Q: will the us version of the xbox extender work with the europe version of xbox and xp mce?
A: not at this time.
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Q: is there a timed trial available anywhere for download? if yes, is there a URL?
A: No
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Q: what was that clouds visualization that was shown in media player 10?
A: part of our presentation.
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Q: Is there a 120-day trial of MCE for download? If yes, where can it be downloaded from (URL please).
A: No
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Q: Is MSN MUSIC go LIVE today out of BETA?
A: yes. it is available.
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Q: Which TV tuners will MCE2005 support out of the box? Same models as 2004 or more? What about software encoders like Ati's TV-Wonder VE series?
A: Please visit
http://oem.microsoft.com/mceready for more information on suppported hardware for MCE 2005.
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Q: Will it be available to retail customers who wish to upgrade computers etc
A: Only through OEMs. No retail products at this time.
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Q: How much?
A: MCE is sold through authorized Microsoft OEM Distributors. Please contact your distributor for pricing. Thanks!
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Q: Is there a new theme in Windows Media Center Edition 2005?
A: Yes Royale, It's cool
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Q: Have the Minimum System Requirements changed with the new version of MCE?
A: Slightly. Please see oem.microsoft.com/mceready
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Q: when will media center extenders be released in the UK?
A: soon.
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Q: Is this launch only for System Builders or the general public also?
A: System Builder launch
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Q: Where can i watch the webcast?
A: This webcast will be made available within a couple days on the Microsoft OEM System Buider website.
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Q: I heard Windows XP Media Center is a superset of Windows XP "PRO"? Is that true, or is it based on the "HOME" version of Windows XP which has limitations with network security?
A: It is based on XP Pro not XP Home
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Q: MSDN subscribers can download MCE2005 and install it over Win XP or will there be a cetain requirement?
A: MCE 2005 does not upgrade over Windows XP. For other requirments please refer to the MSDN documentation.
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Q: Will there be any way to update extenders as new encoding codecs come available?
A: Yes.
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Q: Will we be able to catch the webcast at a later time?
A: Later Today or early tomorrow.
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Q: will the OEM site be offering any MCE marketing goodies for shops?
A: It depends on the local Microsoft subsidiaries.
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Q: Will Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 still be based on Windows XP Professional like previous versions?
A: Yes definately.
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Q: I am a system Builder. Can I offer MCE on our systems?
A: Yes
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Q: will there be an update for 2004?
A: Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 is considered the update to MCE 2004 as it is an upgrade path. Windows XP SP2 is also considered an update to MCE 2004 as it will install all of the patches available to MCE 2004 at the time of the release of SP2.
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Q: will the us-version of the xbox media center extender work together with the european version of the xbox?
A: No this will not function due to technical reasons. The US version is designed for NTSC while Europe uses PAL, SECAM and DVB-T for TV broadcasts.
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Q: Hauppauge recently announced the PVR-500, a dual tuner TV card with hardware MPEG decoding/encoding. Is this card MCE 2k5 compatible, and better yet will it allow PIP or just background recording of one channel while simultaneously viewing another? -James Kelleher
A: At this time PIP is not supported in MCE.
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Q: I have MSDN suscription, when can I dowload it to try?
A: Not at this time. But at a later date.
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Q: I've been searching distributors for NVDVD 4 bundled with cards. Can you give more details of nVidia or ATI models.
A: Have you tried contacting one of the authorized Microsoft OEM distributors? They are listed on
http://oem.microsoft.com. You can also find more info about the hardware compatibility at oem.microsoft.com/mceready.
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Q: Are the ATI HDTV Wonder drivers still coming out?
A: They are still coming out. No ETA.
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Q: Any idea when televisions with MCE Extender capability will release?
A: available today
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Q: What is the timeframe for the next quarterly Action Pack Update to be released? (This seems to be a PERFECT opportunity to subscribe)
A: The action pack is refreshed at the start of each quarter - October, January, etc.
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Q: Can you explain the ATI hardware bundles for MCE 2005. I saw a distributor add that listed ATI's "TV Wonder VE" TV tuner -- but specs show that's for Windows XP (it looks like "E-Home Wonder" is the ATI TV tuner card for MCE 2004. Have they changed for MCE 2005?
A: The should have. Please visit ATI's site for more info
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Q: do you know what the retail price is go to be for mce
A: Please contact an OEM Authorized Distributor for availability and/or pricing.
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Q: The hardware can be bought separately?
A: Yes.
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Q: is there a download for trial version
A: A trial is currently unavailable at this time but we are working to make one available in the near future.
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Q: will MCE 2005 Include XPSP2
A: yes
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Q: Will there be a hardware compatibility list for MCE 2005? Also, will MCE ever be available for retail purchase, without having to purchase a pre-built system?
A: Yes there is a coming HCL, As for reatil, nothing has been announced
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Q: Is MCE 2005 still based on Windows XP Professional?
A: Yes it is.