37 replies to this topic

[cclayton]

I believe I heard that Media Center was being replaced by something or an aggregation of X-Box Live, Zune, and WMC. I can defienitely see this is not being pushed at Enterprises.

Kinda, They are doing a thing where Xbox can get live TV if your cable provider supports it. The only one with any support right now is Verizon FIOS. I have read that Comcast will have something, and AT&T U-Verse be added some time later. Microsoft is moving XBox to replace Media Center as there top TV Product.

That being said there other two TV Products Media Room (Cable System software used only by ATT in the USA, and other international companies), and Windows Media Center are not still here. I think they said Media Center accounts for 4% of all windows installs, and will be in windows 8. I don't think it is being updated from the Windows 7 version though.

RT is used to "retweet". If I'm reading the article correctly, RT is for ARM? Why not Windows 8 ARM? What's an extra letter between friends?

There is an Intel platform for these tablets that is not an ARM processor. The RT name still seems bad though. What can we expect from the people that named an OS Vista.

Nope, WMC will be an addon for Windows 8 Pro, and an 'economical' price, probably to pay for Dolby and EPG guide data.

Also, Windows Server 8 (I liked that name) is now Windows Server 2012.

http://t.co/FkkLubSl

If I am going to pay for the upgrade to Pro, it darn well better have everything loaded that Win 7 Pro has.

It might be a good thing for Media Center to not be part of the OS. If it made some money there might be more development of the product. I use Media Center every day and would like to see it stick around.

It's definitely disappointing that WMC is not included in any version. And even more disappointing that it won't be available for the non-Pro version. Looks like MS is really classifying it as a 'tech enthusiast' feature.

They currently want xbox as there living room product, and there adding a lot to xbox to make that happen. Media Center is an enthusiast product we are the only people that really want a PC in the living room.

@ Ikon, your right on, with the 'tech enthusiast' feature and for Pro ONLY.....

Windows Media Center will be available as an economical “media pack” add-on to Windows 8 Pro.

Sounds like a bonus bowl, of steamed rice!

I wonder if it will be available on TechNet?

I wonder if media center will be a non metro product in the windows store. Although it is first interface in a line to get to the current metro UI.

[HSS-Dave]

This topic was discussed in detail on episode 180. I look forward to more of your feedback on it.

[jmwills]

Details of Windows 8 Enterprise.

[ImTheTypeOfGuy]

It's definitely disappointing that WMC is not included in any version. And even more disappointing that it won't be available for the non-Pro version. Looks like MS is really classifying it as a 'tech enthusiast' feature.

I disagree. This will give them a reason to develop it as a product when they see 6 million people buying. Or whatever it may be. Of course they can't overprice it or it will defeat the purpose.

I think they will start pushing W7 embeded more as well.

[ikon]

I disagree. This will give them a reason to develop it as a product when they see 6 million people buying. Or whatever it may be. Of course they can't overprice it or it will defeat the purpose.

I don't see that happening if it's not available for the non-Pro version - that's what most people will be getting with new computers. And, I don't see MS being interested in supporting a product that sells only 6 million copies; they're in a different league from that. 60 million copies, maybe; 6 million, down the toilet. That said, I really hope you're right.

[jmwills]

Not being a developer (thank God), you never know how the intgeration of so many modules such as WMC can/could inhibit the growth of the product. I'd dare to say that 80% of Windows users who have WMC don't even know its there.

[ImTheTypeOfGuy]

Not being a developer (thank God), you never know how the intgeration of so many modules such as WMC can/could inhibit the growth of the product. I'd dare to say that 80% of Windows users who have WMC don't even know its there.

I took my cable dvr box back to comcast yesterday and they asked why I didn't want it any longer. So I began telling them about MC, HDHomerun Prime, Infinitv, and the Xbox as an extender. They were all amazed that this is capable and one said they will have to look into it.

