Microsoft to Detail Windows Fiji - Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008

[Ci7]

Windows Codename Fiji is the prime example of Microsoft sticking to an absurd policy when it comes down to communicating details about its products to the general public. Even at just one month from the release of Windows Fiji, the Redmond company is keeping a tight lid on all details much to the frustration of Windows Media Center users. This, especially since Fiji was released to manufacturing in July as the Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008. However, the RTM of Windows Fiji has changed nothing for Windows Media Center end users who, with the exception of a limited pool of testers involved in the Beta development milestones of the products, are being kept completely

in the dark.

Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008 RTM is Build 6.1.1000.18273, designed for implementation on top of Windows Media Center in Windows Vista RTM or Windows Vista Service Pack 1. The gold bits have been available since July 16, according to the Redmond company. But even so, Microsoft will only offer the first details on Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008 on September 3.

Charlie Owen, product manager on the Media Center team, has invited users to post questions related to Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008 on his blog, but indicated that no answers will be provided until next month.

"What questions do you have about the Windows Media Center TV? I can't answer or comment on any of them until the official announcements happen at CEDIA. But I can think about the answers before then. If you have specific questions about the Windows Media Center TV Pack leave them in the comments," Owen stated.

The Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association Expo is scheduled to take place between September 3 and 7 in Denver. According to Mary Jo Foley, Windows Media Center users are in rather for a nasty surprise than a treat. Windows Fiji/Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008 is not a major update to Windows Media Center in Vista RTM and SP1 as the most relevant features were postponed and will be included in Windows 7. In this regard, the Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008 will not deliver Direct TV and H.264 video-compression support and furthermore will be an OEM release only.

source

rather useless for us retail peoples :huh:

[DrCheese]

Yes, without a doubt this has the biggest mess out of MS in years. They've made it OEM only meaning that you'd have to buy a whole new PC JUST to get this update. It's a fair large one as well as it adds MHEG-5 for Interactive services in the EU and official DVB-S support. Also the early beta's supported H.264 as it was planned to work with the upcoming DirectTV card and freesat services in the UK, this was removed in the final.

However it has, naturally leaked and it's all over the place now. It's even on thegreenbutton.com that MS own. So far they are tolerating it, with even the MS staffers helping out.

But it's just down right shocking how they treat the retail customers. A lot of people will have built media centre's for themselves rather than buying it OEM and a lot of people are upset about H.264 being removed as other media solutions have had this for a long time now.

[Ci7]

thro they have nothing to lose to release it in WU for vista users ofc or at very least for the guys who bought ultimate edition at least that would be an added bonus for 'em IMO

[Crazysah]

Yeah true. Give it to us people who have Ultimate edition!

[Xerxes]

Well it's cool that it won't be a standalone version of Windows, I'm happy about that. The big question (for me) is will this be a free update or will they charge for it? (you know, like they did with Windows Plus in the past)

[Ci7]

Well it's cool that it won't be a standalone version of Windows, I'm happy about that. The big question (for me) is will this be a free update or will they charge for it? (you know, like they did with Windows Plus in the past)

from what i understand from the article that it will only be available to OEMs which is , dell , hp ,acer .....etc

[DrCheese]

Well it's cool that it won't be a standalone version of Windows, I'm happy about that. The big question (for me) is will this be a free update or will they charge for it? (you know, like they did with Windows Plus in the past)

Nope, MS plan to force you to buy a whole new prebuilt Media Centre PC from an OEM that sells systems based around Media Centre.

http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/thread/282555.aspx For the average Vista user this means you are out of luck. It's possible that some OEM's might release it as a stand alone update but I wouldn't count it on being avialble unless you've bought a PC that they primarily advertise as a media centre PC (i.e PC's with tuners). However it has naturally leaked already, despite MS's poor excuses and stonewalling.

MS are really losing the plot recently with updates. Remember the whole mess where SP1 RTM'd and they didn't release it for over a month? That leaked as well within a few days making MS look stupid. It also happened with XP SP3.

[Ayepecks]

Yeah, this update is pretty much fail because of the OEM only status and all the other problems.

[kl33per]

This update is necessary for Australian's because it finally gives us a native guide. We also get teletext/subtitling support. Fortunately, DrCheese is right, thegreenbutton.com are linking to it. It's unfortunate that they dropped h.264 supports as New Zealand (and I'm sure a few other countries) use h.264 as part of their digital TV standard.

Edited August 9, 2008 by kl33per

[Xerxes]

Nope, MS plan to force you to buy a whole new prebuilt Media Centre PC from an OEM that sells systems based around Media Centre.

http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/thread/282555.aspx For the average Vista user this means you are out of luck. It's possible that some OEM's might release it as a stand alone update but I wouldn't count it on being avialble unless you've bought a PC that they primarily advertise as a media centre PC (i.e PC's with tuners). However it has naturally leaked already, despite MS's poor excuses and stonewalling.

MS are really losing the plot recently with updates. Remember the whole mess where SP1 RTM'd and they didn't release it for over a month? That leaked as well within a few days making MS look stupid. It also happened with XP SP3.

Well that plainly sucks :( well I'm not buying another PC to get an update, that is outrageous. I like Media Centre but it is somewhat crippled and the lack of the TV guide for Australia is another blow, if MS think I'm buying a new PC to get improved functionality they have another thing coming. I've been a positive backer of Vista, but after this move I'm not a happy camper (N)

[guru]

Yes, without a doubt this has the biggest mess out of MS in years. They've made it OEM only meaning that you'd have to buy a whole new PC

not necessarily :shifty: they have working link posted at avsforum. Its 43mb update to existing mediacenter/vista

Edited August 9, 2008 by guru

[DrCheese]

not necessarily :shifty: they have working link posted at avsforum. Its 43mb update to existing mediacenter/vista

ya I know, I posted that above :p I have it installed and it's great. Even the MS staffers at thegreenbutton are ok with people using the leak and have supported people so far. Problem is tho, if it's just got leaked anyway why mess around with the whole OEM only thing in the first place? All it does it really annoy MS's retail customers and those who the OEM refuse to release the update to previous customers. It's like they are purposely trying to alienate the very people that are most likely to evangelise the software to other users.

The Media centre industry is a fast evolving market and MCE isn't updated enough as it is (i.e Where is Blu-Ray support and DVD streaming to extender support?) so withholding updates will just drive people to other solutions that are updated more often (sageTV, mediaportal)

[EduardValencia]

https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?show...#entry589628106

[guru]

ya I know, I posted that above :p

didn't read our post :blush: