Windows Vista to Include Media Center Edition Client as Standard?

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.hexus.net/content/reviews/review.php?dXJsX3Jldmlld19JRD0xNTIw' target='_blank'>http://www.hexus.net/content/reviews/review.php?dXJsX3Jldmlld19JRD0xNTIw</a><br /><br /></div><i>"We spent some time talking to Microsoft about Media Centre and X360. We've got good news, and even better news if you are planning to upgrade to VISTA. Currently, X360 will run a Media Centre environment and, while this will need you to install some special PC tools on your Media Centre, setup is simple. The difference from it being a normal Media Centre is that the X360 uses some of its processing power to render the Media Centre Screens - so it feels as if you are actually using a Media Centre. The biggest news which we have heard is that when Windows Vista ships it will be Media Centre enabled as standard. This will also be able to talk to X360 and the environment will change."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/P1010063.JPG" /><br /><br />Now that's an interesting bit of news! I've been told that the Xbox 360 will function as a Windows Media Connect device for those people who don't already have a Windows Media Center computer, but this news of Vista coming with the MCE client software makes that irrelevant come end of 2006. Very cool news!

[klinux]

Cool news indeed. Every OS should include a 10ft UI just in case. I can't explain how happy I was when I first used OS X and they had scalable vector icons instead of Window's icons in fixed pixels!

By the way, Jason, you might want to run a spell check! :)

[[email protected]]

What is a MCE client? Software that makes a PC into MCE? May we please have this for XP? It bugs me to no end that video can't be streamed to Xbox 360. :onfire:

[mrozema]

I'm confused now... Wasn't the point to be able to stream media to the 360 from the Windows Vista pc with this new "client" software?

[Felix Torres]

What is a MCE client? Software that makes a PC into MCE? May we please have this for XP? It bugs me to no end that video can't be streamed to Xbox 360. :onfire:

You don't have to ask for this; you already have it.

The XBOX360 will support both Windows Media Connect for UPnP-based file streaming from *any* XP box, as well as the more powerful MCE client support for remote access and control of an MCE PC.

MCE client support allows full *two-way* data movement between the MCE PC and the client box, say the XBOX360. This allows for not only audio/video/photo file-streaming but also full DVR-control and live-tv streaming. It lets you control all the MCE features remotely so the 360+TV acts just like a directly-attached monitor.

Short-term, which protocol you use will depend on the kind of back-end box you have, XP or MCE.

What VISTA will do is eliminate the distinction; you'll still have both ways of connecting but if you have an MCE Extender or XBOX360 you're likely better off with the MCE protocols.

Or, with an external USB hard drive.
Or DVD data disks.

The 360 will play media wherever it finds it, even off a camera, PSP, PMC, or even a pod.

[mcsouth]

How will the Xbox 360 work with Win XP (non MCE)? Do you "browse" to your PC's shared folders, and then access/stream stored media on that PC to your Xbox 360? Or do you need to somehow "push" from the XP unit to the Xbox 360? (Yeah, I know that doesn't make much sense, but...)

If I understand correctly, XP MCE PC's with the right "plug-ins" or Vista will allow the Xbox 360 to actually access certain applications or application features as well as the existing media? If so, does that mean that you could essentially have your MCE/Vista box sitting as a server in a closet somewhere, and use your Xbox 360 as the MCE "functions" interface, or does this method only allow certain limited functions?

Not having an MCE PC yet, I'll admit that I'm finding some of this confusing...I'm assuming that this "two way data transfer" only applies to the actual MCE functions, and not all of the OS or PC functions? For example, you can't use Xbox 360 to pull up a spreadsheet using Excel, or something similar?

Sorry if this sounds like a noob post, but I'm just trying to fully understand how all of this stuff will "play" together...

[Felix Torres]

How will the Xbox 360 work with Win XP (non MCE)? Do you "browse" to your PC's shared folders, and then access/stream stored media on that PC to your Xbox 360? Or do you need to somehow "push" from the XP unit to the Xbox 360? (Yeah, I know that doesn't make much sense, but...)

If I understand correctly, XP MCE PC's with the right "plug-ins" or Vista will allow the Xbox 360 to actually access certain applications or application features as well as the existing media? If so, does that mean that you could essentially have your MCE/Vista box sitting as a server in a closet somewhere, and use your Xbox 360 as the MCE "functions" interface, or does this method only allow certain limited functions?

Not having an MCE PC yet, I'll admit that I'm finding some of this confusing...I'm assuming that this "two way data transfer" only applies to the actual MCE functions, and not all of the OS or PC functions? For example, you can't use Xbox 360 to pull up a spreadsheet using Excel, or something similar?

