Q: what performance specs(hardware) are required to run v smoothly
A: Please visit
www.microsoft.com/oem and look at the Windows Media Center Addendum document
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Q: Any plans to ship MCE 2005 to new countries?
A: Yes - the new countries that are now supported in MCE 2005 are Netherlands, Australia, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland.
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Q: When will MCE 2005 come onto msdn?
A: eventually
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Q: Will MCE 2005 be in the October Action Pack? (I hope)
A: No.
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Q: wat's the emphasis of MCE ? would security be one of it ?
A: MCE 2005 is basd on Windows XP Pro SP2 and includes all the same Security updates.
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Q: Any chance we will see MCE 2005 in the action pak?
A: Yes! You can get MCE in the Action Pack for the countries where MCE is available (except Japan).
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Q: More and more people have domain setup in their home. Why was domain logon taken away?
A: to make it so OEMS wouldn't buy this instead of buying XP Pro.
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Q: Can users still have to logon with a user name & password with a system running Windows MCE2005?
A: Yes
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Q: I see that HDTV cards are supported in MCE 2005 on the microsoft.com site. Which cards are supported?
A: ATI Wonder in ATSC
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Q: With multiple tuner support can you choose which tuner you want to use to watch tv?
A: Not at this time.
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Q: Will MCE 2005 integrate with Windows Media Connect? (will that be announced today too?)
A: MCE works independently from Windows Media Connect
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Q: Onlight Spotlight was very limited in Europe with MCE 2004 has this been expanded in MCE 2005?
A: Yes you should see some excellent growth
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Q: does MCE 2005 supports HDTV
A: MCE 2005 will support ATSC (over the air HD) in the U.S. only after installing the Update 1 for MCE 2005 which is available from Windows Update site.
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Q: some people love windows 98 still will you make a version for it.
A: There is no MCE edition for Windows 98.
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Q: Will OEM's be able to sell MCE over-the-counter with "key hardware" or only preinstalled on preconfigured PC's
A: Yes the MCE requirements are the same as with regular desktop operating systems which allow distribution with non-peripheral computer hardware - however, you should note that the system builder who installs the software is responsible for support of that software. Please see the licensing section at
www.microsoft.com/oem for more info.
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Q: is mce going to be released with the next action pack update?
A: Yes!
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Q: MCE 2005 supports DVB-T cards, what are the plans for supporting DVB-S cards in the future?
A: Sorry, there is no information on this question today.
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Q: Is there a list of compatable TV cards available yet?
A: Yes! Please go to
http://oem.microsoft.com/mceready
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Q: Is there dvd decoder software in MCE?
A: Not built in. You must install a separate decoder.
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Q: Why can't I get an answer on licensing information for MCE?
A: Please see the "licensing and Anti-piracy" fly out on
www.microsoft.com/oem. The licensing for MCE is the same as all System Builder licensing
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Q: will there be any extender devices that will interact with XP Pro, rather than only Media Center?
A: Not at this time.
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Q: Will there be the ability to shutdown the computer via a sleep timer?
A: Not a feature of MCE.
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Q: I've yet to see RGB / Component Video capture cards that are supported by MCE 2004; is this something that will be available in MCE 2005?
A: That is up to the hardware manaucturer. At present no
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Q: is windows media centre edition as easy to network as windows xp professional
A: Yes but domain support has been removed.
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Q: how is it better for timeshifting/recording than a linux based solution(as in tivo, and does it support high res WMV encoding (and @ wat bit-rates)
A: We are ablt to timeshift just like Tivo Yes we can play high res WMV with good hardware installed
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Q: Is there DVD Burning capabilities built into the Media Centre Edition?
A: Yes.
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Q: Are there any technical reasons why a MCX device bought in the USA will not work on a MCE 2005 system in Europe (UK)?
A: Yes, We do not support PAL output
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Q: What about picture in picture PIP...will you be able to use the dual tuner to get PIP?
A: Not at this time.
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Q: Will there be a streaming version of the webcast posted on the microsoft site ?
A: Yes. It will be posted later today or early tomorrow.
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Q: Will MCE be included in future Partners Action Pack Subscriptions?
A: Yes, in the countries where MCE is shipping (except Japan). Thanks.
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Q: Will MCE 2005 handle large (40k plus) MP3 collections better then 2004 did?
A: One of the goals for MCE 2005 was to improve performance over MCE 2004, which we have achieved, so yes it will handle larger collections better.
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Q: Will MCE 2005 handle large (40k plus) MP3 collections better then 2004 did?
A: It should handle these better.
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Q: will there be a NFR copy of MCE included in MSDN or Action Pack?
A: Yes, it will be available in the Action Pack in the countries where MCE is shipping (except Japan).
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Q: Will the upgrade from the manufacturer be any different than the OEM version? (2 discs?)
A: No it should not be.
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Q: When will MCE 2005 be available for OEM ?
A: MCE 2005 is already available through the normal supply channels for OEMs and System Builders.
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Q: Will the MCE 2004 remote work with MCE 2005?
A: Not at this time.