Just so everyone has it, here is the install instructions for the Fiji/TV Pack.
Prepare a machine with clean install of Windows Vista Service Pack 1, Please take note of this, the best way is to use a slipstreamed SP1 Vista disk, but you CAN install RTM and then install SP1, but DON'T do a Windows Update, Just SP1! other updates can cause issues.
The machine will need to meet or exceed the minimum hardware requirements for Windows Vista -http://support.microsoft.com/kb/919183
The Windows Vista Service Pack 1 operating system must be Windows Vista Home Premium or Ultimate (x86 or x64)
Following operating system install, do not launch Windows Media Center or go through Windows Media Center Setup, THIS IS IMPORTANT!
Make sure that if you use nVidia graphics to install the Drivers 7.15.11.7309 posted here, ATI cards 'should' work with the latest Catalyst drivers (except in x64)
Install Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008
Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008 (x86) - MediaCenterTVPack_x86.exe
Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008 (x64) - MediaCenterTVPack_x64.exe
Install the PlayReady PC Runtime (YES even if you don't think you will be using it!)
PlayReady PC Runtime (x86) - www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=dadc6bf4-a615-4f23-a7cc-b7569c05d305&DisplayLang=en
PlayReady PC Runtime (x64) -www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ec9ac8f4-6209-4aea-a302-d9f33a7d4f64&DisplayLang=en
Install the following patches from the Download Center
KB951685 (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/951685) - The video playback application stops responding when you watch video or Live TV on a Windows Vista-based computer
KB950754 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950754) - Noticeable problems occur in the video when you use the DirectSound renderer on Windows Vista
Install any required or recommended Windows Updates, I highly recommend installing windows search 4 at the very least.
Make sure you have installed the physical hardware and drivers for your DVB-x cards, Ultimate can have up to 4 of EACH type of tuner (i.e. 4xDVB-S and 4xDVB-T), I use 2xPinnacle 7010ix cards. Make sure the drivers are the Fiji ones (most major cards have at least beta drivers for Fiji). The biggest issue is with DVB-S drivers as they require a new feature incorporated to work correctly, most DVB-T (and DVB-T emulated) cards work ok with RTM/SP1 drivers.
Launch Windows Media Center and go through Windows Media Center Setup, DON'T use the 'quick setup' options, take the time and do it properly.
When and only When everything seems to be working without any hacks then install the patched DLL (download it from here). To do this run takeown /F c:\windows\system32\msdtvvdec.dll /r /d y then icacls c:\windows\system32\msdtvvdec.dll /grant yourusername:F /t (replace yourusername with yours)to take ownership of the file, then regsvr32 /u c:\windows\system32\msdtvvdec.dll then ren c:\windows\system32\msdtvvdec.dll c:\windows\system32\msdtvvdec.original, now copy the patched dll into the c:\windows\system32 then run regsvr32 c:\windows\system32\msdtvvdec.dll
Righty oh, you now have the h.264 codec installed. If you live in a territory that uses broadcast information that defines the channel as hi-def then you need to install the work around to re-define the channels as generic tv services. See this post for the information on that.
I hope that helps out some people. As a side note if this is a Media Center only machine I would not install any AV (just make sure you scan everything that you copy to it) and I would disable the Auto Updates, just for now at least until we know that MS are not going to break anything with updates that will come out for media center. After all they could stop this patch working, and the other 'real' world issue that there are now 2 flavors of VMC in production, and it's not likely, but far from impossible that an update for the SP1/RTM version of VMC could install by accident on the Fiji box and cause issues.
HTPC: Silverstone Crown CW02 case | Asus P5Q-L main board | Intel Dual core E8400 3.0GHz CPU | Thermalright Ultra120-Extreme Passive CPU Cooler | Blackgold BTG3540 TV Tuner & Hauppauge PVR-150 MCE Edition | Asus EN9600GT-Silent Passive GPU | 4GB Supertalent DDR2 800 RAM | 5+TB HDD space | LiteOn DH-401S BD/DVD/CD reader | Corsair HX-520w PSU | 1 single Noctua Silent Case fan | Logitech diNovo Bluetooth Media Desktop | Logitech Harmony 785 Universal Remote | Logitech Wireless Rumblepad 2 | Windows 7 Media Center, MediaBrowser & Arcsoft Total Media Theatre
Sorry - what - I haven't been keeping up to date with HTPC vista developements, am I correct in understanding we can have freeview HD and SKY on VMC using this approach? wooooo!
Well I have tried this and so far got it partially working. I didn't start with a clean install of Vista, and doing so may fix the issue I have. I installed PowerDVD 7 Ultra (licensed), DVB Viewer (trial) and DVBSBridge (trial). I am unable to view channels in DVB Viewer as I get an error telling me a filter is not configured correctly (even after I have set it to use the PowerDVD codec for H.264 content). Channels work fine in MediaPortal so I know the aerial is fine. When I do a scan in VMC I often pick up TV3 and sometimes Maori TV, TV6 and TV7, unable to pick up TV1, TV2, C4 or Sport Extra so far. Channels that I do pick up have no sound (which I am looking for a fix for). Having said that, usually the channel scan will find nothing (I've run through the setup a few times). I want to try it on a fresh install to see if that makes any difference. I am not sure if it's worth the effort though given that VMC has no working EPG so MediaPortal is still the more atractive option to me (which is saying something because coming from Australia where I had working TV with VMC makes it irritating to have to use something else).
Kleb: ...I am unable to view channels in DVB Viewer as I get an error telling me a filter is not configured correctly (even after I have set it to use the PowerDVD codec for H.264 content).
I got this error too. Run the exe file in the DVBViewer directory called something like Regfilter.exe. I think that will fix your issue.
Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly
to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.
Trusted