Sorry if this sounds like a noob post, but I'm just trying to fully understand how all of this stuff will "play" together...

S'alright...
This is new stuff, unheard of until recently, and unmatched by any other contender in the living room/media wars. So its a new paradigm unique to the budding MCE ecosystem.

The two-way communications are currently for media applications.
The way it works is through a client app in the Media Center Extender/XBOX360 that talks to the MCE apps. So you can schedule a TV recording or delete a file or control the stream of data flowing to your specific client app. It makes the client device act as if it were the remote MCE PC, but only for apps that run through the MCE interface, not regular XP apps. That is, MCE plug-ins like X10 controller apps should work, but MS Office won't.

So yes, it is a "pull" operation, where the client is in full control of what is streamed and when, not a push, like trying to play music across a network with Apple's Airport express or the first XBOX's old Music Mixer, which are both "push" apps where the server is in total control of playback (Airport) or at least what moves across the network for local playback (XBOX Music Mixer).

By contrast, Windows Media Connect exports links to a series of predetermined directories on the server from which the 360's built-in Media Player can browse/play files in the same way it plays local or USB mass-storage -based content.

The intent of the extender tech that is being embedded in the 360 is to allow the MCE PC to reside in the home office or a closet or wherever, while *multiple* extenders/XBOXes access its built-in tuners and media files, even if the PC is in use as a regular PC.

[mcsouth]

Thanks for the clarification.

I'd like to think that I generally fall under the "geek" category, so my confusion on this issue makes me wonder how many moms &amp; pops are going to understand the significance of this. In my mind, this feature/capability alone adds significant value to the Xbox 360, above and beyond gaming, and is the main reason why I was considering be an early adopter of this unit.

The one downside that I could potentially see is that for folks just getting into this type of set-up (MCE w/extenders), the Xbox is not exactly going to be the first choice for the living room. I know that in our household, it may be a tough sell to have a gaming system hooked up to the living room tv instead of the family room tv (the place where we banish the kids to in order to have peace and quiet). I guess that's why there are standard "extenders" for sale as well.....

[Felix Torres]

The one downside that I could potentially see is that for folks just getting into this type of set-up (MCE w/extenders), the Xbox is not exactly going to be the first choice for the living room. I know that in our household, it may be a tough sell to have a gaming system hooked up to the living room tv instead of the family room tv (the place where we banish the kids to in order to have peace and quiet). I guess that's why there are standard "extenders" for sale as well.....

Three points to consider:

- Current stand-alone MCE extenders don't stream HD video, whereas the XBOX360 will. Presumably new models will match this feature.

- Current stand-alone MCE extenders don't come with built-in DVD drives or HD but they cost about as much as the core 360.

- The possibility (probability?) exists that MS will offer online music services on XBOX live making the 360 a viable media center in its own right. They might even offer other services (VOIP, videophone?).

There are two other options to consider:

- MSN TV2 boxes have recently been updated with better media streaming features and a $100 rebate.

- MS and LG will be marketing a PVR with connected-media features in time for the holidays.

As a result, MS will be offering no less than 4 media streaming solutions by Christmas...

And that doesn't include the handful of connected-DVD products currently available, whether UPnP-capable or using proprietary software. So yes, even a knowledgeable techie can be excused for a bit of confusion.

Good luck setting up your network... :-)

[[email protected]]

What is a MCE client? Software that makes a PC into MCE? May we please have this for XP? It bugs me to no end that video can't be streamed to Xbox 360. :onfire:

You don't have to ask for this; you already have it.

The XBOX360 will support both Windows Media Connect for UPnP-based file streaming from *any* XP box, as well as the more powerful MCE client support for remote access and control of an MCE PC.

MCE client support allows full *two-way* data movement between the MCE PC and the client box, say the XBOX360. This allows for not only audio/video/photo file-streaming but also full DVR-control and live-tv streaming. It lets you control all the MCE features remotely so the 360+TV acts just like a directly-attached monitor.

Short-term, which protocol you use will depend on the kind of back-end box you have, XP or MCE.

What VISTA will do is eliminate the distinction; you'll still have both ways of connecting but if you have an MCE Extender or XBOX360 you're likely better off with the MCE protocols.

Or, with an external USB hard drive.
Or DVD data disks.

The 360 will play media wherever it finds it, even off a camera, PSP, PMC, or even a pod.

Thanks Felix! I still have some doubt though. J Allard was asked about streaming video in the Major Nelson chat:

J Allard (Expert):
Q: Can we stream videos from our PCs?
A: yes. if you have media center on those pcs. you will be able to stream standard and high definition video.

http://www.major-nelson.com/blogcast/2005/jallardchat-8-21-05.txt