If the  Media Center data store gets corrupted Windows Media Center will crash.So if there is a corrupted  Media Center data store then here is a fix:-

1.Make sure ‘Show hidden files,folders and drives option is enabled.

2.This will allow to show the hidden ProgramData under %SYSTEMDRIVE%\ProgramData\Microsoft\eHome.Double click on it to open.

Alternatively in Start Search box type in:-

%SYSTEMDRIVE%\ProgramData\Microsoft\eHome and hit the Enter Key.

3.Double click on Microsoft folder and locate eHome.

4.Double click on eHome and locate mcepg data base (.db) file (eg.mcpeg2-0/mcepg1-5-0 etc).

5.Right click on mcpeg.db file and Delete it.

6.Restart the System and restart the Media Center as well.

We launched our public alpha for Mac/Linux in January at CES. During the show we met with several device manufactures interested in embedding Boxee into their existing devices or building a dedicated Boxee device.

I am very happy to announce we have signed our first partnership with a CE company. At this point we can not say more about the partner or the specs of the device, but we can tell you we are working closely with them to make sure we deliver a great Boxee experience on it.

We will show mockups of the box and share more details at our upcoming Boxee Beta Unveiling event in Brooklyn, NY on Dec 7th. RSVP here.

Over the next few years there will be a great change in the way we consume entertainment on our TV. The Internet is (finally) coming to the TV and with it will come a whole new world of content, applications and innovations.

We are building Boxee as a platform that would:

• make it easy for users to consume and find content – no matter what the source
• give content owners, aggregators, and developers the tools to create unique experiences with a variety of business models
• enable CE companies to enhance their Connected devices

This will be the first connected device running Boxee, but the idea is to provide consumers with a way to get Boxee in their living rooms, no matter whether it’s on a Connected TV, game console, set-top box, BluRay player, computer, etc.

Our goal is to be on every Connected device in the living room.

We are very excited about the partnership and looking forward to sharing more at the event.

http://blog.boxee.tv/2009/11/12/a-boxee-box-is-coming/

If you have a Windows Vista Media Center WITHOUT the TV Pack 2008 (Fiji) installed, and you want to do a clean install of Windows 7 instead of an upgrade, there is a fairly simple way to port the existing recording scheduled entries to the new installation.

Here is more on Danny Ton’s article :-

http://wmcteamblog.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!CE88563FC625DE9A!388.entry

The Problem:-

You are getting a stretched picture or,  unecessary  margins around the image  while watching  tv on your Media Center PC.

Why it’s happening?

It happens if the aspect ratio is not correct.

How to resolve the problem:-

1]Right click on mouse while watching TV or Video.

2]Move to Zoom option.

3]Click Zoom 1, Zoom 2, Zoom 3, and Zoom 4 to try the different zoom modes and see which one eliminates the margins and corrects image appropriately.

Alternatively you can use MORE button of your Remote Control.

DVB-T Tuner

EyeTV DTT Deluxe was heralded as the world’s smallest USB TV tuner in september,2008. And this year company has launched  one that’s about half the size of its predecessor.EyeTV DTT Deluxe is almost impossibly tiny.

 EyeTV DTT Deluxe Technical Information

System Requirements

• Macintosh: PowerPC® G4,G5 or Intel Core® processor, Mac OS X v10.4.11 or later
• PC: 2.0 GHz Intel/AMD CPU or Intel Atom CPU, Windows 7, XP SP2 or Vista SP1 (32 or 64 Bit)
• 1 GB RAM, built-in USB 2.0 port

Internet connection required to download Program Guide data. Note: 720p or 1080i HD features require an Intel Core 2 Duo processor. DVB-T reception can vary by location, and a rooftop aerial may be required in areas with a weak or obstructed DVB-T signal.

 Technical Specifications

• Frequency range: 48-860MHz (VHF and UHF)
• Supported digital TV standards: DVB-T
• COFDM Demodulator: Supported modulations 16, 64 QAM, QPSK; Bandwidths 6, 7, 8 MHz

Input and Output

• USB 2.0
• Aerial input: Coaxial connector (MCX)
• IR remote control sensor

Power Supply

• USB bus power

Dimensions

• 16 × 35 x 8 mm
• 3 g

More here:-

http://www.elgato.com/elgato/int/mainmenu/home.en.html

You can use GPEDIT.MSC command to enable or disable Windows Media Center.

Here is how to:-

1] Click Start,in the Start Search box type in:GPEDIT.MSC and press the Enter Key to launch Local Policy Editor.

2]Highlight Administrative Templates present on the left pane under the User Configuration.

3]Double click on Windows Components.

4]Scroll down to Windows Media Center.Double Click on it.

5]You will get Do not allow Windows Media Center to run message.Double click on it.

6]You will notice three options:-

a]Not Configured

b]Enabled

c]Disabled

Policy Settings:-

If you enable this setting, Windows Media Center will not run.If you disable or do not configure this setting, Windows Media Center can be run.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Microsoft announced at CEDIA that customers will now be able to add digital cable tuners with a CableCARD™ to any Windows® 7-based PC with Windows® Media Center. The Digital Cable Advisor tool is being provided by Microsoft to analyze consumer PCs to ensure that they are capable of a quality digital cable viewing experience.

The Digital Cable Advisor measures system parameters such as CPU speed, RAM, graphics card support for hardware acceleration, and digital connection capabilities. If the PC meets the minimum requirements, the tool enables digital cable functionality on the PC. Then, users can add a digital cable tuner with a CableCARD™. With a digital cable subscription from a TV service provider, users can access cable pay-TV, including premium content. This post describes the steps to assess and enable this experience on a Windows 7 PC.

Details here:-

http://wmcteamblog.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!CE88563FC625DE9A!387.entry

Microsoft delivered the first half of two promised ATI Digital Cable Tuner-related updates as the 1.19.12.09050155 firmware update is now available from Windows Update (listed with the optional udates) that will relax the way it handles DRM on its recordings and add support for Switched Digital Video. With the new update applied, all Copy Freely-marked programing will be recorded without DRM allowing you to move it between PCs, convert it to another format or whatever you wish with ease, however as our hands on experience with the new firmware indicated you’ll still need your cable provider to pass along the right bits to make it all operate properly.

Ref:-

http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/11/06/ati-dct-firmware-update-pops-up-on-windows-update-drm-free-mce/

The date is set for the release of the Boxee Beta. On December 7th at 7pm we are going to have an unveiling event at the Music Hall of Williamsburg.

The Beta will feature:

• new user interface
• improved navigation
• search TV Shows and Movies
• a user controlled Queue
• shortcuts
• more…

Details here:-

http://blog.boxee.tv/2009/11/06/unveiling-the-boxee-beta-in-nyc-on-dec-7th/

Heatwave has now been updated to support WMC in Windows 7. The plugin shows the current temperature, wind, humidity, pressure, visibility, and more as well as the highs and lows for that day and the following week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://on10.net/blogs/sarahintampa/WMC-Plugin-Heatwave-Now-Works-on-Windows-7/