Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter

[Nicholas J. Fang [MS]]

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter

This is a listing of frequently asked questions about Windows XP Media
Center
Edition and good representative answers that have been posted by newsgroup
members. Expect it to be updated and reposted approximately every other week
with the most common questions seen on the newsgroup.

For new users, many of your initial questions may be answered in this
document,
so please give it a read. This document isn't intended to replace
discussions
in the newsgroups, however - if you don't find what you're looking for here
or
just want to discuss further, we encourage you to participate!

If you would like to suggest an addition to this FAQ, please reply to
this posting.

Though we will do the best we can to address all of the most common
questions,
please note that this posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
confers no rights.

[1] Media Center PCs and Hardware
[1.1] Can I upgrade my current machine to Windows XP Media Center Edition?
[1.2] Who can I purchase a Media Center PC from?
[1.3] Does Windows XP Media Center Edition contain all the features from
Windows XP Professional?
[1.4] Can I view Media Center on a TV instead of on the computer's
monitor?
[1.5] Can I use Media Center with satellite TV or digital cable with a
set-
top box?
[1.6] Can Media Center support additional TV tuners?
[1.7] Can I connect my Media Center PC to a 5.1 Surround Sound Receiver?
[1.8] Can I use a different video card with Media Center?
[1.9] Can I buy extra remote controls?

[2] Recorded TV
[2.1] Recorded TV Basics
[2.1.1] Can I record multiple programs at once, or watch one show while
recording another?
[2.1.2] Can I watch a recorded show while Media Center is recording
another show?
[2.2] File Format
[2.2.1] What file format does Media Center record in?
[2.2.2] Can the file format used by Media Center be changed?
[2.2.3] Can the files generated by Media Center be converted to another
video format?
[2.2.4] Can I edit Recorded TV files?
[2.3] Recorded TV and Content Protection
[2.3.1] What is content protection and how is it used by Media Center?
[2.3.2] Can protected files be watched on another PC?
[2.3.3] Can unprotected files be watched on another PC?
[2.4] Backups and Recorded TV Files
[2.4.1] How can I backup recorded TV files?
[2.4.2] Can I store recorded TV files in folders other than the default
folder?
[2.5] Recorded TV File Playback
[2.5.1] Can I use other applications to view Media Center's recorded TV
content?
[2.5.2] Can I watch my backed up recorded TV on another PC?
[2.5.3] Can recorded TV content be watched through other video playing
applications?
[2.6] DVD Recording
[2.6.1] Can I record my Recorded TV files to a DVD-ROM through Media
Center?
[2.6.2] Can you record DVDs that can be watched in a dedicated DVD
player?
[2.6.3] How can I watch the content in files that have been recorded to
a DVD?

[3] Miscellaneous
[3.1] Extensibility
[3.1.1] Are there APIs for programmatically extending Media Center?
[3.1.2] What kind of extensibility does Media Center support?
[3.2] Remote Desktop Connection
[3.2.1] Can I access Media Center using Remote Computer Connection
(RDP)?
[3.2.2] Is Media Center compatible with Windows Powered Smart Displays?

---------------------------------
[1] Media Center PCs and Hardware
---------------------------------
[1.1] Can I upgrade my current machine to Windows XP Media Center Edition?
Windows XP Media Center Edition is currently available only with new PCs.
See [1.2] for information on how you can purchase a Media Center PC.

[1.2] Who can I purchase a Media Center PC from?
Currently, you can purchase a Media Center PC from participating PC
Manufacturers (OEMs) and through major retailers. An up-to-date list of
companies selling Media Center PCs is kept at:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/howtobuy/default.asp.

[1.3] Does Windows XP Media Center Edition contain all the features from
Windows XP Professional?
Yes, Windows XP Media Center Edition is a superset of Windows XP
Professional.

[1.4] Can I view Media Center on a TV instead of on the computer's monitor?
Yes. Simply connect the TV output connector on your Media Center PC's video
card to the input on your TV.

[1.5] Can I use Media Center with satellite TV or digital cable with a set-
top box?
Yes; Media Center can accept a Coax or S-Video connection coming out of a
set-top box and control the set-top box through an included IR emitter
(blaster). Media Center also has program guide data for satellite and
digital
cable TV, so once the system has been properly configured for your service
and
what brand of set-top box you use, Media Center will operate the same as it
would with standard cable or satellite TV.

