the English language version of the Media Player 10.

Multilingual User Interface Packs for Windows Media Player 10
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=02106bdb-b012-4327-96cb-73937ae00667&displaylang=en

Posted by chrisl | 1 comment(s)
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Thu, Oct 21 2004 21:41

Windows XP Media Center Edition Test Kit v2.0

This one is for any OEM's or System Builders out there, not exactly for end users.

Overview
This program will install a collection of software utilities intended to assist Media Center PC OEMs and device driver developers in evaluating readiness for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005.

System Requirements

  • Supported Operating Systems: Windows XP Media Center Edition

Display adapter, TV tuner, and MPEG2 codec that meet the Media Center Edition system requirements as documented at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/partners/dfw.mspx

Windows XP Media Center Edition Test Kit v2.0
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=44473cb2-133b-4513-9367-3d8045ca29cd&displaylang=en

NOTE: Do NOT run this on a production system (eg a system that you currently use MCE to record TV and such)

Posted by chrisl | 4 comment(s)
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Thu, Oct 21 2004 18:36

NVIDIA DVD Decoder Release!

This is NVIDIA's new version of there DVD Decoder.  It is likely the best MPEG-2/DVD Decoder that you can purchase to work with Windows Media Player and Windows Media Center Edition.  This new update will also allow you to transcode MPEG-2 media to Portable Media Centers!

The NVIDIA DVD decoder is the first software decoder to receive the “Designed for Media Center Edition” certification, ensuring that it will deliver premium video quality and unmatched performance for Media Center PCs.  In addition, the NVIDIA DVD Decoder is designed to work with Portable Media Centers allowing users to take their recorded TV shows with them on the road. 

 Features

  • Enables DVD viewing with Microsoft® Windows Media® Player or Microsoft Windows® Media Center Edition*
  • High quality MPEG-2 decoder supports any third party software application based upon Microsoft DirectShow®
  • Dolby® Digital** surround sound decoding
  • Minimizes CPU utilization by offloading the MPEG-2 decoding onto the graphics processor
  • Enables advanced de-interlacing
  • Decodes high-definition MPEG-2 streams for ATSC tuners
  • Supports Windows Mobile-based Portable Media Centers allowing end users to transcode MPEG-2 content into Windows Media Video 9
  • S/PDIF pass through for external decoding of Dolby Digital and DTS (compatible hardware required)

Technical Specifications

  • Fully compliant ISO MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video and audio decoder 
  • MPEG-2 acceleration for inverse quantization (IQ), inverse discrete cosine transform (IDCT), and motion compensation (mo comp)
  • Microsoft DirectShow support
  • Microsoft DirectX video acceleration support
  • Microsoft Video Mixing Renderer 7 and 9
  • Overlay support
  • Sub-picture support

System Requirements

  • Windows XP Media Center Edition, Windows XP Professional, or Windows XP Home Edition
  • DirectX 9.0 or higher
  • Windows Media Center or Windows Media® Player 9.0 or higher for DVD Playback
  • DirectShow compatible software for MPEG-2 file playback
  • DirectX Video Acceleration (DXVA) compatible graphics processor supports, such as NVIDIA GeForce4™ Series, GeForce FX Series, or GeForce 6 Series.
  • DVD-ROM drive required for DVD viewing
NVIDIA DVD Decoder
http://www.nvidia.com/object/dvd_decoder.html

Posted by chrisl | 5 comment(s)
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Wed, Oct 20 2004 10:42

Media Center Extender Review by Paul Thurrott

Media Center Extender Review

       At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2004 in January 2004, Microsoft unveiled its plans for TV set top box devices, called Media Center Extenders (codenamed Bobsled), that would let users remotely access Media Center content from any TV in their home using a wired or wireless connection. The idea, I thought, was a good one: Though Windows XP Media Center was a fantastic product, it still required an expensive and potentially unreliable PC, which is not exactly the kind of device one should put in their living room next to the big screen TV. Plus, Media Center Extenders, which would be made by a host of Microsoft's hardware partners, would solve other problems caused by moving a PC from the home office to the living room. "It is thin; it is completely silent," Microsoft chairman Bill Gates said of the device. "There is no fan."

