Hi guys,

 

Thought I'd do a quick post on a new update S1Digital will be releasing shortly (I can only speak on behalf of S1Digital, as other OEMs may have other plans, and I can only talk about what we're doing). But I thought you might find it useful.

 

S1Digital will soon be including Windows Media Center TV Pack on NEW systems (only). Basically, the TV Pack will add the following new features (to US markets):

• Native unencrypted QAM support (you no longer need DCTs to get basic cable in Media Center)
• Native support for up to four DCTs (Vista Ultimate versions only)
• Ability to watch non copy protected recorded TV on other PCs (that have to have the TV feature pack installed though) and the ability to burn TV to DVDs (although this feature requires an update to the DCT which is not yet released)

This update changes the file format of recorded TV and now uses the file extension .WTV

 

I can't say when we'll be shipping systems with the TV Pack, but it will be soon.

 

I hope that helps some.

 

Paul

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www.S1Digital.com

Thanks for the info Paul, although it sounds like you are confirming that the update is either OEM only or requires a fresh install of Vista.  I really admire your products, although I'm probably not going to invest in a new HTPC right now just for the features above.   Thanks again for the info.

S1Digital:

• Ability to watch non copy protected recorded TV on other PCs (that have to have the TV feature pack installed though) and the ability to burn TV to DVDs (although this feature requires an update to the DCT which is not yet released)

Both of these refer to CableCARD recordings?

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Chris Lanier
The Green Button Forum Moderator

Chris - Moderator:

S1Digital:

• Ability to watch non copy protected recorded TV on other PCs (that have to have the TV feature pack installed though) and the ability to burn TV to DVDs (although this feature requires an update to the DCT which is not yet released)

Both of these refer to CableCARD recordings?

TV Pack as an update to the OEM-only Digital Cable version of Vista?  Available to existing DCT-Vista owners? 

(I dunno.. I'm making this up as I go, but as a DCT owner, I have to give myself hope somehow.)

I've got hope for you  , I just didn't know if it was going to come this soon.

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Chris Lanier
The Green Button Forum Moderator

>Native unencrypted QAM support

Can someone educate me on what QAM is and what all the fuss about it is?

S1Digital:

S1Digital will soon be including Windows Media Center TV Pack on NEW systems (only).

Can older systems be upgraded? perhaps with a new OS disk?

S1Digital:

Native unencrypted QAM support (you no longer need DCTs to get basic cable in Media Center)

You don't need a DCT to get basic cable right now. It's the tier channels and the HD people wan't.

S1Digital:

Native support for up to four DCTs (Vista Ultimate versions only)

Just DCT's, what about other types of tuners? (just cuious... two tuners would be plenty for me.)

S1Digital:

Ability to watch non copy protected recorded TV on other PCs

I can watch non-copy protected recordings on other PC's now.

S1Digital:

(that have to have the TV feature pack installed though)

Ahhh!!! So all PC's may need to be replaced.

This is not encouraging,

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New System: Vista/AthlonX2BE/GigabyteGA-MA69G-S3H/HD3450/(2) M780/3GB Ram/320GB&750GB Drive/Westy 32 LCD via HDMI/

Old System: MCE/ Athlon3000+/Asus K8NE Deluxe/vBox Catseye 150/NVTV Dual SD/2GB RAM/250GB HD/Ahanix DVine 4/Westy 32 LCD/

Chris - Moderator:

S1Digital:

• Ability to watch non copy protected recorded TV on other PCs (that have to have the TV feature pack installed though) and the ability to burn TV to DVDs (although this feature requires an update to the DCT which is not yet released)

Both of these refer to CableCARD recordings?

Well, you could already do that with non CableCard recorded shows :)

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www.S1Digital.com

New systems only that's not good! Screwed by MS yet again!

 

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Stu

aka C-Dub



The Windows Media Center Blog

Tips Tricks & News!

Paul, are you able to state whether the requirement to only make the product available on new systems is per Microsoft or your own decision?  To me it just doesn't make business sense for a HTPC OEM manufacturer to alienate existing customers who spent a considerable markup for their systems.  I'd think in this niche market repeat customers would be essential.

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.:: Vista Ultimate x64 :: Antec Fusion :: Corsair HX520w :: ASUS P5E-VM :: Core2 Duo E8400 3.0Ghz :: 4GB RAM :: 128GB SSD System\Apps :: 1TB\5TB Data :: LG GGC-H20L BD/HD DVD :: HDHomeRun x2 ::.

Interesting,….

For some reason I thought DCTs encrypted everything before it even hit the hard drive. So does this mean that DCTs under the Windows Media Center TV Pack will only encrypt specific shows?

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Q6600 | Gigabyte GA-P35C-DS3R | Corsair XMS2 DDR2 2x1GB + OCZ DDR2 2x512MB | eVGA 8800GT | 2x 650GB HDD | LG GGW-H20L | 2x AVerTV Combo PCIe | Coolermaster 650 Extreme SLI PSU | XBox 360 | XBox 360 HD DVD Drive | Vista Home Premium | WHS | Hauppauge HD PVR

This is bitter sweet news as on one hand I'm glad to see that non-copy protected content won't be protected anymore, but on the other I'm wondering how existing VMC fans will be able to access it without replacing thier computers.

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Ben
How good can it be, if it isn't HD?
Engadget HD

I am with you BJ this would be my wet dream to lose the copy protection on non copyright protected shows (which is most of what I watch)

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Dell xps420 w/ dual ATI cable cards
Hdhomerun for QAM
Panasonic 50" Plasma fed by xbox 360
Panasonic 42" plama fed by xbox 360
3TB in storage and counting

Octavean:

Interesting,….

For some reason I thought DCTs encrypted everything before it even hit the hard drive. So does this mean that DCTs under the Windows Media Center TV Pack will only encrypt specific shows?

While I can't say yes or no because I'm still under NDA, if you read the first post you'll notice it says it requires an update to the DCT that isn't available yet...

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My Media Center Blog

Ah!

Very good thank you. Not sure how I missed that.

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Q6600 | Gigabyte GA-P35C-DS3R | Corsair XMS2 DDR2 2x1GB + OCZ DDR2 2x512MB | eVGA 8800GT | 2x 650GB HDD | LG GGW-H20L | 2x AVerTV Combo PCIe | Coolermaster 650 Extreme SLI PSU | XBox 360 | XBox 360 HD DVD Drive | Vista Home Premium | WHS | Hauppauge HD PVR