Transcript: Chat about Windows Media Center Edition, January 20, 2005
Published: February 16, 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!
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
Today we are answering your questions about 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.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Hi. I'm Andy Vanosdale, an MVP for Media Center and a Student Ambassador to Microsoft for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. We have a lot of people in here so this should be a good chat!
Nick_MS (Expert):
Hi, everyone - I'm Nick, a developer on the MCX team.
RobertSchlabbach-MVP (Expert):
I'm Robert Schlabbach, MCE MVP from Germany and ready to answer your Europe-specific questions :)
John Mooney [MSFT] (Expert):
I'm John Mooney, I provide support to System Builders for Media Center.
Start of Chat
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: Does Media Center 2005 have support for 64 MB video cards?
A: Media Center supports 64 MB video cards such as the GeForce4 MX 440. However, in Media Center 2005, you will notice a huge performance decrease with low end cards.
Nick_MS (Expert):
Q: How much does media centre cost on average?
A: The price of Media Center PCs is determined by our OEMs - the best way to answer this is to go to http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/howtobuy/default.mspx, take a look at our OEMs, and look for a system that best fits your price range and desired features.
Tony [MS] (Expert):
Q: when can beta testers of 2005 expect to see / test 2006?
A: We have not yet released dates for beta testing of future MCE releases. Sorry.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: How can one become a beta tester for future MCE and companion products?
A: More information on becoming a beta tester can be found at http://beta.microsoft.com. Also, if you search The Green Button or the public newsgroups, there is an open invitation for a future beta program dealing with digital media technologies.
RobertSchlabbach-MVP (Expert):
Q: What networking features does media centre have?
A: The same ones that Windows XP Professional has, except for the domain joining capability, which is no longer available in MCE2005. Instead, MCE2005 allows connecting Media Center Extender Devices, which Windows XP Professional does not.
Nick_MS (Expert):
Q: Does media center accept Nvidia GeForce 4 chips?
A: Some configurations of Media Center PCs have shipped in the past with nVidia GeForce 4 video cards, yes, though the majority recently have sold with newer video cards. You'll have to consult with the OEMs to see if they offer the video card you would like.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: I have a question about the display in my music can anyone help me, I’ve never used this b4 hope I’m doing this right
A: Go ahead and submit your question to us!
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: What are you best features?
A: All of the features are the best!
Tony [MS] (Expert):
Q: Can you confirm if Media Center Extenders do or do not support 5.1 audio
A: No. All audio codecs that support 5.1 channels are converted to 2-channel PCM when sent to an Extender.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: can you help me with a display issue in My music, I want to turn something off but don't know how
A: Sure, what is your question about it?
Nick_MS (Expert):
Q: Any comments on Emerald?
A: We can't comment on any products that have not been previously announced or released. Sorry.
Tony [MS] (Expert):
Q: More of a comment but last chat I said I had terrible performance with my wireless and Xbox extender. Since then I've gone strictly 802.11g mode and moved my access point and everything works great. Thanks for pointing out the tuning help file !
A: Glad you were able to get suitable performance on wireless! It can be a tricky thing to get right, but in most cases, people are able to find a way to make it work.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: Are the TV tuners, which were recommended for older editions of MCE like 2002,2003 (eg. emuzed Maui PVR 1) still work in MCE 2005 or it accepts only MCE 2005 recommended cards?
A: I haven't heard of any reports of TV tuner card in the OEM systems that shipped in v1 and 2004 having problems with 2005.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: Can someone pass this on to the developers before the next beta - we need some way of importing artwork that's embedded into mp3 files by iTunes. at the moment it ignores the embedded art and tries to download it's own art and gets it all wrong.
A: I will make sure the product team is aware of this!
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: I have Windows XP Media Center bought in France ( TV = pal secam ) TV worked well through cable; now I am in Brazil ( TV standard = nstc ) and I cannot get any TV picture through cable; is there a solution ?
A: You will need to purchase an NTSC TV tuner card. Also, Brazil is not a country which has EPG guide support at this time.
Tony [MS] (Expert):
Q: Any chance you could make it play Xbox games?
A: Not likely.
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: Is media center a different operating system??
A: Media Center 2005 is built on Windows XP SP2 and offers all the features of Windows XP Pro except the ability to join a domain and credential caching. You get the great MCE experience which is great for a residential user.