Full Review: http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/mce.asp

Posted by chrisl | 1 comment(s)
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Sun, Oct 17 2004 14:40

Windows XP MCE 2005 Review by Paul Thurrott

Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Review

        I've been a fan--and a steady user--of Windows XP Media Center Edition since for almost three long years now, and have watched this trend-setting product evolve through three revisions, all of which have built on the successes of the past and added new features, fixed problems, and made the underlying platform more stable. Now, three years after I first set my sights on this intriguing multimedia champion, XP Media Center Edition (XP MCE) is at a cross-road. It still offers the premium PC experience, with amazing and unparalleled digital media features. But too, it's still a computer, and not necessarily the type of device one would want in the living room. In other words, the same old arguments about Media Center seem to apply today as much as they did when the product first shipped in 2002.

Full Review: http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/windowsxp_mce2005.asp

Posted by chrisl | with no comments
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Sun, Oct 17 2004 14:38

Update 1 for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

  • This update for Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 enhances the stability and performance of Media Center 2005 and also resolves the following issues: • Under certain circumstances, when you watch Live or Recorded TV, the audio and video may not be synchronized correctly. 
  •  When you press the Live TV button on the remote while you are watching Recorded TV, a video, or a DVD, a black screen or an error may sometimes occur. 
  •  If you try to watch Live TV immediately after you complete the First Run Wizard in Media Center, a video error may occur. 
  •  When you use a Media Center Extender to try to view expired media content, the extender device may stop working correctly until it is restarted. If you install this update and then try to view expired media content on the extender device, an error message will occur, but the extender device will continue to work correctly. 
  •  After you install this update, the response time for changing or for scanning FM radio stations is much faster. 
  •  After you install this update, the performance for certain PAL TV playback hardware configurations is much improved. 
  •  When you try to change channels in the Program Guide while both NTSC (National Television Standard for Communications) tuner streams are being used by Media Center, an error may occur or Media Center may stop responding. When this problem occurs, you must restart Media Center. For example, this problem may occur if you try to change channels in the Program Guide while two programs are being recorded. This problem may also occur when one program is being recorded and another program is being sent to another location by using a Media Center Extender. 

     For U.S. versions of Windows XP Media Center Edition, this update also provides HDTV support for Media Center Edition 2005 computers equipped with an Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) tuner card.

    Download: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

    • Posted by chrisl | 8 comment(s)
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    Fri, Oct 15 2004 12:08

    You Know You Want This MCE PC!

     

    One of One & Co.'s concepts for a Media Center PC, clad in a wrap-around wood finish, resembles an end table more than a conventional PC to better fit into a living room. (Photo credit: One & Co.)

    Is that a Media Center PC--or an end table?
    http://news.com.com/Is+that+a+Media+Center+PC--or+an+end+table/2100-1045_3-5411225.html?tag=nl

    Posted by chrisl | with no comments
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    Fri, Oct 15 2004 11:01

    Helpful WMP Information - Library Issues/Problems and nineMSN

    Windows Media Player Artist fields
    http://msmvps.com/thinice/articles/15229.aspx

    Windows Media Player Library
    http://msmvps.com/thinice/archive/2004/10/07/15231.aspx

    WMP10 - updates for Australia
    http://msmvps.com/thinice/archive/2004/10/12/15693.aspx

    WMP10 - nineMSN Music & View Album Information
    http://msmvps.com/thinice/archive/2004/10/13/15704.aspx

    Posted by chrisl | 2 comment(s)
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    Thu, Oct 14 2004 21:20

    Supported Media Types for the Media Center Extender

    The following media types are supported on the Media Center Extender:

