Month: July 2005

Diamond, What Little Is Known? | Quote: “For those who do not know, Diamond is the next version of Microsoft Windows Media Center Edition. Diamond will be based on Windows Vista like the past versions of MCE have been based on XP. Because of the complexity and how advance the UI is, it is said that Diamond will have its own special Aero Tier. A tier requiring much higher system specifications than even Aero Glass. Not too much is known feature wise about Diamond, but I can tell you of a couple features. DRM will be much improved with Diamond, … Continue reading Diamond, What Little Is Known?

Most of the big arguments that I have been getting on my DRM posts are posted below.  The majority of them don’t specifically relate to Microsoft and DRM, rather the concept of DRM and content protection.   DRM doesn’t work and doesn’t prevent piracy I agree.  If you look at the DRM and content protection systems I listed in my first post, you will find that only CableCARD (UDCR) and PSP-PDM have not been cracked (at least that I know about).  DRM Systems don’t work, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a reason for Microsoft to support or include a system in … Continue reading Top Arguments To Microsoft and DRM (Really Just To DRM)

The Media Center Show #18 – Shuttle | 29th July 2005 (37min 46sec) MP3 – 13MB (Download Here)   This week Ian Dixon talked with Sebastien Messier from Shuttle about there new Media Center PC and building Media Center PC’s.   Also, emails from Simon Greenwood and Steve Serabian.    Remember, Vote for The Media Center show on Podcast Alley!

Release Notes for Windows Vista Beta 1 and Windows Longhorn Server Beta 1 | eHome related notes…   The following eHome video features have been verified in this release of Windows Vista versions of Windows: Analog TV (both NTSC and PAL) capture and playback in GraphEdit. DVR-MS playback in GraphEdit and Microsoft Windows Media Player. AVI, WMV, and MPEG1 playback in GraphEdit. DVD playback in GraphEdit. The following video capture boards have been verified to work in this release of Windows Vista versions of Windows: Leadtek Conexant NTSC version 5.13.22.6104 Hauppauge 32552 NTCS version 1.18.21.22266   The following features have not … Continue reading Release Notes for Vista Beta 1

CinemaNow to Offer Selected Programs from HDNet’s High-Definition Library | CinemaNow, Inc., the leader in video-on-demand for broadband, today announced an agreement with HDNet, the leading high-definition television network, to make several unique and exciting titles from HDNet’s original high-definition library available on a download-to-own basis via the CinemaNow Web site (www.cinemanow.com). This marks the first time that HDNet has made its distinct library of high-definition programming available on-demand via an online broadband service.   “HDNet features more original high-definition content than any other network, and we are always looking for innovative new media outlets to distribute our exciting line … Continue reading CinemaNow to Offer Selected Programs from HDNet’s High-Definition Library

Windows Vista Virtual Pressroom (Screenshots)   Microsoft Announces Release of Windows Vista Beta 1   Microsoft Windows Vista Beta 1 Fact Sheet

HDTV, MCE, DRM, and DCMA | Ed Bott offers his opinions on the DRM and content protection issues I have been discussing over the past week.  To cover Ed’s main points…   1.  It’s more of decrypting the signal that we have a problem with.  There are ways to capture a protected feeds from many of these technologies that provide copy/content protection, but unless you into watching or listening to pops, clicks, snow, etc then you want to be able to decrypt the signal.  All HDTV broadcast today is MPEG-2, and we decode MPEG-2 on our PC’s all the time … Continue reading Ed Bott Brings His DRM Opinions and Issues

…it will fail.  The post below this one shows that Jason Dunn got a chance to play with the Xbox 360 and the Media Center Extender functions.  He is thinking that it will only support WMV playback (and DVR-MS of course).  If you are going to limit the playback formats of the Xbox 360 it will fail as the product you want it to be getting media around the house.   So, here’s what you do.  Unlike standalone Extenders we have now that use dedicated processors to decode the media, the Xbox 360 will have more then enough power to … Continue reading Microsoft: If Your Xbox 360 Extender Only Plays WM….

Back from the Longhorn Lab: Reporting on the Xbox 360 | “There’s a software update for Windows Media Center Edition 2005 PCs coming out fairly soon, code-named “Emerald”. The official name is “Roll Up 2 for Media Center Edition 2005″, and it will primarily add two features: support for the Xbox 360, and support for moving from 13 up to 33 countries in terms of guide support for TV. There were rumours about Emerald incorporating support for HDTV tuners, but that doesn’t seem to be the case based on what I was told.”

Last week I posted My Views on Microsoft, DRM, and Content Protection (PVP-OPM).  I wanted to get my personal opinion on the issue out before I had a chance to read exactly what Microsoft was thinking.  I now have my reply from Microsoft about Digital Rights Management in Windows and technologies like PVP-OPM that will appear in Windows Vista.   Microsoft: “Our fundamental goal governing our content protection efforts is to ensure that “content flows”.  This requires coordination across multiple – and intimately related – dimensions, including:   Content owners making their content available Services delivering the content using business … Continue reading Microsoft on DRM, Content Protection, and PVP-OPM