For Windows Media Center enthusiast its worth reading the whole post but here are a couple of things that are worth highlighting:
What version of Windows Media Center will be included in Windows 8? The version of Media Center included in Windows 8 is what we shipped in the Windows 8 Consumer Preview. It is much consistent with what shipped in Windows 7.
So as I have been saying despite some people being optimistic of new features in Windows 8 Media Center it’s the same version as the Windows 7 version but the move to .net 4.0 will break some 3rd party apps.
Will CableCard and other devices continue to work with Media Center in Windows 8? Yes, there is no change in hardware supported between Windows 7 and Windows 8.
CableCARD will continue to work as in Windows 7 but don’t expect any future developments.
What if I upgrade to Windows 8 on my current Windows 7 PC with a DVD drive? If there is existing third-party playback software the Windows Upgrade Assistant will help determine if this software is compatible with Windows 8 and you will have the option to keep it during the upgrade to Windows 8. Otherwise, you will need to acquire third-party playback software after the upgrade to play DVDs. Alternatively, you can acquire the Windows 8 Media Center Pack or the Windows 8 Pro Pack post upgrade. Both Packs include Windows Media Center, including the ability to play DVDs.
So if you upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 8 you will need either 3rd party DVD playback or the Pro edition with Windows Media Center.
Why do I have to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro to get Media Center? Trends in Media Center usage show a decline in the number of customers that use it on a regular basis, starting from a relatively small base as we previously blogged about. When we look at actual usage, most customers using Media Center and playing DVDs used Windows Ultimate and XP Pro/Media Center. We believe those customers will also be interested in the additional features provided in the Windows 8 Pro edition, such as Boot from VHD, Client Hyper-V, etc., especially if they are using Media Center on a PC used for general tasks. Considering the audience and current usage, we conclude the vast majority of Media Center customers upgrading to Windows 8 will be to the Windows 8 Pro edition. In our efforts to keep the Windows 8 editions plan as simple as possible, Windows Media Center is only available on Windows 8 Pro. If you already have Windows 8 Pro and want to add Media Center, you just need to acquire the additional Media Center Pack as an in-place upgrade available via Add Windows Features (formerly Windows Anytime Upgrade).
Microsoft think that if you want Windows Media Center you will want Hyper-V, Boot from VHD and other pro features, I think for some that will be the case but for the casual user it won’t but as we have talked about before there will be no casual users of Windows Media Center anymore. The key phrase there is “decline in the number of customers that use it on a regular basis”.
The rest of the post talks about licensing costs and the reasons for this approach to Media Center, so far on the poll I set up over 50% have said that they are sticking with Windows 7 and I think for a HTPC that is the best bet for now.
4 thoughts on “Microsoft post FAQ about DVD playback in Windows 8 and Media Center”
Very disappointing for us the enthusiasts. Very, very confusing for the normal punter who does not even know or care about a codec- they will want it to work without having to download 3rd party addons just to get a DVD to play
What version of Windows Media Center will be included in Windows 8?
The version of Media Center included in Windows 8 is what we shipped in the Windows 8 Consumer Preview. It is much consistent with what shipped in Windows 7.
To me that was the biggest thing i was worried about. Without any features it really is setup to fail.
Only hope we have is some 3rd party or microsoft metro apps that are remote friendly, but as always, it’s the TV side of things media center does so well that I don’t think a 3rd party could replicate.
I am optimistic as they come. I used Windows 8 on tablet not very impressed and now MS want me to pay for Software with no new features. MEDICA CENTER IS DEAD. I hope Ceton and other companies can take advantage of the embedded stuff
It seems to me that Microsoft lost interest in Media Centre a while back. The nails are going into the coffin.
I’ve seem nothing to encourage me to upgrade to W8 – and a lot of downsides. As things stand, I’m sticking to W7 – not even bothered to try the W8 previews.
As for Media Centre, I’ve jumped ship to XBMC which I’m finding pretty much superior in every department. Just using Media Centre for the occasional TV recording. I switched to a Humax box as my mainstream PVR over a year ago.
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Very disappointing for us the enthusiasts. Very, very confusing for the normal punter who does not even know or care about a codec- they will want it to work without having to download 3rd party addons just to get a DVD to play
What version of Windows Media Center will be included in Windows 8?
The version of Media Center included in Windows 8 is what we shipped in the Windows 8 Consumer Preview. It is much consistent with what shipped in Windows 7.
To me that was the biggest thing i was worried about. Without any features it really is setup to fail.
Only hope we have is some 3rd party or microsoft metro apps that are remote friendly, but as always, it’s the TV side of things media center does so well that I don’t think a 3rd party could replicate.
I am optimistic as they come. I used Windows 8 on tablet not very impressed and now MS want me to pay for Software with no new features. MEDICA CENTER IS DEAD. I hope Ceton and other companies can take advantage of the embedded stuff
It seems to me that Microsoft lost interest in Media Centre a while back. The nails are going into the coffin.
I’ve seem nothing to encourage me to upgrade to W8 – and a lot of downsides. As things stand, I’m sticking to W7 – not even bothered to try the W8 previews.
As for Media Centre, I’ve jumped ship to XBMC which I’m finding pretty much superior in every department. Just using Media Centre for the occasional TV recording. I switched to a Humax box as my mainstream PVR over a year ago.