[1.6] Can Media Center support additional TV tuners?
No. Unfortunately, Media Center currently only supports a single TV tuner.
While you can add any hardware to your Media Center PC that you wish,
additional TV tuner cards may cause Media Center not to work properly.

[1.7] Can I connect my Media Center PC to a 5.1 Surround Sound Receiver?
Depending on the sound card installed in your system, you may be able to
connect to a 5.1 Surround Sound Receiver. Note that additional configuration
may be required. PC Manufacturers are shipping many configurations that
can include a speaker and sound card combination which includes 5.1 Surround
Sound support. Check with the PC Manufacturer (see [1.2]) for information
on how you can purchase a Media center PC with the capabilities you want.

[1.8] Can I use a different video card with Media Center?
In general, any video card in the nVidia GeForce4 line should work properly.
Cards which have an iDCT function on them will reduce processor utilization,
but the ones that do not should still function correctly. You should contact
your OEM regarding installing any video card other than a GeForce4.

[1.9] Can I buy extra remote controls?
Please contact the manufacturer of your computer for more details.

---------------
[2] Recorded TV
---------------
[2.1] Recorded TV Basics
---
[2.1.1] Can I record multiple programs at once, or watch one show while
recording another?
No. Media Center only comes with a single TV tuner, which only allows for
use
of a single live TV channel at once, which means that only one live TV show
can
be in use (either recorded or watched) at a time. For more details on TV
tuners, see [1.5].

[2.1.2] Can I watch a recorded show while Media Center is recording another
show?
Yes, since this only requires the use of a single live TV source (the show
that
is being recorded). Previously recorded shows are stored on disk and do not
use
the TV tuner.

[2.2] File Format
---
[2.2.1] What file format does Media Center record in?
Media Center uses a new file format called DVR-MS. DVR-MS is an MPEG2 file
wrapped with ASF to allow metadata about the recorded program to be stored.

[2.2.2] Can the file format used by Media Center be changed?
No, Media Center only supports the DVR-MS file format for recording TV.
Microsoft is currently working with third-party software manufacturers to
add
support for MS-DVR files to their products.

[2.2.3] Can the files generated by Media Center be converted to another
video
format?
There is currently no way to convert DVR-MS files to another format.
Microsoft
is currently working with third-party software manufacturers to add support
for
MS-DVR files to their products.

[2.2.4] Can I edit Recorded TV files?
There is currently no way to edit MS-DVR files (the format used for recorded
TV
files). Microsoft is currently working with third-party software
manufacturers to add support for MS-DVR files to their products.

[2.3] Recorded TV and Content Protection
---
[2.3.1] What is content protection and how is it used by Media Center?
Content owners and/or broadcasters can set copy protection flags to indicate
that a program is subject to content protection. When Media Center detects
that this flag is set, it will protect the content by limiting the ability
to copy and distribute the program.

[2.3.2] Can protected Recorded TV files be watched on another PC?
No, protected files can only be watched on the Media Center PC that
originally
recorded the content.

[2.3.3] Can unprotected Recorded TV files be watched on another PC?
Yes, so long as that PC has the capability of playing MS-DVR files.
Currently,
Media Center is the only application that can play these files (see
[2.5.1]).

[2.4] Backups and Recorded TV Files
---
[2.4.1] How can I backup Recorded TV files?
Each Recorded TV program is stored as a single file and these files can be
backed up using any standard file backup mechanism. By default, recorded TV
files are stored in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\Recorded
TV
(assuming that you have installed Windows to the C drive). If you've changed
your recording drive, those files will be stored elsewhere on the drive that
you specified (e.g. D:\Recorded TV).

[2.4.2] Can I store recorded TV files in folders other than the default
folder?
Yes, but it is a power user technique which requires knowledge of the
registry and how to use the registry editor.

IMPORTANT: Please be careful when editing the registry; changes that you
make
may damage the operation of your system. It is strongly recommended that you
always back-up your registry before making changes.

