Transcript: Windows Media Center Edition, August 19, 2004
Published: September 3, 2004
Chat Date: August 19, 2004
Please note: Portions of this transcript have been edited for clarity
Introduction
Moderator: Andrew (Microsoft)
Hi everyone, and welcome to the Media Center chat!
Moderator: Andrew (Microsoft)
Today we are answering your questions about Media Center.
Moderator: Andrew (Microsoft)
Now, I'll have our hosts for the chat today introduce themselves:
Host: Barb (MVP)
I'm Barb Bowman, a Windows-MVP. Media Center Rocks!
Host: Nick (Microsoft)
Hi, all ... I'm Nick, a developer on the Media Center Extender team.
Host: Joe (Microsoft)
Hi, I’m Joe and I am a developer on the Media Center TV team.
Host: Andrew_Clark (MVP)
Andrew Clark, MVP for Media Center
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Hi, my name is Todd; I am a program manager on the Media Center Extender team
Host: CoreyGouker (MVP)
Hi, I'm Corey a Media Center MVP, want more info... blogs.coreygouker.com is the way.
Host: Tim (Microsoft)
Hi, I’m Tim and I am a program manager on the Media Center Extender team.
Start of Chat
Host: CoreyGouker (MVP)
Q: How will Media Center 2005 be distributed for existing MCE owners? Via upgrade CD through OEM's only or will download upgrade options be available?
A: To date, MCE upgrades have been provided only by the OEMs, without any download options.
Host: Nick (Microsoft)
Q: When will the Media Center Extenders be available, both 3rd-party hardware and Xbox?
A: They should be available in time for the holidays this year.
Moderator: Andrew (Microsoft)
Please note that we cannot comment on unannounced products, and in some cases may not be able to discuss specific aspects of announced products. This chat is primarily to discuss questions or issues with our current products.
Host: AlexFeinman (MVP)
Q: Will stability be addressed in MCE 2005?
A: Typically every new release has brought stability improvements.
Host: Joe (Microsoft)
Q: When will Portable Media Center be available?
A: A list of devices and expected availability dates are listed on: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/devices/portablemediacenter/availablenow.mspx
Host: Nick (Microsoft)
Q: What about MCX software for Windows XP Home/Pro ? The scenario is a person having an MCE in the living room and a PC in the kid’s room and wanting that PC to access the MCE without adding a TV and hardware MCX
A: That's a good idea - the product team is aware of this feature request and will consider it for the future.
Host: AlexFeinman (MVP)
Q: Will there be a SDK for MCE 2005?
A: Microsoft is committed to supporting our MCE SDK, for both our current release and into the future.
Host: Nick (Microsoft)
Q: MCX - When will it be released in Europe?
A: Sorry, we don't information about that at this time. :(
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Q: Will Extenders function with an MCE 2004 machine?
A: Extenders will work with existing Media Center PCs; we have not provided details regarding what software will need to be installed on the PC to enable this.
Host: CoreyGouker (MVP)
Q: I'm a long time MCE user, but I've never understood how to do a "manual recording". Could you explain how that is accomplished?
A: Manual recording would just be pressing the record button on the remote.
Host: Nick (Microsoft)
A: There is another mechanism to create a manual recording - on the Recorded TV list, you can choose "Add Recording" and then "Date and Time" - this allows you to pre-schedule a manual recording.
Host: Barb (MVP)
Q: What (if any) changes will MCE 2005 bring for current third-party apps? Will this be addressed before the release?
A: Nothing has really been announced in terms of any updates to MCE, including third-party applications.
Host: Barb (MVP)
Q: How customizable will Media Center 2005 be? Will users have the ability to change things without complications?
A: Nothing has been announced about any future versions of Media Center. Keep watching the web site
Host: Robert_Schlabbach (MVP)
Q: Somewhat MCE related, do the localized versions of SP2 also include the MCE 2004 update Also, any release date for the French build?
A: As there hasn't been any pre-MCE2004 French build, there is nothing to upgrade...
Host: Walter_Waltz (MVP)
Q: What can you tell us, if anything about MCE 2005?
A: Unfortunately, no official information has been released about any future versions of Media Center Edition, but as always, stay tuned!
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Q: Will MCE Extenders be available in the UK?
A: We announced plans for Europe at CeBIT this year, but have not yet announced schedule details
Host: Nick (Microsoft)
Q: How do I report TV schedule errors?
A: You can report Electronic Program Guide issues at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/mce/reporting/epg.aspx
Moderator: Andrew (Microsoft)
Q: Microsoft recently announced the system builder’s kit. What will this kit contain software- and hardware-wise, and will it be available to the "average Joe" who builds his own PC, or simply to lesser known OEM's?
A: We haven't made any announcements about the specifics yet, but this web site provides some additional information: http://www.microsoft.com/oem/registration.mspx
Host: Joe (Microsoft)
Q: Does MCE support HDTV?
A: Vbox has announced HDTV support for Media Center Edition 2004. See their release at http://www.vboxcomm.com/news_specific.asp?id=49 for more information.
Host: Doug (MVP)
Q: How come so many questions are not answered, especially pertaining to upgrades for regular users?
A: Because at this time, no information has been made public regarding any potential future upgrades to MCE by Microsoft.
Host: Walter_Waltz (MVP)
Q: Are there plans for an embedded version of Media Center that will come with Televisions?
A: No official announcements have been made with regard to embedded versions of Media Center.
Host: AlexFeinman (MVP)
Q: What about a compatible TV matrix? I know all TVs should work with TV-out, but something like what works best using VGA and DVI-D inputs on new LCD TVs?
