This article was originally written for Media Center Edition 2005 for the Microsoft Windows XP Expert Zone Community. With the launch of Windows 7, Microsoft is apparently retiring the older content. The information below has been useful to users of all versions of Windows Media Center and while the interface is slightly changed between different versions, you can use the steps below for assistance even if you are using Vista or Windows 7.

So, what can you do with two tuners? You can watch one show on live TV and simultaneously record a different show on another channel. Or you can record two shows at the same time (or two that overlap with different starting and/or ending times). Dual tuner support encompasses watching live TV using a Media Center Extender device while another family member is watching live TV on the host MCE 2005 machine (or while recording a different show on the host MCE 2005 machine).

Dual tuner usage in MCE 2005 requires both TV provider sources (channel lineups) to be identical. For example, you can configure two set top boxes (STB’s) or two cable out of the wall connections, but you cannot use one set top box and one out of the wall cable connection or one satellite and one antenna connection. The reason for this is pretty simple. Windows XP Media Center 2005 utilizes a single program guide source and uses the “first available tuner” to complete each task that requires a TV tuner. The rules for Windows 7 tuners really have not changed that much and are listed here.

Tip: If you have two different set top box models from the same provider, you can use them as long as they both receive the same programs on the same channels. For example, you can use a Motorola/General Instruments DCT5100 and DCT6200 set top boxes to configure dual tuner support.

As you read the rest of this article, you’ll find the following information:

1. Obtaining and Installing a Second TV Tuner

2. Configuring or Adding IR (infra red) receiver hardware with dual set top boxes and dual IR emitters

3. Configuring MCE 2005 to support dual tuners

Obtaining and Installing a Second TV Tuner

All Media Center computers from major computer makers such as Hewlett Packard, Gateway, ViewSonic, etc. included a single TV tuner card in previous versions of MCE. Media Center 2005 computer models and beyond may include single tuners or dual tuners and in some cases, no tuners.  To help insure that any additional add-on hardware not originally supplied with Media Center Edition computers is compatible, Microsoft opened a Designed for Windows XP Media Center Edition Logo Partner List web site and the Windows Logo’d hardware site.  If you are adding a second tuner, be sure to select hardware that is certified.

I have been using MCE 2005 on a Gateway 901x Media Center pc which, like many other MCE computers, has no expansion slots. And like computers from several other manufacturers, it has only a single IR (infra red) receiver built into the computer chassis that supports only a single IR emitter. The IR emitter is required to control the STB (set top box) from your cable or satellite provider. If you have two STB’s, you would need two emitters.

Adding a USB external tuner is easy for most people and can be done in a very short amount of time.  Microsoft supplied me with a Hauppauge WinTV USB 2.0 tuner and provided (beta) MCE2005 compatible drivers. External USB TV tuners are externally powered, so in addition to an available USB slot, you’ll need an available AC power outlet or socket on your surge protector.  A different option for advanced users proficient in adding and removing internal pc expansion cards is to install an internal PCI tuner. This will involve removing the computer case and in cases where there is no PCI slot, removing an existing card, such as the internal modem card. (This won’t be an option if you are a dialup user and no free PCI slot is available). Again, be sure to select a TV tuner from the Logo Partner List web site. I’ve also tested a two internal tuner configuration on the Gateway 901x by removing the internal modem card and installing a second internal PCI TV tuner.

To install your new second tuner hardware:

1. Power off your Media Center computer and all peripherals.
2. Install the TV tuner hardware following the manufacturers instructions and connect the USB cable if you are installing an external tuner
3. Turn on your equipment
4.   Windows XP should automatically discover your new hardware.
5. When prompted, insert the driver CD in your CD drive and let Window’s Plug and Play install your new hardware or follow the manufacturer’s steps to install drivers.

When completed, power off your computer and connect the cables and emitters to your STB’s.

