Win8

[sub]

I see Microsoft has now announced the versions of Win8. See http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/blo...tions.aspx

Basically three versions:
- Windows 8 RT (for ARM tablets etc)
- Windows 8 (for mainstream x86/x64 users)
- Windows 8 Pro (for business or enthusiasts, adding encryption/virtualization/domain-support etc)

Windows Media Center will not be included in any of those by default, but "will be available as an economical 'media pack' add-on to Windows 8 Pro". It sounds like it will not be available for 'Windows 8 RT' or regular 'Windows 8'.

[pcostanza]

I can't see where Media Center will be any different than it is now. So they'll make you pay for it and it's the 'old version'? Typical Microsoft.
Of course, until it's out for sale, we'll never know for sure. I've seen nothing in 8 that I like though I'm sure I'll have it running somewhere sooner or later.

[sub]

I think they're removing it is because they want to avoid paying the MPEG/Dolby/H.264 licensing costs for every Windows machine, when only a small percentage of users want this type of functionality. Making it an optional extra means the user pays their own licensing costs if they want the functionality.

I'm surprised they didnt make it available to the regular Win8 as well though (vs "pro" only).

[johnsonx42]

yes, it does seem odd that you have to have Pro to get Media Center. Home users are the most likely to want Media Center, and the least likely to have Pro. What sense does this make? It sounds like for a user that goes out and buys a PC with Windows 8 on it and then wants Media Center, they'll first have to pay for an AnyTime Upgrade to Pro, then pay for the Media Add-on. That sounds like about $100 to get what was free with Windows 7.

I guess it makes more sense than Vista Home vs. Business did where if you paid EXTRA for Business, you got no Media Center or MPEG decoder.

I assume this also means then that the Microsoft DTV-DVD Decoder will only be available to Pro users with the Media Center add-on. Too bad, it's really nice having a good video decoder included with Windows 7 that Just Works.

[imilne]

I still think they're trying to push people over to the xbox where they're doing a big media push. Games are pretty much secondary now (if you believe the claptrap coming out of Microsoft PR). Why have a device with dedicated tuners when you can live stream your TV over the internet from an expensive provider (eg Sky) at pish-poor bit rates.

I guess there'll be no rush to develop NPVR Metro Edition then, complete with a MASSIVE font for every title so that nothing fits on screen, even when there's more than enough space...

Iain

[sub]

I think they've gone off the the idea of tv tuners. There is no money in it for them. They'd perfer to have over-the-internet streaming services, ideally using partnerships with premium charged content where they get a slice of the profit from the content providers.

[imilne]

More details on Media Center are out now: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/...ows-8.aspx

Pretty much confirms what you thought sub, and most shocking of all it won't support any form of DVD playback (in Windows Media Player) out of the box.

Iain

[johnsonx42]

well at least they give Win 8 users a single step upgrade to get everything (the Pro Pack), rather than requiring them to upgrade to Pro and then add the Media Center pack on top of that. what remains to be seen is the pricing...

[sub]

Hopefully their decision will send a few users our way.

[imilne]

I wonder what it means longer term for the availability of TV tuner hardware and BDA drivers...

Iain