Windows Media Center (January 18, 2007)
Chat Topic: Windows Media Center
Date: Thursday, January 18, 2007
Please note: Portions of this transcript have been edited for clarity.
Tyler Welch [MSFT] (Moderator):
Hi everyone, and welcome to the Windows XP Media Center Expert Zone chat!
Introductions
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Hi, my name is Todd. I am a program manager working on Media Center Extender technologies.
Jenelle [MSFT] (Expert):
Hi, this is Jenelle also a Program Manager of Media Center Extender Technologies
Start of Chat
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: What's the story on Pika Extenders... None at CES (besides 360).
A: We’re actively working with partners in the consumer electronics industry to bring Extenders to market across a variety of device form factors. Additional information regarding the Extender program can be found here: http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/media/MCX.mspx
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: I have an XBox360 in the same room as my Media Center PC. When I use the green button to start MCE it also starts the XBox, is there anyway to change this behaviour?
A: From the Xbox 360 dashboard, navigate to System > Console Settings > Remote Control and select Xbox 360 Media Remote (vs. All Channels)
Tyler Welch [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: Hello guys, every time I open the Media Center it hangs for a minute and tells me it couldn't find Windows Messenger or couldn't open Windows Messenger. Windows Messenger was setup to run with Media Center at some point but I don't have the Messenger anymor
A: For your Windows Messenger problem you should go to the Messenger newsgroups where Jonathan Kay [MVP] would be able to direct you to the appropriate download location. Note that Messenger functionality is no longer included in Vista.
Jenelle [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: Is there any way, in Media Center 2005, to view my music files via the folders in which I have placed them on my hard drive instead of via the categories listed in "My Music" such as albums, Artist, etc.?
A: Please do the following to add additional media folders to Media Center. Press the Start button on the remote, and then select My Music, My Pictures, or My Videos. 2. Press the INFO button. 3. Select Add Music, Add Pictures, or Add Video, and then press the OK button. 4. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to add more content.
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: i noticed that windows media runs higher processes then any other xp i have used is there anyway to remove some of the processes?
A: All Media Center-specific processes are running for a reason, so disabling them may have interesting unintended consequences such as your TV program guide not downloading or TV not recording.
Jenelle [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: Is there a KB article on a consistent failure to load a user profile when switching between users ONLY if the user that attempts to log on as the secondary logon is NOT an administrator on MC. Multiple users can log on if both are admins. Otherwise hangs.
A: Are you getting a specific error message when this occurs? In quick search article http://support.microsoft.com/kb/248040/en-us may help
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: Can you copy a DVD to HD as if it had been recorded with MCE? I'd like to library my favorite DVDs.
A: Media Center does not include DVD copying software; that said, because home-generated DVD content (e.g. family videos) typically do not contain copy protection, they usually can be copied to your PC’s hard drive and played from there.
Jenelle [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: I have Windows Media Center 2005. Is WMP 10 or 11 a free upgrades? If so, where can I find them?
A: WMP 11 is a free download. It is available at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/alldownloads.aspx. I would recommend that you visit Windows update and download the latest updates for Window Media Center 2005 before installing WMP 11.
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: is media 2005 a slower os compared to home and pro xp?
A: No - underneath, all three are Windows XP and therefore almost identical from a performance perspective
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: Would like to suggest a new feature: when beginning a recording mid-show, first copy any temp buffer for that channel, then begin recording.
A: I'll pass it along to the appropriate folks.
Tyler Welch [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: I am not exactly sure why, but whenever I leave my computer on for more than a couple days the Windows Key+L shortcut stops working. At the same time, DirectX will either say it doesn't exist or will refuse to create any surfaces (DirectDraw/Direct3D).
A: Unfortunately, none of our Experts here today have seen this issue. You may wish to post this question to the Windows newsgroup. A list of all Microsoft-hosted support newsgroups is here: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/newsgroups/default.asp.