Configuring or Adding a dual emitter capable USB IR receiver

If you are using dual set top boxes, you will need to use two IR emitters to enable MCE 2005 to change the channels. One end of each emitter is inserted in a port on the IR receiver; the other is placed over the IR window on each STB. If your Media Center Computer included an external USB receiver, you may already have hardware that supports a second IR blaster. For example, the first generation Media Center computers from Hewlett Packard, such as the HP 873n, shipped with an external USB IR receiver that can control two STB’s. Other computers, such as the Gateway 901x, are equipped with only a single internal chassis based IR receiver. Microsoft has engineered MCE 2005 so that an external USB IR receiver that supports dual tuners can be transparently added to any Media Center computer, whether or not an internal IR receiver is present.

If you need a new USB IR receiver to use dual IR emitters, you may be able to purchase a kit from Newegg.com or eBay. You’ll receive the IR receiver, the IR emitter cable, and a Media Center remote control. If you already have an IR receiver that supports dual emitters and can’t find an IR emitter cable locally, SmartHome offers several IR emitters on their web site. When you have all the required hardware, setup the IR receiver.

1. If you have an emitter cable plugged into an internal chassis based IR receiver, remove it and plug it into the external IR receiver.
2. Plug the emitter cable for the second STB into the second port in the IR receiver.
3. Attach the other end of the emitter to the STB by placing it over the IR window (use a flashlight to find this).
4. Verify that the second STB is connected to the second tuner using the proper cabling.

Configuring Media Center Edition 2005 for Dual Tuner Support

Once you have all the hardware installed and connected, you’ll need to spend about 15 -30 minutes configuring or reconfiguring your Media Center 2005 computer.

Don’t be daunted by the large number of individual steps outlined below. If you follow them carefully, configuration will be easy.

The steps are listed below:

1. From the Media Center menu, select Settings, TV, Set Up TV Signal. Acknowledge the region.
2. Select Configure my TV signal  automatically (Recommended)
3. Windows checks each of your signals automatically and compares them.
4. A confirmation is displayed confirming that two cable STB’s were successfully detected.
5. Verify again that both STB’s are set on channels that you know you can receive. (For best results, don’t select the same channel on both).
6. Select your type of provider (Cable or Satellite)
7. If you’ve previously configured your system (for example, configured with a single tuner) a window will display with choices for modifying channel change settings or reconfiguring all set top box settings. Select Reconfigure all set top box settings.
8. To identify the first STB (Cable Box A in the wizard as shown below), use the controls on the set top box itself (not the remote) to change the channel up or down. Try the other STB if the channel does not change in the Media Center inset window.

9. If you have a cable or satellite company provided remote control for your STB, chances are that Media Center can identify settings automatically. (Note: If you don’t have a remote control for your STB, select NO remote control. A list of STB manufacturers will be displayed. Select each codeset until you find the correct one. Tip: If automatic identification in steps a and b below fail, select Back and use manual identification. Do not select Cancel.)

a.       When prompted, press and hold 0 on the set top box remote (not the Media Center remote control). Tip: If you are too close to the IR receiver, you may have a problem with the signal being recognized. There is a “sweet spot” approximately 3-7 feet away that is optimum for performing this automatic configuration.

b.      When prompted, press and hold the Enter button. Important: your STB remote may have both an Enter and OK button. Be sure to use the Enter button.

10.  Put down the STB remote and pick up the Media Center remote control.

11.  Select the number of digits corresponding to the highest channel you receive.

12.  Specify whether or not you need to press Enter on your STB remote to change channels

13.  Use the Media Center remote and if your service has 3 digit channels, enter a 3 digital channel number that you know you can receive.

14.  If the channel does not change, select the Try Next IR Emitter button on the Media Center menu as shown in the image below.

15.  Verify that the channel changes correctly. You can try several channels you know you receive to be sure, even though you are only prompted to do this once.

16.  Determine whether the speed to change channels on the first STB is Fast, Medium, or Slow by pressing the page up/page down keys on the Media Center remote six or more times. Media Center will attempt Fast, Medium, and then Slow as you step through this portion of the wizard. When you are successfully able to change channels, select The channel changed correctly.

17.  Next, the wizard assists you in configuring the second TV tuner. To identify the second STB (Cable Box B in the wizard), use the controls on the second set top box itself (not the remote) to change the channel up or down.

18.  The wizard guides you through configuring the second STB repeating steps 9-16 above.

19.  The final sequence specifies and downloads the Program Guide. You should be connected to the Internet while performing these steps.

