This thread is way off track... no one is even talking about the tuner anymore....

Tuner?

Ah yes... "that" tuner.

I for one am anxious for it, but I honestly think this horse has been beaten, put away wet, taken back out and beaten again.

Oh i agree... but I hate coming back to this thread only to see people talking about other features...

start new threads, leave this one to die in peace, until new information arises... at least keep things on topic

jelockwood:

getz76:

Unfortunately, Microsoft still believe the world is flat and if you leave the US-of-A you will fall of the edge of the world. As a result this service is not available to the rest of us (and yes we do have such new fangled things as e-lec-tri-city, and tel-e-vis-ion even outside America).

Isn't the restriction really due to the content and the potential to place-shift outside of the designated broadcast/cable area?  It is really the same reason you cannot use DirecTV outside of the US or Sky outside of the UK.  Believe me, I would LOVE to get Sky here in the states to see EPL in HD!

Webguide is very interesting, but it is abandoned and seems to be unreliable to a certain extent.  I know some have it working VERY well.  I had it working fine for quite a while, but my latest HTPC doesn't want to play nicely.

No, MSN Remote Record is equivalent to DirecTV Remote Booking and Sky Remote Record in that all it does is let you remotely schedule a recording to be done by your DVR back home. It does not stream video or let you access a service you cannot get at home. This lack of being able to use MSN Remote Record outside the USA is purely down to Microsoft completely failing to support international customers. I really cannot see what the problem is, MSN Remote Record is little more than a website, they obviously already have access to the TV scheduling guide data already since they provide that to Media Center customers outside the US currently and the mechanism for linking it to Media Center already exists as used in the US, it merely seems to be that they cannot be bothered.

I'm obviously missing something. I am like everyone else looking forward to the tuner card, but this is the first that I've seen of the MSN site. Other than it not being HD, which for sure is a big hit, how is this different from what we would get?

Next, I looked at the guide but that's all I can do from where I am, how does this allow me to record DirecTV? In other words how does it know, other than me telling it, that I'm a DirecTV subscriber????

scotsmanron:

I'm obviously missing something. I am like everyone else looking forward to the tuner card, but this is the first that I've seen of the MSN site. Other than it not being HD, which for sure is a big hit, how is this different from what we would get?

Next, I looked at the guide but that's all I can do from where I am, how does this allow me to record DirecTV? In other words how does it know, other than me telling it, that I'm a DirecTV subscriber????

MSN Remote Record as I said is like the DirecTV Remote Booking feature. It lets you tell your device to record a program when you are away from home and cannot program it in on the PC in person.

In the case of MSN Remote Record this means you can tell Microsoft Media Center to set up a recording. You can only record what your Media Center can already receive.

The problem is that Microsoft only let Americans use this feature even though there are no technical or legal issues preventing them offering this feature to all their other Media Center customers in other countries (for which they already provide EPG data).

For Americans, once they have a HDPC-20 they would in theory be able to use MSN Remote Record to schedule recordings in Media Center of their DirecTV service.

Meanwhile the rest of the world curses Microsoft for completely ignoring them. Vista Media center added zero new features if your not an American.

Here in Europe thanks to (so far) a complete lack of progress by Microsoft
we cannot get any form of HDTV in Media Center,
we cannot use MSN Remote Record,
we cannot mix free to air and cable/satellite service (unlike Americans who can).

As a result of the last issue we are limited to just (official) support for a maximum of two identical tuners, whereas American can have at least four (two free to air and two other).

I am sure there are plenty of other things we are also missing but as we don't get them it is hard to know what they should be.

One thing we do get is to pay a LOT more than Americans for the same software.

shoff3519:

I sent directv an email about the tuner and what time frame to expect and heres what i got back from the cs.

"Thanks for writing. I understand that you'd like to know the time frame for the newly announced HDPC-20 PC tuner. I'd be glad to assist you.

Any proposed new equipment or enhancements to current equipment are subject to change until a formal announcement is made. More details will be available to you mid 2008."

So expect a long wait.

To be honest, the above reply from DirecTV is both surprising (in that they replied at all) and encouraging in terms of saying anything about "more information in mid 2008". Since we are not aware of anyone beta testing this thing this is at most likely to just be a formal product announcement that perhaps kicks off beta testing. It would be too much to hope that this will be a roll-out.... but I can hope.

I am right on the edge of building my own VMC HTPC. The *only* thing holding me back is continued uncertaintly concerning the timing and "can add to my existing HTPC" aspects of the DirecTV PC Tuner. Even an answer of "not OEM" and "early to mid 2009" would be sufficient for me!

