MCE question

[angrynerdrock]

so i have vista beta, and have some questions about the MCE part of it.

If i buy a MCE remote, and push the green MCE button, will it automatically switch to MCE?

Currently i have a SDTV, i want vista to operate on my lcd monitor, but id like mce to operate on the tv, is there anything i can do to automatically switch the display to the tv when i access mce?

 

[spyordie007]

If i buy a MCE remote, and push the green MCE button, will it automatically switch to MCE?

Yes, it should launch the MCE application when you press the green button

Currently i have a SDTV, i want vista to operate on my lcd monitor, but id like mce to operate on the tv, is there anything i can do to automatically switch the display to the tv when i access mce?

You should be able to do that through the monitor setup section within the MCE software.

 

[stash]

If i buy a MCE remote, and push the green MCE button, will it automatically switch to MCE?

Yep. You can also use some of the other buttons, like Recorded TV, Guide, Live TV, to take you directly to those screens. The green button takes you to the main MCE menu.

Currently i have a SDTV, i want vista to operate on my lcd monitor, but id like mce to operate on the tv, is there anything i can do to automatically switch the display to the tv when i access mce?

You'd need to connect it to both screens. Usually video cards have at least an s-video out, which should be good enough for a SDTV.

There are issues in the beta with multiple monitors, I believe, so YMMV. Also, there is a bug where if you hook up MCE using DVI, no video content will display when watching TV, no matter what channel. For now, it's best to use a VGA cable if you are hooking up to a monitor to use MCE.

 

[angrynerdrock]

awesome, this is exactly what i wanted to hear. now by logic, when i exit MCE and go back into vista it should go back to the lcd monitor, right?

2nd question, do i have to buy a MCE remote and ir receiver, or will the universal remote from the xbox 360 work with any ir receiver?

 

[angrynerdrock]

i have a fx5700 personal cinema, so it has svideo and component-out puts, so i think it should look fine...hopefully..

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: angrynerdrock
2nd question, do i have to buy a MCE remote and ir receiver, or will the universal remote from the xbox 360 work with any ir receiver?

I've never seen an XBox 360 remote, so I don't know what's on there. I WILL tell you that getting MCE to work properly can be a challenge, and using anything other than MCE-certified remotes, tuner cards, tuner card drivers, and MPEG drivers can cause a lot of pain. I recommend using only Microsoft-approved components and drivers for these critical elements.

Hehehe...and, of course, there probably ARE no Vista-MCE-certified products at this time....so the best you can do is MCE 2005-certified accessories.

 

[spyordie007]

But RebateMonger, isnt that the point of beta testing?

 

[Raduque]

MCE isn't really THAT hard to get running. Just be sure to use a hardware tuner/capture card and a DX9 vidcard (even a lowly fx5200 works better then a ti4600).

As for the xbox360 remote, if it's the basic pack-in remote, it won't control the MCE box. The full XBox360 Media Remote can, or so I've heard. You will need an MCE IR reciever for either remote to work, though. Other remotes can be programmed to work, using other recievers, but I think those work by emulating MCEs keyboard commands.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: spyordie007
But RebateMonger, isnt that the point of beta testing?

Which is exactly why I don't do beta testing anymore. Too much work! Send me the released version when it's done, thanks!