Windows MCE - what's the big deal?

[Griffinhart]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Great post, Griffinhart. Thank you. I will use that Thegreenbutton site, I'm sure.

I got the MCE version of the PVR-150. I know it only has one tuner but that will be OK for me b/c we don't have cable; it's not available. We have satellite and only one tuner box.

So, that means whatever channel the box is tuned to is the one we watch/record. The sat decoder box only has one lousy output and it's composite. It is a strong signal, though. So, the PVR500 would be useless for me. I won't be using the DVR card to actually tune the station; just to capture the video as fed to it by the decoder box.

The method you are talking about should definately work. It's similar to the cable TV work around for HD content. The way it works with cable set top boxes may work the same way for you. I don't have the exact instructions for it but, essentially, you attach the set top box to your tuner card as you described. You also attach a USB cable to the set top box and the media Center PC will be able to automatically tune the set top box to the correct station of your choice.

I'm glad to read about your positive experiences with MCE; I hope mine are as good as yours. I'll be doing a clean load on a pretty healthy system (C2D E6400/2GB RAM2600XT video) so it should run smoothly.

MCE requirements aren't nearly as tough as you might expect.
My first media center was an AMD 3000+ single core with 1GB of RAM and a 6600GT video board. It easily handled three tuners and streaming video.

My current one is an AMD 3800+ X2 w/ 2GB of RAM and a 6200LE video board. It handles everthing even better. The media center also runs my FTP and Web server and I've never had a problem.

I'm planning on having a Wireless "G" (54MB/s) card in the box. It won't be streaming anything from the network though; all files will be local. I'll use the wireless for surfing and keeping the Antivirus and OS updated.

If you're not planning on streaming Video then you are going to be fine with the 11g solution.

I'm hoping (assuming?) that I won't have any DRM problems. I have a 80+GB folder with my MP3s in it; they are all "home ripped" files...no bought on IPod.com or anything like that. And I'll record video straight off the sat box's output...I should be OK, right?

[/quote]
Windows will never add DRM to existing media. anything you have ripped (or anything you will rip in the future) will not have DRM associated with them unless you specifically add it.

There are some cases where some recorded (premium high def) content may have DRM restrictions but that is very limited as well. All in all, the DRM stuff is wholely over blown and really not a concern. In three years of use, I haven't had any content with DRM on my set up.

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks again, Griffinhart. I will be controlling the set top box with MCE/the remote/program. The version of the the PVR-150 I bought comes with an IR receiver and IR blaster. You tape the blaster over the IR eye of the cable box and the PVR's software changes the channel for you. Hopefully it works as well as it sounds like it should.

I'm looking forward to the challenge of making all the remotes and software work together. The case itself (Silverstone LC16-BMR) comes with a remote and software for the VFID. The Hauppauge PVR-150 also comes with a remote and allegedly it can control the VFID, etc. We shall see.

I'm starting off small AFA storage goes; just got a single 500GB HD for everything (OS/Ghost image/Media) As I don't plan on ripping my 400+DVD collection to HD...yet, anyway. We'll wait for 1TB drives to drop by another $150 or so.

 

[pcslookout]

I fixed my problem!

 

[dclive]

You'll want a MCE remote control so you can use the remote in MCE.
A silicondust.com HDTV tuner would be wise; if you have cable in the usa, go to their website, key in your zip code, and see what cable-delivered (not OTA) channels you should get for free. For $170 for free cable-based QAM TV, it's a steal.

My first MCE2005 box was an AMD 1800. With 2 tuners. Handled things easily, no issue. You won't need 1/5 the horsepower you've got for the MCE and 1 tuner; you'll be loafing at 5% CPU usage no matter what you do with MCE2005.

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks, dclive. Cable's not available where I live (only satellite), so that really cuts down my options/abilities.

I've got two systems sitting at home, doing nothing (I like to swap my hardware often) and I figured I might as well use "the good, newer one."