    Video

    • Windows Media Video 9 Series
      • Maximum resolution of 720x480
      • Maximum bit rate of 4 Mbps. Variable bit rate (VBR) encoding is supported; however, high peaks in the video bit rate (higher than 4 Mbps) may cause video glitches
      • Main profile
      • Video width and height should equal the aspect ratio specified in the file
      • Windows Media digital rights management (DRM) support up to Level 2000
    • MPEG-1 and MPEG-2
      • Standard definition
      • MPEG-1 layer I and II audio
      • Maximum bit rate of 6.5Mbps

    Audio

    • Windows Media Audio (WMA) 7 through WMA 9
      • Windows Media DRM support up to Level 2000
    • WMA Professional and WMA Lossless
      • Windows Media DRM protected WMA Professional and WMA Lossless is not supported
    • MP3
    • Any other format that has a DirectShow decoder installed on the host computer, and which outputs pulse code modulation (PCM).
    Posted by chrisl | 5 comment(s)
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    Tue, Oct 12 2004 22:27

    MSDN Get's MCE 2005

    For anyone out there with an MSDN Subscription, you now have MCE 2005 for download in many languages.  Enjoy!  Getting mine now. :-)
    Posted by chrisl | 2 comment(s)
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    Tue, Oct 12 2004 22:16

    New HP MCE 2005 Machines!!!

    Check this out, they sweetest looking MCE machine I have seen yet.

    hp_z500_digital_entertainment_center.jpg

    Feature Highlights:
    Windows Media Center Edition 2005
    Intel 3.0GHz P4 w/ Hyper-Threading
    512MB RAM (expandable to 2MB)
    200GB 7200RPM Serial ATA hard drive
    Multi-format DVD Burner with Dual Layer burning capability
    128MB ATI RADEON® X300 SE PCI-Express Graphics Card
    2 NTSC TV Tuners
    802.11b/g wireless receiver (removable antenna included)
    9-in-1 card reader (located under the front panel)
    Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound support & FM Tuner

    More at http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/196/hp_z500_series

    HP's new Media Center Extender doesn't look half bad either!

    hp_x5400.jpg

    HP states you can:

    • Watch a movie in the living room while another user listens to the music collection using the same Media Center PC in another room in the house. Up to five different Media Center Extenders can run at the same time from one Media Center PC.
    • Navigate and enjoy digital music, photos, recorded TV and videos with the same Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 interface and one remote control. The included setup wizard makes starting up quick and easy.

    • Use a wired or wireless 802.11a/g connection. Connect to an existing TV or monitor and home stereo.

    More at http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/197/hp_x5400_media

    Posted by chrisl | with no comments
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    Tue, Oct 12 2004 20:54

    New Windows XP Expert Zone Columns

    Columnist Barb Bowman explains how to increase your TV entertainment options by setting up dual set-top boxes when using Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005.

    How to Use Dual Set-top Boxes in Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
    http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/mce/expert/bowman_dualtuners.mspx

    Microsoft’s Katrina Schwieterman covers how to get your Media Center ready for HDTV. She explains what hardware an older Media Center needs before you can install the new update to Windows Media Center Edition 2005 that supports HDTV.

    Get Started with HDTV in Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
    http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/mce/expert/hdtv.mspx

    Posted by chrisl | with no comments
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    Tue, Oct 12 2004 18:08

    Windows Media Player 10 Mobile Today!

    Windows Media Player 10 Mobile is the easiest and most enjoyable way to play music, videos, and more on Windows Mobile–based Pocket PCs and Smartphones. And it works seamlessly with Windows Media Player 10 on your Windows XP–based computer.

    Windows Media Player 10 Mobile will be available on many new Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition–based Smartphones and Pocket PCs beginning this fall. These devices will come in various shapes and sizes designed to fit your lifestyle and budget. Windows Media Player 10 Mobile is not available for download from Microsoft.

