First Look: Internet TV Plug-in for Media Center

re: First Look: Internet TV Plug-in for Media Center

chrisl — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 22:34:31 GMT

Nope, Vista only.

re: First Look: Internet TV Plug-in for Media Center

Jatin — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 22:06:18 GMT

Is it available for MCE 2005?

re: First Look: Internet TV Plug-in for Media Center

Josh Chandler — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 17:11:13 GMT

I have to admit I am very annoyed about it being US only, however I have had this problem so often I know see it as being a good thing, because everyone in the US can test it and feedback to Microsoft. And that way the product ends up being a lot better when it's released in the other continents, however I am extremely miffed still :D

re: First Look: Internet TV Plug-in for Media Center

Robert Lominski — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 13:36:12 GMT

You know what, 480p would be just fine. I was watching a dvd of "Casino Royale" this weekend and it looked just great on my 50" Panasonic Plasma through Vista media center. I routinely watch Anime shows (most are TV shows on DVD) and the quality of them is good to even when I use Media center to size them up to fill the screen more. If better quality means having to wait as the system buffers more information I am OK with that. I have a DSL connection, but it isn't all that fast. I would think that it would be the basic config.

ROb

re: First Look: Internet TV Plug-in for Media Center

chrisl — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 23:40:39 GMT

Content quality should increase over time, but I still wouldn't expect the quality to blow you way. My guess is that most will be around 480p. At that, they should be able to get this stuff looking rather good (assuming you have an Internet connection that is fast enough).

re: First Look: Internet TV Plug-in for Media Center

Robert Lominski — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 23:20:38 GMT

I played with this and it is a nice thing. I could actually get into paying al-la-carte for just the things I like. That having been said, The video quality is iffy. The halo trailers look superb, but watching Arrested Development on my 50" looked aweful! Hey, I know it's basically free, so I ain't complaining too loud, but really, if you are gonna do it, at least make the quality decent.

Rob

re: First Look: Internet TV Plug-in for Media Center

chrisl — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 01:12:19 GMT

Euroboy: Noted.

Foe anyone having trouble

1) It is US only, so if you aren't in the US it shouldn't download and show up.

2) Force it....

Tasks | Settings | General | Automatic Download Options.

Check "Retrieve CD album art...from the Internet", Save.

Go back into Automatic Download Options, select the "Download Now" button near the bottom.

re: First Look: Internet TV Plug-in for Media Center

Euroboy — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 22:40:00 GMT

Very interesting to read about this, but please mention that this is US only so that your non US readers don't get confused about why they can't find it.

Content rights may delay a feature like this, but since it's a global product Microsoft should work harder at making some content available to other regions.

I'm getting tired of the fact that new features are US only while basic features are still missing for the European market.

re: First Look: Internet TV Plug-in for Media Center

chrisl — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:36:06 GMT

Images should be up now. Sorry about that.

Ted: Generally the issue is content licensing, for whatever reasons companies think they should limit content to the US only. I have no idea why, but it is the same reason some want region coding on physical media.

re: First Look: Internet TV Plug-in for Media Center

Ted — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 17:45:08 GMT

Both IPTV and Sports Lounge look great. But my questions is why are they limited to the US? Is it related to content rights, server capacity, other reasons? What makes the hurdles so high?

Ted

re: First Look: Internet TV Plug-in for Media Center

Andy — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 17:25:10 GMT

Is it just me - or are the images broken..?