[cclayton]

I disagree. This will give them a reason to develop it as a product when they see 6 million people buying. Or whatever it may be. Of course they can't overprice it or it will defeat the purpose.

I think they will start pushing W7 embeded more as well.

I agree I thought it was a bad move when Microsoft decided to include it in most versions of windows Vista. When it was XP Media Center Edition there was a dollar figure attached to it and people using it. Now that it isn't the only Live TV experience at Microsoft, I think it will need confirmed users to keep being developed.

I don't see that happening if it's not available for the non-Pro version - that's what most people will be getting with new computers. And, I don't see MS being interested in supporting a product that sells only 6 million copies; they're in a different league from that. 60 million copies, maybe; 6 million, down the toilet. That said, I really hope you're right.

Microsoft said when vista come out that it was a premium product and that is why it wasn't available under the lowest priced home sku. I wonder if they still feel this way and that is why they are keeping it out of the home version.

[cclayton]

Not being a developer (thank God), you never know how the intgeration of so many modules such as WMC can/could inhibit the growth of the product. I'd dare to say that 80% of Windows users who have WMC don't even know its there.

I think the Xbox team is taking over on consumer driven products. The Video and Music apps feedback goes to "Xbox live on windows". I think these apps are newer version of Zune software rebranded. You have the Windows team pushing for Media Player and Media Center to be the media platform for everything and the Xbox guys starting to win pushing for there Zune based software into windows.

I was hoping that we would see a version of all this that would offer a choice of starting the media center app on Xbox or using the Xbox's new Live TV Feature. connecting back to a media center like back end from the Xbox, getting the features of both together.

[ikon]

Given the surge of Xbox into the console sales lead, it would be hard for MS to not want to capitalize on it and try to push the platform further, faster.

[pcdoc]

They are on the right track if it is priced correctly. The extra cost for the media pack is OK if it is reasonable and the upgrade to PRO is $200. Let's see what they come up with.

[gcoupe]

I always was a pessimist - Microsoft is killing WMC by positioning it as an add-on to Windows 8 Pro. That and the fact that practically nothing has been done to WMC for Windows 8 Pro. Why on earth should I pay $200 to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro and then shell out further for a "Media Pack" Add-on that gives me nothing more than WMC on Windows 7?

Nope - Microsoft are deliberately knifing it in the back in favour of Woodstock...

[ikon]

I always was a pessimist - Microsoft is killing WMC by positioning it as an add-on to Windows 8 Pro. That and the fact that practically nothing has been done to WMC for Windows 8 Pro. Why on earth should I pay $200 to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro and then shell out further for a "Media Pack" Add-on that gives me nothing more than WMC on Windows 7?

Nope - Microsoft are deliberately knifing it in the back in favour of Woodstock...

Regretably, I have to agree. I think the bit about having to upgrade to Pro is particularly telling.

[jmwills]

Well, at least for another 7 years I can have Windows 7 running with WMC and still be guaranteed support.

[ImTheTypeOfGuy]

Well, at least for another 7 years I can have Windows 7 running with WMC and still be guaranteed support.

Exactly. However, I have a feeling more of us will upgrade than we think. MOst of us can't wait to play with a new toy, be it hardware or software. It would be a good poll to see who plans to upgrade and then in a year see who did upgrade.

[jmwills]

From the screenshots I've seen, the release in June is far improved over what came out in January. The final release should be awesome.

[Joe_Miner]

From the screenshots I've seen, the release in June is far improved over what came out in January. The final release should be awesome.

I've been hearing the same thing from some friends downtown. Should be interesting!

[gcoupe]

I'll be upgrading our Windows 7 PCs to Windows 8, but I'll leave our HTPC running Win 7, because there is no value to me in upgrading it to Win 8 and WMC 8.

I'll also be keeping an eye on the Windows Store - if Microsoft, or a third party, come out with an add-on that replicates the functionality of the centralized and single instance backup feature for client PCs that WHS 2011 has, then I suspect I'll move to Windows 8 on the server as well.