There appears to be a lot of confusion over getting BBC HD and ITV HD to work in Media Center using DVB-S/Freesat.  The idea of this FAQ is to answer all the questions surrounding it.  Please post with any new information.

Q. Why doesn't Vista Media Center support BBC HD and ITV HD out-the-box?
A. Firstly by default Vista Media Center does not support DVB-S.  Secondly the decoder for Media Center TV (MSDTVVDEC.DLL) does not support the H.264 codec used by BBC and ITV HD.

Q. How is it possible then to get BBC HD and ITV HD in Vista Media Center?
A. Microsoft have released a TV Pack update which supports DVB-S but does not support H.264.  However, a version of MSDTVVDEC.DLL has been modified by users of TheGreenButton to enable H.264. By combining these two features it is possible to use BBC HD and ITV HD.

Q. Will this enabled me to watch BBC HD and ITV HD on my extenders?
A. Unfortunately not, all extenders so far have not worked using this method.

Q. What tuners do I need to get BBC HD and ITV HD over DVB-S?
A. Most tuners that support DVB-S will work.  Here is a list of confirmed tuners that work: Blackgold BGT3540, Compro VideoMate S-350, Hauppauge Nova-HD-S2, Pinnacle PCTV4000i, Pinnacle 7010i (please post any tuners that you've got to work)

Q. What other hardware do I need to get BBC HD and ITV HD?
A. The software to do this makes use of DirectX Video Acceleration (DXVA) and therefore it really helps if your graphics card supports this. Most ATI 3000 and NVidia 8000 series cards or above should support this with the latest drivers. However, as of early August 2009 the BBC made some changes to the encoder they use reducing the bit-rate on BBC HD transmissions which as a result causes considerable "blocking". It is recommended to get a clear picture that you use a NVidia 8000 or 9000 series graphics card.

Q. What software do I need to get BBC HD and ITV HD?
A. Obviously Windows Vista Home Premium or Ultimate which have Media Center.  Home Premium will allow 2 DVB-S tuners whereas Ultimate will allow 4.  In addition you will need the TV Pack and a modified version of MSDTVVDEC.DLL that supports H.264.

Q. Can I get BBC HD and ITV HD on 64 bit Windows Vista?
A. No, as the modified MSDTVVDEC.DLL is only currently available in a 32 bit version.  This may change in the future but don't hold your breath.

Q. Do I need to do a fresh install of Vista?
A. For the TV pack you officially need to reinstall Vista.  However, a number of people have done upgrades on their systems without any problems. It is still recommended you do a clean install however.

Q. How do I get the TV Pack?
A. This is an OEM-only release from Microsoft and is not generally available for download. You can still find this if you look hard enough.  Google may help...

Q. How do I get the MSDTVVDEC.DLL that supports H.264?
A. You can download this from here: http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/thread/288601.aspx

Q. My AV software is telling me that MSDTVVDEC.DLL is a virus, what's going on?
A. The modified DLL uses some tricks that make it look similar to a virus.  It is not a virus. If you still don't believe this, then please read the entire thread here (long read): http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/thread/288601.aspx

Q. How do I install the TV Pack?
A. Follow the instructions here: http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/thread/283511.aspx

Q. How do I install the MSDTVVDEC.DLL that supports H.264?
A. Take ownership of the existing file MSDTVVDEC.DLL in Windows/System32 (File -> Properties -> Security -> Advanced -> Owner -> Edit) then select yourself. Give yourself full control over the file (File -> Properties -> Security -> Edit) then select Users and check the box for Full Control. Run Command Prompt as administrator. Then type "regsvr32 -u msdtvvdec.dll" and hit Enter. Rename MSDTVVDEC.DLL to MSDTVVDEC.DLL.BAK. Copy Beta DLL to the system32 folder and type "regsvr32 msdtvvdec.dll" in Command Prompt and hit Enter.

Q. What else do I need to do to get BBC HD and ITV HD working?
A. BBC HD will work now but if you want ITV HD then you need to do more.  This is because ITV HD is normally accessed via the red button but we are going to set it up as a separate channel.  However, Vista will not see it when doing a channel scan unless we enable MHEG (red button) on DVB-S.  To do this, run regedit and browse to this key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\TVConfig.  Then change the value of "fAllowDvbsMHEG" from 0 to 1.

Q. I've set up my tuners and can find BBC HD but ITV HD is not listed, how do I get it?
A. You need to do a manual satellite scan.  This is under TV Settings.  Enter these values: 11428, 27500, H. A few new channels should be found including 10510 which is ITV HD.  If you don't find these try 11426 and 11427 instead of 11428.

Q. How do I rename channel 10510 to ITV HD?
A. Go to the guide and highlight the 10510 channel name before using "More Info" to edit the channel.  You can then use the rename channel option to set it to be ITV HD.