Sys1: Abit NF7-S/XP2500@2.2GHz/1GB RAM/X800 (AGP) videocard
Sys2: Gigabyte P965-DS3/C2D@3.2GHz/2GB RAM/XT2600 videocard

Though Sys2 will be overkill, I might as well use it...unless Sys1 would be more than enough to run MCE2005. Thoughts?

 

[dclive]

I'd use the cheapest system you've got (both are overspec'd for a MCE2005 box). Like I just wrote, an AMD1800 is more than enough horsepower.

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: dclive
I'd use the cheapest system you've got (both are overspec'd for a MCE2005 box). Like I just wrote, an AMD1800 is more than enough horsepower.

Yep, my original MCE box was an AMD1700 with 512MB RAM, Radeon 9550. Worked fine with a single PVR-150.

 

[PCNewb]

Not to steal the topic, but theres been a lot of helpful posts in here.
Not sure if i'm in the right place. Basically just trying to learn how everything works, and basic needs. Not looking to build an HTPC, but use my laptop/network to stream video/mp3 to my Xbox 360. Not needing to do much else.

I have Windows MCE.

Can someone suggest a website thats more specific in dealing with 360s/MCE? I searched on here, but this was mainly the best thread i found, but not relating to a 360

Thanks.

 

[Griffinhart]

You're Xbox 360 can handle media from your laptop in two ways.

1. As an Extender. This is the best route if you have a TV tuner card, or USB TV tuner compatible with Windows Media Center.

To set it up, fire up your 360. Go to the Media blade in the 360's UI. Select Media Center and follow the instructions. It will give you a website to go to on your laptop where you will install a program that allows you to use the extender.

For more good information go the thegreenbutton.com there is a forum section dedicated to MCE2005 and Extenders.

2. Using Windows Media Connect. Media Connect works on any windows XP or newer Windows machine, MCE or not. It doesn't stream live TV or any live content, but it does stream any pre-recorded content including photos, music and video. This includes DivX and Xvid.

To set it up, open Windows Media Player on your laptop. (should be WMP11) Click on the Library button. Click on Media Sharing. Click the "share my media" check box and then OK.

Now go to the 360. On the media blade select either Photo's, Music, Video. It will ask you to select the source. It should list your laptop among the available sources. Select it. Your 360 will see any media that Windows Media Player has listed in its library.

More details can be found here.

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/supp...60/digitalmedia/pc.htm

 

[Iron Woode]

I am very happy with my HTPC setup.

I used MCE 2005 with MS's MCE Remote.

The box itself is running an Asus M2NPV-VM mb, Sapphire Theatrix 550 pro tuner card, AM2 3400 cpu, 1 gig of 667 ram, 2 160 gig hdds, dvd player and all in an Antec SLK 1650B case.

Using the supplied HDTV bracket, I have the HTPC connected to my 53" big screen tv using component video.

Sound is handled by my 5.1 surround PC speakers (logitech z640).

This system works great and is extremely stable.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: Iron Woode
I am very happy with my HTPC setup.

I used MCE 2005 with MS's MCE Remote.

The box itself is running an Asus M2NPV-VM mb, Sapphire Theatrix 550 pro tuner card, AM2 3400 cpu, 1 gig of 667 ram, 2 160 gig hdds, dvd player and all in an Antec SLK 1650B case.

Using the supplied HDTV bracket, I have the HTPC connected to my 53" big screen tv using component video.

Sound is handled by my 5.1 surround PC speakers (logitech z640).

This system works great and is extremely stable.

:thumbsup: That's great to hear, Iron Woode. I'm glad to hear the MCE remote works well b/c that's what I decided to get. My only worry at this point (haven't received the parts yet) is getting the IR blaster that comes w/the PVR-150 card to work with the weirdo satellite box I've got.

I researched and the box is made by either Universal Electronics or Vestel; both of which ARE listed on the compatability list at Hauppauge. We'll see what happens. Hopefully I don't wind up w/another expensive Mp3 player again.

 

[Iron Woode]

Originally posted by: MichaelD

Originally posted by: Iron Woode
I am very happy with my HTPC setup.

I used MCE 2005 with MS's MCE Remote.

