Vista Media Center will not allow me to set up TV tuner

Thanks for the response, Jaime. I use the remote that came with the sat
receiver, so I don't need the IR Blaster. For unattended recording I merely
set my channel and use the composite input for recording. This is the way it
worked under Xp with ATI software. I simply don't need anymore hardware.
The card works fine as it--except for the fact Media Center will not allow me
to set up the card. It's just that ATI software isn't ready for Vista yet,
and I need to use Media Center.

I don't understand why Media Center is requiring hardware that isn't
required for the TV to work properly;.
 >> Stay informed about: Vista Media Center will not allow me to set up TV tuner 

Unfortunately, that's not how it works in Media Center.

Media Center needs to be able to control the set top box. The whole premise
behind it is that it will do all the channel changing for you (i.e.
unattended).


--
Jason Tsang - Microsoft MVP

Read my blog for the latest in Media Center topics
(and other topics that interest me)
http://jtsang.blogspot.com

More information by me
http://jtsang.mvps.org
http://www.classicsunveiled.com

Find out about the MS MVP Program -
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/default.aspx



"dpic" <dpic.RemoveThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:174935A0-3873-44C1-BBC0-A600E85BA220@microsoft.com...
>
> Thanks for the response, Jaime. I use the remote that came with the sat
> receiver, so I don't need the IR Blaster. For unattended recording I
> merely
> set my channel and use the composite input for recording. This is the way
> it
> worked under Xp with ATI software. I simply don't need anymore hardware.
> The card works fine as it--except for the fact Media Center will not allow
> me
> to set up the card. It's just that ATI software isn't ready for Vista
> yet,
> and I need to use Media Center.
>
> I don't understand why Media Center is requiring hardware that isn't
> required for the TV to work properly;.
 >> Stay informed about: Vista Media Center will not allow me to set up TV tuner 

How does that work if you want to record things on different channels while
you're away?

You might be able to borrow a receiver from someone (with Media Center), do
the setup, then unplug it. Not sure if it would squawk the first time you
start it without the receiver plugged in.
--
James
Orlando (Goofy says "Hey!"), Florida

"dpic" <dpic.DeleteThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:174935A0-3873-44C1-BBC0-A600E85BA220@microsoft.com...
>
> Thanks for the response, Jaime. I use the remote that came with the sat
> receiver, so I don't need the IR Blaster. For unattended recording I
> merely
> set my channel and use the composite input for recording. This is the way
> it
> worked under Xp with ATI software. I simply don't need anymore hardware.
> The card works fine as it--except for the fact Media Center will not allow
> me
> to set up the card. It's just that ATI software isn't ready for Vista
> yet,
> and I need to use Media Center.
>
> I don't understand why Media Center is requiring hardware that isn't
> required for the TV to work properly;.
 >> Stay informed about: Vista Media Center will not allow me to set up TV tuner 

$50 is NOT a low cost item.

"Jason Tsang" <jason-onlineDEL.TakeThisOut@ETEmvps.org> wrote in message
news:ushxdJCYHHA.4612@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> That's sorta a half-baked solution though. Given the relative low cost of
> the remote/receiver/ir blasters, why not just do it right in the first
> place.

Why doesn't MCE support VIDEO IN like 99% of the consumer devices out there?
Or how about VIDEO PASSTHROUGH so we can use our game consoles, etc. without
lag.
 >> Stay informed about: Vista Media Center will not allow me to set up TV tuner 

Again, Jason, I purchased Vista Home Premium with the idea that I only
needed a TV tuner card--not other hardware. I have met the MCE requirements
stated by Microsoft to run Media Center. Even the Vista hardware
compatibility adviser said nothing about needing IR Blasters. Now, I'm told
I can't run the app without more hardware.

This is very frustrating. The first time I knew I had an issue was when I
tried to set-up MCE for the first time and got the "IR hardware not
detected." There was no other information to guide me to what I needed to
do. Since I met all the stated requirements to run Vista I had no idea what
the problem was. I've been searching the internet for a couple of days now
and this is the first place I've found with any answers. Even Knowledge Base
was useless about "IR hardware not detected."