Nick_MS (Expert):
Q: I last got an illegal movie file in the media center 2005 edition, while viewing thumbnails the system hanged, I think there is some major bug there, I got rid off the file by removing the folder I
A: You should report this issue in the Media Center newsgroup at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/newsgroups/reader.mspx?dg=microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter and someone should be able to either help you with that or report the issue to the development team.
EricS [MS] (Expert):
Q: If I wanted to buy Media Center from the UK, where would I start?
A:http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windowsxp/mediacenter/choose/system/default.mspx
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: MCE 2004 users whose OEMs don't offer 2005 upgrades can upgrade by buying the standalone OEM copy. I am reluctant to do this as I'm not sure I would be able to buy a reduced-price upgrade next year or be forced to buy the full copy. Should I be reluctant?
A: Microsoft is aware that some OEMs have not offered upgrades to MCE 2005. The decision is your as to purchase the system builder copy of MCE 2005 as we can not comment on any future product plans.
Tony [MS] (Expert):
Q: Who is the target for MCX devices? $300 seems a bit steep when considering a DVD player is $50 - and no DVD player in a MCX.
A: MCX is targeted at users who want access to their Recorded TV, Music, Photos and videos in other rooms in their house. Typically this customer is someone who has more than one television in the house and has a basic knowledge of in-home networking. MCX is not intended to be or replace a DVD player.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: Andy: does it mean you're on the beta for 2006 if you still have the pc from 2005?
A: The invitation is not specific about any particular product. Also, we do not comment on any future product plans.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: Would be interested in knowing if Media Extender kit for Xbox is going to be available in the UK
A: Microsoft doesn't comment on future product plans. However, I have heard of some success with people in the UK being able to purchase MCX for Xbox kits in the US and use them in the UK.
Tony [MS] (Expert):
Q: why can MCE only access video's that are in the "My Video/Share Video folder" vs. how MUSIC which can scan the entire hard drive
A: If you press the "More Info" button while you're in My Videos, there is a menu item to "Add Videos." If you select this, you will then be brought to a wizard where you can add other folders.
MarkS_MVP (Expert):
Q: is there any plans to release the media extenders in the UK?
A: There have not been any announcements regarding Media Center Extenders outside of the currently supported regions (USA/Canada/Korea).
John Mooney [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: Hi John M: Thanks for the help last week, I think I've got my decoder issues taken care of and I haven't seen any "stopped recording because of weak signal" errors since, did you see the MCDIAG I sent you?
A: I don't see a MCDIAG snapshot from you. I will provide you with my email address so that I can take a look at your System Snapshot.
Nick_MS (Expert):
Q: Microsoft wishes users to have a pleasant MCE experience, which is why they rely on the OEMs to offer the upgrade. But since many don't, my experience is anything but pleasant. When will MS issue an upgrade to those users who can make the hardware upgrades
A: Unfortunately, Microsoft does not offer the upgrade directly at this time. We are aware that this is a common request, however.
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: why can MCE only access video's that are in the "My Video/Share Video folder" vs. how MUSIC which can scan the entire hard drive
A: Windows Media Player 10 actually does the indexing of music files but does not have the same functionality for Video's.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: Does the lack of 5.1 channel sound on the Extenders also go for the XBOX extender assuming that the XBOX has the multichannel expansion card with digital audio?
A: That is correct. The Xbox Extender does not support 5.1 audio even with the adapter.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: I’m an MCE beta tester and my copy of NVIDIA codec has expired, do I have to wait for the next beta before I can get it working again? I can't get any answer from the usual contacts.
A: E-mail me at mce@vanosdale.com and I will put you in contact with the proper folks.
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: DVD creation: Can the DVD's created by MCE2005 be played on any commercial DVD players? What type of file format does it create?
A: If you have the add-on that OEM's supply that supports this, or Sonic Prime Time, or any one of a number of programs, you can converted non DRM protected Recorded TV format to the DVD format supported by regular consumer DVD players.
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
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.
John Mooney [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: Any plans to allow you to set-up a MCE recording via the internet e.g. via your MSN account similar to capability other PVR vendors provide
A: Please refer to the following webpage (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/evaluation/onlinespotlight.mspx) that mentions the MSN Remote Record Program.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: In the Media Center speaker setup, should people with quadraphonic speakers choose 5.1 or 2 speakers?