20.  Select Yes to using the guide and accept the Guide Terms of Service.

21.  Enter your zip or postal code.

22.  TV signal providers in your area will be displayed. Select your provider.

23.  The Program Guide for 14 days will download. This can take up to 20 minutes. You’ll be notified when complete.

For additional assistance, I recommend you visit the forums on http://thegreenbutton.com.

Clubhouse Tags: clubhouse, media center, Media Center Windows 7, windows media center, how-to, Tip

I feel like I just hit the jackpot.

I’ve been bemoaning the lack of support for Nikon NEF 64 bit support for as long as I can remember inside Windows Explorer. And I’ve been wishing for RAW support for NEF inside Media Center forever.

I’m happy to say that there is a really nice solution.

The free image codec

pack at http://www.fastpictureviewer.com/codecs/ had all the answers and gave me the brass ring.

Here’s a snippet from their web site on what is supported:

I shoot Nikon RAW NEF.  And I have full support now inside Windows 7 RTM. Explorer thumbnails, even inside Windows Media Center. Here’s the proof. Worth 3,000 words and a whole lot more.

Thumbnails inside Windows Explorer of my NEF files in Windows 7

Picture Details inside Windows Media Center/Windows 7

A folder filled with NEFs is now viewable inside Windows Media Center

Yes, XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 all can play with this. I’m excited, are you?

http://www.fastpictureviewer.com/codecs/ 

Clubhouse Tags: clubhouse, media center, Media Center Windows 7, windows media center, how-to, Tip

“Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 11:01 AM
To: STDS-802-11-TGN@LISTSERV.IEEE.ORG
Subject: [STDS-802-11-TGN] Standards Board Decisions today- 11w and 11n approved

All,

802.11 had two items under consideration during the Standards Board meetings being held this week.

I’m am very pleased to announce that both P802.11w and P802.11n were approved today.

Although this email vehicle falls far short of expressing the sentiment, Thanks to the hundreds of 802.11members that contributed to these efforts, as well as the 802 EC and the IEEE Staff.

With me here as I write this is Paul Nikolich who wishes to add his congratulations to the group.

I expect to extend the celebration of the success , (while we continue work on the other amendments in process ) when we convene in Hawaii two weeks from now.

Hope to see you there.

Bruce”

For most of us, this just means our Draft 2.0 802.11n equipment is now the real thing.

Clubhouse Tags: clubhouse, wifi, Wireless Networking, windows networking

This is a love story. Sometimes diving off the technology cliff means you follow your heart and take a chance on emerging/converging standards. When my nine year old once upon a time bleeding edge first of its kind 45 inch front projection component only HDTV developed the purple blotchies, I knew it was well past time to replace it. It was an ugly beast as well.

I did a fair amount of online research and put three HD TVs on my see and compare list based on features. The best features were on a Samsung 52 inch LN52B750 that also happened to be on sale for $600 off at the time. The picture quality from High Def sources is absolutely stunning. Breathtaking.

Old TV before the attack of the  Purple Blotchies	New Samsung LN52B750

Reading all the user guides which were available on line (to get a good idea of features and performance) really focused me on the Samsung because in addition to all the jacks you’d ever want (4 HDMI, 2 Component, 2 USB, PC, Ethernet, optical digital sound in and out plus some legacy analog ports) it looked to have full DLNA 1.5 support. DLNA “server” software is supplied (and is downloadable online from Samsung’s support site) but my instincts told me that this TV should work with Windows 7 native DLNA “Play To” support.

In my opinion, the Play To/Streaming enhancements in Windows 7 are some of the coolest new features in Windows 7. The team responsible for this work has an extensive blog post at http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/05/12/media-streaming-with-windows-7.aspx which explains and showcases the technologies involved. It’s really about an ecosystem of smart, transparently connected devices and something I’ve been passionate about for several years.  With Windows 7, we’ve reached a real break through. Anyone, novices included, should be able to use and have fun with this technology set. It might give neighborhood geeks like me some free time back.

The Samsung LN52B750 (and all the B750 line apparently) include a full set of DLNA 1.5 features. When I display the source list on the TV,  all of my DLNA 1.0 and 1.5 devices were auto detected and displayed. You can see part of this list below, but it also detected my WHS box and additional computers.

