Windows Media Center (July 19, 2007)
Chat Topic: Windows Media Center
Date: Thursday, July 19, 2007
Please note: Portions of this transcript have been edited for clarity.
Tyler Welch [MSFT] (Moderator):
Hi everyone, and welcome to the Windows Media Center chat!
Today we are answering your questions about Windows Media Center.
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 Media Center, and the moderator for this chat.
Go ahead and begin sending us your questions, and we'll get the chat underway.
Nick [MSFT] (Moderator):
Hello, everyone, I'm Nick, a developer on the Media Center Extender team.
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Hi, my name is Todd; I am a program manager working on Media Center Extender technology.
Mark [MSFT] (Expert):
Hi, I'm Mark, and I'm a PM in the eHome Devices group working on Extender products.
Dennis [MSFT] (Expert):
Hey everyone, I'm Dennis and I'm a PM on the MCX team.
Start of Chat
Tyler Welch [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: Hello: I keep getting an error message whenever I try to play a CD on my Windows XP Pro computer. " ctcatend M0 L54 F09 Pe3x Error Code = 0" Do you know why and how to correct? It is driving me crazy!!
A: The current topic for this chat is Windows Media Center, so I am not sure if we can troubleshoot your issue with the Experts participating in this chat. You may wish to post this question to the applicable newsgroup. A list of all Microsoft-hosted support newsgroups is here: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/newsgroups/default.asp
Jessica Zahn [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: Hi, I have new IPTV service and when I configure the Guide for my zip code 65203 on Media Center my provider CenturyTel is not listed. I've submitted the proper feedback using the Guide Error Submission Form, but I was curious how long it takes to work?
A: Hi there! Corey is still looking into this. Do you happen to know if Zap2It has guide listings for your IPTV service? Their parent company is our data provider and we will have the data when or soon after they do.
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: [3] Looks like the Media Center Extender team is in the house!
A: Indeed we are :-)
Jessica Zahn [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: Yeah, I checked Zap2It and I didn't see it. I've contacted them, but haven't gotten a response. I've also contacted my provider (CenturyTel). Just wasn't sure what other trees to shake to get this fixed.
A: Well, the right people here know, and I'll bug Corey again. But yeah, there's really not much else you can do at this point - we know about the issue and we're working on getting the data.
Mark [MSFT] (Expert):
Go ahead...Ask some Extender questions. ;-)
Jessica Zahn [MSFT] (Expert):
I just heard back from Corey: He's had no answer yet from our data provider, but he'll talk to them again today.
Jessica Zahn [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: Jessica: When will the next beta for Vista MCE go live, it still says pending?
A: And it is. :-) We can't answer that, sorry. Obviously we're on a different schedule than what was initially communicated, but at this point we don't have solid plans to share with the world.
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: [5] Who holds the record for the most MCX connected to a single Media Center? What is the practical limit, and where is the bottleneck, network bandwidth?, CPU?, disk I/O?
A: Up to 5 Extenders may be connected to a Media Center PC at a time. All of the above can be limiting factors depending upon your PC’s specs. The first and most important thing needed is a wired network as wireless maxes out with 1-2 media streams depending upon whether you’re playing standard-definition or high-definition content. Providing a baseline - we had a demo at TechEd in Australia last year in which 5 Xbox 360s were streaming high-definition WMV content from a mid-range Core 2 Duo PC with 2 gigs of RAM at the same time that Media Center running on the PC was playing content (for a total of 6 instances of Media Center).
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: [11] Todd, was that Vista or MCE 2005?
A: Windows Vista (pre-release build)
BGaines [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: Is IPTV ever going to be integrated into Media Center. The set-top-boxes should broadcast on some port and Media Center should "tune" into that. Seems like a waste to go from set-top-box to analog tuner in my MCE computer.
A: IPTV is certainly a interesting topic these days and something we think about. Beyond that we really can say when IPTV may be integrated into MCE. I know that's not the answer you'd like to have, but it's the only thing we can offer. Thanks for the input.
Nick [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: Is there any improvement in HD playback to an extender with wireless-N vs. 802.11a? Is it just more bandwidth = better?
A: You'll find that in general, the reliability and performance of A/V streaming (particularly with high bit-rates such as with HD) will be improved anytime you have a more stable network with higher bandwidth, so you should find an 802.11n network to work better for you than 802.11a.
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: [12] What is the recommended configuration for a Vista Media Center computer powering two v2 Extenders. 1 xbox 360 and another around Christmas time. My currenct MCE 2005-built computer can't cut it. athlon xp 2400+, 1GB, geforce 5200?
A: It depends on how much you want to do simultaneously, but as general guidance I suggest a mid-range or higher dual-core processor, 2 gigs of RAM, and a 7200 RPM hard drive. The video card isn’t used in Extender scenarios, so it only matters for desktop scenarios.
Mark [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: What's the situation with 3rd pary add-ons and plug ins for Vista Media Center. I know XP Media Center had a bunch. All I've seen for Vista Media Center so far is a TV schedule Sidebar gadget. What are your opinions? More cool stuff on the way for Vista?
A: There are a number of new Online Media partners for Vista Media Center...Have you checked out the 'Explore' page on the Vista Media Center start page?
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: [16] Todd, thanks. My usage would be one live HD stream and two live SD streams all at the same time. Not something that happens a lot, but it needs to work if/when it does.
A: Since you know specifically what you’d like to do, I suggest checking in the Media Center public newsgroup or one of the various Media Center community forums to see who is running a similar setup and what their specs are.
Mark [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: Are you working with the Zune team to integrate it into Media Center and with extenders? It's the lone thing that's stopping me from purchasing one.