A: You should choose the 5.1 speaker setup to get the back audio channels. The extra speaker is for the front center channel.
RobertSchlabbach-MVP (Expert):
Q: you cannot purchase media center extenders in the UK!!!
A: You can purchase one in the USA and take it to the UK if you're really eager to get one, but be aware that the use of US Media Center Extenders in the UK is not supported.
Tony [MS] (Expert):
Q: [ on MCX target ] : yea, I get that, but $300 seems a little steep for the convenience of not burning a DVD. I would think $199 - and include a DVD player - would be much more appealing.
A: Again, it's not intended to be a DVD player replacement, but a media sharing network device. You might find a better price comparison if you compare it to other digital media network players.
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: Will there be add-ons or plugins for the Media Center?
A: There are now. Some are even starting to show up in the Online Spotlight. You can check places like thegreenbutton.com for discussions about many existing plugins and add on's that use the MCE 10 foot interface.
Nick_MS (Expert):
Q: Ever thought about having TV's with media centers built in
A: That's an interesting idea - I'll make sure the product team is aware of it.
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: Is it true that you cannot playback HDTV recordings on a Media Center Extender? If so, is this to be fixed in future releases?
A: Nothing has been announced. You can play them back in standard definition only.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: Where can I get plugins besides Online Spotlight?
A: You can visit the public newsgroups and inquire there. Also, you can visit the Media Center website and check out all the partners that have developed applications for MCE
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: Does MCE '05 as all the same feature as Windows Pro? Or it's based on Windows Home?
A: It is based on Pro. Exceptions: You can't join a domain and there is no credential caching.
EricS [MS] (Expert):
Q: does MCE 2005 have support for satellite cards ?
A: No, it does not. Media Center 2005 requires you to use a set top box as an intermediary between the PC and the satellite TV connection.
Tony [MS] (Expert):
Q: Is it true that you cannot playback HDTV recordings on a Media Center Extender? If so, is this to be fixed in future releases?
A: Yes it is true you cannot playback digital TV recordings on Media Center Extenders. The current hardware designs are insufficient for the resolutions required to play HD video. There are no plans to allow this on the current hardware. I cannot discuss future hardware plans, however.
Nick_MS (Expert):
Q: Do you actually write this all down and submit it to the product team?
A: I wouldn't say "write" so much as "copy and paste", but yes, if we say we're bringing something to the product team, it does end up getting there.
RobertSchlabbach-MVP (Expert):
Q: are you planning new styles a-la Royale?
A: Future product plans cannot be commented on, sorry.
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: Will MCEs be supporting the CableCard? http://news.com.com/FAQ+CableCard+Whats+that/2100-1041_3-5542400.html?tag=nefd.top
A: Nothing has really been announced officially.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: Because of the dvr-ms format, am I forced to use a Microsoft PVP. Or Will Microsoft open up the file format to allow 3rd party PVPs to play my recorded TV? I'm not a movie pirate; I just want to watch my TV with any PVP I think is the best
A: You should be able to burn the DVR-MS file to a DVD (as a DVD movie) using either MCE 2005 or third-party applications such as Sonic MyDVD or Intervideo DVDCreator
Nick_MS (Expert):
Q: When I playback DVR-MS files in Windows Media Player (on a regular XP machine), all of the hotkeys for fast forward/rewind are disabled. Is there any known way to get around this limitation?
A: Do you mean the keyboard hotkeys supported by Media Center? When you're playing this content in Windows Media Player, Media Center's hotkeys aren't applicable. You will want to look up the equivalent hotkeys supported by Windows Media Player.
RobertSchlabbach-MVP (Expert):
Q: I am trying to turn folder task or something like that off, its the display on the left side on my screen when I open like My music for example, it was not on before but is now that I changed what one of my folders pics was? how do I turn it off?
A: Go to Tools->Options in Explorer and switch to "Classic View".
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: will there very be an extender for Xbox that installs to hard drive as the DVD is meant to be slow. I am sure if it installed to hard drive it would be a lot faster
A: Future plans along this line are not known at this time.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: What is a Extender
A: A Media Center Extender is a device that "extends" the Media Center interface to just about any room in your home. The Media Center website has more information about Extenders and how to purchase one.
