Windows XP Media Center Edition (November 16, 2006)
Chat Topic: Windows XP Media Center Edition
Date: Thursday, November 16, 2006
Please Note: Portions of this Chat have been edited for clarity.
Tyler Welch [MSFT] (Moderator):
Hi everyone, and welcome to the Windows XP Media Center Edition chat!
Today we are answering your questions about Windows XP Media Center Edition .
Now, I'll have our hosts for the chat today introduce themselves:
Introductions
I'm Tyler Welch, and I'm the MVP Lead for Windows XP Media Center Edition , and the moderator for this chat.
Go ahead and begin sending us your questions, and we'll get the chat underway.
Bryan Socha (Expert):
Hi I'm Bryan Socha, MVP for media center, Also known as accident on thegreenbutton.com
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Hi, my name is Todd. I am a program manager working on Media Center Extender technologies.
Robert Schlabbach (Expert):
Welcome Everyone! I'm Robert Schlabbach, MCE MVP from Berlin, Germany. Ready to take your questions!
Start of Chat
Dana Cline (Expert):
Q: I just put in a new Happ 150 tuner to go along side my ATI 550 tuner... I split the signal between the tuners and the picture isn't as good... any recommendations to improve the picture?
A: Several things you can do. First off, make sure your video cables are top quality. Second, make sure your splitter is also good quality (I like the ones with gold-plated connectors). If that still doesn't help, consider getting a powered splitter, as your signal may need amplification.
Bryan Socha (Expert):
Q: Does MCE 2005 work well when hooking up a analog dual tuner to 2 set top boxes? Is it a viable and recommended option? Or is it more of a 'hack'?
A: Works great, this is how I run my setup. nothing to hack it is officially supported. You will need 2 ir emitters connected to control them, 1 per set top box.
Tyler Welch [MSFT] (Moderator):
As a reminder, please make sure you send your questions using the "Ask The Experts" option. Thanks!
Dana Cline (Expert):
Q: I work for a small software company that natively edits dvrms and outputs dvrms or mpeg. Who could I contact to for their review of the product so I could get it listed on the MCE site
A: Send me more info - I'd be happy to list your products on the (non-Microsoft site) www.MediaCenterStuff.com - send info to webmaster at that domain. Thanks!
Bryan Socha (Expert):
Q: I have a computer with two SATA drives. It's running Media Center and I want to install XP Pro but set up doesn't see the SATA drives, or even one of them if I disconnect dirve 1. Set up doesn't find drivers on my system recovery disc.
A: You will need to make the driver floppy, it must be a floppy in XP. contact your manufacturer for how to do this.
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: With Vista so close, is XP MCE still being developed, and are there any new features (like DVB-S he says with crossed fingers) that you can tell us about?
A: Across Windows (not just Media Center), we are currently focusing on Windows Vista and beyond. There aren’t specific plans I can share today regarding the features of releases beyond Windows Vista, but speaking generally broadening the number of TV standards we support is one of the areas we’re investing in.
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: When will MCE support streaming of additional video formats to Xbox 360 extenders? Xvid please!
A: At this time we have not made any announcements regarding support for additional formats on Xbox 360.
Bryan Socha (Expert):
Q: I have installed a VBOX 150 HD TV tuner on my MCE machine. It reports that the signals are too weak and cannot watch a single HD OTA channel. However, my TV picks up at least 6 channels with excellent quality using the exact same antenna setup. Any idea
A: There are some differences in tvs where they can modulate the signal strength to be ideal, mce tuners tend to not handle this too well. You may be able to add a small inline amp with a good uhf rating onto the wire that connected into media center to simulate this. if your signal strength is about half, 5db or so uhf rating should do it. be careful you don't go too high with an amplifier, it can have the opposite effect or even cause system damage. Also make sure the wire is ok and try unplugging from the tv and putting that one in the computer.
Robert Schlabbach (Expert):
Q: Is there any way to get Analog as well as DVB-T supported on the same box at the same time (the same way as the US has ATSC and Analog)?
A: Mixing signal sources (with the sole exception of NTSC/ATSC) is not possible in MCE, and won't be possible in Windows Vista Media Center either. So: No, unfortunately not.