A: Pretty much every TV with VGA or DVI input can be connected to the video card VGA (DVI) output. MCE will use the available screen space.
Host: Doug (MVP)
Q: Do you all live in Seattle?
A: No
Host: Nick (Microsoft)
Q: Just answer the question about upgrades. Many people will use 3rd party products because Microsoft will not allow them to upgrade to Media Center without buying a whole new PC.
A: We're aware that this is a common feature request and we're constantly evaluating the best ways to make MCE available. Unfortunately, there is no information about any MCE upgrade or the like at this time.
Moderator: Andrew (Microsoft)
Q: Basically what you are telling us is that you can only tell us what you have already told us?
A: As we've said, we cannot comment on unannounced products, and in some cases may not be able to discuss specific aspects of announced products. This chat is primarily to discuss questions or issues with our *current* products.
Moderator: Andrew (Microsoft)
Q: Every so often when my HP 864 wakes up from sleep the monitor is black ... can't do a thing ... I'm able to log-in remotely using my other PC and reboot the PC using the "System Recovery" snapshot.
A: We haven't seen any issues like that - you may wish to contact your OEM support (HP), or try posting your question in our Media Center newsgroup. You can find our newsgroups here: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/newsgroups/default.asp
Host: Barb (MVP)
Q: Any plans to integrate MSN and MCE so that we can remotely set-up recording schedules like TiVO has provided for months?
A: Great idea - I would love this and will pass it on to the Developers
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Q: Media Center currently only functions correctly with tuners that support hardware MPEG encoding. Are there any plans to change this for the future (Updates or MCE 2005)?
A: ATI already has a software encoding solution for Media Center for their All in Wonder products.
Host: Barb (MVP)
Q: Are there any new add-ons coming to Online Spotlight you can tell us about?
A: Nothing has been announced
Host: Doug (MVP)
Q: I am unable to upgrade MCE 2004 with SP2. "Insufficient resources". Are there any log files that could possibly indicate what may have went wrong?
A: You should disable your antivirus software and any other applications that are running, including applications in the System Tray. Leave your firewall on, if you're using one, until the upgrade is complete.
Host: Tim (Microsoft)
Q: Any plans to allow you to "record" a slideshow ... MCE has a great slideshow format and this would provide a really easy way to then burn a slide show to DVD
A: No announced plans. I use Windows Movie Maker to achieve a similar result.
Host: Walter_Waltz (MVP)
Q: Will there be a TV remote integrated into Media Center now!?
A: There are no remotes that can operate MCE and a television set at this time that I am aware of.
Host: Doug (MVP)
Q: Are there any "skins" available to change the color scheme or look of MCE?
A: No.
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Q: Has Microsoft had any pressure from TV studios or other sources to discontinue MCE? It seems digital recording is a hot topic with many individuals in the entertainment industry right now.
A: Microsoft has partnered with content providers on multiple ventures. A good example is the ABC Celebrity Mole interactive experience that was available via Media Center’s Online Spotlight.
Host: Barb (MVP)
Q: When will we see Windows Media Connect devices, like picture frames, controlled from MCE?
A: Interesting idea.
Host: Doug (MVP)
Q: Is there a set time/date in which MCE will be available via OEM channels?
A: Nothing has been announced at this time.
Moderator: Andrew (Microsoft)
Q: MCE is essentially XP Professional with some extra drivers and the MCE program/shell. Why cant it be available to system builders, etc?
A: We have announced that Media Center Edition will be available for system builders, but have not announced the specific timing - stay tuned.
Host: aarond
Q: You probably can't answer, but are there any thoughts to adding AM Radio to MCE? I can't get sports radio on the FM dial.
A: The tuners in MCE don’t support AM frequencies.
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Q: On what the date will this be in stores?
A: Media Center is available now.
Moderator: Andrew (Microsoft)
Q: Any plans to enable the queue feature in future releases?
A: Can you describe the specific use you'd have for this?
Host: Doug (MVP)
Q: What is the difference between MCE and XP Professional? Surely if someone owns XP Professional (not Home) they should be allowed to use MCE with their COA (XP Pro cost me so much money!).
A: MCE is a superset of Windows XP Professional. Additionally, MCE is not available as an add-on for existing systems. It is only available when purchased with a new system.
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Q: ANY idea when we might expect more information about MCE in the future? Any future chats scheduled?
A: We hold a Media Center chat on the third Thursday of every month here in the MSN Expert Zone.
Moderator: Andrew (Microsoft)
Okay, we'll be ending the Media Center chat in 5 minutes. Last chance!
Host: Walter_Waltz (MVP)
Q: Will an unpatched MCE new PC be vulnerable/infected within 16 minutes of it being connected to the Internet?
A: It’s always recommended that you visit windowsupdate.microsoft.com and download any available updates.
Host: Andrew_Clark (MVP)
Q: Media Center currently requires a 3rd party MPEG decoder to display TV and DVD. In the future will Microsoft develop their own decoder and build it into MCE to improve stability issues? Or does Microsoft recommend a specific "certified" decoder?
A: It's your own choice which decoder to use.
Moderator: Andrew (Microsoft)
This concludes our Media Center chat for today. Thanks for coming, everyone!
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Thanks everyone for participating today.
Host: Barb (MVP)
See you next month!
Moderator: Andrew (Microsoft)
Please feel free to stay and continue to chat about Media Center or other Windows topics.
Host: Nick (Microsoft)
Thanks for coming, all.
Host: Walter_Waltz (MVP)
See everyone again soon!
For further information on this topic please visit the following:
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter
Transcripts: Read the archive of past Windows XP chats.
Website: Visit the home page for Windows Media Center Edition