Tony [MS] (Expert):
Q: why are the media center extenders codecs only able to support 2 channel audio .. will this be fixed in the future given it is a s/w problem and not a h/w problem?
A: It is a hardware limitation. The chips that do audio decoding in the MCX unit only support 2 channels of audio.
Nick_MS (Expert):
Q: Does I can use MCE like a normal Windows? or there are incompatibility?
A: MCE is a version of Windows XP, so yes, it is capable of doing the things that you can do on non-MCE editions of Windows.
MarkS_MVP (Expert):
Q: Does the Messenger applet in Media Center use MSN Messenger or Windows Messenger?
A: Media Center Messenger relies on Windows Messenger. MSN Messenger cannot be used for this function.
RobertSchlabbach-MVP (Expert):
Q: Is there any way to see TV on a small part of the screen (i.e. 640x480) and without any borders, instead of on the whole screen?
A: You can switch the Media Center to windowed mode, and it'll be a window you can resize to any size you like with only a thin border.
Tony [MS] (Expert):
Q: If the lack of 5.1 in MC Extenders is a h/w problem then why are the vendors shipping the units with Optical Out connections?
A: To preserve the digital audio path all the way to the receiver.
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: will there ever be an add-on pack for standard XP that u can add the media edition to your standard XP install as users that have XP already don’t want to buy a new copy to get the extra feature
A: Future plans are unknown. But there are hardware requirements for MCE that make this kind of add-on pretty hard to support, which is why today this kind of retail package does not exist.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: Is there any plans to include weather information on the start page of windows media center?
A: I will pass this along to the product team as a suggestion!
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: Will MSN Messenger work on Media Center in the future?
A: Nothing has been announced.
Nick_MS (Expert):
Q: When will I be able to record directly to WMV - I presume you're still waiting on hardware support?
A: There are various factors involved in not recording directly to WMV - unfortunately, while we know this is a feature that many people want, it is not available yet.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: I'd like to congratulate you on MCE 2005. I've found it much better than 2003/04.
A: Excellent! I'll let the product team know about your comments
Nick_MS (Expert):
Q: Does Microsoft ever intend to implement concurrent remote desktop sessions in Media Center like was planned for SP2? This seems like a no-brainer for enhancing the usage of a Media Center in the household
A: We believe that the existing support for multiple active Extender sessions provides exactly for this enhanced MCE usage scenario.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: is there a trial u can get of MCE like you can get for other products?
A: There are some Flash demos on the Media Center website that show of the capabilities of Media Center, but there is no demo or evaluation version of Media Center.
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: Is there any plans to add videoconference built in into windows media center?
A: that sounds like a neat idea to me. I believe there is already a third party add on that does this. I don't recall the name, but if you ask in the Media Center newsgroup, you'll get info on the website with this information.
Nick_MS (Expert):
Q: Re: Media Player playback...the Media player hotkeys are disabled when playing back DVR-MS files...any chance that you can pass this back to the development team responsible?
A: I'm actually not aware of the details of this - please post this issue to the Media Center newsgroup at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/newsgroups/reader.mspx?dg=microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter and someone should be able to look at it.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: Is MCE as slow as XP home?
A: If you are experiencing a slowness in XP home, I would ensure you have a good amount of RAM (at least 256 MB). Media Center requires more power and RAM space so I would ensure you have at least 512.
Nick_MS (Expert):
Q: Are there any plans for future versions or the 2005 update to allow users to use MSN Messenger within Media Center? Seeing as this is a home marketed product and MSN Messenger is a home marketed product it makes sense to allow this
A: I'll bring up this request with the product team.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: Will MCE allow other chat programs to work with other than MSN: e.g. AOL, Yahoo. Allowing non-Microsoft products to interact with a Microsoft product would greatly improve the perception of both Microsoft and media Center
A: Media Center 2005 only supports Windows Messenger for the Messenger feature. However, I can ensure you that the product team has heard this request!
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: Rather than media center extender, any plans to have a client that 'normal' PCs can connect up to so you can watch TV etc. I don't really ever use my TV now except for Xbox :P
A: Nothing has been announced regarding plans for a PC extender. I've seen others request this.
RobertSchlabbach-MVP (Expert):
Q: how does the computer connect to the TV...scart?
A: Via the TV output of the display adapter, which is typically composite or S-Video. The usual PC connectors, VGA and DVI, and typically also available for modern TVs which have such inputs. I haven't yet seen any PC display adapter with a SCART output connector.
