I decided to install the official Windows 7 beta that is available at the Windows 7 website. The primary reason I decided to do so was because I was so excited about taking a look at the changes that were made to Media Center. I wasn’t brave enough to try it on my main PC, the XPS 420 with CableCARD tuners but I did install it on what I call my “test PC,” a Dell Dimension E521. Here’s the Window’s Experience Index for my E521:
I have an Avermedia M780 Combo tuner that supports NTSC, ATSC, and ClearQAM signals. With the latest drivers from AverMedia, it worked perfectly throughout the setup process and I was able to get the tuner working with my analog and ClearQAM channels without any problems. I am quite please with the fact that I didn’t have any issues during the TV signal setup part with a beta operating system. I have only used Windows 7 for about a day but Media Center seems to be very stable so far.
I decided to go ahead and include some screenshots of my favorite changes that I’ve come across so far. I also included some of my not so favorite changes, but the good definitely outnumbers the bad by a long shot.
Zune Style Menu
The first thing I noticed when opening Media Center was the new Zune style menu. I don’t personally have a Zune because I use my Windows Mobile-based HTC Touch Pro for all my on-the-go music needs but I’ve always loved the simplistic menu design on them. I think this is a great design for the Media Center interface as well and it should be well received by Media Center enthusiasts.
Sharing Recorded TV Finally Built-in
This is one of those long overdue features that should have been in Media Center a long time ago. Many people own more than one Media Center PC and have had to perform hacks to get one computer to see another computer’s recorded TV. Props to Microsoft for finally getting this one in there!
Ability to Choose the Sports Info You Care About
I’ve always been a big fan of the Sports section that was added to Vista Media Center. It’s been somewhat of an annoyance that I’ve had to scroll through some sports that I don’t really care about to get to the ones that I do, but I will no longer have to worry about that once Windows 7 makes it’s way onto my XPS 420. You will be able to choose what sports information you would like to see in your Sports section. FYI, these options are available when you click on “Leagues” in the Sports section of the main Media Center menu.
More Guide Improvements
I loved the guide improvements that came along with TV Pack 2008 and it just gets better with Windows 7. Not only has color-coding been added so it’s easier to distinguish between the types of programs that are currently on but thumbnails from many shows also show up in the info area of the guide.
A new Internet TV section was also added to the guide. I’ve always liked the Internet TV section but I find that sometimes I just forget that it’s there. Now with it being in right there in the guide, I’m sure I will get more use out of it. Hopefully even more great content will get added once Windows 7 is released!
Mini-guide Gets Even Better
Ever since the release of Vista, I’ve loved the mini-guide. Whenever I’m watching live TV it tends to get more use than the full guide. I was pleasantly surprised when I was watching live TV and hit the down button on my remote and saw the new mini-guide. It now shows two rows of info and two hours of info for each row. I also love how everything is made even more transparent in the Windows 7 Media Center interface.
On-Screen Info Gets Transparency Treatment
It’s nice having on-screen info show up every time you change the channel but it’s even better when it doesn’t cover up your programming. The new on-screen info adds transparency while still being completely readable.
One-Click Program Info
I’m a heavy user of the “Info” button on my remote so I was very excited when I discovered that it only took one press of the button to bring up the program info for what I was watching. After that, a click to the right takes you to the “Details” section and other options.
Pop-up Info Panels
This is a change that was implemented throughout Media Center but I highlighted the recorded TV section because that’s the one I will probably get the most use out of. When you click on a program that’s been recorded, rather than being taken to a new page within Media Center, a panel pops up over the top of the Recorded TV section and you can easily click left or right to view all the info that previously showed up on that new page. This is another one of those additions that makes Windows 7 Media Center look so much cooler than it’s predecessors.
Music Cover Art Wall
I stumbled across this cool music wall feature when I installed the Zune software on my PC and I absolutely loved it. Adding this to Media Center only made sense and what a great addition it is.
After a brief moment of inactivity the menu on the left disappears and the current playing track is highlighted even more screen.
Those are the new additions that I like most with Windows 7 Media Center. But you had to know there were going to be some changes that make you scratch your head. So far, I’ve only found two.
Recordings Being Deleted When Changing Recorder Storage
I’m not even quite sure what this one means. It states that there will be an “immediate deletion of some of your recordings” but it doesn’t say why that’s necessary. I’m guessing this will happen to recordings that were on the drive you are changing from but I didn’t have any on my C: drive when I changed it so I’m not quite sure. For the record, I did have some recordings on the drive I changed it to and they didn’t appear to be affected. Anyone have any ideas as to why this change was implemented and what exactly it does?
