Transcript: Chat - Windows XP Media Center Edition, August 21, 2003
Published: August 21, 2003
Please note: Portions of this transcript have been edited for clarity
Host Guide_KenM says:
Welcome to today's chat. Our topic is Windows XP Media Center Editions. Questions, comments, and suggestions are welcome.
Host Guide_KenM says:
The Lower Room is where guests can enter questions for our hosts today. We will read them and select questions to answer. The questions and answers will be posted in the Upper Room.
Host Guide_KenM says:
Please feel free to begin posting your questions in the room below. Please begin your questions with a Q: This will help us quickly identify the questions.
Host Guide_KenM says:
To properly display URLs and allow private whispers from hosts and other guests, please take a moment to click on Chat Options located in the left column and uncheck “Do not display messages with URLs” and check "allow whispers".
Host Guide_KenM says:
I'll now have the hosts introduce themselves.
Host Guest_Michelle_MS says:
Hi Everyone - I'm a Program Manager on the Media Center Team. One of the feature areas I own is the remote control and the IR receiver. Fortunately that work keeps me in close contact with many of the features in the product. I can't wait to here you co
Host Guest_Michelle_MS says:
comments / ideas / questions on Media Center.
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
I'm Aaron on the Media Center Edition team, working specifically on TV features. Personal Video Recording is my specialty. Hi Everyone!
Host Guest_Nick_MS says:
Hi, everyone ... I'm a developer on the Media Center team, working on stuff that we can't quite talk about yet. ;)
Host Guide_KenM says:
And I'm Ken McGrath, TechNet/MSDN Web and Communities Producer.
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
SkynetWillOwnYou, what do you mean by you don't feel like going to TV?
Host Guest_Michelle_MS says:
Q: why is there no possibility to jump directly to a position within a movie or recorded tv show (f.e. entering 10, to jump to minute 10)?
Host Guest_Michelle_MS says:
A: This is a good idea. I'll add it to the list of requests. For now you can press the 30 second skip and jump through TV shows pretty quickly J
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
Q: Is this where I come for tech support?
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
A: We hold these chats every so often to get requests/ideas from people on what they want to see in the product. I'd use the Support home and Microsoft Knowledge Base for tech support. http://support.microsoft.com/
Host Guest_Michelle_MS says:
Q: Will there be a beta program for Media2Go? Media2Go is the portable version of Media Center. I've seen that beta newsgroups already exist.
Host Guest_Michelle_MS says:
A: Unfortunately we are not the Media2Go team so I can't answer your question.
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
Q: (sugestion) how about being able to SMS MCE to record ER A: Thank you - this is a great idea
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
:)
Host Guest_Michelle_MS says:
Q: I have read that MCE is coming to Europe is that correct?
Host Guest_Michelle_MS says:
A: We can't comment on future regions or releases but keep watching the store shelves.
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
Q: carried on, SMS being small message service, using a mobile phone. so you would send a message "record ER @ 9.30pm channel 4" and maybe MCE would have to use a text searching alithogram to sort through a listing of channels and pick the right one
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
A: Ahh - this is a great feature request that we'll definitely evaluate ; )
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
;)
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
Q: (Sugestion) Why dont you integrate a option to compress recorded shows with a format like DivX ... ?!
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
A: We're add that to our list of requests.
Host Guest_Michelle_MS says:
Q: (suggestion) Possibility to skip commercial breaks within recorded tv shows (using jump points or something to skip the break)?
Host Guest_Michelle_MS says:
A: This is pretty easy to do today - just 3 clicks on the skip ahead button covers most commercial breaks - use 6 for longer breaks If you overshoot just use the 5 second back button
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
Q: But Jaz - what would you SMS too?
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
A: You could imagine that you dial into a service that talks to Media Center over the Internet - if you have a good imagination ;0
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
;)
Host Guest_Michelle_MS says:
Q: L332: According to the press release, it is expanding into Europe
Host Guest_Michelle_MS says:
A: Well L323 was right - here's the link to the press release
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
Q: is it possible to get MCE to make a list of all the shows youve watched and haven't watched and then perhaps delete the ones youve watched, of course if you haven't watched any of them theres a problem
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
A: If you're speaking about an episode list that grows for your series list so it doesn't re-record stuff, I can put that down on the list too. ;)
Host Guest_Nick_MS says:
mutley : q: any idea what CSS error means when trying play a DVD
Host Guest_Nick_MS says:
We're trying to stick to feature questions and ideas for this chat. If you have technical issues, please try the MCE public newsgroups.
Host Guest_Nick_MS says:
AndyVanosdale can tell you all that you need to know about those.
Host Guest_Nick_MS says:
Markus : Q: is the new MCE Version going to be sold as an individual product or only to oem's and they sell it bundled with computers?
Host Guest_Nick_MS says:
We're aware that this is a common request and have it on the list of requested options. Currently, Media Center is only available through our OEMs.