Tony [MS] (Expert):
Q: is there any way to have Windows Media Center support older display adapters, such as ATI All-in-Wonder Radeon 7200?
A: No, there isn't. The only supported display adapters are those that ship in Media Center PCs.
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: Will MSN Messenger work on Media Center in the future?
A: Nothing has been announced, sorry.
EricS [MS] (Expert):
Q: When is the EPG for Australia planned to be functioning ?
A: We have not made any announcements about support for the EPG in Australia.
MarkS_MVP (Expert):
Q: When are the MCE extenders due to launch in the UK? Specifically the Xbox extender, is it true this device may never launch in the UK and has been scrapped.
A: There have not been any announcements regarding Media Center Extenders outside of the currently supported regions (USA/Canada/Korea).
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: I have not bought MCE yet but I have a question. I have Win XP. Is their any reason I should get MCE? and if I Do how much does it cost and how do you connect to the TV cable?
A: Media Center is a like a digital entertainment hub that you can use with a remote (and even from a far distance). You can check out the Media Center website for links to major OEMs that sell Media Center PCs. Most Media Center PCs come with a TV tuner card and you will just use a standard coax cable like you would for your TV.
Nick_MS (Expert):
Q: Hi guys, are sync speeds in MCE and WMP10 'throttled' by ActiveSync when connected to a PPC running WMP10 mobile?
A: Sync speeds will be limited by a number of factors, including the speed of the connection to your device and whether or not content needs to be transcoded into other formats.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: Can you run MCE with having a TV tuner ?
A: Yes, you can.
RobertSchlabbach-MVP (Expert):
Q: We would really like to be able to supply a MCE box with a true RGB scart connection hear in the UK any ideas how we can do this with current video cards?
A: You could try building a VGA-to-RGB-SCART connector cable, and using special tools to make the display adapter output PAL-compatible signals via the VGA output, but that would be a somewhat complicated solution...
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: Is there anywhere specific I should look or detailed information regarding the 'sync to device' feature in MCE?
A: Check under Portable Media Centers on the Microsoft site. This feature really was designed to work with the new Portable Media Centers.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: I heard the is a Media Center Extender for Xbox. What does it do?
A: The Media Center Extender for Xbox "extends" the functionality of Media Center to an Xbox. Note that you must have a Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 PC.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: What would you say, were the best features of Media Center?
A: I like the guide! The developer who did it just did a fabulous job! ;-)
Nick_MS (Expert):
Q: Does MCE have native support for USB connected VFD/LCD panels?
A: MCE doesn't have any requirements on the output displays other than those imposed by Windows and your video driver itself, so if your setup works for a regular Windows box, it should work on MCE.
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: I built my own media center over Christmas and really like it. It cost about $300 more than other fast PCs I have built. It is much better than Tivo, although the one drawback is the $300 extender cost. For now, I have taken over my son's Xbox!
A: Glad you are enjoying the Media Center machine you built yourself. I agree, MCE rocks!
RobertSchlabbach-MVP (Expert):
Q: on my TV, I only have 1 scart, a antenna input and on the from I have a white,red,yellow inputs..........is my TV too old
A: No, your TV is just fine. The red/white are likely audio inputs, and the yellow is probably a composite video input. You should find matching outputs on your Media Center PC.
Tony [MS] (Expert):
Q: is there any plans of having non linear stretch zoom features on windows media center? This is must have since when you have a plasma screen.
A: I am not aware of any plans to support non-linear stretch/zoom modes, but it is a great question and good point wrt plasma displays. I will plant a bug in the product team's ear about this, assuming they don't already have plans for this.
EricS [MS] (Expert):
Q: we have problems with recording certain series because MCE thinks some episodes are repeats when they are not but it is set to record re-runs. is this a bug in MCE or a guide problem in the UK?
A: It is likely a guide problem in the UK. Please submit the details of your issue here: http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windowsxp/mediacenter/epg.aspx
Tony [MS] (Expert):
Q: Is there any way to run 2 Media Center PCs in a household and sync their content easily? Is this something Microsoft plans to support natively?