“Shutdown” Option Moves Again
I’m still trying to figure out why Microsoft feels the need to move the “Shutdown” option in Media Center with every new release. Media Center users everywhere had to get used to it being moved with the upgrade from Media Center 2005 to Vista and now it’s being changed again. I personally liked clicking down a few times and then clicking “OK” to get out of Media Center and now I’m going to have to click down a few times and then click left and finally “OK” to close Media Center. In my opinion you’re going to need to close Media Center far more often than you are going to need to go into the settings so this change puzzles me…especially considering that Microsoft has made it a point to require less button clicks in Windows 7 Media Center.
As you can probably tell right now I’m pretty excited about what Windows 7 Media Center has to offer. I knew there were going to be things that I didn’t like but they were kept to a minimum and there are far more positive additions than negative ones. Are there any additions or subtractions that you’ve noticed in Windows 7 that I’ve left out? If so, please leave a comment below.
Also, if you are going to test out the beta for yourself, be sure to install the updates I pointed out in the post titled “Planning on installing the Windows 7 beta? Install this update!” first and foremost.
16 Comments until now.
Excellent review, and thanks for the screen shots. Please keep up the good work.
One big question i have, does the media center photos section support raw files now? That always bugged me as i want to display my photos but not convert everything.. I know microsoft supports it as they provide pro photo tools on their website. Thanks!
Tom
Vancouver, BC
Thanks for the kind words Tom. I’m not sure if it does support raw files or not. I’ve personally never dealt with them before but if you want to send me one or provide me with a location where I can download one I would gladly test it out for you and let you know.
@Tom,
7MC does not support RAW files and is unlikely to ever support them, imo. As you no doubt know, RAW files are intended for editing not viewing and have tons of meta information that makes them expensive to read. Besides that, raw files are expected to be tweaked and may not present as well as their JPEG alternatives initially.
Even though it requires separate copies of your photos, exporting smaller JPEG files is probably your best best.
I too wish this could be more easily integrated but it just doesn’t make a lot of sense from Microsoft’s perspective.
Hello Clifton,
Totally agree with you on all points.. my main concern was managing two copies of everything.. if there was a clean way to do it such that if you deleted one, it deleted the other etc.. i knmow there’s scripts etc..
The other point was that microsoft has released ‘pro camera’ tools that include RAW plugins for windows vista/Xp, plus their own viewer, and it even allows you to view directly from windows folders.. so why not in MCE in my opp.
Anyway, thanks for your thoughts.
I have a beta copy of windows 7 now, will give a try.. if i am pleasantly surprised i will write back
Very nice and laid out review, I noticed you didn’t include anything about playing locally backed up DVD’s. I have recently installed Win7 MCE since my set up is all MCE derived and I love the new interface with one draw back, when I browse to the location of my backed up DVD’s like I normally would they all appear but tell me they can’t play due to the incorrect region. Have you seen this?
David,
I haven’t played around much with the locally backed up DVDs but I do have some that I could try on that PC. I will give it a try and post the results.
Thank you, I have tried a few other things without changeing the original decoders to no avail. I am able to use VLC to play the DVD’s but Windows inherently can’t play them.
Have you tested the share recorded TV? I’m particularly interested in hearing if you are able to play CableCard content from your XPS 420 onto your Windows 7 machine.
Ryan,
I have tried the shared recorded TV feature and no, CableCARD content does not play on the Windows 7 PC. All of it does show up correctly in the RTV list though and I can play shared ClearQAM content…just not the protected content.
Microsoft supposedly fixed this problem but we are waiting for an update from ATI that will allow the tuners to only protect stuff that’s supposed to be protected (such as HBO, Showtime, etc). ATI is really dropping the ball on this one as that Microsoft update has been in place for quite some time now and there hasn’t been a firmware upgrade released for the tuners since April 30, 2008.
Great review man, it was really thought out and the layout was nice with all the screen shots and such.
Keep up the good work.
James,
It seems that one of the patches it automatically downloads have fixed my issue. So all is well, tomorrow I will test Xbox 360 extender funtions, if you want i can let you know.
David,
I thought I responded to your inquiry about DVDs playing but I don’t see it so apparently I didn’t! I was able to successfully stream DVDs without any problems on my machine as well. I’m glad it is working for you now.
I’ve been thinking about setting up one of my 360s to test out the extender functionality as well but yes, please feel free to let me know how it goes.
Hi,
Do you know if this Beta version will work with Media Center extenders? I have a Linksys DMA2200.
Cheers,
Max
Max,
I tested this briefly with one of my Xbox 360s and it appeared to function correctly. Since it worked with the 360, it should work with a DMA2200 as well.
> Does the media center photos section support raw files now?
Yes: WIC codec support has been added to Media Center in Windows 7 RC.
http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/thread/228778.aspx
http://www.microsoft.com/prophoto/downloads/codecs.aspx
I have a issue with media center in windows 7 it is telling me to install it and when i am trying to install it ,it is saying application error and moreover when i am connected to internet it is telling me i am not connected i am confused what to do if anybody have solution do reply me at Mr.Mandoor@gmail.com and can call me on 1-571-505-4739
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