The box itself is running an Asus M2NPV-VM mb, Sapphire Theatrix 550 pro tuner card, AM2 3400 cpu, 1 gig of 667 ram, 2 160 gig hdds, dvd player and all in an Antec SLK 1650B case.

Using the supplied HDTV bracket, I have the HTPC connected to my 53" big screen tv using component video.

Sound is handled by my 5.1 surround PC speakers (logitech z640).

This system works great and is extremely stable.

:thumbsup: That's great to hear, Iron Woode. I'm glad to hear the MCE remote works well b/c that's what I decided to get. My only worry at this point (haven't received the parts yet) is getting the IR blaster that comes w/the PVR-150 card to work with the weirdo satellite box I've got.

I researched and the box is made by either Universal Electronics or Vestel; both of which ARE listed on the compatability list at Hauppauge. We'll see what happens. Hopefully I don't wind up w/another expensive Mp3 player again.

if the satellite box uses IR to change channels then all you need is the MCE remote.

here are the setup instructions from MS:

http://www.microsoft.com/windo...sing/setup/settop.mspx

 

[loup garou]

What satellite service do you have? You might want to make sure MS has guide data for it, since those STB makers don't sound like D* or Dish to me, but I'm not familiar with too many sat STBs.

Also, once you're addicted to WMC (you probably will be), I would suggest taking a look at a Logitech Harmony remote. The standard WMC remote is good enough, but it's so nice having one remote to control all your HT equipment including the WMC PC. The 520 is only $80 at RadioShack right now, and is one of the best form factor/buttons of the Harmony remotes.

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks for the link, Iron Woode and the tip on the Logitech, loup garou. That's a good idea, actually; right now I've got three remotes and it's a PITA juggling all those buttons just to switch b/t TV and the DVD player.

This is gonna be so cool! I'm excited!

 

[Fox5]

Originally posted by: Pabster
Vista Media Center is fantastic. The ability to throw extenders around your house and move all your content is great.

I'll vote for Vista MCE over the XP one anyday. The XP one is ass. The Vista MCE one is actually pretty nice.

Though honestly, assuming you don't want to play Windows games on the HTPC, you'd be better off looking at Mythbuntu or LinuxMCE. Both are more functional pieces of software that are completely free.....and LinuxMCE is unusually slick for an open source product. Easily outclasses the paid stuff. Not as customizable as Mythbuntu and other MythTV stuff though, but it's easily as functional as Windows MCE while being a whole lot nicer. (MythTV's built in game/emulator/news/weather/web browser/etc support is nice too though)
Myth, even mythbuntu, is a bit of a pain to setup though. LinuxMCE is supposed to be almost effortless. Since it's free, it couldn't hurt to try.

 

[QuixoticOne]

Originally posted by: ObscureCaucasian
...
Ummm this seems to be a big pile of FUD to me. I run Vista HP and the only "format lockin" I have really is the .dvr-ms the system records to, but this isn't much of an issue. However I simply have a program set to monitor my recorded TV folder and automatically remove commercials and transcode to h.264 or divx which I easily stream over my network to my Xbox 360.

Also my Xbox 360 streams DivX and H.264 just as easily from my XP Pro Laptop, so I have no idea how it is "crippled"

Apparently it had to do with artificial limitations on WHAT could be played / streamed depending on the source of the media. As I said, I heard it from someone else who had such a setup and knew well the artificial limitations. I do not have an XBOX.

From the following official sources, though, it does seem to be artificially limited. Specifically, it looks like there are relatively few ways to get MPEG2 streams to work, and several cases where AVI, MP4, and H.264 aren't possible. They don't even do into what's possible if you DON'T use Windows MC or WMP or WHS but just wanted to share / stream the files from say LINUX or whatever.

I suppose it's not necessarily a total limitation as long as you do transcode the media format to something that streams / shares well in your context, but if you don't want to do transcoding it seems that you're out of luck if you have media in certain initial formats.

http://blogs.msdn.com/xboxteam...ideo-playback-faq.aspx

10. What are the different video codecs that are supported in all the different ways to play video content on the Xbox 360?

