Month: November 2008

Microsoft patched the Restricted Content errors in Windows Vista a few months back, and today lonely old Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 is getting its fix.  The patch (KB956148) is used to resolve “an issue in which a Windows Media Center configuration that uses an analog TV broadcast without a set-top box, displays a protected content message when recording television shows.” You should be able to grab the patch from Windows Update, or if you want it directly go here.

Consumers can now keep the tracks they love. REDMOND, Wash. — Nov. 19, 2008 — Zune, Microsoft Corp.’s digital music and entertainment service, today announced landmark agreements with major and independent music labels to bring significant new value to the subscription music model. The Zune Pass subscription service currently gives consumers on-demand access to millions of tracks for $14.99 per month. Starting today subscribers will also get to select 10 tracks per month to keep and add them to their permanent collection (an estimated $10 value). Agreements have been signed between Microsoft and EMI Music, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal … Continue reading Microsoft Announces New Zune Pass Music Subscription Model

Okoro Media Systems, manufacturer of Digital Entertainment Systems for the high end audio video market, is pleased to announce the availability of the 2009 OMS-LX100 Digital Entertainment System. The new 2009 LX100, part of the “Low Profile” Digital Entertainment Systems series, is built on a combined Intel and Nvidia energy efficient platform. The OMS-LX100 features cool and quiet operation, 7.1 LPCM HDMI support, and low power green operation.   “Customers have really enjoyed our LX100 series for years. Now by working with our various technology partners, we are now able to offer this next generation unit to our customers at … Continue reading Okoro Media Systems Now shipping 2009 LX100 CableCARD Media Center

By now you have most likely seen what some of the new features of Media Center in Windows 7 are, but don’t think it stops there.  In this series I will go over some of the upcoming features of Media Center in Windows 7.  These features should start appearing in later builds, although some of them will be limited to specific testers. I’ve been saying for some time now that Media Center needs to get serious about Internet and Web TV.  Microsoft will be taking another step toward this in Windows 7 by integrating online services in the standard EPG … Continue reading Upcoming Windows 7 Media Center Feature: Broadband TV Services

Good news, OCURs (can) support Tuning Adapters.  Bad news, OCUR is an open spec and the fact that they “can” doesn’t mean a whole lot.  CableLabs recently addressed the issue (PDF)with the two fantastic (ok, maybe not) bits of information below.  Pair that with Microsoft’s own fantastic response from a few months ago and the bottom line is not to expect a Tuning Adapter mixed with an OCUR any time soon. If things work the way I think they will then we are waiting for one of two things to happen. Possibility A: CableLabs updates the specs for the TA/TR … Continue reading CableLabs Confirms Tuning Adaptor Support in Media Center (Kind of)

So the big question in my e-mail Inbox is where have I been hiding.  The answer is that I’ve been crazy busy with school and work, so blogging had to go for a bit.  That doesn’t mean it is over, so let’s start it up again. The biggest news that I missed covering was the big Windows 7 unveiling at WinHEC.  Charlie Owen write a great blog post going over some of the new looks and features, and I hear there is more to come in later builds.  Of course, the focus of some posts about Media Center in Windows … Continue reading Short Bits: Windows 7