Hey folks -

We're now accepting applications to be beta testers for the next release of Media Center!

http://connect.microsoft.com/site/sitehome.aspx?SiteID=23

A couple of notes: I don't accept bribes, nor can I make promises that particular people will be chosen. We only have so many spots, and we need a diverse group of testers from across the US and from supported countries. You'll only be contacted if you're chosen, and we will choose people by May 31.

Also, the survey is deliberately broad; it would probably be a mistake to assume everything we're asking about is going to end up in the next version, whenever that is. :-)

I can probably answer general questions about the beta process if you have any.

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

Awesome! Just completed the nomination survey...thanks for the "invite" Jess!

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Antec FusionV2 (Black)
Asus N4L-VM DH board (T7500 Core 2 Duo, 2GB RAM, Vista Ultimate)
ATI HD 2650
Hauppage HVR-1600
HDHomeRun
Sony XL1B2

Well at least satellite tv was mentioned so it gives some home to us Europeans that it might be added at some stage :)

Thanks for letting us know about the beta test as I wouldnt have a had a clue that you could apply. BTW how does a beta test of media center work on a version of vista that has media center already? Does it run as a seperate application or do you haave to install it over your current version.  Forgive me if its a stupid question :)

Thanks Jess,

I signed up, crossing my fingers, as the "QAM" question is what I have been hoping to see.

plz make this one !!!!! (i've missed a few betas in the past)

 

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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)

page not found?

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Mike Garcen
TGB Moderator | MissingRemote Editor/Reviewer| Microsoft MVP - Media Center
My MCE Setup

It's totally not a stupid question. I'm not sure how this beta is going to work, but it will likely be that we give you a full OS version (Vista-based, of course) and you install it - then subsequent updates get installed over top of the first one. In general, we'll have to test both clean installs and upgrades, though initially we usually test clean-installs first.

Remember, everyone who relies on Media Center: Beta versions inherently have at least some instability in them. I always have a backup recording on a released OS scheduled in case the Beta does something funky. (Case in point: my in-office machine, running incredibly early code, has frozen and will not recover. Yay.)

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

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?

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

nope :-) i wasn't going to apply, just click happy as today's a slow work day :-)

okok, if people say the link works i'll believe em :-P

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Mike Garcen
TGB Moderator | MissingRemote Editor/Reviewer| Microsoft MVP - Media Center
My MCE Setup

JessZahn:

It's totally not a stupid question. I'm not sure how this beta is going to work, but it will likely be that we give you a full OS version (Vista-based, of course) and you install it - then subsequent updates get installed over top of the first one. In general, we'll have to test both clean installs and upgrades, though initially we usually test clean-installs first.

Remember, everyone who relies on Media Center: Beta versions inherently have at least some instability in them. I always have a backup recording on a released OS scheduled in case the Beta does something funky. (Case in point: my in-office machine, running incredibly early code, has frozen and will not recover. Yay.)

Both ways, a install of MCE over the current one, and have another drive (used for OS only) ready to go for a clean install, just say the word and give me a download link :)

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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)

Thanks Jess! I really hope I get in on the Beta, I actually enjoy testing software.

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Velocity Micro Cinemagix Grand Theater, C2Q, 2GB, 2 TB, 2 DCT, HDHomeRun
Homebuilt C2Q, 2 GB, 1.5 TB, HVR-1600, FireSTB
Dell E1705, T7600, 2GB, 250GB, HVR-950
WHS, WRT600N, DMA-2200, XBox360

From past exerience.

You will need to have a computer you can dedicate to testing.  You will need at least 8 hours a week free to do the testing (personal experience, I have spent a lot more than that but really never less), and you wont be able to use it as your primary machine.  I would suggest having a seperate drive to store all your recorded tv on also since they will want clean installs done, at least a couple of times.  Also if you have a copy of ghost so you can back up a good install it will save you a lot of hassle when a build wont run on your machine.

And they want you to participate often, so if you dont have much free time, you might want to think twice.

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Jess,

One of the questions is "Watch live TV on a computer."  Why doesnt it ask about recorded tv? 

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shadymg:

nope :-) i wasn't going to apply, just click happy as today's a slow work day :-)

okok, if people say the link works i'll believe em :-P

log out of connect then try the link.  the stupid thing wont work while logged in for some reason.  You will then be asked to log in and everything works fine.

 

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to add to scuffs...

If you get in..  keep in mind its confidential and you cannot talk about it.. even hint at what it does or doesn't do..    you can't even say if you got in..  if thats going to be a problem, I recommend you don't apply also.

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Bryan Socha
Media Center MVP

JessZahn:

We're now accepting applications to be beta testers for the next release of Media Center!

Is this next release going to be an update to what is in Vista now (ie. service pack) or is this for the next version of Windows?

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Just my $0.02.