The Digital Lifestyle Media Center Expert Blog by Garry Whittaker - All Comments

re: TVGorge drops content

Garry [WMA] — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:32:47 GMT

Which just goes to prove what we already knew Martin is a very wise man

re: TVGorge drops content

mmillmor — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:16:34 GMT

... and that's why I didn't spend the time creating a TunerFreeMCE plugin for it. With no restrictions, it clearly couldn't have had the agreement of the content owners and wasn't going to last long.

re: TVGorge drops content

jwewrite — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 19:45:46 GMT

tvgorge no longer has content, but I've posted a list of sites that do:

http://bit.ly/2gaME

re: DVBLink - How tuner pooling works

Garry [WMA] — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:40:56 GMT

Oberon just added this over at the forum which answers my final question in the post:

Forgot to mention that we will add the feature in next beta where source, having least mapped channels, will be selected first on channel change.

re: DVBLink Network Pack - it works (well at least in the UK and Europe - sorry USA)

Garry [WMA] — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 21:24:38 GMT

Just one correction to the above on the client if you are in the same region when setting up TV as the server then the channel guide data will be automatically mapped to the same as mapped on the server when running the dvblink expert mode configuration

re: Want Networked Tuners?! - DVBLogic will give them to you

Vinylfreak — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:31:29 GMT

Wow! Once the dust settles on this, and everything is finalized, a "how to" segment on The Media Center Show would be Great!!!

Keep Up The Great Work!! =)

Tim

re: DVBLink 2 1st Beta Here

Garry [WMA] — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:33:17 GMT

Well as I said in the Podcast the current version is lasting several days without a power cycle for me. I do however have it on its own USB host controller which definitely helps. I know that isn't the case for everyone and it does seem to be dependent on when you put your HDPVR - although officially there is only one version.

re: DVBLink 2 1st Beta Here

dunks517 — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:58:54 GMT

Does it work for more than 30 seconds with the HD PVR before requiring the HD PVR to be power cycled?

re: DVBLink 2 1st Beta Here

Garry [WMA] — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:36:04 GMT

That will be good to hear. Should be a very good listen.

re: DVBLink 2 1st Beta Here

Ian Dixon — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:28:23 GMT

All the details on v2 will be on this weeks podcast

re: DVBLink 2 - coming very soon

SCOOBY_666UK — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:12:24 GMT

Brilliant....can't wait for this :) Hopefully, this will work on a WHS Machine....and even better on the WHS2.

re: Sites you should Know (particularly if your are in the UK): Rathes Blog

Garry [WMA] — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:49:33 GMT

Good call Mark - hadn't made the connection

re: Sites you should Know (particularly if your are in the UK): Rathes Blog

mark1234 — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:32:44 GMT

Rathe has been the interviewee on one of Ian's podcasts already, though quite a while back now.

thedigitallifestyle.com/.../the-media-center-show-95-rathe-hollingum-microsoft-european-development-center.aspx

re: Announcing MCDU – The Media Center Decoder Utility (replaces VMCD)

Brewmaster — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:38:37 GMT

I also should mention that the option I see is for "ffdshow MPEG-4 video decoder" not "ffdshow video decoder" as is in your screenshot.

re: Announcing MCDU – The Media Center Decoder Utility (replaces VMCD)

Brewmaster — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:36:38 GMT

I have set the MPEG in AVI option in both the configuration settings and in VFW configuration. Using the ffdshow 20041012 download. I continue to get "The video decoder is not working..." error message when I try to view live TV.

Suggestions?

re: Virgin Media launches new HD channels in the UK - How to watch them in your Media Center

ollington — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:31:55 GMT

For anyone else out there interested in trying to get Virgin media into MCE I can vouch that Garry's solution works. Not for one instant, I am sure, would anyone have doubted him.

A few things that I noticed/experienced which might help other people googling in the future:

1. The IR sensor on the V+box is located a few inches to the right of the Remote light that flashes on the front of the box. It took me at least 3 days to work this one out. In the end a strong light shining on the front of the box revealed the huge sensor and hey presto the IR blaster worked.

2. The IR code for the V+ remote in the blaster config tool seems to be Europe/Satellite/Pace/739. There is a 0739 setting built in however this does not work. Also ignore anything in the Hauppauge documentation about the On/Off button toggling on and off.

Simply enter '739' and then press the TEST button. Once the IR blaster was in the right place this worked perfectly for me.

3. I initially used DVBLink 2.0 when I set up my system. I then foolishly decided to add a dual DVB-T tuner. My Virgin signal then crashed constantly leading to hours (rather days) of frustration. In the end I used HWClean to remove all Hauppauge and did a clean install. I then installed DVBlink 1.0 instead and everything worked magically. I didn't reinstall my DVB-T tuner as I was just so happy to get my Virgin signal back. Like Garry I now use the V+ box to record using its own in built tuners. It has also been very stable (so far).

4. Use the USB ports in the back of your PC when hooking up the HD PVR. I think I came unstuck when sticking things in the front. I read this on another site as well.

5. Don't be afraid to delete the MCE database in the 'ehome' folder to reset your MCE set up if you muck things up. I think this was a lifeline as I am convinced I managed to completely confuse my extender by adding and removing tuners.

6. Pay careful attention to Garry's instructions about channels 1 to 5 and make sure you synchronize your DVBlink with MCE by going in to the Extras menu in MCE and double clicking on the DVBlink icon.

So all in all despite some basic errors on my behalf this is potentially a relatively easy set up, especially if you follow all the instructions carefully.

As Garry mentions the real plus of this is the quality of the signal.