A: Definitely a good suggestion, and something that comes up quite a bit as a product feature request. But it's not something we can comment on officially here in this forum...We'll keep it in mind for the future though!
Mark [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: Mark, figured--just like to ask those questions to make sure you guys know it's wanted, needed, lusted after, etc.
A: Amen, I'd like to really see it too! And it's not just MCX team that's been asked of this...Xbox team as well!
Jessica Zahn [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: Any news on Clear QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation ) support for Media Center? I heard it won't supported for MCE 2K5, but patches and a way to remap channels are in the works for Vista for the electronic program guide (EPG).Can you clarify on this?
A: Yeah. Don't expect QAM on Media Center 2005. We are focusing on expanding the TV signal types that work with Media Center in future releases. You actually can do QAM with Vista - the caveat is, it only works with an OCUR tuner without the CableCARD. So you're looking for us to expand the number of tuners that can do QAM and work with Media Center, and I'll give you that it's likely to happen, but I can't share any timeframe.
Mark [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: Mark, as an Xbox 360 and Media Center owner. I completely agree. Microsoft as a company needs to really tie those together. It's their Triple Play! Try and get your marketing team to work on that Better Together scenario.
A: As an ex-Marketer, I couldn't agree with you more...MSFT definitely needs to improve the 'better together' story - not just from a product perspective, but from a marketing/messaging one as well. It's a key differentiator for us given the breadth of our offerings.
Tyler Welch [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: i have a problem validating windows vista. i have just reinstal/restore-fixt my computer and det valid code is not ok because it stand that it in in use...
A: Please see the instructions in the link for more information about Genuine Microsoft Software http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/FAQ.aspx?displaylang=en&sGuid=f8572aaa-c4dc-4dc8-bf68-4b88ac283bee . This will provide you with information on how to validate that you are running a genuine copy, and the steps to take to resolve your issue.
Mark [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: media centre keeps telling me my tv hardwear isn't installed when I click on live TV - been working fine for months?? Anyone any ideas
A: One thing I might try is to re-install your TV tuner drivers for your PC. That's the first place I'd start...Sorry to hear it's not working for you.
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: [26] Seems like there's been a few false-starts with CableCard. What's the current status?
A: Multiple PC OEMs are now offering PCs for sale with Digital Cable Tuners.
Dennis [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: Mark, absolutely. I think the new Media Center Extender commercial that is running on Xbox.com is a good start--as it's targeting gamers. However, there needs to me a lot more TV time for these family products.
A: We agree. It is kinda frustrating for us that Apple gets all the press and mindshare when we've been in the market for a couple of years.
Bryan Socha (Expert):
Q: For Media Center in Vista, is there a way to remove folders, such as the sample pictures from the Photos, Music, or Video libraries? Thank you.
A: The easiest way to do this is to go into windows media player. Select the library option. You can change which library you’re in by clicking on the little arrow under the word library on the tab. To see it by folders, look in the left pane and you'll see library->folders. Be careful, windows media player defaults to deleting the media, its really easy to accidentally delete all media on your pc. To change that setting click the arrow under library, select more options and you'll see a check box for delete files from computer when deleted from library.
Nick [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: are there any plans to produce an media center extender in a similar vien to the Apple TV? I've got a TV in my bedroom and would love to watch media from new Vista MC
A: You can already use the Media Center Extender technology built into the Xbox 360 for this purpose. Additionally, we're working with our partners to build Media Center Extender technologies into other devices, such as TVs and Networked DVD Players, which should become available sometime this year.
Nick [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: Any update re: availability of v2 (Pika) extenders??
A: We're still targeting delivery of Media Center Extender technologies in devices such as TVs or Networked DVD Players for sometime this year.
Dennis [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: Dennis, yeah. Frustrated for fans of Media Center too. I can't imagine if I worked in eHome and nothing was done to show your product/offering is superior to a competitors!
A: Yes, we engineers often give the marketing team some suggestions. Hopefully Chuck, Cindi and Colonel Crackdown are just the beginning.
Mark [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: Colonel Crackdown, that was funny.
A: Those wacky engineers...Tyler Welch [MSFT] (Moderator): Okay, we'll be ending the Windows Media Center chat in 5 minutes.
Dennis [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: So, that name was an engineer's suggestion. Now that's really funny!
A: No, we can't take credit for that. We just give suggestions like "if you market it, they will come."
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: [32] I like the online media available in Vista MC. Is there anywhere to go that look up and add new feeds (and is this possible?)
A: We are constantly adding partners to Online Media, so the sources and content available will continue to grow. It is also possible to register/display third-party applications built for Media Center within Media Center (in an area distinct from Online Media). A variety of applications are available including everything from TV editing functionality to weather applets. I suggest visiting one of the Media Center enthusiast sites to see what is available.
Tyler Welch [MSFT] (Moderator):
Announcement: In August, our Windows Media Center Expertzone chat will be moving to a new time. Starting on August 16th the time for the chat will be moved from 11am-12pm PST to 4pm-5pm PST. The chat calendar has already been updated to reflect the new time. Please see http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/chats/default.mspx for more information.
Mark [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: Thanks for the one-on-one chat today guys/gals. I really like these sessions. I hope the limited amount of people here today doesn't stop this from happening on a continual basis.
A: I hope so too...Help spread the word!
Tyler Welch [MSFT] (Moderator):
This concludes our Windows Media Center chat for today. Thanks for coming, everyone!
Todd [MSFT] (Moderator):
Thanks everyone for joining in. I hope to see you at next month’s chat.
Nick [MSFT] (Moderator):
Thanks for coming, everyone, see you next time!
Mark [MSFT] (Expert):
Good chatting with you all today...Till next time. ;-)
BGaines [MSFT] (Expert):
Laterz
Bryan Socha (Expert):
Bye