The premium for the CableCard route (at least another $1200 as I figure it, even with the great S1Digital deal) plus the uncertainty that CableCards will even work for a lot of content (Verizon expects to switch to IPTV over the next several years) is killing that as an option.

My family has been watching more and more PC-based content on the big TV over the past year (by hooking up the laptop) and this would at least push all of our regular network plus internet viewing onto the platform. The FiOS DVR would remain for cable stations and VoD only. If internet content was sufficient in terms of kids programming then I might even be able to just cancel the cable until an internet or PC-integrated solution comes down the line.

Sorry for the rambling! I just wish there was more information to base these choices upon!

You want a rant?  Here is my rant:

Tonight I just had my 3rd XBox 360 fail with three red lights.  Its into the box with this one for another month of awaiting "repair".  Good thing Microsoft has plenty of cash lying around.  A debacle like this would put most companies out of business.  Probably won't miss the XBox 360 that much however, now that the whole family can enjoy the Wii I bought them for Christmas.  And low and behold, it has worked perfectly since taking it out of the box.  Hasn't locked up of hiccuped once.

I just replaced my Windows Mobile phone with an IPhone, and it was such a good move.  The IPhone is awesome.  The user interface is years ahead of Windows Mobile 6.  Even 3rd party apps, such as Google maps work better on the IPhone.

I also just got my first IPod Nano 4GB over christmas.  I was going to ask for a Zune, but after seeing that Microsoft screwed over everyone who had been purchasing DRM protected WMA files, I thought better of it.  Also a great move.  The IPod is eloquent in its simplicity; well designed and solidly constructed.  And it has worked perfectly from the start, with no flaws.  Can Microsoft say that about any of its products?  Unfortunately, I have to run iTunes from my Windows XP laptop, because Windows Vista doesn't work and play well with iTunes.  Maybe this is Microsoft's way of competing.

Speaking of which,  I am just about on my last nerve with Vista.  I can't get Office 2007 to install, and my attempts have left my Office 2003 apps non-functional.  Support from Microsoft?  Sure, if I am willing to wait on hold for 1:45 and pay $199.  Thank god I don't have to deal with this crappy operating system at work, where I am running XP.  Ironically, the partners at my law firm have switched to Macs.  Even several of my developer colleagues from my previous life are switching to Macs to do BEA, SUN, and Oracle development for their clients.  I guess it is only a matter of time until I am working on a Mac as well.

To sum up.  What the hell has happened to Microsoft.  After staunchly supporting them and defending them against critics for 20 years, in the end, did I bet on the wrong horse?

WRK

BTDT:

I am right on the edge of building my own VMC HTPC. The *only* thing holding me back is continued uncertaintly concerning the timing and "can add to my existing HTPC" aspects of the DirecTV PC Tuner. Even an answer of "not OEM" and "early to mid 2009" would be sufficient for me!

The premium for the CableCard route (at least another $1200 as I figure it, even with the great S1Digital deal) plus the uncertainty that CableCards will even work for a lot of content (Verizon expects to switch to IPTV over the next several years) is killing that as an option....<snip>

I could not have said it better. I've been beating my self over the head with dealing with the perfomance of my VMC box now, but, knowing dumping $200-600 into it is not going to give me more channels. Maybe the menus will be a little faster, big deal.

I hope DTV offers options for us with Home built HTPCs and not blacklist us like the cable labs have done.

Let's see, spend $1200 on a home built hot machine that will do HD perfect or spend $2400 on the same machine spcs just because it can do cable cards, what a joke. Then the fact that 2 way cable cards are coming out, and no one can confirm that the cable systems for VMC will work with them or if we need to spend more money to use them. If you get lucky it works fine, if your not you deal with so many issues, you'll drive yourself nuts just trying to watch tv.

I really hope this all comes true, an easy upgrade option for all, to give us all the HD channels we could dream of and not the "BS" that we'd have to deal with cable cards...

kingwr:

You want a rant?  Here is my rant:

Tonight I just had my 3rd XBox 360 fail with three red lights.  Its into the box with this one for another month of awaiting "repair".  Good thing Microsoft has plenty of cash lying around.  A debacle like this would put most companies out of business.  Probably won't miss the XBox 360 that much however, now that the whole family can enjoy the Wii I bought them for Christmas.  And low and behold, it has worked perfectly since taking it out of the box.  Hasn't locked up of hiccuped once.

