Re: Windows Media Centre useless without remote?
- From: "Jaime" <nospamfor-jaimelobo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 8 Mar 2008 11:38:48 -0500
I am not an MS MVP or MS employee, just a user like you, but I still don't understand your position.
Your PC game analogy is a spurious one, in most cases, you would probably be able to use the game fully without a joystick (albeit with some difficulty). However in the case of Media Center, one of the key features *is* the PVR capabilities -- allowing you to surf/pause/rewind/ etc. from the sofa. Being able to do unattended recording on multiple stations is also what a PVR is "supposed" to do, just like a VCR. You can only do these features with the IR receiver/emitter attached to control the set top box.
It would be like being able to play the game at demo mode only, but never advance. Over the years I have seen various programs that wouldn't run (or even set up) without auxiliary hardware being present (a graphic tablet or specialized input device).
It's funny how when Apple creates these very closed system that have very specific requirement and equipment, they are praised for wanted to ensure a positive and consistent experience for the user. Yet when MS does that very same thing (requiring certain equipment to ensure the system works as advertised), people condemn that decision. I can guarantee that if you could set up the system without the IR equipment and people bought a system and hooked it up, then found out they couldn't change channels from the Media Center interface; there would be more people screaming about how stupid MS is for designing a PVR system that didn't work as a PVR
I also agree that you are being silly in not wanting to spend another $25 to make your Media Center PC work correctly. If want to be mad at anyone it is the vendor who sold you an incomplete system. If you built the system yourself, then you didn't research the product before building it. The MS site clearly show the use of the IR equipment under "Using Media Center with a cable or satellite box". Initially MS didn't even allow the OS to be sold and installed by users, only by PC builder who were supposed to ensure all necessary hardware was included with the system.
If it that big of a deal, why not just use the TV software that came with your tuner card instead of the Media Center interface?
--
James
Orlando (Goofy says "Hey!"), FL
"lorax1284" <lorax1284@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1AD16342-2310-4CD8-8962-BB5003F99B41@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"bartman" wrote:I have to attach a piece of hardware that is useless to me just so I can
watch straight TV. That is the crazy part for me. This program could
function just as well with the keyboard and mouse to do live TV, pause
and
rewind and even PVR of the current program. The IRB could just as easily
be
an added feature if you want or need it. The program shouldn't have to
be
crippled without it. It is no different than the game and joystick
comparison. We use keyboards and mice as the primary input on a computer
not
remote controls so why make an IRB manditory?
If it makes you feel any better, I am exactly in your position: but worse,
because I already HAVE a remote with IR that came with my ATI 650 card...
but
now, I have to buy ANOTHER one so I can set up composite input?
What kills me is all the MS-MVPs etc. 'blaming the victim'. "You don't
have
$38 to buy a new remote?" The best way to describe what I feel when I read
those posts is "rage".
I hear the next version of MCE will require you have a USB cappuccino
machine attached to listen to music.
Let me explain it nice and clearly, just in case Bart's explanation isn't
clear:
I have a STB that puts out terrible "Cable TV' that whines and squeeks
when
very bright images appear. It ALSO puts out composite just fine.
I WANT to use the same remote I use when just watching TV. I WANT to open
Vista Media Center, tune to "Composite" input, set the channel on my STB
with
my everyday remote, and start MCE recording the composite input for a
specified period of time, then walk away from the TV. The computer is on,
recording composite video.
At no time did my fingers ever need to touch a Microsoft-brand MCE remote.
I
do not need to have a IRBlaster plugged into my tv.
I just really irritates me being told to want something I don't want. I'm
calling this a design flaw in MC for Vista. Defend it any way you want,
but a
patch to eliminate the IR blaster 'requirement' would be welcome. Very
welcome.
.
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