At the bottom of this you will find the official Microsoft details of the update.

I downloaded the update (it is packaged like a Vista Standalone Update) (don’t ask, I am not disclosing how to obtain the update). I followed the directions found in the information below, however I installed this on an existing VMC configuration, not a new install. Everything went though fine and I had no issues.

After installing and rebooting, all the Media Center settings we reset so I had to re-run the media center setup and configure my TV settings etc.

Here are some screenshots and notes:

1. The Recorded TV section shows my previously recorded shows (in the ms-dvr format) and they playback just fine. However, there is no preview image for those in ms-dvr format. Only the newly recorded stuff in .WTV format shows a preview image. 



2. The guide is a little different visually and it shows the HD logo on the channel lines, not just the program info below.



3. The More Info menu during playback has more options



4. Here is the version screen




I am not sure why MS is only releasing this to OEMs for new installs, it works just fine for me as an update to an existing system.

I am happy to answer any questions about my experience and the update, however do not ask me how to get this update.

-VMC_Junkie

---

Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008
Code Name: Fiji

The Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008 is an upgrade to Media Center functionality released in Vista Home Premium and Ultimate. However, there are some important notes and installation instructions you should be aware of before attempting to install the package.

Important Notes:

-The Media Center TV Pack is only being released externally via licensed OEMs. Therefore, installation of the TV Pack must be on top of a clean Vista SP1 install. There is no upgrade from Vista RTM or previous versions of Windows XP Media Center Edition.

-Media Center TV Pack cannot be uninstalled. If you need to revert to Vista SP1 functionality, you will need to clean install Vista SP1. However, you will be able to upgrade to Windows 7 betas and OS RTM releases post Vista.

-Media Center TV Pack is dependent on PlayReady for playing and recording protected content. This should be installed or you will not have access to protected content.

Installation Instructions:

1. Prepare a machine with clean install of Vista SP1. 

a. The machine will need to meet or exceed the minimum hardware requirements for Vista

b. The Vista SP1 OS must be Home Premium or Ultimate (x86 or x64)

c. Following OS install, do not launch Media Center or go through Media Center Setup

2. Install Media Center TV Pack 2008

a. Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008 (x86)

b. Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008 (x64)

3. Install the PlayReady PC Runtime

a. PlayReady PC Runtime v1.0 (x86)

b. PlayReady PC Runtime v1.0 (x64)

4. Install the following patches from the Download Center

a. KB951685 - The video playback application stops responding when you watch video or Live TV on a Windows Vista-based computer

b. KB950754 - Noticeable problems occur in the video when you use the DirectSound renderer on Windows Vista

5. Install any required or recommended Windows Updates

6. Launch Media Center and go through Media Center Setup

--To be continued in next post

Looks like EngadgetHD got a hold of it: http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/06/hands-on-with-the-vista-media-center-tv-pack/

If you read the posts you can find places to download... and a guy who says he installed to a live system and had no problems.

Just to confirm, you have Cablecard?  I see it is Discovery HD that you are recording so I'm pretty sure yes.  If so, your previous cablecard recorded shows playback fine? The only exception of the lack of thumbnails?

Yes, I have 2 CableCARD tuners.  Everything, including my DMA2100 and DMA2200 extenders, works like a charm as far as I can tell...

@vmc_junkie:

How about access to old recordings that were DRM'd.  I thought I read we will lose access to these.  Is this the case?  My 2 year old will never forgive me if I lose the 50 episodes of Curious George ;-).

I played old ABC, HBO, Discovery Channel HD, and Showtime programs and they all play.  So I dont think you will have an issue, but I cant guarantee anything.

So how did you manage to install this on an existing VMC installation? Ben's post on Engadget suggested that this wasn't possible...

If it is then it leaves the door open for positive news at Cedia! 

Betcha it is already on the inlet o' buccaneers site already.

Heh.  Inlet o buccaneers.  I slay me.

MHEG teletext is available on the UK version!!!

 

It has killed webguide however!

A couple of other neat things that I noticed in the guide:

You can rename channels, you can renumber channels and you can disable channels right from the guide.  Sweetness.

Given the gist of this post, I'm starting to get the feeling MS made it OEM only was to ensure that it was only installed on systems that had some engineering behind ensuring it would work.  The fact that it works on existing OEM boxes (eg first gen CableCard boxes) is no guarantee that it would work on any homebrew box.  Combinations of mobo's, video and sound cards, tuners and the myriad subset of driver version permutations makes it virtually impossible for MS (or anyone) to truly test out all scenarios ahead of time.

Blanket distribution would doubtlessly lead to numerous headaches and animosity within this community and a black eye for Microsoft for releasing shoddy (accurate acusation or not) software.  So the route they have chosen (good, bad or indifferent) has also incurred the black eye, but one that they could anticipate while allowing them more control of the out of the box experience when it initially ships.

They also had to anticipate the bits would leak onto the internet  and enthusiasts would try it out anyway, but without the resident support issues--unauthorized user beware and all that stuff.

While I'm not necessarily happy about the approach, I can see the merits of it from a business perspective.  No matter what, Microsoft was in a no-win situation. 

Distribute TV Pack via OEM's on new sytems only that are more likely to work but pisses off a hard core group of supporters (highly predictable) and misses key requested features (chosen path)--fail.

TV Pack works perfectly for all users on a full Windows Update distribution, but misses key features (unlikely)--fail. 

TV Pack suffers millions of compatibility issues on untold hardware/driver permutations on a full Windows Update AND misses key features (likely)--epic fail.

Ultimately, IMHO Microsoft chose the path with the most predictable outcome, and ultimately the most upside if the OEM systems really work well.  Its telling the Dell, HP and Velocity Micro are mum at this point and appear happy to sit out the early adoption round--their original systems sucked out of the box too.  Its also telling the Paul from S1 is openly reporting what he can and is ready to ship at this point--his systems work.

Does the download work on x64 systems as well as x86 systems?

I've tried it here and unfortunately it's a no - I think there must be a seperate x64 build available.

Interesting observations, curbnoise.    We'll talk about this more after the official public announcement.