A: There is no officially supported way to do this. We have not announced any plans to support this natively.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: Do you see Bluetooth support becoming a feature in MCE? I think this would be very handy for Bluetooth cell phone users as the landline Caller ID functionality is becoming more and more outdated
A: As far as I know right now, cell phones do not transmit the caller ID information over Bluetooth.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: do the drivers on MCE 2005 differ from standard XP drivers
A: Some of the drivers used for some of the hardware are specific for Media Center. However, many IHVs roll their fixes up into packages that usable within any version of Windows XP.
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: could I run a MCE pc on a network and share the MCE features, playing recorded shows etc on other networked pc's
A: You can play recorded TV using Windows Media Player 10 over the network provided you have a supported DVD decoder.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: Nick, I was referring to the little 2 line x 20 character type LCD panels on the cases like the Ahanix case. Is there any native support for USB connections so the cable doesn't hang out the back?
A: You would need to contact your OEM manufacturer to find this information out. They would have the motherboard specifications dealing with this.
RobertSchlabbach-MVP (Expert):
Q: Any chance of having upscaling features? i.e. normal definition > high def. With plasma screens having DVI on them now it means you can have hi def out of a graphics card
A: If you're not configuring MCE to use the TV output, but rather VGA or DVI output, the Media Center will operate in the resolution you set the desktop to. So configure your desktop to high-def, and your MCE PC will output upscaled high-def.
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: Might I suggest Microsoft offers a (protected) dvr-ms file conversion tool so users can watch their recordings with "any" PVP. Again, I'm not a movie pirate, I just want to watch my recordings on the go and then delete them when I'm done with them.
A: There are programs that you can download from thegreenbutton.com that convert unprotected files.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: Does the Security center can be disabled in MCE since that I got trouble with it....
A: The Security Center can not be disabled within the Media Center interface, but you can turn off each of the three areas it monitors in the Security Center itself.
Tony [MS] (Expert):
Q: I have a TV downstairs. With cable there. I don’t want a cable going all around the house so how can the PC connect to the TV if the TV is really far from the PC. Is there a wireless thing?
A: Is the cable near the TV? You could connect the cable to the PC and then output the video directly to the TV. Otherwise, you would have to run the cable all the way over to the PC. There's really no practical wireless solution for tuning cable.
EricS [MS] (Expert):
Q: does MCE 2005 work even if u don’t have a TV card in your machine
A: Yes, MCE 2005 will work without a tuner installed, however you will not be able to take advantage of the TV recording capabilities.
Tony [MS] (Expert):
Q: Well I don't know if this one showed up on PressPass or not :P You demo'ed a DVD player at CES, LG I believe, that had the same Media Center type interface. Is this specific to just the one manufacturer or is it a more general thing?
A: This is specific to LG.
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: does MCE 2005 work even if u don’t have a TV card in your machine
A: You won't get any of the TV functions, but you would be able to enjoy Music, Pictures, etc.
Nick_MS (Expert):
Q: Are there any plans to support dual monitor configurations? The support currently since the original version has been very poor. Depending on which mode I am running my dual screens in I can't run media center on a specific display and it stretches across.
A: This is a request that we hear from time to time - I'll bring it up with the product team again.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: Do you need Special video card driver to operate MCE when you don't have a A-I-W card?
A: You would need to check with the manufacturer of the video card to see if they have any Media Center specific drivers.
RobertSchlabbach-MVP (Expert):
Q: But the colored sockets are on the front...I cant possible keep them in there..........most TV’s in the UK are the same....you should have a scart outlet
Q: on my TV, I only have 1 scart, a antenna input and on the from I have a white,red,yellow inputs..........is my TV too old
A: No, your TV is just fine. The red/white are likely audio inputs, and the yellow is probably a composite video input. You should find matching outputs on your Media Center PC.
A: There are converter cables available which have separate cinch connectors for composite video and stereo audio on one end and a SCART connector on the other end. With such a cable, you can use the SCART input of your TV if that's in a more convenient place for you.
Nick_MS (Expert):
Q: if bought the OEM version of MCE 05 for a new laptop, but it says it is not compatible with the graphics card(mobility Radeon 9700), is there any way I can force the OS it to accept it?
A: While I'm not familiar with that particular card, MCE has specific requirements of its video cards, and there is no way to force it to accept a card that is not supported.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: They all said no because Microsoft didn't program any support for USB connected LCD displays. True or they blowing smoke?