I simply don't understand why I can't run Media Center without IR hardware.
Your position seems to be because I won't have all the cool benefits. Alas,
I don't have any of the benefits, now.
 >> Stay informed about: Vista Media Center will not allow me to set up TV tuner 

That's sorta a half-baked solution though. Given the relative low cost of
the remote/receiver/ir blasters, why not just do it right in the first
place.

This way, the computer does it all, and you're not a slave to sitting in
front of the tv all day setting up recordings to record.

--
Jason Tsang - Microsoft MVP

Read my blog for the latest in Media Center topics
(and other topics that interest me)
http://jtsang.blogspot.com

More information by me
http://jtsang.mvps.org
http://www.classicsunveiled.com

Find out about the MS MVP Program -
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/default.aspx



"Jaime" <jaimelobo DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:OiWdlECYHHA.2448@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> How does that work if you want to record things on different channels
> while you're away?
>
> You might be able to borrow a receiver from someone (with Media Center),
> do the setup, then unplug it. Not sure if it would squawk the first time
> you start it without the receiver plugged in.
> --
> James
> Orlando (Goofy says "Hey!"), Florida
>
> "dpic" <dpic DeleteThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:174935A0-3873-44C1-BBC0-A600E85BA220@microsoft.com...
>>
>> Thanks for the response, Jaime. I use the remote that came with the sat
>> receiver, so I don't need the IR Blaster. For unattended recording I
>> merely
>> set my channel and use the composite input for recording. This is the
>> way it
>> worked under Xp with ATI software. I simply don't need anymore hardware.
>> The card works fine as it--except for the fact Media Center will not
>> allow me
>> to set up the card. It's just that ATI software isn't ready for Vista
>> yet,
>> and I need to use Media Center.
>>
>> I don't understand why Media Center is requiring hardware that isn't
>> required for the TV to work properly;.
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Vista Media Center will not allow me to set up TV tuner 

$20 is. I bought a few off ebay (the dell versions) for $20 shipped.

Why pay $500 for a computer and be forced to manually change the channel?
Doesn't make sense to me.


"Noozer" <dont.spam.RemoveThis@me.here> wrote in message
news:u1PVq6CYHHA.3772@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> $50 is NOT a low cost item.
>
> "Jason Tsang" <jason-onlineDEL.RemoveThis@ETEmvps.org> wrote in message
> news:ushxdJCYHHA.4612@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> That's sorta a half-baked solution though. Given the relative low cost
>> of the remote/receiver/ir blasters, why not just do it right in the first
>> place.
>
> Why doesn't MCE support VIDEO IN like 99% of the consumer devices out
> there? Or how about VIDEO PASSTHROUGH so we can use our game consoles,
> etc. without lag.
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Vista Media Center will not allow me to set up TV tuner 

Because, if you're connecting via a set top box, you must have some way to
control it. The IR receiver/blaster is how this is done. Otherwise, you
will have no way to tell the set top box to change channels for scheduled
recordings. Now, if you want to make sure you get up at 3:28 AM to go
downstairs and change the channel, that's up to you.

--
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart
Display\Security
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.

"dpic" <dpic.TakeThisOut@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:3DBC9841-8048-4035-841B-BFC6499E88F0@microsoft.com...
> Again, Jason, I purchased Vista Home Premium with the idea that I only
> needed a TV tuner card--not other hardware. I have met the MCE
> requirements
> stated by Microsoft to run Media Center. Even the Vista hardware
> compatibility adviser said nothing about needing IR Blasters. Now, I'm
> told
> I can't run the app without more hardware.
>
> This is very frustrating. The first time I knew I had an issue was when I
> tried to set-up MCE for the first time and got the "IR hardware not
> detected." There was no other information to guide me to what I needed to
> do. Since I met all the stated requirements to run Vista I had no idea
> what
> the problem was. I've been searching the internet for a couple of days
> now
> and this is the first place I've found with any answers. Even Knowledge
> Base
> was useless about "IR hardware not detected."
>
> I simply don't understand why I can't run Media Center without IR
> hardware.
> Your position seems to be because I won't have all the cool benefits.
> Alas,
> I don't have any of the benefits, now.
 >> Stay informed about: Vista Media Center will not allow me to set up TV tuner 

