Microsoft Rejuvenates Media Center at CEDIA

re: Microsoft Rejuvenates Media Center at CEDIA

Sipester — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 03:05:13 GMT

Chris, do you think that the absence of DVD streaming reflects Microsoft's interest in trying to do away with the disc (of any format) so that they can get a piece of direct digital delivery of content?

For all the work they did to get Cable card support, it seems that it shouldn't be too hard to DVD's working. As a workaround, how about having DVD's on the server but having software that randomly checks the Firewire changers (that are already being sold) to make sure the disc is there. If you could get that kind of technology to work, then the possibilities are endless. Think of loading up Firewire changers with every kind of disc (not just CD & DVD) but also HD-DVD, Blu-Ray, DVD-A, SACD, XBox, PS3, Wii, PC Game etc, having the data downloaded on a server (multi-terabyte of course) and then used/accessed/played from anyplace in the house that has an extender. Sure that's a crazy idea, but it shouldn't be that hard to do and the random check with the changer should address any DRM issues (though they should increase the changer capacity of the firewire changes to 400 like other changers). Of course this wouldn't be ready next year, but why not plan for this long-term?

re: Microsoft Rejuvenates Media Center at CEDIA

Greg — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 15:29:15 GMT

I think I'll wait for the products to actually materialize before making a decision.

While the new new extenders are great news, I am still really fired up about the custom installer thing for tuners. No way I can afford a custome system from Niveus.

And still the lack of dvd streaming. It's not like it can't be done! I mean you can do it with orb over the internet, I should definatly be able to do it fro media center to an extender. More of a pain really have to encode them for extenders.

So we'll see if they actually produce theses products. I mean it's been almost a year with no extender option but the 360.

re: Microsoft Rejuvenates Media Center at CEDIA

Matt P — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 15:13:42 GMT

Waiting another year for some kind of enthusiast oriented positive change...

The expense of CableCard, while understandable given the development costs, is just too much. With SDV* on the horizon for every major cable carrier in the next 1 to 2 years there is no way to justify, in my mind, the cost of purchasing a CableCard PC. Some markets have already switched to SDV, and many more have begun the conversion process.

Unless ATI announces an OCUR firmware update to handle CableCard 2.0 or that the next gen OCUR is in the pipe to support CableCard 2.0, this is all a dead end.

* en.wikipedia.org/.../Switched_digital_video

re: Microsoft Rejuvenates Media Center at CEDIA

FirstSalvo — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 12:37:11 GMT

Good summary Chris. I'm happy too that the word is getting out. Yes I'm really bummed too regarding DVD streaming (I bought a VGP-XL1B2 changer with the hope of one day being able to stream to extenders). If I could have anything added to Media Center at this point that would be it… keep pushing it for us!

In regards to DCTs… hell yes I would buy some if I could add them to my machine. Yes they’re expensive, but I would pay it because that’s the beauty of being able to ADD THEM… I can buy 1 or 2 now, 1 more next spring, 1 more next fall, and so on. Don’t make me buy them all at once or buy a whole new frickin machine… I ALREADY HAVE 3!

This is 2007! Everyone I know (not just enthusiasts), family, friends, coworkers… we already have late model computers that we’re happy with… DON’T MAKE US BUY A NEW MACHINE just to get the latest capability in VMC… you’re killing it by doing this. There’s got to be a solution here. </end rant>

re: Microsoft Rejuvenates Media Center at CEDIA

Tom — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 04:01:55 GMT

I really have to wonder if CableCard technology will last long and/or is worth it.

I have a DCT from ATI, and it has been a pretty bad experience. Mine came with my HP 8100y. Didn't make it past the first day without errors. After a few hours of use, MCE told me no "tv tuner available." I didn't make any changes immediately before the error, so it was hard to figure out why I was getting the error. HP was useless in helping figure out what the error meant (10+ hours on the phone with them). I finally figured out it was because my firewall was blocking MCE, which needs to phone home every now and then for the DRM.

Then, I changed my video card from NVIDIA to ATI 2600. No go. Got an error about "restricted content- Video Driver." Called ATI...they had no idea what error meant...told me to call HP. HP said it has no idea what it meant...told me to call ATI.

And, before my cablecard, I could edit DVR-MS files. Now, can't do it...not a one. All are now protected. That also means can't play them on any other computer. And, if your cablecard stops working...you can't play them either.

Finally, my cable company (Cox) recently announced that they are going to switched digital video. Argh...cablecard won't work with that.

DRM has killed CableCard already.

If you wonder why a custom installer is required for 4 tuners...just get one...and you'll understand.

re: Microsoft Rejuvenates Media Center at CEDIA

Aaron — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 03:28:37 GMT

Cool, I'll have to give that a try. Thanks!

re: Microsoft Rejuvenates Media Center at CEDIA

DanITman — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 03:13:26 GMT

"Watching a live TV broadcast in the living room, pausing it, and then effortlessly resuming it at the same moment from the bedroom or kitchen..."

Yes, this is possible now. When you pause it at the server and then when you go to the extender it will say "resume"

re: Microsoft Rejuvenates Media Center at CEDIA

Aaron — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 00:55:30 GMT

Eh, this does very little for me. Nowhere is it mentioned that the X360 extender will have Divx/Xvid. That would make my day.

It would also make my day if they somehow allowed people to build CableCARD systems. Who cares if these machines supports four CableCARDS? I guess I never even took the original limit seriously, so this means very little to me.

The new extenders sound nice, but the only news here is that someone finally got their act together and delivered something that we all expected almost a year ago. Very curious about pricing.

Webguide: nice.... I guess. Kinda depends on whether Doug (or MSFT) continues developing it. Could be a net negative otherwise IMO. But seriously, I'm happy for Doug!

Also, from the first line of the extender press release:

"Watching a live TV broadcast in the living room, pausing it, and then effortlessly resuming it at the same moment from the bedroom or kitchen..."

Is this actually possible now? Or is it a new feature? Admittedly I've never actually tried it, but my assumption was that the extender would start over from beginning since it's a different user account.