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: Hello...can I add a second HD to a windows media pc, keeping all OS and program files on the slave HD, while having the media center save and retrieve files on the master?
A: Yes - you can store all of your media content on a separate drive from the system drive. If you wanted to, you could even put your OS on one drive, your TV content on a second drive, your music/pictures/videos on another drive, etc.
Mark - MS (Expert):
Q: Often when I have set a show to be recorded, the resulting recording is split into two separate files. Usually one is about 11 minutes long. Is this a known issue? Do you know what would cause this?
A: I've seen this issue before, but rarely. What version of MCE are you using? MCE 2005 or perhaps Vista?
Jenelle [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: I have had many DRM issues with my MCE. At one point, I was even prevented from watching a local sports show! Are some cable companies using this to prevent recording premium content (HBO etc.)? Are there any new updates with DRM in MCE?
A: I am unaware of any cable companies using DRM to prevent recording premium content. There is an update available related to DRM on Media Center 2005 which is part of Windows Media Player 11. Please check and install all Media Center updates from Windows Update before installing Windows Media Player 11.
Mark - MS (Expert):
Q: In order to replace my DVR, MCE needs to replace more features. Aux input, Picture Zoom, Bookmarks for going back to a specific location in a movie, restart DVD from last position (could even do this for multiple past DVDs with MCE). Any word on these
A: Great feature suggestions. We'll take note of them for any future work we do to improve MCE.
Mark - MS (Expert):
Q: RE: Q[8]: I am running MCE 2005
A: OK, thanks for clarifying that. Does this happen with *all* recordings or just some? Note that if you manually stop recording (or shut down your PC) during a recording, this may result in two files...
Tyler Welch [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: i need help with my code, can i send it to u take a look at now
A: The topic of this chat is Windows Media Center, our group of experts are here to answer end user related questions. Unfortunately, we are unable to help with developer/code related questions. You may want to look into joining the MSDN forums for help with code related questions.
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: is there anything i can do with media 2005 to optimize my performance?
A: Optimizing performance with Media Center is very similar to optimizing performance on any PC, meaning looking at what’s running, how much RAM you have, how fast your hard drive is, how fragmented your hard drive is, etc. For ideas specific to your machine configuration, I suggest posting to the Media Center public newsgroup (Microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter).
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: any ideas or KB articles on failures for multiple users to be able to log on to MCE 2005? i haven't found any and i've searched everywhere. I have a consistent repro.
A: Please refer to Jenelle’s earlier response to this question.
Tyler Welch [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: where can i find Microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter
A: Here is the link to the newsgroup:http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/newsgroups/reader.mspx?dg=microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: How do you adjust the buffer size for the PVR as it records tv in real time? I'd like to extend it to a longer time.
A: The live TV buffer is fixed at 30 minutes (though if you record the show, you’ll effectively have an infinite length buffer, up to the length of the show).
Mark - MS (Expert):
Q: Re: Q[46]: It only happens occasionally. I do not manual stop it. It can be something recording when no one is home.
A: OK, asked a couple folks about what to do in your situation. Yes, folks have seen this before, and apart from manual stops, this issue may also occur when there's a TV tuner error or even a (very) short power outage. Best way to get more info on what this may be caused by: in MCE, go to Settings > TV > Recorder > History...Check for error messages. That should give you more info on what happened (why they stopped).
Mark - MS (Expert):
Q: Can you tell us when you expect movie downloads to be available in Canada?
A: Are you referring to MCE Online Spotlight partner sites like CinemaNow or MovieLink?
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: where can i find help for my code?
A: The best place to go for Media Center related development questions is the Media Center developer newsgroup, which can be accessed via the following link:http://msdn.microsoft.com/newsgroups/?url=/newsgroups/loadframes.asp?icp=msdn&slcid=us&newsgroup=microsoft.public.windows.developer.mediacenter
Tyler Welch [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: Just to clarify my previous question: I don't want to download Windows Messenger anymore. I don't like it. I just don't want Media Center to keep trying to load it. How do I disable it in Media Center? (i don't think this is a question for Messenger newsgroup
A: Windows Messenger is required for Media Center Messenger functionality. MSN Messenger does not work. So by disabling Windows Messenger this may be causing the problem that you are experiencing.
