Windows 7 -- so hot right now - Page 3

Chips · 07-01-2009, 03:22 PM

You can use Vista upgrade disk to install a fresh version after formatting. You pop the disk in while Windows is running and tell it to do a format before installing Vista.

Ham n Cheese · 07-01-2009, 04:49 PM

Can't we use our RC until like July of 2010 anyway? If not I guess I need to get one of these. If they don't let me use upgrade from the RC after making me format (I could've gone out of my way to upgrade but figured a format was due anyway) after upgrading from vista and also BETA then I'll be pissed.

ToeMissile · 07-01-2009, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ham n Cheese

Can't we use our RC until like July of 2010 anyway? If not I guess I need to get one of these. If they don't let me use upgrade from the RC after making me format (I could've gone out of my way to upgrade but figured a format was due anyway) after upgrading from vista and also BETA then I'll be pissed.

March is when the periodic (2 hours?) shut downs/restarts, July it'll shut off completely.

arkk123 · 07-01-2009, 05:29 PM

Is the RC version of 7 going to be gimped compared to the retail versions? Is there going to be a lack of updates or something?

I want to try out 7 and just leave it running until the time expires, but I may as well buy a copy of 7 if the RC isn't like a "full featured" version.

Any advice is appreciated!

ToeMissile · 07-02-2009, 01:19 AM

The RC is a full featured version of Ultimate

Eomer · 07-02-2009, 02:51 PM

So if I install the RC now, and then purchase a box (whether it be OEM, Upgrade or Full) in the fall it's just a matter of putting in the key, right? I won't have to fuck around reinstalling shit will I?

Vorph · 07-02-2009, 03:19 PM

No, you will need to do a clean installation when you get the final version of Windows 7.

Chips · 07-02-2009, 10:22 PM

Can anyone explain the "watch and record TV on your PC" feature?

Do I need to buy a special video card that has a cable input and do I need to have an active TV subscription to take advantage of this?

Vorph · 07-02-2009, 11:43 PM

Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008 - It was released for Vista, but only in very limited (and buggy) form. Basically it was just a really long beta test for the version that comes with Windows 7.

Yes, you need tuner hardware, and you need a TV signal of some sort.

Haus · 07-03-2009, 06:48 PM

You can get a cable tuner card or TV tuner of some sort (there are cards, USB, and other options for TV tuners).

Then Windows essentially becomes your SuperTivo.

The problem is if you have DirectTV there isn't to the best of my knowledge a tuner for that for a PC. Mostly because they realize they don't like having control over what you can record, how long you can keep it, and where you can watch it. Which Windows Media Center would give you.

Sorry, was I directtv ranting again? my bad...

Luthair · 07-03-2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haus

You can get a cable tuner card or TV tuner of some sort (there are cards, USB, and other options for TV tuners).

Then Windows essentially becomes your SuperTivo.

The problem is if you have DirectTV there isn't to the best of my knowledge a tuner for that for a PC. Mostly because they realize they don't like having control over what you can record, how long you can keep it, and where you can watch it. Which Windows Media Center would give you.

Sorry, was I directtv ranting again? my bad...

It should still be possible with an IR blaster (it sends the same signals as your remote to change channels), I don't know what support is like on the Microsoft side, but it isn't uncommon with MythTV

Haus · 07-03-2009, 08:07 PM

Yeah, I think there is IRBlaster support, but then you lose some of the prime DVR abilities like watching something while something else records, or recording two things at once.

There was an actual USB DirectTV receiver, it was designed, tested, and built. Then they pulled the plug on the project and put it in a box in that warehouse with the Arc.

Vorph · 07-05-2009, 02:50 AM

Keep in mind that trying to use a PC as a HD DVR is still pretty much an exercise in futility in most cable markets. It can be done, but unless you can get a cable box with firewire out and/or live in an area where the cable co. hasn't figured out how to flip on the encryption switch, it's generally not worth the hassle.