I agree completely Jason, but OP seemed to think that spending even $25 on
$$$ Vista Media Center was too much, so I offered it )
--
James
Orlando (Goofy says "Hey!"), Florida

"Jason Tsang" <jason-onlineDEL.TakeThisOut@ETEmvps.org> wrote in message
news:ushxdJCYHHA.4612@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> That's sorta a half-baked solution though. Given the relative low cost of
> the remote/receiver/ir blasters, why not just do it right in the first
> place.
>
> This way, the computer does it all, and you're not a slave to sitting in
> front of the tv all day setting up recordings to record.
>
> --
> Jason Tsang - Microsoft MVP
>
> Read my blog for the latest in Media Center topics
> (and other topics that interest me)
> http://jtsang.blogspot.com
>
> More information by me
> http://jtsang.mvps.org
> http://www.classicsunveiled.com
>
> Find out about the MS MVP Program -
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/default.aspx
>
>
>
> "Jaime" <jaimelobo.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:OiWdlECYHHA.2448@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>> How does that work if you want to record things on different channels
>> while you're away?
>>
>> You might be able to borrow a receiver from someone (with Media Center),
>> do the setup, then unplug it. Not sure if it would squawk the first time
>> you start it without the receiver plugged in.
>> --
>> James
>> Orlando (Goofy says "Hey!"), Florida
>>
>> "dpic" <dpic.TakeThisOut@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:174935A0-3873-44C1-BBC0-A600E85BA220@microsoft.com...
>>>
>>> Thanks for the response, Jaime. I use the remote that came with the
>>> sat
>>> receiver, so I don't need the IR Blaster. For unattended recording I
>>> merely
>>> set my channel and use the composite input for recording. This is the
>>> way it
>>> worked under Xp with ATI software. I simply don't need anymore
>>> hardware.
>>> The card works fine as it--except for the fact Media Center will not
>>> allow me
>>> to set up the card. It's just that ATI software isn't ready for Vista
>>> yet,
>>> and I need to use Media Center.
>>>
>>> I don't understand why Media Center is requiring hardware that isn't
>>> required for the TV to work properly;.
>>
>>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Vista Media Center will not allow me to set up TV tuner 

On this page
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/mediacenter/tvandmovies.mspx

I does state: " ...If you have a set-top box, Windows Media Center walks you
through the steps to set it up, including tweaking the infrared (IR) blaster
that controls your set-top box."

But you are right, it is vague, probably because Media Center used to only
come as a pre-install (and MS assumed the PC maker would include the remote)
or as an OEM version (again, it was assume the builder knew what was
needed). Now that the MC features are in a retail version, a MCE Remote Kit
probably should be listed as a requirement if using a Set Top Box and not a
direct analog connection.
--
James
Orlando (Goofy says "Hey!"), Florida


"dpic" <dpic DeleteThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:846B9F9F-6082-4D39-B38E-155823DCA33E@microsoft.com...
>
>
> "Jason Tsang" wrote:
>
>> Unfortunately, that's not how it works in Media Center.
>>
>> Media Center needs to be able to control the set top box. The whole
>> premise
>> behind it is that it will do all the channel changing for you (i.e.
>> unattended).
>>
>>
>> --
>> Jason Tsang - Microsoft MVP
>>
> Thanks for the response, Jason. The problem I have is the hardware
> requirements from Microsoft to run Vista Home Premium:
>
> "Home Premium / Ultimate
>
> TV tuner card required for TV functionality (compatible remote control
> optional)."
> http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/system...uiremen
>
> No where does it state I need IR hardware. This is very disappointing. I
> feel mislead. I bought a new tuner card for Vista, yet it does not work
> even
> though I have all the required components listed by Microsoft. I have the
> TV
> Tuner card, but the app will not work
 >> Stay informed about: Vista Media Center will not allow me to set up TV tuner 

Yes, the true hardware requirements should have been listed. To be
accurate, Microsoft should also state that only their particular "IR
Hardware" is going to work with Vista Ultimate. Perhaps something else
will work but I know that my otherwise very capable USB_UIRT is
useless for WMC.

