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More => Old Versions => Media Center 17 => Topic started by: BartMan01 on April 30, 2012, 07:03:57 pm

Title: MS appears to be EOL'ing Media Center - Huge Opportunity for MC and CableCard!
Post by: BartMan01 on April 30, 2012, 07:03:57 pm

By all appearances, Microsoft is moving to end of life Media Center and its CableCard support.  The 'normal' version of Windows 8 will not even support Windows Media Center, and the 'pro' version has it as an additional purchase.  Right as CableCard is becoming a practical reality, MS is moving away from supporting it.  This could be a huge opportunity for JRiver to increase it's customer base by working with Ceton and Silicon Dust to add CableCard support to the TV tuner functionality.

Title: Re: MS appears to be EOL'ing Media Center - Huge Opportunity for MC and CableCard!
Post by: JimH on April 30, 2012, 08:22:42 pm

I've read the same, but I'm not sure yet that it's true.

We are working on support for CableCard, but it is too soon to say we'll be able.

Title: Re: MS appears to be EOL'ing Media Center - Huge Opportunity for MC and CableCard!
Post by: jgreen on May 04, 2012, 10:06:24 am

Not necessarily focusing on CableCard, but overall this does seem interesting . . .

Title: Re: MS appears to be EOL'ing Media Center - Huge Opportunity for MC and CableCard!
Post by: Matt on May 04, 2012, 01:20:27 pm

Directly from Microsoft:
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/05/03/making-windows-media-center-available-in-windows-8.aspx

Title: Re: MS appears to be EOL'ing Media Center - Huge Opportunity for MC and CableCard!
Post by: JimH on May 04, 2012, 01:45:12 pm

Let's see if I can summarize the announcement.

There will be two versions:  Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro.

Windows Media Player will be included with both.

Windows Media Center will not be included with either.

You will be able to add WMC as an upgrade, but only if you have Pro (or upgrade to it).  I'm guessing WMC will cost $40 or so.

DVD playback will be removed from WMP.

Blu-ray will not be available.

It looks like the primary reason they are doing this is to reduce the burden of the necessary royalties on manufacturers who don't want the capabilities.  Tablet makers, for example.

Title: Re: MS appears to be EOL'ing Media Center - Huge Opportunity for MC and CableCard!
Post by: wig on May 04, 2012, 02:06:13 pm

That's what I get out of this article as well:

http://www.ghacks.net/2012/05/04/no-dvd-playback-support-in-windows-8s-windows-media-player/

Title: Re: MS appears to be EOL'ing Media Center - Huge Opportunity for MC and CableCard!
Post by: jgreen on May 04, 2012, 08:41:21 pm

IMO, this is MSFT at its best:  Something you didn't want for free is now $40. 

I love these guys!!