A: I have seen USB connected LCD displays (like the 2 line displays) in action. The Gateway 901x used USB, I believe.
Tony [MS] (Expert):
Q: Is there a way to hall extenders share the same Media Player Library?
A: Unfortunately, no. This is something we really wanted to do, but would have required massive changes to the way Windows Media Player handles libraries, and there were some security implications, so we were unable to do this.
Nick_MS (Expert):
Q: Is anybody selling a "home theater in a box" based off MCE? I.e., a MCE with a built-in amp - so that I only have one box and one remote?
A: We have many OEMs shipping many configurations of MCE - I'm unsure of whether this is one of them. Take a look at the list of companies selling MCE PCs at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/howtobuy/default.mspx and see if you can find a configuration that suits your needs.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: Is there any way to import album art that's embedded in mp3 files (from iTunes)?
A: There is not a way to do this. However, I will pass this along to the product team.
RobertSchlabbach-MVP (Expert):
Q: Can you tell whomever, that it is IMPERATIVE to offer standalone MCE upgrades to those users who can make the needed hardware upgrades, so the MCE experience for the unfortunate souls whose OEMs don't offer upgrades is still pleasant?
A: MCE 2005 can be purchased as an OEM SB version, so if you're really willing to spend money to upgrade your machine to MCE 2005, you could take that route.
Tony [MS] (Expert):
Q: Will MCE ever implement Satellite Radio?
A: We have had many requests to do this, but have not announced any plans to do so yet.
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: Do you see MCE becoming the major controller of entertainment in most homes...
A: It's certainly a leading contender for that destiny. I'd love to see this happen.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: I disabled video driver in profile by mistake...now only blank screen? how to change driver from dos?
A: You should be able to re-enable the device in Safe Mode. I would ask in the Windows XP public newsgroups for more information about how to do this.
Nick_MS (Expert):
Q: When will a remote scheduling feature will be available?
A: This is a common request that the product team is aware of. Nothing is available yet, however.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: I have a TV tuner card and a remote is there any way to upgrade to MCE?? (co)
A: You will need to acquire MCE through an OEM (as a prebuilt computer) or through a system builder. There is no upgrade path from different editions of Windows XP
RobertSchlabbach-MVP (Expert):
Q: Is there any way to make the Online Spotlight and other DHTML-based MCE apps look better with S-Video output? They seem to run in a different refresh rate/flicker setting than the main MCE GUI and are very hard on the eyes
A: Try configuring MCE to VGA or DVI output, even if you're actually using S-Video. When you configure S-Video output, the MCE UI will be switched to a special TV mode that is optimized for TV use. Try if the non-TV UI looks better to you by configuring VGA or DVI output.
EricS [MS] (Expert):
Q: in order to get an EPG with KOPB-DT in it. This works fine, except now I can't receive over-the-air UHF channels anymore since MCE is driving the tuner in "cable" mode.
A: Unfortunately, there's no way to support the scenario you described through MCE 2005; you have to either pick cable and get the channel but have the tuning incorrect, or pick antenna and not get the channel.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: Would a cheap TV Tuner card, like the ATI TV Wonder VE ($50) be supported by MCE?
A: You can check the Media Center website for a list of supported TV tuner cards.
Tony [MS] (Expert):
Q: Be quick have to go to bed: Is it possible to buy a cheap standard pc, add a graphics card with TV input and have MCE loaded on? - How would you go about remotes, etc?
A: Possible, yes. Supported, no. See http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/evaluation/faq.mspx#EHAAA for more info.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: Will you ever include digital satellite decoder support?
A: This is a great suggestion (I know many people in the newsgroups would love to see this as well). I will pass this along to the product team for consideration!
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: it will be the leading interface for everything in the home. I use it to control our lighting etc.....but development needs to be made easier and moved more in line with vs.net. please pass this on to the dev team.
A: Will do...
Barb_MVP (Expert):
Q: Barb: when do you think the MCE will be the "major controller of entertainment in most homes". As can be seen by this chat, there are still A LOT of holes in the overall story - although it is slowly getting better.
A: That's a tough question, but personally I'm hoping that in the Longhorn timeframe that MCE becomes the base operating system for residential use.
Tony [MS] (Expert):
Q: You offer upgrades to OEMs who offer MCEs, but you don't offer upgrades to those who directly buy a standalone OEM copy of MCE?
