Microsoft has released the June 2008 Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista (KB950126).  It is currently available on Windows Update and is propagating to the Microsoft Download Center.  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950126 is also in the process of propagating and has information on the updates contained in the cumulative update.

This update includes a solution to improve the experience in recording television shows over analog broadcasts where previously shows were blocked with protected content messages.  This solution does not apply to analog TV configurations with set top boxes or configurations using analog TV with digital cable tuners.  Microsoft continues to investigate reports of recordings blocked with protected content messages to ensure Media Center provides an appropriate but robust experience.

 

 

This update took care of those pesky media card drive and printer icons from showing up in my videos and my pictures.  This sure makes it look a lot cleaner.

I'll be curious to see if this helps anyones recording problems.  For me personally, it didn't help my issue with AMC, WE, and A&E.  But I think that's a separate deal.  It's always recorded those channels.  I just can't do anything with the files other than watch them.  This means no editing and compressing.  I use just an analog signal and was hoping this would've fixed that.  I did have some issues with TBS recordings recently.  Those wouldn't even record because of restrictions.  Hopefully this update will prevent them from ever coming back.

Clint
St. Cloud, MN

Is there a MCE 2005 update coming to correct this problem?

We are working on a solution for XP MCE 2005 with Rollup Update 2 (KB900325).  This solution will be similar to Vista and will not apply to analog configurations with a set top box.

I can't provide release date information at this time but will keep this forum updated. 

TimSchreck-MS:

We are working on a solution for XP MCE 2005 with Rollup Update 2 (KB900325).  This solution will be similar to Vista and will not apply to analog configurations with a set top box.

Tim, it's great to see that Microsoft haven't given up on MCE2005 and are still working on updates for it.

I run Vista on my work PC and do use VMC to watch live or recorded TV or listen to music whilst I am "working".  However, on my mission critical living room PC I still run MCE2005.  I will make the switch to Vista Media Center at some point but, for me, stability and reliability are the most important factors for a media center appliance.  And, after a couple of years of tinkering and re-installs, I have a very stable system that, for the most part, just works.

I suspect that I am not alone amongst the readership here in a liking for the older version of Media Center.  So, like I say, it's good to see that updates are still being produced.

Pete

Hi Tim,

Thank you for releasing a fix for this pesky problem.  I wanted to confirm if this solution will work for me.  My system receives analog cable and OTA HD using an ATI 650 TV tuner.  When you say that this fix will not work with systems using set top boxes and digital cable tuners, does that include a system receiving analog cable and digital OTA?

Thanks,

Craig

Hi Craig.

It sounds like your configuration would take advantage of this solution as long as your cable hookup does not involve a set top box.  The configuration with digital cable tuners (aka OCUR) do support analog cable; however, the digital cable tuner firmware handles the content protection.

- Tim

Hi Tim

I was under the impression there would not be anymore updates for MCE 2005, a part from security updates.

 

Mainstream support for XP MCE 2005 ends on 4/14/09 - http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=7024.  During the Extended Support phase we will only provide security updates.

 

I'd just like to join the crowd pleased that MCE2005 hasn't been completely dropped.

 

Will the update include anything else, or just the CGMS-A flag change?

 

Just the CGMS-A change. 

Oh, OK then. I won't get too excited as it's a US only change. Still, it's still good that something is still happening with MCE2005.

 

Hello Tim -- I applied the latest Vista Media Center update yesterday but I still see the empty Canon storage icons in the My Videos and My Picture areas (as noted in this post).  What do I need to do to make these icons go away?

disable them as portable devices in device manager.

Hi fdisker.

What is the version of  \windows\ehome\ehshell.dll on your system? 

- Tim