Dana Cline (Expert):
Q: Is there anyway I can find a program I recorded MCE 2005 so I can edit with Movie maker
A: Two questions here...can you find the program, and can you edit with MM. You can find the program under C:\Documents and Settings\All Users (and maybe another layer, I forget), unless you've moved the recorder storage to another drive, in which case it'd be that drive \Recorded TV. As for editing it, MovieMaker won't read DVR-MS files (but it will in Vista). You'll have to use a different editor...there are free ones (dCut, DVREdit) or purchasable ones (I use Video ReDo Plus).
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: Are there any plans on implementing the ability to record radio in MCE?
A: There aren’t any announced plans in this area, but it is definitely something we’re aware people are interested in. Speaking personally, I think this would be an interesting feature to explore once there is a FM radio guide with universal coverage (something that doesn’t exist today).
Bryan Socha (Expert):
Q: Media Center Setup>Set up TV Signal>Sattelite - requires the analog sattelite source to be on channels 2,3 or 4. Mine is on 55. Why not allow user to select?
A: Is svideo not an option for your setup?
Dana Cline (Expert):
Q: How can I get MCE on my laptop that does not include a TV turner to look at the Recorded TV folder? Everytime I click on TV in MCE is says I need a TV turner installed. What I'm trying to do is see the recorded TV programs I copied from my desktop MCE
A: I was able to do this (same setup, laptop, no tuner) by adding the MyMovies add-in, from www.mymovies.name.
Dana Cline (Expert):
Q: Is there anyway to upgrade to the Vista version of MCE with-out upgrading the OS to Vista?
A: No
Bryan Socha (Expert):
Q: Q: [7] Media Center Setup>Set up TV Signal>Sattelite - A: Is svideo not an option for your setup? A: The sattielite signal is distributed throght the house on RG59 channel 55.
A: I am not sure if there is a way to do this. asking the question in the newsgroup will probably be your best bet. http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/default.mspx
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: Can anything be done to speed up the connection of my Media Center Extended Xbox 360 to my MCE PC? When I start up MCE on the Xbox it takes a long time before my MCE menu gets displayed. I have a wired 10/100 setup.
A: Connection time should be pretty quick, especially on wired. If your Xbox 360 doesn’t have a hard drive, adding one will speed up connect time, but the difference is minimal on wired. If you are experiencing connection times much longer than 20 seconds, something weird is going on, in which case I suggest posting to the public newsgroup (Microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter) for further troubleshooting.
Aaron Stebner [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: I heard rumour that MCE under Vista will be switching from a DHTML programming model to a WPF model. Is there additional info on this?
A: This is partially correct. Windows Media Center for Windows Vista will continue to support Hosted HTML application development, and in addition it will support 2 new paradigms
1. Media Center Markup Language (MCML) - this is a markup language with code behind that is also used by the Media Center team to develop the Media Center UI.
2. Hosted .NET Framework 3.0 XBAPs - this model allows you to write a WPF XBAP application and host it within Windows Media Center
There is a nicer summary of the development options at http://blog.mediacentersandbox.com/PermaLink,guid,817c2b05-2a9e-47ac-80c9-1c4db5b26c18.aspx and there is a ton of detailed information in the Windows Media Center SDK for Windows Vista (which will be released very soon, but you can see the RC1 version by downloading it from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=234F5003-F24E-4EF5-B930-442EC57737D0&displaylang=en
Tyler Welch [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: In IE7...Is there a way...even if I have to write my own script...to get side pane search back with ability to retrieve search results and open links in main page...ANY engine?
A: None of our Experts here today able to answer your specific IE7 question. The group hosting the chat is from the Windows XP Media Center group. You may wish to post this question to the Internet Explorer newsgroup. A list of all Microsoft-hosted support newsgroups is here: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/newsgroups/default.asp
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: Is there any news regarding MCE extenders for VISTA, and what will happen to us with the old extenders?
A: With Windows Vista, Xbox 360 will work out of the box as an Extender today (no need to download additional software from Xbox.com). We are currently working with consumer electronics device manufacturers to bring Extender devices to market in additional form factors (e.g. set top boxes and digital TVs). V1 Extender devices, including the original Xbox, will not function as Extenders against Windows Vista, but will of course continue to function against Media Center 2005.
Bryan Socha (Expert):
Q: Q: [26] Q: [7] Media Center Setup>Set up TV Signal>Sattelite - A: Is svideo not an option for your setup? A: . A: I am not sure if there is a way to do this. Tige: It would require a code change not a newsgroup.