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: Re: Q[4]: No, I'm talking about the MS offering. Movie and TV rentals and purchases via download. Perhaps this is only available via Xbox 360. I've read reviews of it but learned it is only available in the US.
A: Correct - this service is currently only available on Xbox 360 in the United States. We have not made any announcements at this time regarding broadening the regions in which Video Marketplace is available.
Tyler Welch [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: Using the WinTV-PVR-150 MCE card, with basic audio input...sometimes gives me sub-acceptable audio on my AV equipment...is there a way to add optical or would a audio booster like xitel's hi-fi link (http://www.xitel.com/product_hfl.htm) help?
A: Answer from Corey Gouker: If your motherboard does not have any S/PDIF outputs you might try looking at a Creative X-Fi card to enable that. Also, internally on the PC no additional audio cables are required from the tuner.
Mark - MS (Expert):
Q: Copy protected TV can be recorded by MCE and played back, on that machine. I would love to do the same thing with DVDs. Currently I would have to play them on my DVR, and record them on MCE. Loading them like My Music does CDs would be nice
A: What you're asking about is DVD ripping to your Media Center PC. It's not currently supported within MCE.
Tyler Welch [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: "Windows Messenger is required for Media Center Messenger functionality. MSN Messenger does not work. So by disabling Windows Messenger this may be causing the problem that you are experiencing." Ok, how do I disable the Messenger functionality then?
A: Answer from Corey Gouker: Unfortunately users are not able to disable this option in Windows Media Center 2005. When Vista is released it will no longer have this option built in.
Jenelle [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: can you resend the answer to the question about multiple simultaneous logon failures - IE7 went wild and I lost the answer?
A: Are you getting a specific error message when this occurs? Are you trying to login at the PC itself or through a remote desktop? A quick search brings up article http://support.microsoft.com/kb/248040/en-us which may help.
Tyler Welch [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: Can we have this room left open after the scheduled chat finishes?
A: Unfortunately, this chat room will be set to read only per Microsoft's Chat guidelines. The Chat room will be opened up again during the next Windows Expert Zone Chat.
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: With Vista MC, can I configure MC to prevent kids/guests from deleting content or changing MC Settings?
A: Yes. You can even do this today with Windows XP Media Center Edition. To keep guests/children from deleting recordings, create a lower privilege user account that has read only access to your TV directory; with permissions set in this manner, they’ll be able watch TV, but not delete recordings
Tyler Welch [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: Thx Cory, but as I am using a Cable STB to feed into the tuner card...which than cat5's to my linksys extender...I am still only able to use the standard comp audio inputs on the tuner card....does this make sense?
A: Answer from Corey Gouker: If you're using the standard coax to go from the STB to the tuner you don't really have any other options unless the STB has 1394 but that can get complicated.
Tyler Welch [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: With Vista MC, is it possible to have 2 HD CableCard tuners AND ALSO two (or more) non-cablecard HD tuners?
A: Answer from Corey Gouker: Vista will support 2 DCT tuners (keep in mind the various OEM requirements) along with 2 additional ATSC tuners.
Mark - MS (Expert):
Q: When shows overlap by 1 minute, couldn't MCE flag the conflict and stop the losing program at the overlap, rather than refusing to record it at all
A: - Yes, MCE does flag such overlaps...You can see them in the scheduled recordings list. Unfortunately, you do have to go in there and manually resolve the conflicts. One thing I've noticed is that many broadcasters now purposely extend their shows by 1 or 2 minutes beyond the top of the hour.
Tyler Welch [MSFT] (Moderator):
This concludes our Windows XP Media Center Expert Zone chat for today. Thanks for coming, everyone!
