Upgrade XP Media Center to Vista Business Dilemma

[Strygun]

Hey all,

I am currently using Windows XP Media Center on my laptop. My university, however, is going to give me access to a full version of Vista Business through the MSDN program. I'm very excited about this except for one thing: Vista Business doesn't support Media Center.

I use Media center quite often for recording/watching TV. I currently use an HP ExpressCard Analog TV Tuner that came with my laptop to connect it to the cable TV (co-ax).

I discovered GB-PVR as an alternative to Media Center, however, I don't think GB-PVR will work with the HP ExpressCard Analog TV Tuner that I'm using. Can anyone shed some light on this issue, and/or recommend another alternative to getting a PVR on Vista Business?

Thanks!

[stustunz]

i hope your laptop is fast enough vista needs lots of ram aswell

there are very few usb analog tuner cards that do mpeg hardware encoding which is required

[bogyver]

I could be wrong about this but I'm fairly sure that mce requires a mpeg 2 hardware encoder to function and what I found on wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP_...er_Edition backs up that thought.

Why dont you just try gppvr on your machine just make sure to disable the mce services when installing it to prevent any conflicts.

You will most likely have to run the filter check program that is in the programfiles/denz/gbpvr directory and then use the guide on the wiki to add your card http://gbpvr.com/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Hardw...aptureCard

[Strygun]

I'm pretty good with computers, but this stuff is getting slightly above my head. I downloaded GraphEdit, followed the directions, clicked on the BDA Receiver Component, and there weren't any names of cards or anything. The same is true for the BDA Source Filter section.

Am I doing something wrong? Could anyone maybe google the HP ExpressCard Analog TV Tuner and see how this could work?

[bogyver]

this will probly be easier, run the filter check program that I have attached, and post the log it generates. attach it as txt file or post the results

The deivce you have is not a bda device, The directions on the wiki aren't very clear as far as analog devices are concerned.

But the basic idea is there, you might even be able to figure out how to make the entry one you have the info from the filtercheck, also analog devices go in the direct.ini file in the gbpvr directory.

[pcostanza]

Why dont you just try gppvr on your machine just make sure to disable the mce services when installing it to prevent any conflicts.

While I totally agree on disabling MCE services to test for problems I do have Vista MC working fine alongside GBPVR. However, running both at the same time is a no-no! Not sure about XP MCE. Having tested Vista and used it for over 18 months, I can only add my 2 cents that if what you have now works for you and you're happy with it, there may be no reason to jump to Vista. If they'll give it to you, just hold onto it until you're ready to get another system (who can survive with 1?) :p

[Strygun]

Bogyver: here's the log.

[bogyver]

Well this is interesting, According to what I see in the filter check log this device doesn't have a mpeg encoder, that is unless I am not understanding the file, but that doesn't make any sense, since it works with mce.
Can someone else look at this
Thanks

also sorry Strygun that I wasn't able to get this figured out for you, hopefully someone else can shine some light on this

[Strygun]

Bogyver: thanks for your help. Hopefully someone here can shed some light on the subject.

[herbs]

Worse case you could always dual boot mce and vista if you have the hard disc.