Transcript: Chat about Windows Media Center Edition, February 18, 2005
Published: February 23, 2005
Please note: Portions of this transcript have been edited for clarity
Introduction
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
Hi everyone, and welcome to the Media Center chat!
Today we are answering your questions about Windows XP Media Center Edition?
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
Now, I'll have our hosts for the chat today introduce themselves:
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
I'm Andrew Brown, and I'm the MVP Lead for Media Center, and the moderator for this chat.
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Hi, I'm Barb Bowman and I'm a Windows MVP
RobertSchlabbach-MVP (Expert):
Hi, I'm Robert Schlabbach, MCE MVP from Germany.
Todd_MS (Expert):
Hi everyone. My name is Todd; I’m a program manager working on Media Center Extender technology.
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
Go ahead and begin sending us your questions, and we'll get the chat underway.
Start of Chat
Todd_MS (Expert):
Q: Is the optimum way to install a wireless Media Center Extender an 802.11A router?
A: 802.11a will provide you with a good experience, but you'll have the best experience if you use a wired Ethernet network.
RobertSchlabbach-MVP (Expert):
Q: hallo robert, may i ask you in german?
A: Sure, kein Problem. Aber bitte keine langen Konversationen, weil das nachher dem Protokollaufbereiter Kopfschmerzen machen dürfte...
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: Both the MS and Greenbutton.com newsgroups have several users reporting issue with IR Blaster problems since upgrading to MCE 2005. Is MS aware of this and working on a patch. I remember when 2004 came-out there was a similar issue resulting in a patch
A: Can you give a brief description of the actual issue here please?
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
Q: If I open my device manager and I enable show hidden items, under non-plug and play drivers PMEM is not functioning correctly. Is this a serious problem?
A: If you have general Windows XP-related questions - rather than ones about our chat topic, Media Center - you can ask them in 55 minutes when our current chat is over. Thanks!
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: Is there any wireless standard that would provide seamless video streaming within one room?
A: 802.11a would probably be the best inside a single room. If you could describe distance and environment a little, it would help.
Todd_MS (Expert):
Q: Extenders are not yet available here (or at least, still can't find any), but I've seen on newsgroups people complaining about no support for 16:9 and HDTV in current extenders ... is that a by-design limitation, a temporary limitation, or a bug ?
A: Current Media Center Extenders support standard definition TV only. HDTV support is interesting to many people and is certainly something we are looking at for the future.
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
As a reminder, please make sure you send your questions using the "Submit a Question" option. Thanks!
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: does sfc /scannow work in MCE ?
A: I don't know what version of MCE you are using, but everything that works in XP works in MCE. If you have MCE 2005, you cannot join a domain or use cached credentials (which should not impact most home users)
RobertSchlabbach-MVP (Expert):
Q: i do it: funktionieren onboardgrafikkarten von sis mit mce05
A: MCE 2005 benötigt eine Grafikkarte mit DirectX 9.0 Unterstützung, und Onboard-Grafik hat i.d.R. nicht die benötigte Funktionalität. Auf der MCE-Kompatibilitätsliste ist m.W. auch noch keine einzige Onboard-Grafikkarte zu finden. Diese Frage solltest Du ggf. noch einmal in der Newsgroup mit genauer Angabe des Chipsatzes stellen, aber es ist sehr wahrscheinlich, dass sie _nicht_ unterstützt wird.
Todd_MS (Expert):
Q: Do you have any "unofficial" recommendations for PCI TV Tuner Cards for Win MCE?
A: The best place to start for TV tuner card information is the Designed for Windows XP Media Center Edition partner list http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/partners/dfw/partnerlisting.mspx. For specific recommendations, I suggest visiting the Media Center newsgroup (microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter)
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: I would place the router behind closed wooden cabinet doors with the Media Center PC, but have the extender on the other side of my living room. The extender would be frequently moved, so it's antenna would sometimes be 2' off the floor, sometimes 5'.
A: 802.11a should work fine through wood. If there is metal in between, or a large appliance, you could have issues
Todd_MS (Expert):
Q: Is there an SDK for Media Center?
A: Yes; it's available at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=33839D15-FD6E-46BE-A3B3-EEB7A62D1B20&displaylang=en
RobertSchlabbach-MVP (Expert):
Q: und gibt es später einmal eine in absehbarer zeit oder muss ich mir eine pci-karte einbauen?
A: Ich vermag nicht vorauszusagen, was es künftig für Onboard-Grafikkarten geben wird. Gut möglich, dass künftige Chipsätze auch die benötigte Funktionalität für MCE 2005 haben werden, aber zum jetzigen Zeitpunkt geht es wohl nicht ohne eine "richtige" DirectX 9.0 Grafikkarte - am besten eine, die auch auf der MCE-Kompatibilitätsliste zu finden ist.