Note that it this point, the Samsung TV does not appear to be able to pull the list of available shared media from my Windows & computers (or other sources). A folder structure is displayed, but no content is visible to pull and stream. However, using Play To on a host Windows 7 machine (PUSH technology) works beautifully. Perhaps future firmware updates from Samsung will enable “pull”. I hope so!

This TV is all about connectivity, including the Internet. The Samsung TV has onboard Ethernet and accepts a Samsung 802.11n wireless USB adapter. Out of the box, there are some Yahoo Widgets, including YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook. Samsung has done a great job with this. Hit the Internet button on the remote and you’re off and running. You can sign in with a existing Yahoo account, too. There is a handy on screen button to run TV ins a smaller window while the Widgets, etc. display. You can toggle back and forth. I’ve already used the connection to pull down a firmware upgrade for the TV itself. Another “well done” for Samsung.

I have a fairly sophisticated home network. Everything here is dual homed. One network is Wireless N (both 2.4 and 5 GHz) p0lus GigE wired Ethernet and a second network is MoCA plus N. MoCA is short for multi media over COAX. 

W7’s Network & Sharing Center displaying my dual homed network

W7 Network Map of one network segment. The line along the bottom is the second network.

I’ve got desktops, laptops, digital picture frames, NAS boxes, wireless access points and of course my new Samsung TV networked.  Below is a partial view of my networked home (some devices are not powered on all the time).

Barb’s Home Network 

Did I mention that my new TV includes a wired Ethernet jack and can accept an 802.11n (2.4 GHz) special USB adapter? Samsung offers a wireless 802.11n USB adapter as an accessory. It is powered by a Ralink 2880 radio. I was hoping that any wireless N USB adapter would work since I have a bucketful of those here, but only the Samsung branded one will function. Samsung supports Windows Connect Now (WCN) via push button and of course you can manually configure the wireless network.

You can access the settings for media streaming options from several places. One way to do this is from the Network Window. Right click the device (TV in this case) and then select Media streaming options from the shortcut menu that displays.

From the Media streaming options window you can then specify what permissions to set for each computer and device. This is very easy and intuitive.

Once permissions are enabled, it’s time to have a LOT of fun.

From within Windows Explorer, if there is an available device on the network, right clicking a media file or a group of selected media files invokes a shortcut menu that offers Play To as a choice.

Once you’ve sent media on its way using this method, a Play To window opens with a list of the items selected. You can drag and drop additional content into this window and even mix and match images, music, recorded TV (non protected). 

On the TV, the incoming streamed content is auto sensed and auto displayed. You’ll see some meta data briefly as shown below.

The meta data header will then disappear and you’ll get a nicely displayed image.

The same technique works for music files, at least for MP3’s. I was not able to send WMA ripped music using Play To. Microsoft has put me in touch with Samsung, and they are investigating. Samsung obviously wants to get this right and I’m hopeful that this will be fixed with a firmware update. Note that since I’m running sound through a Home Theater Receiver, I do have to switch the receiver to a different audio input. I ran a digital optical cable from the TV to the receiver and that handles the sound streamed over the network perfectly.

I’ve saved the best (in my mind anyway) for last. And that is Recorded TV from Windows Media Center. Frankly speaking, I was VERY surprised at the support for this. Both dvr-ms and wtv formats ARE supported. It is important to note that only non protected (non DRM’d) recorded TV will work. I hope Microsoft can change this severe limitation, because this is a kickass feature and then some. I’d also like to see Play To supported inside the Windows Media Center interface itself.

In the image below, I’ve right clicked an episode of Stargate Atlantis (non protected recording from the Sci Fi – now Sy Fy – channel), And once again, Play To (TV) appears as a choice.

My mouth dropped to the floor and I was speechless when this actually worked (see screenshot below). I think this is the future and  that I found a time machine.

It takes a lot to get me excited and I’m VERY excited about this technology. My virtual hat is tipped to Microsoft for the slick implementation and to Samsung for being visionary and being tone of the first to embrace this very cool convergent world.