A: We have noted your suggestion, someone in the newsgroup may know of a workaround to achieve this.
Aaron Stebner [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: Are there plans to include the allow the MCE shell to be included in XP embedded? I would love to make a small footprint MCE device.
A: We currently don't have any plans for a Windows XP Embedded release of Windows Media Center. I will deliver this feedback to the feature team for future consideration though.
Tyler Welch [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: Hi, I have entered the chat room just to seek help with a Windows Live Messenger problem (no apparent volume from webcam's built in mic, at recipient's computer). Can I ask for help on this topic here & now???
A: As an alternate solution you may want to post this question in the Windows Newsgroups so that one of our community members can assist you. A list of all Microsoft-hosted support newsgroups is here: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/newsgroups/default.asp. Unfortunately this chat room will close after Expert Zone ends, so you will not be able ask this question in the general chat.
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: I use Hauppauge's remote control software. Are there keystrokes or windows messages that provide the cellphone-like numbers-as-letters functionality? Sending 0-9 only ever produces 0-9. Same question for Ok as "last channel"?
A: Because this is a third-party software package, it would be best to contact Hauppauge directly regarding this question
Robert Schlabbach (Expert):
Q: Q: [26] Q: [7] Media Center Setup>Set up TV Signal>Sattelite A: RF Remotes
A: Sorry to say this, but it appears your setup is outside the scope of what Media Center supports. In fact, I've never heard of such a setup before...
Dana Cline (Expert):
Q: Is there anyway to tell if a DVR-MS file contains copy-protected content. We've seen some files where copy-protection is turned on 1/2 way through. I guess by the broadcaster.
A: I've asked this before as well. Apparently there _is_ a way, if you're a developer and know how to use the Media Center SDK. Sadly, no one has written a utility to do this. If anyone ever does, we'd love to know about it so we can pass it on to everyone...
Bryan Socha (Expert):
Q: Is there a way to prevent my recording schedule to be changed when daylight savings time changes? The times on all my recordings were rolled back 1 hour a few weeks ago.
A: If your in an area that does not observe daylight savings time, make sure your time zone setting is correct for both your timezone and the area you live in. some timezones have more than 1 entry for this reason.
Dana Cline (Expert):
Q: Dana, I took a look at MyMovies to solve my recorded TV problem with my Laptop MCD machine that does not have a TV Turner. MyMovies looks for "movies" I dont' see anything that says it list regular TV programs. Are you using MyMovies for both
A: Yes, it sees my avis, mpgs, and dvr-ms files...they're all listed under Movies and not Recorded TV.
David [msft] (Expert):
Q: Is there anyway to upgrade to the Vista version of MCE with-out upgrading the OS to Vista?
A: There is no way to upgrade Media Center without the rest of Vista.
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: Are there any plans to allow wireless keyboards to connect with the Xbox 360 MCE?
A: We have not made any announcements at this time regarding shipping a Microsoft-branded wireless keyboard for Xbox 360. USB keyboards work today on the Xbox 360 (including in the Media Center experience provided you bring up the onscreen keyboard before you start typing), so wireless keyboards that connect via USB should work in a similar fashion provided they don’t need custom drivers, though I have not personally tried this.
Aaron Stebner [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: I just bought my MCE system a couple of months ago. Are there any plans by Microsoft to offer a reduced rate for the upgrade to Vista Ultimate?
A: Some computer manufacturers are offering free or reduced rate upgrades to Windows Vista for systems they are currently selling that come pre-installed with Windows XP. I would suggest checking with your computer manufacturer for any offers for the system that you recently bought.
David [msft] (Expert):
Q: Will Zune sync fine with MCE 2005?
A: Zune will work with Media Center 2005 - but you will need to use the Zune player to sync your content.
JTucker [msft] (Expert):
Q: Will Vista MC support 3rd party EPG providers for regions MS doesn't have Guide info (Like XP can be made to using Bladerunner)?
A: There is no official support for EPG providers not sending data directly to MSFT (e.g. no guide data available from the MSFT servers). We will be adding a few new supported regions for Vista, but the details have not yet been released.
Bryan Socha (Expert):
Q: In regards to daylight savings question: I live in an area where daylight savings time does change, but that should only change the time of the system clock (which it does) not the time of when the shows should start or stop. How do I need to configure it?
A: Make sure the automatically adjust for daylight savings time checkbox is selected.