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: when i run MCE i receive this messege "Your video card or drivers are not compatible with Media Center"
A: What brand and model video card and what version drivers are you using? There are specific cards and driver versions required to run MCE.
RobertSchlabbach-MVP (Expert):
Q: I've setup MCE in a virtual machine (VMWare). When starting the VM I keep getting "Your video card or drivers are not compatible with Media Center". Standard XP in the same environment works fine. Any hint?
A: I think the display adapter which VMWare emulates does not offer DirectX 9.0 functionality to the operating system running inside the virtual machine. MCE requires DirectX 9.0 functions from the display adapter and thus will not work.
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: MediaCenter keeps reporting it can not record a show due to the IR Blaster being disconnected. A simple unplug/replug of the IR Blaster typically solves the problem. Other common problem is IR Blaster will not learn remote codes
A: This is going to be tough to trouble shoot in chat. If you've posted in the Microsoft Media Center Newsgroups without receiving a fix, can you post a reply to your original message as a "refresh" and we will try to look at these in the newsgroups?
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
Hi folks - we're having some technical difficulties with getting some of our hosts online. Please be patient, we're working hard to get to everyone's questions. Thanks!
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: it is on a lap top i have ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9700 64MB
A: Did this laptop come with MCE pre-installed on it? The tested video cards/chips are published at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/partners/dfw/partnerlisting.mspx.
Todd_MS (Expert):
Q: Does anyone know if the MCE remote control and receiver reference design available?
A: OEM partners are able to license the necessary technology to integrate the IR receiver into their PC design and build their own remote control. For additional details, contact your Microsoft OEM representative.
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
Q: We are completing a software app for WMC2005 - I'd like to include a Green Button logo on our website. How can I get permission for this? (Is this the same as applying for an Online Spotlight accreditation?)
A: The Green Button is not directly affiliated with Microsoft (although several MVPs are involved with the site) - you should contact them directly. Thanks!
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
As a reminder, please make sure you send your questions using the "Submit a Question" option. Thanks!
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: I' ve heard reports Media Center and Media Center extenders are having problems if the PC is also running MS AntiSpyware Beta 1. Can you confirm if we should or should not be running MS AntiSpyware with MCE at this time?
A: This is a known issue and it is documented in the release notes. So no, you should not run MS Anti Spyware Betas at this time including the Beta 1 refresh that was posted yesterday. I'm sure a fix will be forthcoming before release.
Todd_MS (Expert):
Q: Installing the Windows Messenger 5.1 seems to breaks MC Messenger, is that a known problem ?
A: I have not heard of issues related to Messenger 5.1, but I will pass along your comments to the folks who handle Media Center Messenger.
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
Q: hi - came to whatI thought was a chat about Wdowd Firewall and how to get teh most out of it - did I read the chat invite wrong?
A: Right now we have our regularly scheduled Media Center Edition chat (3pm-4pm PST). I don't know of a Windows Firewall chat taking place today, I'm afraid.
Todd_MS (Expert):
Q: The AOL Music service is a great additon to on-line spotllight .. any plans to add MSN Music Video's or Yahoo Launch?
A: We are continually adding new partners to Online Spotlight; I’m not aware of any public announcements regarding the two you suggest, but stay tuned…
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: So have you guys heard anything back from Haupaugge about the "MCE has stopped capturing data due to low signal strenght" error. John M said it was an PVR-250 driver issue, he thought.
A: The last I saw was in the System builders group that John was contacting them. I'm sure he will post an answer as soon as he receives one. I saw this once myself and it took a clean format and reinstall but it was fixed after that.
RobertSchlabbach-MVP (Expert):
Q: what resources are availalbe to add components to MC?
A: The Media Center SDK is available from Microsoft downloads and you can discuss SDK issues with peers in the Newsgroup microsoft.public.windows.developer.mediacenter.
Todd_MS (Expert):
Q: Todd_MS; How would I find out who is our Microsoft OEM representative?
A: If you are not already a registered OEM system builder, a good place to start is http://www.microsoft.com/oem/registration.mspx
RobertSchlabbach-MVP (Expert):
Q: Das MCE05 startet ohne Fehler, die grafische Spielereien funktionieren auch, bloß die Videowiedergabe bleibt schwarz. wenn die anwendung ein redraw/refresh bekommt, dann sehe ich kurz das bild, aber in der video-auswahl sehe ich alle anfangsbilder
A: Ist das mit der integrierten SIS-Onboardgrafik? Das ist das typische Symptom, wenn die Grafikkarte nicht die benötigten DirectX 9.0 Funktionen anbietet.