Eventually you'll be able to get a device that lets you put a cableCARD into a PC (they exist now but it's practically impossible to buy them) ...once they find a way to stuff enough DRM into it to make it worthless, of course.

Luthair · 07-05-2009, 08:23 AM

If your cable box has component out that can be recorded from as well.

Vorph · 07-05-2009, 09:57 AM

You can do it even if your cable box doesn't have component outs too. Monoprice sells the HDFury2 HDMI-to-component converter for $150, and it's compatible with Hauppauge's HD PVR component recorder (~$200). The HD PVR has gotten some pretty sketchy reviews though; it's a good concept but apparently not a very well-made product.

Unfortunately it doesn't really apply to a discussion about Windows 7 Media Center TV, as MS will almost certainly never support the HD PVR (or any other form of component input). You have to either buy SageTV or be very knowledgeable about MythTV and Linux to use it.

And remember that it's a FCC mandate that every cable company in the US is required to give you a box with firewire out if you request it. For unencrypted channels this is a much better solution than fucking around with analog signals. The problem is that there's no FCC rule on what can and can't be encrypted; some cable companies encrypt everything including ABC/CBS/NBC/FOX while others still don't even encrypt things like HBO/SHO. The fun part is figuring out if you're going to be able to get enough channels to justify the purchase of a firewire-compatible HD tuner.

In the end, I find it far easier to just let someone else do all the work and I just download their 720p encodes for all the shows I watch.

07-01-2009, 03:22 PM	#31 (permalink)
Chips Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Joburg, RSA Posts: 1,099 -78 Internets	You can use Vista upgrade disk to install a fresh version after formatting. You pop the disk in while Windows is running and tell it to do a format before installing Vista. __________________ “White folks was in caves while we was building empires ... We taught philosophy and astrology and mathematics before Socrates and them Greek homos ever got around to it.” -Rev. Al Sharpton

07-01-2009, 04:49 PM	#32 (permalink)
Ham n Cheese The sky calls to us Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Houston Posts: 12,429 +58 Internets	Can't we use our RC until like July of 2010 anyway? If not I guess I need to get one of these. If they don't let me use upgrade from the RC after making me format (I could've gone out of my way to upgrade but figured a format was due anyway) after upgrading from vista and also BETA then I'll be pissed. __________________

07-02-2009, 01:19 AM	#35 (permalink)
ToeMissile more than a feelin' Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: not Vegas Posts: 1,519 -34 Internets	The RC is a full featured version of Ultimate __________________ Robots?

07-02-2009, 03:19 PM	#37 (permalink)
Vorph Fuck Art, Let's Kill Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hell Posts: 7,245	No, you will need to do a clean installation when you get the final version of Windows 7. __________________ ...the whole world's going to blow up anyway. I might as well keep my pride. eRepublik Referral (PM me for assistance if you start up using my link)

07-02-2009, 10:22 PM	#38 (permalink)
Chips Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Joburg, RSA Posts: 1,099 -78 Internets	Can anyone explain the "watch and record TV on your PC" feature? Do I need to buy a special video card that has a cable input and do I need to have an active TV subscription to take advantage of this? __________________ “White folks was in caves while we was building empires ... We taught philosophy and astrology and mathematics before Socrates and them Greek homos ever got around to it.” -Rev. Al Sharpton

07-01-2009, 05:29 PM	#34 (permalink)
arkk123 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 885 -72 Internets	Is the RC version of 7 going to be gimped compared to the retail versions? Is there going to be a lack of updates or something? I want to try out 7 and just leave it running until the time expires, but I may as well buy a copy of 7 if the RC isn't like a "full featured" version. Any advice is appreciated!

07-02-2009, 02:51 PM	#36 (permalink)
Eomer You mean I can change this? Neat! Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,975 +66 Internets	So if I install the RC now, and then purchase a box (whether it be OEM, Upgrade or Full) in the fall it's just a matter of putting in the key, right? I won't have to fuck around reinstalling shit will I?

