It would be huge.  DirecTV integration is the one thing keeping me from looking at the likes of SageTV, Beyond TV, etc.  Comcast doesn't service our area, so cable isn't even a factor, so CableCard holds no allure for me.  Without the ability to record satellite channels without a stack of set top boxes, Media Center holds no benefits over the competition, at least in my eyes.

Michael

bjdraw:

I mean, what if for whatever reason h.264 wasn't as easy as they thought it was and conversely DirecTV and HD PVR support got pushed back to Window 7?

The thing that bothers me is that if a company like Nextcomm wireless can add mpeg4 support to media center: http://www.nextcomwireless.com/R5000/mce_h264.htm

why can't the folks who actually made the software implement mpeg4 support?

- Josh

Actually, I would not consider a failure without DTV support, if it could support the HD-PVR and any similar devices that are certain to hit the market now.  Yeah, the stack of STBs and associated cables are pretty unsightly, and the IR blasters suck, but I could live with all of that hidden somewhere in the house with $150 extenders driving each TV.  This would free us all from a commitment to a particular provider (CableCARD vs. DTV Tuner) and allow us to use our provider of choice to run our rigs.

 

ghostlobster:

Actually, I would not consider a failure without DTV support, if it could support the HD-PVR and any similar devices that are certain to hit the market now.  Yeah, the stack of STBs and associated cables are pretty unsightly, and the IR blasters suck, but I could live with all of that hidden somewhere in the house with $150 extenders driving each TV.  This would free us all from a commitment to a particular provider (CableCARD vs. DTV Tuner) and allow us to use our provider of choice to run our rigs.

 

but wouldn't the use of the HD-PVR having to still use the HD cable box from said provider still lock you in and require monthly rental fee's? Dunno what provider you have, but comcast actually charges you more for the non-DVR HD box than they do for the HD DVR. I'd love the day where I can drop paying comcast $45/month in just hardware rental fee's. - Josh

I mostly agree, although I'd rather have a Dell XPS420 and a CableCARD tuner than rent a STB with IR blasters.

But personal preferences aside, my pessimistic prediction is that H.264 will not make it into Fiji, which means no HD PVR support either.

Hate to say it, but this was one of my first concerns when the HD-PVR came out. Every one was like:
HD-PVR = h.264 and D*TV=h.264 and MS support D*TV thus MS support HD-PVR is True.

No. No it's not. It's just wishful thinking. To my knowledge, MS has never said anything regarding h.264 and Media Center. EVERYTHING that has be said regarding h.264 and Media Center has been INFERRED from the D*TV annoucement. While it would be great, and about frakking time, it is not a given. Mpeg2 is such a PITA with HD files!

QAM support would be a plus, definitely. But h.264 support is essential after the digital transistion. That, plus the fact that most GPU's have some sort of facility for rapid transcoding built in, the question is not why h.264, but why not?

Edit: Besides, didn't the D*TV announcements mention a Xmas'08/Q1'09 release date for Directv. IF the Fiji release is immanent, then we may all be in for a let down!

bjdraw:

With Fiji so close, my pessimistic side starting making me wonder, How big of a disappointment would Fiji be without DirecTV?

I mean, what if for whatever reason h.264 wasn't as easy as they thought it was and conversely DirecTV and HD PVR support got pushed back to Window 7?

Would the update even be worth it if all they did was add native QAM support and some new HD recording features?

And with the HD PVR out, and the still relatively limited availability of CableCARD tuners (not to mention the uncertainty surrounding SDV), without DirecTV this could cause a paradigm shift away from Media Center.

Sorry to say it guys, but it looks like I am right.

I just received another private message and this one comes right out and says it.

"Hello bjdraw...


as for Fiji...


No DirectTV


No H264


and it will be an OEM only release ... no public release!"

Of course they could just be pulling my leg, but I'm afraid that they aren't.

Well, that tears it.. Time to try SageTV.... or just get a Mac and go with Elgato

bjdraw:

Sorry to say it guys, but it looks like I am right.

I just received another private message and this one comes right out and says it.

"Hello bjdraw...


as for Fiji...


No DirectTV


No H264


and it will be an OEM only release ... no public release!"

Of course they could just be pulling my leg, but I'm afraid that they aren't.

I'll save you the time of trying elgato, unless you don't mind losing the ability to easily record a series.

So I won't be affected by DirecTV, and h264 is only a nice to have at the moment.

But... making it OEM only. If true, that's a killer. I've been waiting patiently for Fiji before upgrading from MCE2005 because Fiji has been promised to add DVB-T/S at the same time as cable STB. If that's not available then I'll be sticking with MCE2005 for a while longer. When is Windows 7 due again?

 

bjdraw:

I'll save you the time of trying elgato, unless you don't mind losing the ability to easily record a series.

Seems like piece by piece, we are slowly losing the ability to record ANYTHING , series or otherwise, on Media Center without purchasing an overpriced and/or crapware loaded OEM machine. IF you have to buy an OEM machine, you'd be a fool to buy anything other than a Mac. I'll probably wind up using SageTV though.

With the digital conversion, and cable companies already announcing that they will be going digital (on all but legally mandated local channels, presumably), and Media Center Never supporting HD-PVR, what will be left for media center to record?

Please Clarify!!! After digital conversion, what will be left for media center to record WITHOUT purchasing an overpriced and/or crapware loaded OEM machine.

We are all going to have to get a STB of some sort, be be it a DTV box, an Occur Box (with SDV adapter?) or a cable box. At least with Sage you may get a reprieve from content restrictions.

This is not good.

Although we could debate the overpriced part, what difference does the crapware make since re-installing the OS is trivial compared to building your own PC. I agree that I wish it were possible to build you own CableCARD PC, but the Dell and HP offerings are not that bad.

I still think a XPS 420 with CableCARD tuner is a cheaper and better solution than the HD PVR is. The HD PVR does gives you more provider options though.

As for after the transition. You'll be able to record the same things you can now, but you may need a STB and record via S-Video.

I do 100% agree that it is complete BS that the content industry is using the digital transition as a way to add additional restrictions.

Fiji does support H.264 as some screenshots here show BBC HD in use in Europe and some set up shots.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/freesathd/

Seems to work fine in Europe, i have no idea about Direct TV

File extensions of recordings are no longer .dvr-ms they are now .wtv files.

One disappointment after another.

OEM is Microsofts kiss of death with Media Center and people that subscibe to satellite or don't want to buy a bloated pc full of crap..

Looks like MS has cooked the goose.