Transcript: Windows Media Center Edition, May 20, 2004
Published: September 20, 2004
Chat Date: May 20, 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 Edition.
Moderator: Andrew (Microsoft)
Now, I'll have our hosts for the chat today introduce themselves:
Moderator: Andrew (Microsoft)
I'm Andrew Brown, and I'm the MVP Lead for Media Center, and the moderator for this chat.
Host: Barb (MVP)
I'm Barb Bowman and I'm a Windows MVP who just loves MCE and what's happening in the eHome world. In real life, I'm a Product Development Manager for Comcast High Speed Internet.
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Hi, my name is Todd; I am a Program Manager working on Media Center Extenders
Host: Nick (Microsoft)
Hey, all ... I'm Nick, a developer on the Media Center Extender team furiously trying to get some new MCX features done as we speak.
Host: JasonT (MVP)
Hi, my name is Jason Tsang, and I'm one of the MVPs who's going to be helping with the chat.
Host: Joe (Microsoft)
Hi, my name is Joe; I'm a software developer on the Media Center TV team.
Host: Walter_Waltz (MVP)
Hello everyone! I am Walter Waltz, a Windows Media Center Edition MVP and am ready to help out anyone with questions!
Host: AndyVanosdale (MVP)
Hi all, my name is Andy, and I work on the Media Center team helping to make this a great product!
Start of Chat
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Q: What is the status on media center extender availability?
A: Media Center Extenders are scheduled to be available in time for the 2004 holiday season
Host: AndyVanosdale (MVP)
Q: Why was the Queue it up feature turned off in MCE 2004?
A: Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 does not have a queue it up feature. This is a great feature request, and I will get this passed along to the proper folks.
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Q: Wondering about future MCD upgrades - how will an upgrade beyond 2004 be handled - by the manufacturer - at any point will MSFT be involved with upgrades?
A: We have not yet announced details regarding future versions of Media Center
Moderator: Andrew (Microsoft)
Q: Can you confirm or deny if dual encoders will ever be supported?
A: As stated at the beginning of the chat, I'm afraid we cannot comment on unannounced products, and in some cases may not be able to discuss specific aspects of announced products.
Moderator: Andrew (Microsoft)
This chat is primarily to discuss questions or issues with our current products.
Host AlexFeinman
Q: Why are so few regions where MCE is available?
A: I think the major markets are being covered first
Host: Nick (Microsoft)
Q: Is EPG availability the problem in spreading MCE to other regions?
A: Good question. It turns out that there are challenges unique to each region that we evaluate when considering future versions of MCE - EPG availability is one such consideration, but is not the only one.
Host: AndyVanosdale (MVP)
Q: Can one help MS to spread to a specific region providing feedback and help?
A: Absolutely! Microsoft wants to hear your feedback about bringing Media Center to new regions. You can post in the public newsgroups or submit your feedback to http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/using/featurerequest.asp.
Host: Walter_Waltz (MVP)
Q: At the NAB Show (National Association of Broadcasters), Vboxx and Microsoft showed HDTV on an MCE 2004. The card is available to ship but there is a patch required for MCE 2004. Any release date on the patch?
A: Unfortunately any details regarding HDTV availability for Windows Media Center has not been made public at this point in time. Of course, HDTV availability is at the top of the list of requested features and at this time all we can say is to stay tuned
Host: Barb (MVP)
Q: Does Media Center allow you any avenue to output using IEEE-1394 port?
A: There is no support to output video via 1394 interface.
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Q: Will Microsoft ever make the MCX devices capable of operating standalone, without requiring a MCE PC?
A: Media Center Extenders by definition require a Media Center to run; there are alternative devices that can be used against other versions of Window XP, but they lack the richness of MCX devices (e.g. access to live and recorded TV)
Host: AndyVanosdale (MVP)
Q: Is MS working with DVD software manufacturers to ensure s/pdif functionality through My DVD. Today's DVD codecs are very poorly implemented.
A: Microsoft works with software DVD decoder manufacturers very closely to ensure a great experience for all users.
Host: Joe (Microsoft)
Q: Is there a way to "Sort by newest added" for Music, Movies, etc? Sometimes I wanna listen to the latest CDs I just ripped and added in a quick and easy fashion... is there a "sort by date" function in the works?
A: Windows Media Center comes with many preset Auto Playlists. One of these is "Fresh Tracks" which will play tracks added in the last 7 days. You can also create your own custom Auto Playlist.
Host: Walter_Waltz (MVP)
Q: MCE UK, will the missing data for some channels be added soon, as some are currently missing?