Thanks for this great solution and for your help in setting this up.

re: Announcing MCDU – The Media Center Decoder Utility (replaces VMCD)

Garry [WMA] — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:57:31 GMT

look for the .mcdu.bak in the windows/system32 directory and manually rename them to take off the mcdu.bak

re: Announcing MCDU – The Media Center Decoder Utility (replaces VMCD)

gt1485a — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:40:18 GMT

I tried setting other programs to default(successfully) and now i cannot revert to the default Microsoft settings. I am running Win7 x86. Help? Please?

re: Sky Player in Media Center - the wheel turns slowly but it does turn

aedney — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:17:06 GMT

Guys

The Sky Player Icon is now appearing in Media Center showing as Coming Soon!

usingwindowshomeserver.com/.../sky-player-icon-appears-on-media-center

Andrew

re: Sky Player in Media Center - the wheel turns slowly but it does turn

dunks517 — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:01:20 GMT

Is there a parrot here?

re: Sky Player in Media Center - the wheel turns slowly but it does turn

cw-kid — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:31:07 GMT

Andrew many thanks for the link!

re: Sky Player in Media Center - the wheel turns slowly but it does turn

aedney — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:23:46 GMT

cw-kid - I posted some screenshots yesterday here:

usingwindowshomeserver.com/.../sky-player-for-windows-media-center-announcement

Andrew

re: Sky Player in Media Center - the wheel turns slowly but it does turn

cw-kid — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:53:47 GMT

I didn't realise Sky Player was coming to Media Center I thought it was only for the XBOX 360 dashboard. When is it being released for Media Center 7 ?

re: Sky Player in Media Center - the wheel turns slowly but it does turn

Garry [WMA] — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:27:50 GMT

will a video do...

re: Sky Player in Media Center - the wheel turns slowly but it does turn

cw-kid — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:42:34 GMT

Any screen shots?

Cheers

re: Announcing MCDU – The Media Center Decoder Utility (replaces VMCD)

Garry [WMA] — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:07:20 GMT

Just tested with RTM and it seems fine.

Just to check:

1, you have downloaded the file (i.e. saved) and are not trying to run it directly from the link

2, have you tried running as administrator

re: Announcing MCDU – The Media Center Decoder Utility (replaces VMCD)

dougstanton — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:00:38 GMT

This doesn't appear to work with Windows 7 RTM, it gives me an unhandeled exception error and no codecs are listed

re: BBC look to copy protect BBC HD on freeview

Garry [WMA] — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:20:37 GMT

Thanks Mark. I had completely missed thegreenbutton discussion. Some very interesting comments there.

re: BBC look to copy protect BBC HD on freeview

mark1234 — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:10:32 GMT

Been discussed a bit on TGB a week or so ago:

thegreenbutton.com/.../78336.aspx

re: Zune HD - Dock - Big screen UI video

vppkj1 — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 01:54:54 GMT

Thanks for the post

re: Zune HD - Dock - Big screen UI video

Garry [WMA] — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:15:46 GMT

Agreed - I only posted this because of the huge interest. The guys undercover filming really is a bit all over the place but at least it gives a flavour of the interface. I don't think you are missing anything.

re: Zune HD - Dock - Big screen UI video

vppkj1 — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:51:41 GMT

That video is hard to watch. Not sure what I am supposed to take away from it other than

1) You can buy HD movies and load them on your Zune

2) You can connect the Zune via HDMI to a TV.

Not clear that this translates into streaming from Media Center, connecting into a PC-based home video solution.

Am I missing something?

re: CNM Ministor Intel Atom Barebone - Includes Atom230 CPU onboard VGA/Sound for less than 120 pound

ddunipace — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:03:25 GMT

Any idea what the power consumption is? I'm thinking this box could make a good home server.

re: Quick Headsup - DVBLINK for HDPVR RC is up in DVBLogic Forums

Garry [WMA] — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:23:57 GMT

Should work fine with other tuners. I have an internal dvb-t and an hd-homerun working alongside my hd-pvr

re: Quick Headsup - DVBLINK for HDPVR RC is up in DVBLogic Forums

kingtone — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 23:19:49 GMT

I'll have to give this another go. Tried the old version and couldn't get it working right.

Does anyone know if this will work along side other tuners in the same box? I have QAM and NTSC (for basic cable) in the US.

re: Announcing MCDU – The Media Center Decoder Utility (replaces VMCD)

JonScaife — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 13:14:41 GMT

Has anyone else tested this with ffdshow x64? It doesn't seem to be working for me - I get the "The video decoder is not working, is not installed..." error message as soon as I try to view live tv

This is with ffdshow x64 2984 on Win7 x64 RC1 (7100)

Any suggestions very welcome :)

re: Announcing MCDU – The Media Center Decoder Utility (replaces VMCD)

Bob Nie — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 02:50:46 GMT

Hi Gary

I have need to replace Media center encoder in win7.

Do you have any idea how to do this?

re: Tip: Adding items to Extras Start Menu in Windows 7

Garry [WMA] — Tue, 19 May 2009 01:56:23 GMT

7 is very different in how it handles extras than Vista. It will only install them in the Extra's library. The More TV etc options have gone.

re: Tip: Adding items to Extras Start Menu in Windows 7

mcarbenay — Mon, 18 May 2009 13:01:04 GMT

Is there any differences with this option in vista ? It installs the shortcut in the revelant menu strip : if your add-on is in Movie + TV, it will install on the TV strip, etc.

re: Tip: Adding items to Extras Start Menu in Windows 7

Dangelus — Mon, 18 May 2009 09:19:22 GMT

Great tip! Beats messing about with extra strips in the registry. Many thanks!