I just replaced my Windows Mobile phone with an IPhone, and it was such a good move.  The IPhone is awesome.  The user interface is years ahead of Windows Mobile 6.  Even 3rd party apps, such as Google maps work better on the IPhone.

I also just got my first IPod Nano 4GB over christmas.  I was going to ask for a Zune, but after seeing that Microsoft screwed over everyone who had been purchasing DRM protected WMA files, I thought better of it.  Also a great move.  The IPod is eloquent in its simplicity; well designed and solidly constructed.  And it has worked perfectly from the start, with no flaws.  Can Microsoft say that about any of its products?  Unfortunately, I have to run iTunes from my Windows XP laptop, because Windows Vista doesn't work and play well with iTunes.  Maybe this is Microsoft's way of competing.

Speaking of which,  I am just about on my last nerve with Vista.  I can't get Office 2007 to install, and my attempts have left my Office 2003 apps non-functional.  Support from Microsoft?  Sure, if I am willing to wait on hold for 1:45 and pay $199.  Thank god I don't have to deal with this crappy operating system at work, where I am running XP.  Ironically, the partners at my law firm have switched to Macs.  Even several of my developer colleagues from my previous life are switching to Macs to do BEA, SUN, and Oracle development for their clients.  I guess it is only a matter of time until I am working on a Mac as well.

To sum up.  What the hell has happened to Microsoft.  After staunchly supporting them and defending them against critics for 20 years, in the end, did I bet on the wrong horse?

WRK

You obviously hate MS for all their shortcomings.. The Xbox 360 is a plague and they should just ELIMINATE it. Not fix it to "hunky dory" status.

Although when you start talking about iPhone's and WM6, I feel you are completely and inherently WRONG.

However, DirecTV is gonna release this when they feel like releasing it.. It really has not much to do with MS at this point. They are going to get on point with h.264 and that's all they have to say.

You need to look at D* for the final.

That's why a lot of other tuner companies have all the sudden gone into component "tuners". Even if DirecTV doesn't take off with this one, you have Hauppauge doing the same thing behind them (and doing better).

So, just look to MS for the h.264/MPEG-4.

The cable companies have lost thier battle with OCUR and CableCard.

kingwr:

You want a rant?  Here is my rant:

Unfortunately, I have to run iTunes from my Windows XP laptop, because Windows Vista doesn't work and play well with iTunes.  Maybe this is Microsoft's way of competing.

WRK

Earlier versions of iTunes would not work properly on 64bit Vista. Supposedly the latest iTunes 7.6.0.29 does now support 64bit Vista.

See this Apple technical note http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301301

If you were trying an earlier version it might be worth revisiting this.

As Vista Media Center currently adds absolutely zero new features for the European market I have not yet bothered upgrading. If/When the Fiji update comes out and supports things like H.264 (and DVB-S2 and DVB subtitles, and a whole load of other things missing for Europe) then I will reconsider upgrading.

Note: I have all my music library in Apple Lossless format and shared between iTunes, WMP and Media Center 2005.

abuttino:

However, DirecTV is gonna release this when they feel like releasing it.. It really has not much to do with MS at this point. They are going to get on point with h.264 and that's all they have to say.

You need to look at D* for the final.

I'm not sure why you think that, D* can't release it until Microsoft ships the next version of Media Center.  H.264 is far from the only thing needed, this whole tuner is based on the next release of Media Center.

While I think this needs to go to another thead I will agree with you about X360s... I am today replacing my 2nd one. I am going to find a Falcon cored one (or attempt to) so that the chances of heat are gone... this one however had the internal drive fail...

QA/QC seems to be slipping on that product... I can't say I have the other issues you do, but I use 32bit vista but only becuase I knew that driver support was still lacking.

And yes my HTC Tytn with WM6 is looking like a sickly dog compared to my wife's iphone.

can we get this thread closed, so that the MS bashing, and apple buttkissing can be addressed in a thread under the proper category?

This thread is dead, and I'm tired of seeing new posts and hoping for a final answer, only to see people ranting on about crap that has nothing to do with the directv tuner

Please close it

I started this thread, so I think I should be granted some latitude in contributing to the direction it goes. 

BTW, I hardly think that I was kissing Apple's ass.  If you read the post, you would notice that I did not even own an Apple product a month ago, and in fact I have not owned any Apple products since my original Apple II in 1978.  The Microsoft bashing: well, yes, that was fairly accurate.

WRK

It's not going to be closed, but it will be watched more for OT content.