The recorder can be configured to "watch folders" for recorded TV programs.
This is done via the following registry key, which configures the recorder
to look for Recorded TV files in folders other than the current recording
folder:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media
Center\Service\Recording\WatchedFolders = REG_MULTI_SZ "<path1> <path2>"

This key and value is initially set if you move from one recorder location
to
another. For example, if your initial recording configuration uses C: and
you
reconfigure the recorder to use D: for recordings, Media Center will add the
folder on the C drive to this "watched folder" list. It then will watch the
Recorded TV location on the old drive (e.g. C:\Documents and Settings\All
Users\Documents\Recorded TV) for added or deleted files to keep the Recorded
TV
library up to date.

If you have not yet made a change to your recorder location, then this key
may
not exist.

To add your own folders to the watched list, use the registry editor to add
the
"WatchedFolders" value in this Recording key path as a multi-string value,
as
per above. If it already exists, you will only need to add another path to
this
setting. For example:
C:\Favorite Shows
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\Recorded TV

NOTE: Once you've made this change, a restart is required for your changes
to
take effect.

[2.5] Recorded TV File Playback
---
[2.5.1] Can I use other applications to view Media Center's recorded TV
files?
The DVR-MS format used by Media Center is currently only supported by Media
Center. In the future, DirectShow capable players such as Windows Media
Player
9 will be able to play back these files, and we're working with other
software
vendors to integrate DVR-MS support into their applications.

[2.5.2] Can I watch my backed up recorded TV on another PC?
Yes, if it has an application that supports MS-DVR files (see [2.5.1]) and
the show is not content protected (see [2.3.2]).

[2.5.3] Can Recorded TV files be watched through other video playing
applications?
The MS-DVR format used by Media Center is currently only supported by Media
Center. Microsoft is currently working with third-party software
manufacturers
to add support for MS-DVR files to their products.

[2.6] DVD Recording
---
[2.6.1] Can I record my Recorded TV files to a DVD-ROM through Media Center?
The Media Center UI has no integrated way to record to a DVD-ROM.

[2.6.2] Can you record DVDs that can be watched in a dedicated DVD player?
It is not yet possible to record a DVD containing a Recorded TV file for use
on your consumer DVD player. Microsoft is currently working with third-party
software manufacturers to add support for MS-DVR files to their products.

[2.6.3] How can I watch the content in files that have been recorded to a
DVD?
Simply insert the DVD into a Media Center PC. Media Center will recognize
the
available Recorded TV files on that removable media and make it available
from
the Recorded TV list. Note that content protected files will only be
accessible
on the Media Center PC that originally recorded the show. See [2.2] for
more
details.

-----------------
[3] Miscellaneous
-----------------
[3.1] Extensibility
---
[3.1.1] Are there APIs for programmatically extending Media Center?
No, but there are ways that you can extend Media Center. See [3.1.2].

[3.1.2] What kind of extensibility does Media Center support?
For information on extending Media Center, see the following web pages:
Media Center PC Extensibility Guide -
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/dnwmt/html/extensibility_guide.asp
Tip: Adding Programs to the Media Center Menu -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/tips/october02/bowman1.asp

[3.2] Remote Desktop Connection
---
[3.2.1] Can I access Media Center using Remote Desktop Connection (RDP)?
No. Media Center does not currently support operation over a Remote Desktop
Connection. It must be run locally on the PC.

[3.2.2] Is Media Center compatible with Windows Powered Smart Displays?
No. Windows Powered Smart Displays use RDP technologies to connect to a PC
and Media Center currently does not support RDP connections.

--
Nicholas J. Fang [MS]
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions. Please use these
newsgroups.

[Nicholas J. Fang [MS]]

Sorry about the weird line spacing on the last posting of this - had my line
spacings set incorrectly. This is the same posting with fixed line breaks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter

This is a listing of frequently asked questions about Windows XP Media
Center Edition and good representative answers that have been posted by
newsgroup members. Expect it to be updated and reposted approximately every
other week with the most common questions seen on the newsgroup.

For new users, many of your initial questions may be answered in this
document, so please give it a read. This document isn't intended to replace
discussions in the newsgroups, however - if you don't find what you're
looking for here or just want to discuss further, we encourage you to
participate!

If you would like to suggest an addition to this FAQ, please reply to this
posting.