    • New Features:
    • All-in-One Player
    • Industry-Leading Audio and Video Quality
    • Support for Protected Content
    • Refined Player Design
    • Album Art Support
    • Share More Memories
    • Sync Your Favorite Playlists
    • PlaysForSure Enabled
    • Take Your TV with You
    • Expanded Ring Tone Support
    • Change Your Player Look

    Windows Media Player 10 Mobile
    http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/windowsmobile/default.aspx

    Posted by chrisl | 13 comment(s)
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    Tue, Oct 12 2004 18:08

    Microsoft Press Releases For Today

    Here's the Press Releases for the big day.  There are posts below on most of these subjects. :-)

    Microsoft, Industry Partners Deliver on Promise of Digital Entertainment Anywhere
    http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2004/oct04/10-12ExperienceMore.asp

    Microsoft and Industry Partners Deliver on Digital Entertainment Anywhere Vision With Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
    http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2004/oct04/10-12MCE2005PR.asp

    Microsoft and Partners Announce New Era of Digital Devices Enabling Consumers to Take Entertainment Throughout the Home and On the Go
    http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2004/oct04/10-12XPDevicesServicesPR.asp

    Audiovox Communications and AT&T Wireless Launch Smallest Windows Mobile-Based Smartphone
    http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2004/oct04/10-12AudiovoxATTWirelessPR.asp

    MSN Music Service Creates Largest Global Resource For Legal Music Downloads
    http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2004/oct04/10-12OfficialMusicLaunchPR.asp

    Windows Marketplace Opens for Business; Consumers Can Easily Discover A World of Products That Work With Windows
    http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2004/oct04/10-12WMOpenPR.asp

    Posted by chrisl | with no comments
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    Tue, Oct 12 2004 18:04

    Microsoft Experience More Portal Launched!

    Check it out!  Link is below.  I'm sure at some point I will be posting more on this.

    Experience More Portal
    http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/experiencemore/default.mspx

    Posted by chrisl | with no comments
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    Tue, Oct 12 2004 17:57

    Windows Media Connect Platform!

    I have had the chance to play around with a device using Windows Media Connect (WMC) for the last few months, I have to say that I love it!

    Here are just a few of the ways you can use Media Connect to bring the entertainment you have stored on your computer to every room in your house:

    All your music at your fingertips. Copy your personal CDs to your Windows XP–based computer, and then create playlists to play all your music on your home stereo system through a digital audio receiver. No more shuffling and replacing CDs.

    • Play music that you've purchased from an online store on your home stereo system through a digital audio receiver.
    • Play video that you've purchased from an online store on your TV through a digital media receiver, connected DVD player, or set-top box.
    • Play home videos stored on your computer on your TV through a digital media receiver, DVD player, or set-top box.
    • View photos stored on your computer on your TV through a digital media receiver, connected DVD player, or set-top box.

    Windows Media Connect
    http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/devices/wmconnect/default.aspx

    Posted by chrisl | 10 comment(s)
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    Tue, Oct 12 2004 17:54

    SDK for MCE 2005 Released

    The Media Center SDK is designed to help developers create applications and software components that take advantage of features provided by Windows XP Media Center Edition.

    The Media Center SDK enables developers to:

  • Create Media Center hosted HTML applications.
  • Create Media Center hosted add-ins using managed code.
  • Direct Media Center to schedule the recording of TV programs from hosted HTML applications, add-ins, and external Windows applications.
  • Create device drivers and other software components that receive status information about the state of Media Center.
  • Create an input method editor (IME) module that adds a localized version of the on-screen keyboard, keypad, and input method editor to Media Center.

    • Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Software Development Kit
    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=33839D15-FD6E-46BE-A3B3-EEB7A62D1B20&displaylang=en

    Windows XP Media Center Edition on MSDN
    http://msdn.microsoft.com/mce

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