Q. I've been watching ITV HD and have switched to BBC HD and the screen fades to black after a second, what's going on?
A. No one is quite sure.  However, this is easy to fix by pressing Stop and then Live TV again. If this does not work then close the Media Center application before re-opening it.

Q. I have everything working but I seem to lose some scheduled recordings - how can I fix this?
A. Microsoft have released a fix for TV Pack which you can get more information about here: http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/permalink/318570/314300/ShowThread.aspx#314300

Can anyone using a Floppy/Fire DTV get this working?

Tony

I’m having trouble trying to get ITV HD to work.  I have BBC-HD working just fine with the hacked .dll

I followed the instructions to change the value of “AllowDvbsMHEG” from 0 to 1.  The only difference I could see with the instructions is my registry was:-      “fAllowDvbsMHEG”

I then rebooted and scanned for the new channel but nothing was found!

Any Ideas would be appreciated.

Many Thanks

Steve

Setup:-

Vista Ultimate 32

2 x Hauppauge Twin Nova-T500 DVB-T tunners

1 x Hauppauge single DVB-S2 Tuner

Running the Beta Nvidia to stop HD crashing

Based in the UK

aliburns:

According to the FAQ it is available via the red button, not as a separate channel. They only show a couple of programmes a week in HD anyway e.g. Champions League.

That’s not How I read the FAQ:-

This is because ITV HD is normally accessed via the red button but we are going to set it up as a separate channel.  To get this working MHEG needs to be enabled on DVB-S

Stealth:

I’m having trouble trying to get ITV HD to work.  I have BBC-HD working just fine with the hacked .dll

 

I followed the instructions to change the value of “AllowDvbsMHEG” from 0 to 1.  The only difference I could see with the instructions is my registry was:-      “fAllowDvbsMHEG”

 

I then rebooted and scanned for the new channel but nothing was found!

 

Any Ideas would be appreciated.

 

Many Thanks

 

Steve

 

 

Setup:-

Vista Ultimate 32

2 x Hauppauge Twin Nova-T500 DVB-T tunners

1 x Hauppauge single DVB-S2 Tuner

Running the Beta Nvidia to stop HD crashing

Based in the UK

I've updated the FAQ to refleft the incorrectly named registry entry.  Did you try the manual scans?

Here's the info on the Nvidia drivers you need for your FAQ, good write up by the way, very useful.

charlas:

The nVidia crashing issue is one of the reasons MS never released the h.264 stuff, this was because there is only one (beta) driver that nVidia put together for testers. It's however quite old, but I use it quite happily myself, and have ever since MS released it to us. I'll pop it onto RapidShare, not sure if nVidia ever released this particular cut to their website, if they didn't and this breaks any rules etc, then please let me know.

It's the 04/09/2008, 7.15.11.7309 driver release, if it's available elsewhere then it should be ok, however I do know this is the ONLY driver I have tried (besides ATI ones, which are fine on x86, but fail on x64) that works as expected so must have something different in it.

Uploading now, will update with link when it's finished uploading.

Here's the driver link (x86) http://rapidshare.com/files/146657026/nvidiax86.zip.html

Fantastic "how to", many thanks.

I have done everything detailed to get ITV HD workng, and have renamed the channel, however all I see when viewing it is a blank screen. I realise nothing is generally broadcast on this channel (in fact nothing is on tody as far as I know so I cannot fully test) but when viewing the channel in DVB-Viewer I see the ITV HD logo so I am thinking something is wrong.

Also, for programs recorded from BBC HD or Luxe HD the video thumnail in the recorded TV screen is always a black square - i.e no preview. Is this the same behaviour everybody sees? (the recordings play back fine, just no thumbnail.

Has anybody got any advice?

Thanks

gphillips:

Fantastic "how to", many thanks.

I have done everything detailed to get ITV HD workng, and have renamed the channel, however all I see when viewing it is a blank screen. I realise nothing is generally broadcast on this channel (in fact nothing is on tody as far as I know so I cannot fully test) but when viewing the channel in DVB-Viewer I see the ITV HD logo so I am thinking something is wrong.

Also, for programs recorded from BBC HD or Luxe HD the video thumnail in the recorded TV screen is always a black square - i.e no preview. Is this the same behaviour everybody sees? (the recordings play back fine, just no thumbnail.

Has anybody got any advice?

 

Thanks

I don't get thumbnails for my HD recorded TV but they playback fine.

I often get a black screen when ITV HD isn't transmitting but the last time I watched (England match last weekend) it all worked fine.  Can anyone else confirm they generally just get black when nothing is on?

Thanks

I wonder if there is any way to get the thumbnails working?

I get the white on black ITV HD logo if there is nothing on, and if I do watch a programme the picture fades to black after about 20 mins!

I also get black thumbnails for all hd recordings.

I have a few dvds that I ripped to .mkv files and they have black thumbnails as well - they are h.264 files like the hd recordings.