Two new updates for Media Center

[buccaneerbob]

Microsoft has put up two new updates for Media Center that address problems with the Xbox and provides support for newer set-top boxes.

The Xbox one looks particularly interesting because they have updated the support for 50hz HD modes.

Update for Windows Vista (KB950125)

Install this update to resolve issues with Xbox 360 Extenders used with Media Center for Windows Vista.

Issues that are resolved by this update
This update addresses the following issues. These issues occur when you use Media Center on an Xbox 360 console.
• This update addresses a picture quality issue that occurs when you use Media Center Extender on an Xbox 360 console that has a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connector to the TV for video and a Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format (S/PDIF) connection to the audio device for audio.
• This update addresses an issue in which the Media Center Extender stops responding (hangs) when you play a large non-WMV video over an HTTP session.
• This update provides support for 50Hz output together with better quality for HD models. This feature applies primarily to regions that use the PAL video standard.

Update for Windows Vista (KB950124)

This update provides an updated IR Set Top Box database for Media Center for Windows Vista.

The issue that this update addresses
This update provides broader Media Center support for newer TV set-top boxes.

[logifuse]

I wonder how a Windows update could fix the 50Hz issue? Anyway, time to get the X360 back out & do some trials.

Thanks,

Justin

[ExtremePC]

This is a BIG deal. Fianlly 50Hz PAL output from the 360!

[jsbbs]

Tops!

I've downloaded them and will try them out.

[slimf]

I cant see how an update to Vista could make the X360 output 50Hz.. Strange.. Would be interesting for someone who has this setup to test it out.

[jvesey]

Maybe they are resampling and outputing at 60Hz?

[NewMagic]

Hi,

Every time you launch the Media Centre interface on the Xbox 360, a portion of the code that executes on the Xbox to run the interface is downloaded from the host Vista machine (you can sometimes see this if you're quick happening on the display). Hence updates to the Vista machine can change the code running on the Xbox, including things like display modes etc

Regs

Mark

[logifuse]

Thinking about it, it is possible. They've already enabled the 50Hz HD function on the X360 - where you go through the process of testing 50Hz & then it just goes back to 60Hz - that makes DVDs play at 50Hz, so maybe it just does the same for MCX? i.e. the X360 runs at 60Hz & when you start MCX, it switches to 50Hz?

Justin

[Hellman109]

Hmm this may allow me to put my HTPC in a cupboard soon and use my 360 as my HTPC.

Pitty the 360 is louder though!

[odgregg]

If it updates the MCX code for the 360 then yes it's entirely possible.

The code for the MCE interface for the 360 is on your vista machine in this folder: (on my machine at least)

C:\Windows\ehome\MCX\X02

[Mysteron]

Has anyone using Vista tried the update? Does this work for component output or just HDMI? If it works with component then this may finally make me upgrade my MCE2005 rig to Vista.

[odgregg]

Okay, installed the updates on our production media PC.

I've not had any problems really with 60hz and picture quality on our Sharp LCD, but I can tell you that now that the update is installed (and the 360 does download the update the next time your fire it up) when entering the MCE interface our TV does appear to change modes which it didn't do before. Unfortunately our TV doesn't display the refresh rate so I can't tell you if it is actually 50hz, but I'd put my money on it :-)

So actually it's slightly annoying to us as the screen goes blank and flashes, then stays blank for a couple of seconds. Before the patch it was a smooth transition.

[odgregg]

Oh, and this is a launch 360 so it's connected via component running in 720p mode on our 1366x768 Sharp Aquos.