Aaron Stebner [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: When I start up my computer, I get a "sonic activation module" box that I have to click through each time. I do not have a sonic disk and never have. Is there a way to make it stop?
A: I have not heard of an error like this before. It might help to uninstall and reinstall the Sonic components on your Media Center system by using the Add/Remove Windows Components entry in your Add/Remove Programs control panel.
Bryan Socha (Expert):
Q: Does the PC need to be hooked up near the Xbox? Or can I use my Home Network to attach to it?
A: you can use your home network. the success of wireless and what you can do with an xbox360 connected via wireless will depending on the speed of the wireless network itself.
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: re: Q[35]: I was under the impression that you couldnt' use a keyboard with the Xbox 360 so never tried. I will give it a shot. How do you bring up the onscreen keyoard? Can it be brought up at any time?
A: From within the Media Center experience, pressing Y on the gamepad or remote will bring up the onscreen keyboard.
Bryan Socha (Expert):
Q: What kind of performance difference should we expect from Vista MCE for browsing large music libraries? Does it benefit from the WMP 11 improvements?
A: I personally have experienced huge speed increases and a much better experience. Largest library I tried was 8000 albums with about 72000 tracks.
Aaron Stebner [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: Maybe I'll ask a different way: Can XP MCE run an MS wireless mouse, provide screensaver function, MCE screen volume bar graph display, Windows Messenger, etc simultaneously without disabling EHTRAY in startup?
A: Disabling ehtray will prevent some of the remote control functionality that you noted. I haven't heard of any conflicts between wireless mice and Windows Media Center, and I use the Microsoft wireless Media Center keyboard + mouse at home with no issues. It is possible that there is a wireless broadcast channel conflict between the mouse and the remote control receiver on your system. If that is the case, there may be a setting in the control panel application for the mouse that can be used to change the wireless broadcast channel. I will also report this issue to our team so that we can investigate further.
Bryan Socha (Expert):
Q: Bryan, so right now both my PC and Xbox 360 are on my home network. The PC is not wireless but hooked up irectly to the router, Xbox 360 on wireless. So your saying that I should be able to see my PC from my Xbox 360 in it's current configuration.
A: If they are part of the same network, then yes.
Robert Schlabbach (Expert):
Q: Bryan, so right now both my PC and Xbox 360 are on my home network. The PC is not wireless but hooked up irectly to the router, Xbox 360 on wireless. So your saying that I should be able to see my PC from my Xbox 360 in it's current configuration.
A: Yes, you should, assuming the router also contains the wireless access point.
Tyler Welch [MSFT] (Moderator):
We've got about 15 minutes left. Get those questions in!
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: Follow up, will the movies for example be converted to smaller screen format?
A: Yes - if necessary, video content being synced to Zune will be reformatted to optimize the content for playback on Zune.
Robert Schlabbach (Expert):
Q: yes sir, the router is the AP
A: Then you're good to go. Enjoy your Xbox 360 Media Center Extender experience :)
Bryan Socha (Expert):
Q: Should I wait for the Vista Medai Center or get it now and upgrade later?
A: www.windowsvista.com/getready should have all the information you need to know to decide that now and what to look for from pc resellers to make sure there is vista compatibility.
Tyler Welch [MSFT] (Moderator):
Okay, we'll be ending the Windows XP Media Center Edition chat in 5 minutes. Last chance!
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: Todd, I have a WinTV-PVR-150 (non-MCE) with Hauppauge remote. Their software can send keystrokes, windows messages, etc. for remote button presses. Thus, there is a software solution so long as someone can provide the Media Center interface info.
A: “Enter” will take you to the last channel. I’m not sure whether/how you can get triple tap/number to letter mapping with a non Media Center remote. I suggest posting this question to the Media Center developer newsgroup (more info here: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/developer/default.mspx)
Bryan Socha (Expert):
Q: Ok, my last XBox 360 question. In the Xbox I should be able to play my videos and music that is on my PC over the wireless lan? Correct? Oh, pictures too?
A: You can expect the same experience with the xbox360 extender as the media center pc.
Tyler Welch [MSFT] (Moderator):
This concludes our Windows XP Media Center Edition chat for today. Thanks for coming, everyone!
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Thanks everyone for joining in today.
Bryan Socha (Expert):
Thank you for coming. See you next month or in the newsgroups..
