Vista Media Center users got a rude awakening a few weeks ago when they were
unable to record some of the favorite programs on NBC. What really got us scratching our head, is that unlike the normal improperly flagged content cable customers have grown all to accustomed to, this one affected over-the-air (
OTA) users as well. We thought this was odd because the
broadcast flag was
struck down, and we'd thought we'd heard the end of it. The problem was actually a cable content protection scheme called CGMS-A, and when
NBC inadvertently flagged some OTA content copy-never with it, users were left in the dark. While there's no way to tell if NBC learned its lesson the good news is that Microsoft has, and the Windows update KB950126 will change the behavior. Now content inadvertently flagged content coming into VMC via OTA or analog cable will be recorded regardless of how it is flagged. Unfortunately the same can't be said for those with CableCARD tuners or connected to a STB via S-Video, you're still out of luck, sorry.
posted Jun 10th 2008 6:42PM
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But there is more mischief on the way:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-08-1081A1.txt
Basically, the MPAA has petitioned the FCC for the ability to block DVR recording of content, starting with very recent releases (and heading down the slippery slope).
Bastiges! I hate all those *AA organizations, except the AAA.
dont forget just plain old AA!
Issues that are resolved by this update
In addition to the fixes that are contained in the updates that are listed in the "Hotfix replacement information" section, the June 2008 Cumulative Update for Windows Media Center for Windows Vista resolves the following issues:
• For Windows Media Center configurations that use an analog TV broadcast without a set-top box, this update improves the experience of recording television shows. Previously, shows were blocked with "protected content" messages.
Note This issue does not apply to configurations with set top boxes or configurations that use analog TV together with digital cable tuners.
• This update addresses a blank screen issue that occurs when you switch between full-screen mode and windowed mode while you play videos.
• On extender sessions that use Internet TV or Online Spotlight, this update increases a maximum path limit from 260 characters to 2048 characters.
• This update resolves an issue that was introduced in Vista Service Pack 1 in which empty removable media devices were displayed in galleries.
• This update addresses an issue in which channel names in Simplified Chinese were shown as unrecognizable characters.
• This update provides an updated frequency table for China.
• This update addresses an issue in which a Client ID was not set correctly if you use the Express setup option.
• This update fixes a memory leak issue in extender sessions.
I will be so happy when I am not stuck with the DVR box Comcast wants to supply me and instead get to choose my own. Currently I can move recorded/live content (does work with onDemand programming though) from my Motorola box to my PC over a firewire cable and drivers to trick the DVR box into thinking it's plugged into a D-VHS recorder.
*doesn't work with onDemand