Host Guest_Michelle_MS says:
Q: It would be cool if you could listen to radio and digital radio on an MCE PC
Host Guest_Michelle_MS says:
A: Radio is a great idea! Of course if you have satellite TV or Digital TV you can get some radio stations today!
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
Q: Aaron, hmm, what i eamt was, say you record 5 programs, and you watch 3 of them, does MCE know what youve watched and haven't watched, so if it does run out of room, it can delete the ones youve watched, unless you make a setting telling it not to i
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
A: You can use “Keep Until I Delete” on shows and set “No Limit” on the number of shows in the series if there is a particular series you always must see - like Pop Idol.
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
;)
Host Guide_KenM says:
For those new to the chat - Our topic is Our topic is Windows XP Media Center Editions.
Host Guest_Michelle_MS says:
Q: Is there like child locks on MCE - to stop children seeing 18 rated films etc.
Host Guest_Michelle_MS says:
A: There are parental controls available under Settings, TV, Parental control. The content must be flagged correctly from the service provider in order for the controls to lock down content.
Host Guest_Nick_MS says:
Kev : Q: Is there any sort of online demo to see the features and options in MCE?
Host Guest_Nick_MS says:
A: Yes - You can find plenty of info at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/ including demos and feature lists.
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
Q: Aaron - what about NO pop idol settings Can that be a feature - a list of shows not to record.... ever!
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
A: You can always edit the channel line-up and remove Pop Idol's channel.
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
Q: UK market - will it work with Sky Digital?
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
A: In any market that MCE enters, we would test all major cable and satellite providers to make sure they work with MCE.
Host Guide_KenM says:
We will be continuing this chat for about 15 minutes and will continue to take questions. We encourage you to repost any questions we may have missed. Thanks all for participating in the chat.
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
Q: how much will the proposed EPG subscription cost? if there is to be one?
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
A: Currently, there is no extra charge for the EPG subscription - a huge value over other PVR products on the market.
Host Guest_Nick_MS says:
L332 : Q: Can I play games while MCE is recording?
Host Guest_Nick_MS says:
A: Yes, your Media Center PC can function as a full PC while recording shows, including playing games.
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
Q: (Suggestion) add Bluetooth to MCE and make it into a slideshow viewer for all those snaps stored on your mobile?
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
A: Thanks, Jaz. I will forward this to the Photos team.
Host Guest_Nick_MS says:
jedimasterk and d12: We're aware that this is a common request and have it on the list of requested options. Currently, Media Center is only available through our OEMs.
Host Guest_Nick_MS says:
(Oops: The Q: for that was: Will you ever release a standalone product ?)
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
Q: Will the hardware be quick enough to cope with recording a TV show, watching a recorded one and then also browsing an EPG that's got 300 channels in it?
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
A: It all works now. ;)
Host Guest_Nick_MS says:
Q: What if you have a media center PC and your harddrive goes bad. Do PC manufacturers give you a retail copy so you can re-install it back on your new harddrive.
Host Guest_Nick_MS says:
A: If you have any issues with your Media Center PC, contact your OEM and they should be able to help you out. How they support their hardware is up to each individual OEM.
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
Q: Is the MPEG decoding done through hardware or software?
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
A: We use hardware right now.
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
Q: Will there ever be hdtv recording in MCE?
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
A: Thanks, I'm the one that will evaluate this request with my team. You're lucky I'm here. ;)
Host Guest_Nick_MS says:
Q: Will future version be able to set MCE as a desktop wallpaper... would make things easy for multi-tasting.
Host Guest_Nick_MS says:
A: I haven't seen this feature request before, but we'll put it on the list.
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
Q: Request/question: Does MCE have a built-in decoder for satellite TV? if not, can it be a request?
Host Guest_Aaron_MS says:
A: Currently, MCE cannot receive the raw satellite signal and render it on your TV. I will evaluate this request with my team, though - Thanks!
Host Guest_Nick_MS says:
Q: Any plans on allowing other devices that do not have Hardware MPEG2 decoding chip to work with the MCE features?
Host Guest_Nick_MS says:
A: Thanks for the suggestion. We'll put it on the list.
Host Guest_Nick_MS says:
Q: To ever recoord hdtv, you'll probably need a more effeciant codec. Are any companies working on hardware accelerated wmv 9 cards?
Host Guest_Nick_MS says:
A: You'd have to check with the hardware manufacturers. We'll continue to evaluate and take advantage of the hardware available as time goes on.
Host Guide_KenM says:
Thanks for joining us today and thanks for the questions. It's time for us to go now. You'll be able to find the transcript of this chat soon at . Please see the chats schedule for upcoming topics.
Host Guest_Nick_MS says:
Thanks for coming, everyone.
Host Guest_Nick_MS says:
If any of your questions didn't get answered, or if you have any technical issues with your MCE PC, I'd encourage you to visit the MCE newsgroup.