See table below for more information:
Scenario Supported Codecs

From USB storage device to Xbox 360 Dashboard Video Player
WMV(Unprotected),
Mpeg4,
H.264,
AVI

From Windows Media Player 11 to Xbox 360 Dashboard Video Player
WMV(Protected),
WMV(Unprotected),
*Mpeg4,
*H.264,
AVI

From Zune Software to Xbox 360 Dashboard Video Player
WMV(Unprotected),
Mpeg4,
H.264
From Windows Home Server to Xbox 360 Dashboard Video Player
WMV(Protected),
WMV(Unprotected),
AVI

From Windows Media Center to Xbox Media Center Extender
WMV(Protected), WMV(Unprotected),
Mpeg2

* = Please refer to question 32 on how to configure Windows Media Player to share these file types to the Xbox 360.

Apparently it was even more limited in the past, which is the timeframe in which I got the information that essentially boiled down to "it won't work if you don't have MCE". I'm glad to see they've been adding more codec and sharing / streaming choices lately. But what I said before was hardly FUD, it was historical fact that has apparently begun to erode a bit as they've opened up choices in the past year or so.


http://blogs.msdn.com/xboxteam...ted-video-formats.aspx

Fall '06 Supported Video Formats

As you may have heard, with the Xbox 360 Flash Fall 2006 System Update we are adding support for WMV video playback from new sources. Videos can be streamed from a PC running Windows Media Connect, Windows Media Player 11, or the new Zune client player, and can also be played from Optical Disc and most USB mass storage devices. For all these sources, only the WMV video file format and codecs are supported.

re: Fall '06 Supported Video Formats
Tuesday, October 31, 2006 10:17 PM by Limech

Well, as you probably already know, a lot of converted media simply does not work.

I'm using VLC to convert with no success.

See the file in the list, even see a picture of the first frame of the video but get the 69-04-80004001 error.

If you guys are going to force us to convert all our stuff to wmv format then at least make sure all wmv formats work well.

Using WMV2 codec at 1024kb/s in an ASF container.

# re: Fall '06 Supported Video Formats
Wednesday, November 01, 2006 5:54 AM by Russ

If you grab a nightly build of ffmpeg you can use the following command line to create videos that will play on the 360.

However, since there's no wma encoder available other then Microsofts you'll have to do without sound.

ffmpeg -i "myfile.mp4" -qscale 4 -f asf -vcodec wmv2 -an "myvideo.wmv"

Since the 360 now has decoders for MPEG-2 and H.264 (as the DVD Forum require all HD-DVD/Bluray drives to support them), I'm hoping that some support for these will turn up.

# re: Fall '06 Supported Video Formats
Wednesday, November 01, 2006 5:54 AM by Bruce

Once again you fail to listen to customer requests. We have requested on numerous occasions that you add MPEG-4 codecs such as DivX/Xvid.

Everytime you don't listen is another time someone thinks of switching platforms to the PS3 - which will have DivX support.

I never use WMV, I prefer the superior open source Xvid codec to convert my own DVDs. There are numerous third par

re: Fall '06 Supported Video Formats
Wednesday, November 01, 2006 6:29 AM by SomeoneX

Guys, when are you going to realise the obvious?:

1) The lack of supported formats is only going to encourage users to try to crack security to get the 360 to act like a proper media player. In the same way, the expensive cost of the XNA is going to encourage those seeking to make homebrew software to do the same until the price becomes reasonable.

You have the ability to severely deplete those trying to crack your security, as well making customers a lot happier. Which is the better one for everyone concerned? HINT: It's not the one that forces users to try and hack their way into the system.

2) People don't like having your crappy formats shoved down their throats all the time. Sure, you get bonus points for supporting MP3, but WMV/WMA are not particularly great formats, and serious encoders won't bother with them.

People aren't going to re-encode content to work with the 360, they're going to go elsewhere to get a player that doesn't force users into one format. You're only doing yourselves and your customers a favour with that.

3) Failure to include these kinds of things, as well as a lot of popular feature requests that were ignored in the updates only go to show that Microsoft just doesn't listen. Prove that wrong?