A: You are able to report problems regarding the channel guide by going to this page and filling out the form: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/using/reporting/epg.asp. There is also a UK-specific link: http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windowsxp/mediacenter/epg.aspx
Host: Nick (Microsoft)
Q: When using a MCX device, what will happen if the site I am interacting with (like Movielink), requires me to download some of their software for the service to work? Will I be able to do this at my TV using the MCX, or will I have to use my MCE PC?
A: We've not yet disclosed any information on what form, if any, extensibility support will take in MCX, so we can't speculate about any such interactions at this time.
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Q: Is there a way to create playlists within MCE2004? A third-party application allows this, but I was wondering if this feature will be better implemented in future releases.
A: This isn’t possible with MCE 2004; it’s an interesting feature request for the future that I can pass along.
Host: Todd (Microsoft)
Q: Love MCE and use it every day since it came out BUT, I have built 3 PVRs from scratch based on Exatels HW (not important) the have composite in/out and I can control it any way I like through RS-232. Do you think I integrate them any way??
A: This isn’t natively supported in Media Center, however it might be possible to enable this through the Media Center Extensibility SDK (depending upon your specific requirements)
Host: AndyVanosdale (MVP)
Q: Can you say if the MCX devices will be able to use the same remote as the main Media Center PC?
A: This is dependent upon some different factors. The remotes are up to the hardware manufacturers and the OEMs.
Host: Barb (MVP)
Q: I like the EPG format, but wish the types of programs were color-coded for quick scanning (i.e. green for movies, red for comedy, etc.). Any chance this request could be passed along as well if this is not already in the works?
A: Consider this passed along. Don't know if or when but I like the idea myself.
Host: Eric (Microsoft)
A: Also, try our filtered guide feature if you are in the USA
Host: Eric (Microsoft)
Press the "Guide" button again when you are on the EPG
Host: Eric (Microsoft)
You can choose a category and only channels with shows in the selected genre will be displayed.
Moderator: Andrew (Microsoft)
Hi all. We've got about 30 minutes left. Get those questions in!
Host: Barb (MVP)
Q: My caller id option does not show up, is this because my modem doesn’t support it?
A: Your modem needs to support this.
Host: Walter_Waltz (MVP)
Q: I have MCE hooked to a plasma, whenever I select "Visualize" from the Music interface, it never matches the speed/framerate compared to the same visualization from within WM9. I thought these settings would be linked... was this done by design?
A: We have discussed this issue amongst ourselves and none of us have seen this issue before. A great suggestion would be to post this issue on the Windows Media Center newsgroups. You can get to them via the web at: http://communities2.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/en-us/default.aspx
Host: Walter_Waltz (MVP)
Q: Do you recommend downloading SP2 when it is released if you have a Media Center PC?
A: Yes, we would definitely recommend upgrading to SP2 because of all of the new security features and fixes. SP2 will be compatible with all versions of Media Center.
Host: Barb (MVP)
Q: will SP2 permit Remote Desktop w/o locking out current MCE2004 logins?
A: SP2 is still an unreleased product. You can download the public preview (RC1) and take it for a spin.
Host: Walter_Waltz (MVP)
Q: Any way to extend the media center evaluation software kit license from its 90 day expiration?? (missed the 90 day limitation when we ordered)
A: Unfortunately, no. Once the limitation is up, it is up. The only legitimate way around it is to purchase a Media Center PC from an OEM such as HP, Dell or Gateway.
Host: Walter_Waltz (MVP)
Q: Can Media center edition software be purchase separately now?
A: Unfortunately that is not yet available for purchase separately. The only way to obtain Media Center at this current time is to buy a PC.
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: Todd (Microsoft)
Q: Will the Xbox Media Center Extender work with the Xbox DVD remote?
A: The Media Center Extender for Xbox will come with its own remote control optimized for Media Center use
Host: Nick (Microsoft)
Q: is it a known issue for the guide to have problems updating? I come home almost everyday from work and have a warning about it not getting the guide updated but then it works fine manually
A: No known issues at this time to my knowledge, but try posting this to the newsgroup and somebody should be able to look into it for you.
Moderator: Andrew (Microsoft)
Okay, we'll be ending the Media Center chat in 5 minutes. Last chance!
Host: Eric (Microsoft)
Q: is there a way to schedule guide downloading instead of having my PC wake-up at ungodly hours to do so?
A: You may choose to do manual downloads of guide data instead of having it automatically download.
Moderator: Andrew (Microsoft)
This concludes our Media Center chat for today. Thanks for coming, everyone!
Moderator: Andrew (Microsoft)
Please feel free to stay and continue to chat about Media Center or other Windows topics.
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
