Windows Vista isn't even commercially available, yet and Microsoft has already announced that SP1 will be out in the second half of 2007.  They didn't say when............

 

 

Most users in the US should now see the Online Media section of Media Center in Windows Vista now contains more that just links to the built-in games.  Of course, its not much.  Just NPR, MSN TV and TV Tonic, at this time. Expect more content to show up as Vista nears its official launch.

Hauppuage has an updated web page which lists what tuners will be supported under Vista, and includes information on 32 and/or 64 bit support.  Links are also provided to the driver downloads, when available.

 

Ok, reports are circulating that a Windows Vista "Family Pack" will be available for households with multiple machines.  Mary Jo Foley reported that the price is $49.95 for each additional Home Premium license. 

 

How it works. 

 

1) You buy one retail copy of Windows Vista Ultimate.

2) You will then be able to go online (link not yet available) and enter the Product Key from your retail copy of Windows Vista.

3) You can then purchase up to two additional licenses for Windows Vista Home Premium at a reduced cost.

 

Amazon.com lists Windows Vista Ultimate (Full Version) for $379.99 and the Upgrade version at $249.99. Home Premium is listed at $229.99 and $154.99, for the Full and Upgrade versions.

 

 

This offer will not be made available to customers who purchase a PC with Vista pre-installed (OEM versions) according to the current reports.  However, according to Microsoft, you will still be able to utilize the Upgrade Anytime feature of Windows Vista, should you find you need more from Vista than your computer came with.  Pricing is listed at:

 

By now, most of us in the USA running Vista RTM have seen the new Sports ribbon on the main menu.  Here you can find scores, highlights and other information on all of the major sports categories.  The information is provided by Fox Sports, as far as I'm aware, although there may be other sources.  I have had some time to play with it, and its a pretty neat addition. I'm not sure it should have been a top level menu item, vs. Online Media, but...............

 

Ok, by now, you've probably read about the fact that Windows Vista will support CableCard in its implementation of Media Center.  Currently, as far as I know, only ATI is making OCUR (Open Cable Unidirectional Receiver) devices for this.  They're also known as Digital Cable Tuners (DCT).  With CableCard support you can now get your HDTV programming, including premium channels,  from your cable provider directly in Media Center.  Of course, you have to subcribe to the services in the first place to get them.

 

1) Great picture quality.

2) Access to HDTV content, including "premium" channels.

3) At least on Comcast, the CableCard is cheaper per month than the traditional set top box.

4) This is sort of a "pro", you don't need the typical set top box, but you'll likely wind up with an external tuner at this point.  They're not quite as unattractive as the usual STB, but.........

 

1) Unidirectional means that you will not have access to Pay-per-View and OnDemand type services. 

2) Initially, and for the foreseeable future, DCT's will only be available on pre-built machines from OEM's. These machines must be CableLabs certified, and the certification process isn't cheap. So don't expect to see these at your local Mom and Pop computer store.

3) DVI-DVI (and I assume HDMI) connections require a fully HDCP compliant and enabled video card.

4) All content recorded with the CableCard inserted is "Copy Protected", regardless of whether it was broadcast as protected.  This means you can't burn anything to DVD.

 

Overall, I was very happy with it, during the beta testing phases. Of course, as with any beta there were bugs to be worked out, but I'm glad to have been a part of the process.  And the final product is good, as well. 

 

While it isn't CableCard related, I would have loved to have seen more functionality added, with even more control over Media Center, in this release, but....... That's what Update Rollups are for, I guess. 

 

More information on CableCard support can be found at ATI's web site, and a blog post by Robert McLaws