# re: Fall '06 Supported Video Formats
Wednesday, November 01, 2006 6:45 AM by bookert

You are good,My opinion is present xbox360 only supports the wmv file,The hope may support the more broadcast file for example:mp4,mpeg,rmvb,avi.....

re: Fall '06 Supported Video Formats
Wednesday, November 01, 2006 7:19 AM by Jason Miller

The ability to stream WMV without Media Center is a great addon, but where's all the rest? We know the xbox is currently capable of streaming mpeg2 files as a Media Center Extender, yet mpg/TS files do not stream without media center. What about all the other codecs that everyone uses like XVID/DIVX, mpeg-4, h264 (the codec must be there now since hd dvd is not supported after the update), AC3 for audio? Please give us something more then this WMV that is only used for porn. Having to reconvert all my files to WMV is very inefficient, you lose quality, since your converting a compressed format to another compressed format, and it seems as though this video streaming capability is just there so marketing can say "yes we can stream video from a pc without media center" but in the real world, its pretty useless when it only supports WMV. I would have at least expected mpeg2 also. Comeon we've been begging for more codecs since the beginning. Sounds like what we want is falling on deaf ears. Thanks Microsoft!

re: Fall '06 Supported Video Formats
Wednesday, November 01, 2006 8:14 AM by bah

I second the above posters. if you introduce media playback functionality and even add playback support from USB & optical drive why only support ONE media format?

I see no point in using MCE pc extended to my 360 if I can't playback my .avi, x264, .TP,.TS etc.

those are the most popular file formats nowerdays.

you should really add support for these very common formats in the near future, or just say once and for all that they will never be availible. I bet that most of todays 360 users would love to be able to playback their movies etc.

I use MCE on my pc today and was hoping for no need to have cables drawn all across the house when i purchased the 360 as it was able to extend MCE.

boy was I dissapointed when i realized how very crippled MCE became once it was extended to the console

I cant imagine that the MCE extender on the 360 was intended for about 10% of its capabilities.

want us to buy MCE , Vista ? make it work like it does on a PC.

# re: Fall '06 Supported Video Formats
Wednesday, November 01, 2006 8:30 AM by dutty

really. nobody uses WMV fileformat except the porn industry.

why can't you guys understand that nobody in the xbox360 community uses the xbox as media center because of your limitations that are the result of fake "legal issues" - there are millions of ways to get around them.

i understand that as soon as the ps3 is out and supports all formats you will implement them too, but if the ps3 will be released without any video support you will give a rats crap about your customers. thats usual ms politics, oh they support it? then we have to support it to. you actually do not care about the wishes or needs of your customers.

its a shame that the xbox1 is capable of playing/streaming any file format on the market with the XBMC.

i really expected more of the xbox360 when i bought it, i mean, isn't it sold as "media center"/"center of your digital home"? hell i even !needed! a media center edition pc to make use of all the features.

i doubt that the xbox will ever playback any other fileformat than ms crap. i shouldnt have bought it with the thought in mind that i can use it to watch streamed movies on my pc.

oh and you want to watch MOV movies on the xbox360? an apple fileformat? ha ha?!

# re: Fall '06 Supported Video Formats
Wednesday, November 01, 2006 10:15 AM by Alex Atkin UK

AVI is NOT a codec numbnuts. And we wont be getting RM or MOV because they cost MONEY to support.

I do not see why we dont have MPEG1/2/4 support though.

re: Fall '06 Supported Video Formats
Wednesday, November 01, 2006 4:11 PM by Everyone Who Has X360

Uh come on, I've waited so long to Windows XP streaming videos to X360 to be available, only to find out that it was WMV format. I have so many home videos that are other formats, which take up a lot less space, and to convert them to WMV takes a lot more time than just simply burning them as DVDs and viewing them on X360 itself...

M$ give us a break and allow us to play other formats I know its possible 100%...

