Vista MCE can't do video streaming either....

[infinitespecter]

Just saw an article on AVSForum which notes that because of the restrictions that CableCard places on video useage, Media Center (when connected to a CableCard) won't be able to stream video to media center extenders anymore (like the Xbox 360). This doesn't sound like a good sign for those of us waiting for TTG and MRV, though I have to wonder how hard MS pushed to get those features included. I'd imagine they want it pretty badly, since it is a key feature of their Media Center and a (small) selling point for the 360.

http://www.cepro.com/news/editorial/16442.html

[vman41]

I think you misread the article. It says you can't stream to another computer but can to an MCE extender.

[stanski]

In XP MCE you were able to stream to any computer on the network.

This should be interesting how MS handles the Cablelabs restrictions, like removable media, and transferring file to another networked computer.

At least tivo can have full control of their box. ;) How is MS going to control stored media on a full blown PC?

[dianebrat]

In XP MCE you were able to stream to any computer on the network.


XP can stream recorded content, but XP has never been able stream live TV to anything but an official "MS Extender appliance"

I have a feeling CableCARD Vista machines will have similar restrictions as the S3, but since we haven't seen an actual CableCARD certified Vista machine in our hands yet.. I'd say bets are off.

It has been made clear that CableCARD certified PC's will only be OEM based, no "roll your own" solutions.

Diane

[infinitespecter]

I think you misread the article. It says you can't stream to another computer but can to an MCE extender.

My mistake. :up:

[Justin Thyme]

The extenders do not handle streaming HDTV from OTA or cablecards. It will only stream HD that is in MS formats. source (http://www.niveusmedia.com/support/MCX/mcx_faq.htm) . It may be a cablelabs hangup but that wouldn't explain why no streaming of OTA HD. They may have a technical problem in that the encoded HD from those sources are not compatible with their approach to streaming. I haven't investigated and am only speculating. If true, the tivo approach to copy and play rather than streaming might be seen earlier than MS's solution.

[vman41]

The extenders do not handle streaming HDTV from OTA or cablecards. It will only stream HD that is in MS formats. source (http://www.niveusmedia.com/support/MCX/mcx_faq.htm) . It may be a cablelabs hangup but that wouldn't explain why no streaming of OTA HD.

That FAQ appears to be talking about a wireless extender made by LinkSys, the extender built into my Xbox 360 can stream OTA HD from my PC's ATI tuner card.

[Justin Thyme]

Right you are.
The extenders do not handle streaming HDTV from OTA or cablecards. It will only stream HD that is in MS formats.
It appears I was totally wrong, and not simply because that particular item was not used for the product demo'd by Niveus at Electronic House Expo.
"Specifically, Niveus was streaming conditional access HD CableCard programming to four 1080i zones via extender technology (Xbox 360), and also pushing an additional HD 1080i program up to the primary plasma display, for five zones in all," says Tim Cutting, CEO and founder of Niveus Media.source (http://www.cepro.com/news/editorial/16438.html)
That is a reassuring statement. What I am trying to get to the bottom of is the contradictory chatter concerning cablelabs limitations going on in the MCE blogs. For example, Chris Lanier said today:
So, unless Microsoft has worked out a "special deal" with CableLabs to allow the Xbox 360 to output full resolution with VGA/Component, we still don’t have a guarantee that we can get full resolution output on everything we record!(source) (http://thegreenbutton.com/blogs/chris_blog/default.aspx)
That would be a dirty trick, but expectable that only HDMI would be trusted. Cutting's statement referred to 1080i zones when talking about the xbox, and so this strongly implies that this is not downrezed hdmi output. Otherwise it would be pointless babble you'd expect from a marketing guy, not a CEO. It will become clear in the next few days whether they are shipping a product that streams 1080i cablecard recorded content to the Xbox360's. If true, that's very good news.

If MS can get certification for this sort of thing from Cablelabs, then it is not unlikely that Tivo can too. OTOH, maybe Cutting has gotten ahead of himself, and they showed something that works but is not yet certified by Cablelabs. No point speculating since this will flesh out soon enough. Anyway, the demo'd unit was a Rainier 750GB, and those go for $5500 in their non CC version.(source) (http://store.niveusmedia.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.106/.f) I am sure the CC additional circuitry will set you back a pinch too.

On the bright side, the good news is this solution requires hot gaming machines attached to every HDTV in the house. Not to mention we will have the security of knowing we have Vista protecting us against displaying things that we shouldn't be seeing on our televisions.

[tenthplanet]

On the bright side, the good news is this solution requires hot gaming machines attached to every HDTV in the house. Not to mention we will have the security of knowing we have Vista protecting us against displaying things that we shouldn't be seeing on our televisions.

I feel so secure. :rolleyes: Security is knowing MS can't get to my TV. :D