And if you have read this far, I have two recommendations for you. The first is to upgrade to Windows 7 just as soon as you can and the second is, if you are shopping for a new HDTV, the Samsung B750 line will rock your world.

Clubhouse Tags: clubhouse,Windows 7, media center, Media Center Windows 7, windows media center, how-to, Play To, Windows Media Streaming,DLNA,Tip

My personal cell phone these days is  a Blackberry Curve 8330 (yeah, it’s pink). Mostly because it is the twin on the one I was issued at work so I don’t need a whole different set of accessories (desktop charger, cables, etc.).

I actually like the device alot. Email on the go for sure keeps me uber connected, but I’ve only enabled a few of my email addresses for this.  I resisted getting a smart phone for a long time, but now I don’t know how I managed without one. 

One thing that I didn’t like was the default theme pack offered by Verizon. But there certainly is a large variety of user designed theme-ware to be found online. The iPhone like bBerry theme caught my eye, mostly because of the Blue Marble shot of Earth and the clean, Zen iPhone iconography.  I customized it even further by adding a wallpaper (just like the one that comes with the theme itself) with my name on it (Photoshop, how do I count the ways).  I like the “Today” default view.

I’ve been a Quicken user since the beginning of time. DOS version 3 I think. I’m sad because competition is always good.  Anyway, C|Net states notices will go up on the MSFT web site within the next 24 hours. Support for existing Money users will end in January 2011. Fortunately, Quicken has always had a good conversion program for people switching from MS Money.

Many of you will remember the 31 Days of the Dragon and HP Magic Giveaway Contests. BuzzCorps was the magic behind the curtain for both. As a start-up company, BuzzCorps used the power of the Internet through influential bloggers for grassroots “buzz”/word of mouth marketing. It was a win-win for all involved.

As they matured, more clients and staff came onboard. And now BuzzCorps is announcing a new name – Ivy Worldwide.

What better way to kick the new branding than by holding a contest to design a new logo. With prizes including:

Winning Design Grand Prize
• $2,500 Cash

2nd Place Design Prize
• Loaded HP Mini 1000 XP edition series (up to $500 in value) or HP Photosmart Pro B8850 Printer (up to $500 in value)

3rd Place Design Prize
• Wacom Intuos4 Small Pen Tablet (up to $200 in value)

Ivy Worldwide has a temporary website with all the details/rules/instructions at http://www.ivyworldwide.com/

The contest starts now and the contest ends June 12th at midnight Central Time.

Best of luck to all who enter. I look forward to seeing all the great entries!

Trying to access the WHS console with my ASUS Eee 1000HEB PC had been an adventure up until today’s update for WHS. Most 10 inch Netbooks have a 1024 x 600 screen resolution, and prior to this update, viewing the entire WHS console was problematic.

Windows Update should offer this patch for your WHS, or you can update manually.

You have my vote!

This is just nuts, but true. These guys have released a free AV product that does not require you to uninstall your existing AV. And it is written in the Klingon language? You have to visit their website just to see this one. A VERY clever marketing gimmic if you ask me.  Here’s a preview:

Why did we translate it into Klingon?

Our routine monitoring of sub-space transmissions alerted Sophos that the loss of the Klingon battlecruiser Klothos was not due to Romulan incursion into the Khitomer system, but a result of trying to remove VBS/PeachyPDF-A from the battle computer using M’swoN’kar after Commander Kor opened an attachment from the system S’cam-419.

Immediately our Product Marketing away team embarked on a mission to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and flog them Network Access Control solutions. Sadly they chose Qo’noS as their first destination and when their severed heads were beamed back to Sophos, the engineering team created this software, not in a spontaneous display of gratitude to the Klingon race (as the Register would have you believe) but to honour their memory.

Test your existing anti-virus protection

• Scans without the need to uninstall or disable your existing anti-virus.
• Runs on Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista.
  This software has compatibility issues with the version of msxml4.dll used by cloaking devices on Romulan-modded D7-class battle cruisers. Installing this software on such vessels is punishable by ordeal of Ginst’a'Ed.
• Uses a single scan to detect viruses, spyware and adware – including zero-day threats.
• Updates automatically for 30 Galactic standard days.

Beam me up…