Though we will do the best we can to address all of the most common
questions, please note that this posting is provided "AS IS" with no
warranties, and confers no rights.

[1] Media Center PCs and Hardware

[1.1] Can I upgrade my current machine to Windows XP Media Center Edition?
[1.2] Who can I purchase a Media Center PC from?
[1.3] Does Windows XP Media Center Edition contain all the features from
Windows XP Professional?
[1.4] Can I view Media Center on a TV instead of on the computer's
monitor?
[1.5] Can I use Media Center with satellite TV or digital cable with a

set-top box?

---

[Peter Near]

Nicholas:

Good deal, it's been sorely needed for awhile.

Suggestions for additions (numbering are guesses only):

[1.4.1] Can I use Media Center while simultaneously performing computing
tasks (ie. browsing the web)?
Yes, you can use can use Media Center from within a window on your monitor
while other windows are in use.

[1.4.2] Can I use Media Center on my television while simultaneously
performing computing tasks (ie. browsing the web) on the monitor?
No, unfortunately you can only watch TV and perform computing tasks when
Media Center is operating in a window. When Media Center is operating in
full-screen mode on either your monitor or your television your mouse and
keyboard are dedicated solely to Media Center.
<wishful_thinking> Microsoft is currently working on a patch to correct
this. </wishful_thinking>

[1.4.3] Can copy-protected DVD files be played on a television that is
connected to my Media Center?
Yes, DVD files can be played on a television that is connected to your Media
Center PC. Media Center does not limit any of the output sent to the
television.
<question> I assume this to be true, I noticed that WinDVD warns you that
protected content will not play on the TV. Might be a valid question for
MC. </question>

[1.9.1] Can I control my existing television or other media equipment with
the Media Center remote?
The remote control is designed by OEMs based on a reference design from
Microsoft. Currently (December 2002), all of the remotes bundled with Media
Center PCs by OEMs will allow control of the Media Center PC only.

[1.10] Will my Media Center PC support HDTV?
Some OEMs are bundling their Media Center PCs with high-definition plasma
televisions. Your Media Center PC can output video in high-definition
resolutions to an HDTV-ready television. However, currently Media Center
does not directly record HDTV broadcast signals.

[2.3.4] Can protected files be played on a television that is connected to
my Media Center?
<question> I don't know the answer. </question>

Pete

"Nicholas J. Fang [MS]" <nic...@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:e56KOpHqCHA.1660@TK2MSFTNGP10...

[Nicholas J. Fang [MS]]

Hi, Peter,

Thanks for the suggestions. We'll add them to the list to be considered for
the next version of the FAQ.

--
Nicholas J. Fang [MS]
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

"Peter Near" <pn...@nospam.canada.com> wrote in message
news:uZ#SsLIqCHA.1624@TK2MSFTNGP12...

[Andy Vanosdale [MCE MVP]]

Addition:

Q: I just recently purchased the Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop Kit
(with the wireless optical mouse and keyboard) and now the back and some of
the other buttons do not work on the remote. What gives?

A: There seems to be a slight problem with the drivers for the Wireless
Desktop Kit on the included CD. Try downloading and installing the newest
update to the drivers from here:
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/keyboard/download.asp

--
Andy Vanosdale
Microsoft MVP - Windows XP Media Center Edition
Microsoft Associate Expert
Expert Zone - http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP/ExpertZone

"Nicholas J. Fang [MS]" <nic...@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:e56KOpHqCHA.1660@TK2MSFTNGP10...

[Nicholas J. Fang [MS]]

Hey, Andy

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll add it to the list that we'll consider for
the next version.

--
Nicholas J. Fang [MS]
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

"Andy Vanosdale [MCE MVP]" <m...@vanosdale.com> wrote in message
news:#M30QJpqCHA.1132@TK2MSFTNGP12...

[Andy Vanosdale [MCE MVP]]

Thanks Nicholas

--
Andy Vanosdale
Microsoft MVP - Windows XP Media Center Edition
Microsoft Associate Expert
Expert Zone - http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP/ExpertZone

"Nicholas J. Fang [MS]" <nic...@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:u#EkIL0qCHA.436@TK2MSFTNGP12...