On Tue, 6 Mar 2007 16:55:04 -0500, "Jaime" <jaimelobo.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com>
wrote:

>On this page
>http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/mediacenter/tvandmovies.mspx
>
>I does state: " ...If you have a set-top box, Windows Media Center walks you
>through the steps to set it up, including tweaking the infrared (IR) blaster
>that controls your set-top box."
>
>But you are right, it is vague, probably because Media Center used to only
>come as a pre-install (and MS assumed the PC maker would include the remote)
>or as an OEM version (again, it was assume the builder knew what was
>needed). Now that the MC features are in a retail version, a MCE Remote Kit
>probably should be listed as a requirement if using a Set Top Box and not a
>direct analog connection.
 >> Stay informed about: Vista Media Center will not allow me to set up TV tuner 

I think many of you missed the point. I merely want to watch TV while I work
at the computer. I have an IR remote for my Sat. receiver that I can change
channels with, so I don't have to go to another room to change channels. So,
Doug--thanks for responding, but I have a way on controlling a set-top box.
Also, I seldom record. When I do, I set the channel and leave the computer.
It does its thing. I'm happy.

Next, I have no idea of exactly what "IR hardware" I need. It is not listed
when Vista refuses to setup my TV card. Do I need a remote with an IR
receiver? I've read about blasters--do I need Microsoft blasters? Where is
it listed exactly what type of hardware I really need to run Media Center?

Lastly, the TV card works fine. I can see it in the preview window when
setting it with Media Center--until Media Center refuses to continue. I
have all the hardware "I" need. I have all the hardware "the computer"
needs. I don't have the hardware Media Center thinks I need.
 >> Stay informed about: Vista Media Center will not allow me to set up TV tuner 

On Wed, 7 Mar 2007 06:39:00 -0800, dpic <dpic RemoveThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>I think many of you missed the point. I merely want to watch TV while I work
>at the computer. I have an IR remote for my Sat. receiver that I can change
>channels with, so I don't have to go to another room to change channels. So,
>Doug--thanks for responding, but I have a way on controlling a set-top box.
>Also, I seldom record. When I do, I set the channel and leave the computer.
>It does its thing. I'm happy.
>
>Next, I have no idea of exactly what "IR hardware" I need. It is not listed
>when Vista refuses to setup my TV card. Do I need a remote with an IR
>receiver? I've read about blasters--do I need Microsoft blasters? Where is
>it listed exactly what type of hardware I really need to run Media Center?
>
>Lastly, the TV card works fine. I can see it in the preview window when
>setting it with Media Center--until Media Center refuses to continue. I
>have all the hardware "I" need. I have all the hardware "the computer"
>needs. I don't have the hardware Media Center thinks I need.

Your TV card will work perfectly well via RF without the need for a IR receiver
& remote. Assuming that your satellite STB has an RF out (mine does). In setup
just tell MCE that you are using Antenna & let it find the one channel that the
STB is outputting on

To be honest though I agree with all the others who are telling you to buy the
Microsoft MCE remote control, IR receiver & IR bugs. It comes as a complete kit
& is all you need. It is also cheap.

Actually if all you want is to watch TV on your computer why do you even bother
with MCE. One of the simple TV programs that comes with the TV card (Hauppauge,
ATI or whatever) will do the job for you.

--
Nigel Barker
Live from the sunny Cote d'Azur
MCE MVP
 >> Stay informed about: Vista Media Center will not allow me to set up TV tuner