A: That is correct.
Tony [MS] (Expert):
Q: Do the Extenders extend the TV as well as stored video and music etc?
A: Yes, they extend everything except remote DVD playing.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: Can you watch TV on monitor and TV on dual out TV cards or do you get protection like in WMP that makes screen go black?
A: You should be able to do a dual monitor view with Media Center and TV.
Tony [MS] (Expert):
Q: Does MCE support will HDMI - HDTV input ?
A: No, ATSC only.
MarkS_MVP (Expert):
Q: Any plans to allow for interactive/teletext services? i.e. we have BBCi through Freeview DVB-T in the UK
A: No official announcement has been made regarding DVB Interactive Services, however Microsoft are aware users are interested in this area.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: Any plans for an embedded version of MCE? Using a whole PC what seems to be a limited set of functions seems overkill. Not everyone needs a full blown PC under their TV
A: Well, there is the Portable Media Center. I do understand what you are asking for and will let the product team know about your suggestion.
EricS [MS] (Expert):
Q: EricS [MS] - your answer about ATSC and Antenna got cut off. Can you repost? Thank you.
A: Yeah, this scenario won't work. We recognize this as an issue for many of our ATSC customers. Guide listings are based on what channels are in the base guide. For now you either have to choose the antenna guide and not get the channel or choose the cable guide but have Cable tuning.
Tony [MS] (Expert):
Q: So if you extend the TV watching, can you watch 2 different channels on two different TV’s?
A: If you have 2 tuners in the Media Center PC, then yes, you can. If there is only one tuner, both TVs would have to share the same tuner and would therefore need to watch the same channel.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: A hybrid Tablet PC/ MCE PC would rock. Maybe something to think about for the future?
A: I would like to see it too! I'll let the team know!
EricS [MS] (Expert):
Q: Can you suggest to the dev team to allow users to create multiple "favorite" channels listings?
A: I'm part of this dev team, and I'll take this suggestion back to my co-workers. We're continuously investigating ways we can improve the TV Guide experience. Thanks for the feedback!
RobertSchlabbach-MVP (Expert):
Q: Is there any way to alter the names of the channels on the TV and radio , I live in Denmark with no TV guide
A: The names cannot be edited, sorry. The only way for a channel to get a name is by getting it from the scan, from the EPG data, or by assigning an EPG guide listing from it. If you don't have any EPG data, the scan is the only way to get a name. If the scan can't get a name, there is no way to change it.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: Browsing the My Music library is still quite slow for people with large album collections like me. Is there any way to improve the navigation of the thumbnail view?
A: The product team is aware of people experiencing some performance issues with My Music.
Nick_MS (Expert):
Q: Do you need a Media Center or can you use a Portable Media Center by itself? If so, does the PMC have TV out?
A: Portable Media Center does not require MCE - it will sync with any Windows XP machine via Windows Media Player. It does not, however, do TV-recording on its own. Portable Media Centers do have support for outputting to TV - see http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/portablemediacenter/default.mspx for more details.
Tony [MS] (Expert):
Q: I watch a lot of subtitled anime (in Divx format) on my MCE machine and sometimes have a problem where the bottom of the screen is cut off by the TV's overscan. Is there a way to adjust the screen size of the video playback?
A: You could try different settings in Settings->General->Configure Your TV or Monitor. Or you could put MCE into windowed mode instead of fullscreen.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Q: Does MCE have native support for USB connected VFD/LCD panels?
A: Media Center does have an interface for developers to use to connect their LCD panels with Media Center's Aggregate State Service. Look in the Media Center SDK for more information.
Nick_MS (Expert):
Q: The Extender devices interface does not have the same interface that MCE has. Is there a possible fix for this (transitions)?
A: You're right that MCX doesn't currently support all the transition effects that MCE does. The product team is aware that this is something that people would like to have enabled.
Tony [MS] (Expert):
Q: Is there ANY way to name the TV channels, if you live in a country with no TV guide?
A: You may be able to do what you want by going into Settings->TV->Guide->Add Missing Channels.
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.
AndyV_MVP (Expert):
Thanks everyone! This was a great chat and we'll see you next month!.
MarkS_MVP (Expert):
Thanks for coming today everyone. See you next time :)
Nick_MS (Expert):
Thanks for coming, everybody. See you next month!
