Microsoft has Requested me to remove the download of Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008 (kb953272), so rather than face any repercussions, i thought its best if i remove the link entirely. So sorry to anyone who is looking to download it.Other sites such as the green button community may still have it. I suppose the only way to get it now is if you purchase a copy of Windows Vista and hopefully that has it on there. Ive no idea why they are not offering this brilliant update to everyone via windows update – it makes no sense. Ive been using it for a few months now and I’m really impressed with the improvements. On the bright side i suppose my bandwidth usage wont be as high!
Bring on Windows 7 – from what I’ve read so far it looks and performs great – what vista *should * of been! but no doubt lots of anti-Microsoft people will be writing negative reviews without even using the OS soon! the joys! By the way, IE 8 Beta 2 is running quite well, and for once it renders most sites correctly!
A while ago, Microsoft released to manufacture (RTM) the new update to Windows Media Center; Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008.
Microsoft stated that it’s only going to be available to OEM users (god know’s why!) but i’ve managed to download a copy of it, and have uploaded it to this webserver, both the 32bit version and the 64bit version.
Some features of TV Pack 2008 Include:
- Improved TV Tuner Support
- Enhanced Guide and User Interface
- new file format for recorded tv – .WTV
Some Known issues (taken from pcmag’s article)
TV Pack alters the file format of shows recorded by Media Center from DVR-MS (Microsoft Digital Video Recording) to WTV (Windows TV), a switch many are complaining about. A bunch of third-party applications for post-processing recorded television shows—mainly to remove or otherwise mark advertisements—haven’t been updated yet to work with the new format
But what does the new format add? Video in the new WTV format is encoded using the MPEG-2 standard and audio using MPEG-1 Layer II or Dolby Digital AC-3 (ATSC A/52)—specs that are similar to those in the earlier DVR-MS format. WTV extends these standards by including metadata about the content and digital rights management, through Microsoft’s new PlayReady DRM scheme. Since PlayReady was initially designed for mobile devices, it’s possible that Microsoft plans deeper integration between Windows Mobile 7 devices and content recorded (and maybe even distributed) across the Media Center platform. Only time will tell.
Ignoring the obvious format-related incompatibilities, the other problems seem to relate to rights management. Users with CableCARDs are reporting trouble tuning in certain channels they ought to receive, though it’s unclear whether this is an issue with TV Pack or with the OCUR tuners themselves—which are notoriously troublesome. Other users report “restricted content” errors when attempting to watch live shows that shouldn’t be restricted—though many say they can record these shows successfully. Clearly, there are some DRM issues that need to be resolved.
Beyond that, there are surprisingly few known bugs, a refreshing change from other Microsoft software launches
Download Links
At the request of Microsoft the Links have been removed
Windows Vista Media Center TV Pack 2008 (Fiji) – no BBC/ITV HD yet…
Last Month According to, arstechnica.com the much rumored Fiji update has been named Windows Vista Media Center TV Pack 2008 and has gone RTM (Release To Manufacture).
VMC TV Pack 2008 (Fiji) is an update to the current Media Center on Vista aka “Media Center Edition +1″. However from reports on The Green Button Community, it appears that this update is only available via OEMs and it requires a re-install of the OS before you can install it! There was speculation that this may be offered as one of the Windows Vista Ultimate Extras, but this still remains unconfirmed.
According to arstechnia.com some possible features of the TV pack include:
Microsoft has been very quiet about Fiji, which is expected to be available for editions of Vista that include Windows Media Center. According to leaked screenshots, the software giant has included a built-in updating engine dubbed “Windows Media Center Update.” The final version is also supposed to include new HD recording preferences, better ability to control the tuners, and the replacement of DVR-MS with WTV.
Microsoft disappointed Fiji testers when it revealed that planned DirecTV support would not be in the product. It is unclear if support for DirecTV will come in Vista SP2 (unlikely) or in Windows 7. While Fiji has RTM and will arrive on new OEM machines, it is also not clear when the new build will be released publicly.
In addition to this it has been said (but not confirmed ) that BBC and ITV HD are NOT supported (no HD for UK free-sat) which is a big blow to me and all the other UK users!!! Freesat HD in Vista *SHOULD* be supported by now…
Similarly the inclusion of Messenger (like there was on Windows Media Center 2005) is not confirmed, but i hope that it is included…messenger in media center was a handy feature, however i believe there already is a messenger plug in for Windows Vista Media Center.
Until the Windows Vista Media Center TV Pack 2008 is officially released, there is only speculation to what is actually included in the new version of media center…as is the cost Microsoft are charging us for this privileged…i wunder how the Open Source offerings compare now…its just the lack of support for BBC ITV HD Freesat is a major bummer!