# re: Fall '06 Supported Video Formats
Monday, November 06, 2006 6:05 PM by Sinerex

I get an email today about the update, Im like FINALLY they do something right and correct the idiocy of forcing people to have a windows media pc for the sole purpose of streaming media! WRONG instead i now have the option to stream WMV files, but whats this? NO ONE has WMV files, please and the rest of the community who wishs to utalize their xbox to the fullest potential NEED/ DEMAND/ REQUIRE more codec and video playback support. Good Game guys back to plugging the 10 foot cord from my lcd monitor/tv and doing it manaually when it would be soooo much better to stream content, heck then i can put the xbox in a room with a tube and stream content there.

# re: Fall '06 Supported Video Formats
Tuesday, November 07, 2006 12:22 PM by pizza pizza

While I love the ability to stream WMV from my NON-MCE computer, whoever was too lazy to add in DIRECTORY STRUCTURE should be take out back ... well you get the picture.

When I browse PHOTOS and MUSIC both honor and display the directory structure. Good thing too ... I have seven or eight YEARS worth of digital photos and as many years worth of unprotected MP3's...

So who thought that wasn't necessary for the WMV video?

Give me a freaking break. I have over 80 GB of video with around 25 to 30% of it being WMV. And I'm considering converting some of the rest.

Lotta good it'll do me. This stupid update dumps ALL the videos into one flat directory.

Dumb Dumb Dumb.

Would it have really been THAT hard to show the directory structure? Geez...

BTW, what do you do @ Microsoft?

Well guess I get to wait another SIX MONTHS to see if it get fixed. Thanks for nothing.

# re: Fall '06 Supported Video Formats
Wednesday, December 13, 2006 6:38 AM by Al

Make sure you are not trying to store the files for WMP11 on a network resource. IT WON'T WORK! The files that WMP11 sees MUST BE ON A LOCAL DRIVE. RIDICULOUS!

# re: Fall '06 Supported Video Formats
Friday, December 29, 2006 3:11 AM by Tiny

My understanding Gaz is that Mpeg1/2 are supported through media center extender and thats what you can use the xbox 360 converter for, but straight video or 'media sharing' through WMP 10/11 the 360 will only support .wmv... I to would love to see the codec range extended, but with Vista Ultimate around the corner I can live with mpg1/2/wmv for now.

 

[Griffinhart]

Originally the 360 only supported WMV and MPEG2 I believe. Last year it was expanded to support H.264 and Divx etc...

It wasn't what I would call an "artificial limitation" though. It was that MS hadn't licensed the 360 to use those other codecs. The list of supported formats is kind of odd though. I know on my 360 I didn't have to make any changes to my Windows machine for the new codecs to start working, I simply ran the patch on the XBox and things worked.

Now, streaming all these different formats is great and something I do on a regular basis, but it's also not what makes Windows Media Center shine. There are many products that can do that.

What makes MCE so great is the ability to stream Tivo style live TV over my wireless network to multiple TVs in the house using an Extender. That's the killer app right there. MythTV, Windows Media Connect, and even Apple TV are all great at streaming recorded content to the TV and around the house, but to my knowledge, only Windows Media Center with an Extender can stream Live TV throughout the house. With it I can pause and rewind live TV, I can change the channel, I can browse the TV listings and fully manage what I will be recording... It's simply awesome.

 

[BehindEnemyLines]

Griffinhart,

Does it almost mean your PC should have multiple HD tuners? I have been thinking about this, but I would say there should be at least 2 HD tuners with QAM maybe.

 

[QuixoticOne]

Originally posted by: BehindEnemyLines
Griffinhart,

Does it almost mean your PC should have multiple HD tuners? I have been thinking about this, but I would say there should be at least 2 HD tuners with QAM maybe.

Makes sense for a multi-person household, or if you want to watch one show while recording another.

I've heard recently that there are a handful (at least one of two IIRC) of HDTV tuner cards that have two independent tuners on the same card so you can do things like that.

Hopefully the software support for doing it well exists, and they actually will do QAM, etc.

 

[QuixoticOne]

Sounds kind of nice, I'm glad to see they've opened up the user's choice of codecs as well as permitted streaming / sharing from network sources other than MCE OS PCs.

I'm about to pop my HDTV card over into a Vista HP box and try its MCE; if it works well maybe I'll look for a good deal on an Xbox to go with it as a streaming peripheral.

