Thanks for the quick response Chris, do you have any idea why there is a delay?

Jessica has said that there were many more beta requests than previously anticipated, so the original May 31st deadline probably  has been moved by a few weeks.

I think we'll find out if we got into the beta program all at the same time, so don't lose hope until that "pending" status turns to "denied".

Did anyone hear anything about the beta starting?  I haven't heard anything about my request (unfortunately odds are that I won't), but I was wondering if anyone has heard anything.  Has the beta process even started yet?  Are they still selecting members?  What is the status of the whole thing?

Also, does anyone know if it will be like the WHS beta program where more testers might be added later on that didn't make it into the first round?

docmattman:

Did anyone hear anything about the beta starting?  I haven't heard anything about my request (unfortunately odds are that I won't), but I was wondering if anyone has heard anything.  Has the beta process even started yet?  Are they still selecting members?  What is the status of the whole thing?

Nothing has started yet.  I think you will be waiting a little while for it to start.

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Chris Lanier
The Green Button Forum Moderator

JessZahn:

shadymg:

page not found?

I got that too, once I was already logged in to Connect. If you go to http://connect.microsoft.com and look for the Media Center link, you should be able to get there.

But dude, you're an MVP. Do you need to re-apply?

I'm not an MVP anymore, but I'm logged into Connect and can't a Media Center link anywhere ...

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Chris - Moderator:

Nothing has started yet.  I think you will be waiting a little while for it to start.

Do we have any real updated date ? Or ETA ? I want to rebuld my MCE box but, was holding tight for the 31st (in case I made the beta). Now still holding tight but, just waiting to see....

Somebody please though us a bone here....PLEASE ????

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-Dave

MCP, MCSA, MCSE 2003
Windows Vista Connected Exp:Home Theater for Technologists
Windows Vista Connected Exp:Home Theater for Sales professionals

Home theater specialist (10+ years)

Even if you got the invite tomorrow, the betas generally don't start for weeks/month.

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Chris Lanier
The Green Button Forum Moderator

Based on timelines on previous MCE betas, I'd say this programme was well behind schedule... it's generally an early-mid May start....

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Terry Walsh
Editor, We Got Served
Microsoft MVP - Windows Home Server
www.wegotserved.co.uk

Sounds all a bit strange to me
Microsoft asking if we want to test the next beta of WMC
and now they are surprised by the number of volunteers ?
What did they expect?, that nobody was interested ?
This forum is crowded with WMC ppl,
everyone could see that the response on a question like this would be big.

Or... perhaps is this is just an excuse since the beta is not ready for testing yet ?
Or perhaps the beta was ready, but they decided not to release it yet since they are afraid people will be dissapointed by missing features and are now adding those now..
Guess time will tell....

Well, first of all the beta signups were pick up by several other non-Media Center sites.  So, in addition to everyone here at The Green Button you have millions of others who saw the same beta signup.

Second, I think there is a delay and I don't expect the final builds to ship for some time now. When the beta starts is anyone's guess, so time will tell.

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Chris Lanier
The Green Button Forum Moderator

I'd agree with Chris' second point - to be honest, I would hazard a guess that every Media Center beta application has been vastly oversubscribed. Based on a medium - high number (my assumption) of previous beta members getting approval and then filtering the remaining places based on a detailed survey response (ie. planned features vs available hardware/tv systems/geographic spread) I don't think it would take too long to get the final set of participants - but I could be wrong.

More to the point, we're well into June and there's no beta - if the team were planning a late Summer RTM (which was often the case in MCE betas) then that boat is sailing away unless they were going for a very rapid Beta 1 - Beta 2 - RC flow.

The related question here though is whether we'll be testing a full beta update (ie. a significant enhancement that would be a paid for upgrade at release) or whether this will be an Emerald-style update.... given the fact that Vista now includes Media Center, who knows, they could go for a paid-download or even a boxed retail upgrade available at your local PC big-box store.

Anyway, whatever, I think the programme has been delayed for some reason. Can't be build quality as Beta 1s *always* suck ;-)

Terry

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Terry Walsh
Editor, We Got Served
Microsoft MVP - Windows Home Server
www.wegotserved.co.uk

Sorry, I have to ask, as checking my connect page every other day is starting to get disapointing and old. Any updates or ETA when the beta will start ?  Just really looking forward to testing or hearing about new features that are expected.....(Jess, I know you can't say for sure, maybe a range or something, getting very close, etc)

Don't mean to be a pest : )

and, of course, Thanks !!!

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-Dave

MCP, MCSA, MCSE 2003
Windows Vista Connected Exp:Home Theater for Technologists
Windows Vista Connected Exp:Home Theater for Sales professionals

Home theater specialist (10+ years)

You know how I always say even if I were allowed to tell you what our schedule was, it would end up not being true because these things change so much?

We'll have a beta, and it will have cool features, but I'm not totally sure when. I wouldn't draw conclusions based on what we've done in previous years; remember, we used to be OEM-only and have our own SKU of Windows, and now with Vista, the game is a little different.

I'll say one cool thing: due to some engineering practice changes, the quality of our builds is much higher than usual at this early early point. And I'm in love with my stuff that's in there! :-)

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This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

JessZahn:

You know how I always say even if I were allowed to tell you what our schedule was, it would end up not being true because these things change so much?

We'll have a beta, and it will have cool features, but I'm not totally sure when. I wouldn't draw conclusions based on what we've done in previous years; remember, we used to be OEM-only and have our own SKU of Windows, and now with Vista, the game is a little different.

I'll say one cool thing: due to some engineering practice changes, the quality of our builds is much higher than usual at this early early point. And I'm in love with my stuff that's in there! :-)

Bump...

Still waiting for the blessed day for the beta. Just trying to see if there is any rumor or anything for a start date.....

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-Dave

MCP, MCSA, MCSE 2003
Windows Vista Connected Exp:Home Theater for Technologists
Windows Vista Connected Exp:Home Theater for Sales professionals

Home theater specialist (10+ years)

I guess I am totally confused.  Of course, that is not unusual which is why I depend on TGB.!  Is this a Beta test of an entirely new and different(?) media center app or a test of the updates/modifications/changes that will be incorporated in the supposedly end of year SP-1 for Vista?  In other words, will it install on top of my existing Vista Ultimate installation or is it a total package all of which is beta?  (Assuming that I get to play with it at all, of course).
TMG

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