07-02-2009, 11:43 PM	#39 (permalink)
Vorph Fuck Art, Let's Kill Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hell Posts: 7,245	Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008 - It was released for Vista, but only in very limited (and buggy) form. Basically it was just a really long beta test for the version that comes with Windows 7. Yes, you need tuner hardware, and you need a TV signal of some sort. __________________ ...the whole world's going to blow up anyway. I might as well keep my pride. eRepublik Referral (PM me for assistance if you start up using my link) Last edited by Vorph; 07-02-2009 at 11:45 PM..

07-03-2009, 06:48 PM	#40 (permalink)
Haus Fires of Heaven WoW Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 550 -9 Internets	You can get a cable tuner card or TV tuner of some sort (there are cards, USB, and other options for TV tuners). Then Windows essentially becomes your SuperTivo. The problem is if you have DirectTV there isn't to the best of my knowledge a tuner for that for a PC. Mostly because they realize they don't like having control over what you can record, how long you can keep it, and where you can watch it. Which Windows Media Center would give you. Sorry, was I directtv ranting again? my bad...

07-03-2009, 08:07 PM	#42 (permalink)
Haus Fires of Heaven WoW Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 550 -9 Internets	Yeah, I think there is IRBlaster support, but then you lose some of the prime DVR abilities like watching something while something else records, or recording two things at once. There was an actual USB DirectTV receiver, it was designed, tested, and built. Then they pulled the plug on the project and put it in a box in that warehouse with the Arc.

07-05-2009, 02:50 AM	#43 (permalink)
Vorph Fuck Art, Let's Kill Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hell Posts: 7,245	Keep in mind that trying to use a PC as a HD DVR is still pretty much an exercise in futility in most cable markets. It can be done, but unless you can get a cable box with firewire out and/or live in an area where the cable co. hasn't figured out how to flip on the encryption switch, it's generally not worth the hassle. Eventually you'll be able to get a device that lets you put a cableCARD into a PC (they exist now but it's practically impossible to buy them) ...once they find a way to stuff enough DRM into it to make it worthless, of course. __________________ ...the whole world's going to blow up anyway. I might as well keep my pride. eRepublik Referral (PM me for assistance if you start up using my link)

07-05-2009, 08:23 AM	#44 (permalink)
Luthair Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 1,538	If your cable box has component out that can be recorded from as well.

07-05-2009, 09:57 AM	#45 (permalink)
Vorph Fuck Art, Let's Kill Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hell Posts: 7,245	You can do it even if your cable box doesn't have component outs too. Monoprice sells the HDFury2 HDMI-to-component converter for $150, and it's compatible with Hauppauge's HD PVR component recorder (~$200). The HD PVR has gotten some pretty sketchy reviews though; it's a good concept but apparently not a very well-made product. Unfortunately it doesn't really apply to a discussion about Windows 7 Media Center TV, as MS will almost certainly never support the HD PVR (or any other form of component input). You have to either buy SageTV or be very knowledgeable about MythTV and Linux to use it. And remember that it's a FCC mandate that every cable company in the US is required to give you a box with firewire out if you request it. For unencrypted channels this is a much better solution than fucking around with analog signals. The problem is that there's no FCC rule on what can and can't be encrypted; some cable companies encrypt everything including ABC/CBS/NBC/FOX while others still don't even encrypt things like HBO/SHO. The fun part is figuring out if you're going to be able to get enough channels to justify the purchase of a firewire-compatible HD tuner. In the end, I find it far easier to just let someone else do all the work and I just download their 720p encodes for all the shows I watch. __________________ ...the whole world's going to blow up anyway. I might as well keep my pride. eRepublik Referral (PM me for assistance if you start up using my link) Last edited by Vorph; 07-05-2009 at 10:01 AM..

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