Do you find that you're really pushing the speed / reliability limits of your wireless network if you're streaming HD video around in real time as well as using the network for other purposes?

Originally posted by: Griffinhart
Originally the 360 only supported WMV and MPEG2 I believe. Last year it was expanded to support H.264 and Divx etc...

It wasn't what I would call an "artificial limitation" though. It was that MS hadn't licensed the 360 to use those other codecs. The list of supported formats is kind of odd though. I know on my 360 I didn't have to make any changes to my Windows machine for the new codecs to start working, I simply ran the patch on the XBox and things worked.

Now, streaming all these different formats is great and something I do on a regular basis, but it's also not what makes Windows Media Center shine. There are many products that can do that.

What makes MCE so great is the ability to stream Tivo style live TV over my wireless network to multiple TVs in the house using an Extender. That's the killer app right there. MythTV, Windows Media Connect, and even Apple TV are all great at streaming recorded content to the TV and around the house, but to my knowledge, only Windows Media Center with an Extender can stream Live TV throughout the house. With it I can pause and rewind live TV, I can change the channel, I can browse the TV listings and fully manage what I will be recording... It's simply awesome.

 

[Griffinhart]

Originally posted by: BehindEnemyLines
Griffinhart,

Does it almost mean your PC should have multiple HD tuners? I have been thinking about this, but I would say there should be at least 2 HD tuners with QAM maybe.

MCE supports two Standard def and two HD Tuners. MCE also supports cable card though you can only get it through pre-built systems. Direct TV has announced that they will be producing MCE boards for HD TV from satelite. Plus there are several work arounds where you can use your cable companies set top box

My media center has a Hauppaugge PVR-500 which has two SD tuners, plus I have an ATI HD tuner.

 

[Griffinhart]

Originally posted by: QuixoticOne
Sounds kind of nice, I'm glad to see they've opened up the user's choice of codecs as well as permitted streaming / sharing from network sources other than MCE OS PCs.

I'm about to pop my HDTV card over into a Vista HP box and try its MCE; if it works well maybe I'll look for a good deal on an Xbox to go with it as a streaming peripheral.

You will need to use at least an xbox 360 as an extender. But you might be able to find a core version for cheaper. Alternatively, Linksys and D-Link now sell standalone extenders. You can get the linkysys DMA2100 from Dell for $250 which might be cheaper than a 360, and quieter. Some extenders now also have upscaling DVD players included as an option too.

Do you find that you're really pushing the speed / reliability limits of your wireless network if you're streaming HD video around in real time as well as using the network for other purposes?

For my needs, two extenders, I have a wireless router dedicated to my media center network and I have it linked to my primary router. My 360's are on their own .11a network and everything has been fine. .11g doesn't cut it. Most extenders now support .11n and for HD TV applications work very well.

 

[dclive]

Bear in mind you can modify (aka hack) MCE (XP or Vista) to support more tuners.

I've been thrilled with my HD Homerun QAM dual tuner setup. Super quality HDTV -- "free" in the $16/mo cable subscription.

 

[Gooberlx2]

I'm pretty sure this tuner from AverTV has dual NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuners.

I also remember seeing on TGB that AverMedia was releasing beta drivers and working with TGB community towards a QAM-within-MCE solution. Check out this post and thread. Hopefully as they go along it will turn out to work as well as the HDHomeRun solution.

 

[QuixoticOne]

Originally posted by: BehindEnemyLines
Griffinhart,

Does it almost mean your PC should have multiple HD tuners? I have been thinking about this, but I would say there should be at least 2 HD tuners with QAM maybe.

I think this is the one I've seen mentioned (and spoken highly of) recently:
http://www.silicondust.com/

Apparently it doesn't work for encrypted signals (though AFAIK nothing you can easily buy will do that -- q.v. the cablecard fiasco). It also doesn't seem to do analog input.

But if your needs are dual-tuner HDTV / QAM, it may be quite useful.

I like the fact that it is network based; PCI slot space is really at a premium in my last couple of systems.

http://www.silicondust.com/