I think we are missing something here.  Microsoft is well into development of Windows 7 at this point.  Aparently the eHome team within the product group worked on Fiji and Windows 7 at the same time.  I'm actually suprised they took the time to put this out.  We've been crying for QAM support and it's going to be there... they've addressed alot of the heartache facing the european customers (not perfect but getting there)... from the posts I've seen we're going to see new dolby modes, new guide etc, etc.  This represents a major effort on their part.  Perfect? if the rumors are true, no...  but if they didn't care about the segment, why even take the time?  The entire group is heads down on Windows 7 right now, this had to be a huge PITA to work in in parallel on Windows 7 but they did it. 

Maybe, once it releases (and OEM or not, do you really think we are going to have a problem getting it.  I just passed an OEM rack of Vista Disks at MicroCenter 2 hours ago) we go through it, say thanks for the things that work and tear them up for the things that dont and make sure they get into 7...

 

Phillyjaq

We really need someone from MS to comment. I really hope it's not OEM only, and can't imagine they'd do that.

Foxer:

We really need someone from MS to comment. I really hope it's not OEM only, and can't imagine they'd do that.

Guys cool down. It's just a software product that billion of people in the world live without. This is not your unborn child and MSFT is not your OB.

And im sure those that live without it are happily going about thier happy lives.
Now those of us mushrooms that do live with it would like some answers or info.

Foxer:

We really need someone from MS to comment. I really hope it's not OEM only, and can't imagine they'd do that.

Not sure here, but hasn't it been MS's normal process to release first to OEM's and then to consumers?

JeffTucker – MSFT
"The reason that Microsoft is now investing in TGB is because of the open and honest feedback that we expect to receive, as well as the opportunity this presents to be more transparent about our product plans.  I'll caveat my last statement with the obvious fact that we can not always announce our plans publicly (hence some of the frustration that all of you feel), but you should at least know that moving forward... we ARE listening".

Wouldnt this kb document http://support.microsoft.com/default...rss&spid=11734
be taken as the information being made public?

My sources are confirming this.

And what of us DIYers who probably paid more for our copy of Vista than those that bought it from an OEM? Are we just SOL? If so, than this is just going to bode well with me one bit. Not only is my main HTPC not OEM, but my laptop copy of Vista is not from Dell, I upgraded after the fact (8 months after I bought my laptop and I got vista when it came out in Jan 2007)!

Just makes me glad that I didn't buy a copy of Vista for my MCE machine in anticipation of Fiji, and I was close to doing so!

Oh well, does Sage work in the UK? Or should I just wait for W7? Guess I best start thinking about the XP SP3 upgrade as well then...

 

Who knows what the OEMs are going to do, or how long it will take them to actually sell a PC with it. Some should call Dell and ask them for it.

Thanks for burning enthusiasts and plugin makers Microsoft, bravo good work.

Instead of letter the DVRMS-toolbox and MCEbuddy developers make updates to work with the new format beforehand, you go the other way and burn them by not letting them have access to it, so they HAVE to rely on 'dodgy' ways of getting it, or lieing to you and telling you they are an OEM builder.

 

Then you burn enthusiasts who have been screaming for some of this stuff by not making it available for them legitimately aswell.

 

Make it a download from a KB article and not in Windows update if you want, that way it wont burn people with the format changes and such, but allows people who want to use it to get it easily.

What makes you think the 3rd party authors didn't get a copy already and had to sign an NDA, which is why we haven't heard from them yet?

I'm curious as to what MS expects all those people who upgraded their machines or built it themselves? Jeff are you out there? MS is being mysteriously quiet about this (ok....really, I kind of expected this from them). If its officially released (as the site KB says it is), then why won't MS jump on here and give us some feedback?

The only thing I see MS doing with not talking to us is estranging more and more enthusiasts.

Oh come on;

It's not like 5 minutes after an OEM gets it, it will hit the torrents.  More like 7 minutes, tops.

^^ Some people have mentioned finding it, I havent looked yet...

 

I rang MS, they said that they didnt have anything avaliable to them that they could give me.  They seemed to have no idea what it was to be honest (well its new, and a niche market).

They said to call my OEM (Dell).  I dont actually have a Dell HTPC, but we have thousands here at work so Ill use that angle to get it...