Digital media from a Windows point of view

Engadget thinks DirecTV’s PC tuner is real (the original source is this thread at DBSTalk). All I can say for sure is that the brochure appears to be real and the specs are plausible.

From personal experience, I’ll just say, don’t get your hopes up. Maybe, just maybe, we’ll see the real thing at CES 2009.

Meanwhile, if anyone from DirecTV reads this and wants to add me to the beta program, I’ll be glad to talk to you. Not holding my breath, needless to say.

I’ve got two older Media Center Extenders here, one from Linksys, the other from HP. Anyone want them?

Before you say yes, understand that these work only with Windows XP Media Center Edition and will not work with Vista under any circumstances. They also do standard definition only. Other than that, they’re fully operational and support both wireless and wired networks.

If you’re interested, send an e-mail to ed-blog AT bott DOT com and tell how much an old extender is worth to you.

Over the years I’ve built up a pretty good collection of remote controls for Media Center systems, most of which are sitting in mothballs. Currently I’m using a generic remote in my office, where the main Media Center PC now lives. In the living room, where I am currently using an Xbox 360 as a Media Center Extender, I have a Logitech Harmony that handles the entire home theater. For the bedroom, which also uses an Xbox 360 as an extender, I have a learning remote that includes a separate TV Power button. Once it’s programmed, it’s perfect for controlling the two pieces of equipment from a single place.

If you have one of these learning remotes, you need to program the extra power button before it will operate your TV. Also, you’ll probably want to remap the volume up/down buttons so that they control the TV volume rather than the Media Center volume. Here’s how:

1. Place the Media Center remote and the TV remote head to head, a few inches apart.

2. On the Media Center remote, press and hold the DVD Menu and OK buttons simultaneously for about two seconds, until the remote lights go out.

3. Press and release the TV Power button.

4. Press the power button on the TV remote and hold it. The Media Center remote blinks twice to confirm that it’s learned the command.

5. Test the newly programmed button to make sure it works.

6. Repeat steps 1-5 for the Vol+ and Vol- buttons.

If you’re a Facebook member and Media Center enthusiast, be sure to join the new Media Center group that Charlie Owen has created.

(Tap, tap, tap…)

Is this thing on?

Ah, good. I’ll be posting some new Media Center related stuff here shortly, including details about my CableCARD installation.

Jeez, it’s been a while.

The June 2007 Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista is out. If you have Automatic Updates turned on, it should appear soon as a Recommended update, one of three released today. Nothing broke when I installed it here, but of course your mileage may vary.

I’m happy to see regular updates for the Media Center platform appearing this year.

 Microsoft’s Eric Anderson blabs (and I mean that in a good way):

It’s no secret that there’s a new version of Media Center Extender that will be shipping soon (codenamed Pika). I just started using a prototype device at home, and I have to say that I’m pretty impressed so far.

I’d trade at least one pint of blood, and maybe two or three, for a crack at these.

Chris Lanier has put together a Vista Media Center CableCARD FAQ. It’s filled with great information.

Here’s my short version: Too expensive, too flaky, too restricted.

The idea of going back to Comcast makes me break out in a cold sweat. Maybe DirecTV will finally have its Media Center tuners out at the end of this year?

Five months after RTM, Microsoft has released the April 2007 Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista.

You’ll find several bug fixes and a few improvements, including Online Media support for 64-bit systems. My experience with Media Center rollups has been good, but your mileage may vary. Robert McLaws says he had some problems with IE7 and Outlook 2007 after installing it, so caution is, as always, in order.

This one is being delivered as a Recommended update, so if you check Windows Update on a supported system (Vista Home Premium or Ultimate), you’ll see it in the list of available updates.

Jason Tsang goes to the MVP Summit and teases us with this tidbit:

V2 Extenders should be out sometime this year (2007). … Unfortunately, the exact dates/timeframes are under NDA …

It wouldn’t surprise me or Jason if the new extenders arrive at the same time as a Media Center update. I will now return to practicing patience.

Oh, and if you have any Media Center questions, ask Charlie.