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: I have a Gateway 7200S with MCE 2005 pre installed. It cannot find the DVD recorder even though Nero can. Gateway support has not been able to solve this for over a month. Where can I obtain the media to do my own install?
A: You need to work this with Gateway. You can certainly purchase the OEM version with a piece of hardware and format your machine and install, but then you'd need to purchase a DVD decoder, etc. etc. AND you'd lose future Gateway support. There is no guarantee that going this extreme route would be successful.
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
Still having some technical difficulties - thanks for your patience as we work to get all the questions answered.
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: yes
A: Is this a retail MCE laptop or did you install yourself? Not sure what you are answering "yes" to.
Todd_MS (Expert):
Q: Re: Use of Green Button logo -- I meant the Green Button logo (graphic as owned by MS) used on the Microsoft OEM Remote, *not* any reference to www.TheGreenButton.com
A: For information regarding using Microsoft trademarks, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/ip/trademarks/faq.asp; additional information for OEMs is available at http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/ip/trademarks/oemguide.asp
RobertSchlabbach-MVP (Expert):
Q: any hope to see documentation to use the IR blaster from our applications to control TV / other IR equipment ?
A: I don't have an answer on that, but the newsgroup microsoft.public.windows.developer.mediacenter seems a good place to ask that question.
Todd_MS (Expert):
Q: does MCE support to watch TV via Internet enable device?
A: This functionality does not presently come with Media Center itself, but there is at least one third-party product that allows you to watch your Media Center TV content from Internet-enabled PCs and cell phones.
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: After filling up my recording space to about 80 % full, I often get an error code of tuner bad. Then the MC 2005 will stop recording. Then I have to reboot the computer to get it recording again. Is this a common problem?
A: how much actual space is there (as opposed to a percentage) 80 percent of how many gigs? What are your record settings set at? Based on space and how much or other criteria such as "until I watch" or "until I delete".
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
Q: does any one know about users names and passwords
A: If you have general Windows XP-related questions - rather than ones about our chat topic, Media Center - you can ask them in 15 minutes when our current chat is over. Thanks!
Todd_MS (Expert):
Q: Todd_MS> about the MCX... 16:9 not_hdtv is also not supported in v1 ?
A: MCX devices support playback of 16x9 WMV video content; standard definition TV content in the US is 4x3
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: What are the constraints running MCE on Pentium-M 2.0Ghz, when using TV? Ehshell.exe process goes to 0% and TV channel freezes, but I have no problem viewing the same channels using the beyond TV.
A: From my own experience on laptops with Pentium M - it's the display adapter that causes the bottleneck. What are you using (brand/model/memory)?
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
Hi all. We've got about 10 minutes left. Get those questions in!
Todd_MS (Expert):
Q: The problem is Gateway has not admitted there is a problem with the Sonic configuration even though other customers purchasing the same system have posted the same 'Cannot detect DVD device' problem in newsgroups. There is no support from Gateway on this.
A: I am not familiar with this issue, but I will pass it along to the folks who work with Gateway.
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: Barb_MVP .. "note the Turner bad" error message is also what you see with an IR Blaster problem .. I've have my TV Recording going to an external hardrive .. I wonder if I'm also getting this when my drive reaches 80% full. Unplug/replug IR fixes prob.
A: Not sure if this is connected to the other person's issue, but if we take this to the newsgroups (again) since this chat will be ending soon, some additional folks can look at this issue and comment.
Todd_MS (Expert):
Q: I use WinDVD on the MC w/o a problem. XBOX MC extender will not play. Solution?
A: Media Center Extenders do not support playback of DVD content sourced from the Media Center PC. Media Center Extender for Xbox does however support playback of DVDs in the Xbox console.
Todd_MS (Expert):
Q: While watching regular TV through a WMC05 PC on my HDTV, the signal appear grainy. What happens in the process of going to DVR_MS and back to video out -- what is the resolution set to? Is there a recommended approach to improve the quality of the picture?
A: HDTV content is recorded straight to the hard drive with no additional video encoding. It is likely the graininess is being introduced during playback. The best quality picture will be achieved using a DVI connection to a high-definition display. You will also get excellent quality using VGA out to a high resolution PC display. Both will provide significantly better visual quality than connecting via s-video or composite to a standard definition TV. For additional information, I recommend visiting the Media Center newsgroup (Microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter)
Todd_MS (Expert):
Q: Still no date for MCX and Xbox MCX in Europe ?
A: Information and dates regarding future MCX products have not yet been publicly announced.
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
This concludes our Media Center chat for today. Thanks for coming, everyone!
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
Please feel free to stay and continue to chat about Media Center or other Windows topics.
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Thanks everyone!
Todd_MS (Expert):
Thanks everyone!
