Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008 Download and Installation Guide

I had a problem with the KB950754 file. I downloaded it from this site and extracted it. The extracted file did not match but I was easily able to get it off of Microsoft's website. After that the install worked flawlessly!

 

KB951685 link in 1st post!

In #4 of the first post the Patch KB951685 actually seems to be KB950754 after it is extracted. I installed the KB950754 first and then the KB951685 from the link and paid "no attention" to the description after extracted and I got a "Does not apply"! I poked around and downloaded the same file again and I see after extraction the error it seems. I went to MS updates and got the actual file and moved on. I've seen others post similar errors in other forums.

I see also in the attached files at the end of the post both file sizes are noted as being 1.98MB (exactly the same size)!

 

The last step is very important. I was able to install TV Pack over an existing install with no problems....UNTIL I tried to use WMC with XBOX 360 - it wouldn't work at all. You MUST install "Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008 Cumulative Update Feb 09" from Microsoft, as well as any other recommended updates that apply to your particular hardware/software. But have TV Pack 2008 installed first or Windows Update will not recognize. Now everything works perfectly with Windows Vista 64bit.

 

Thank you. No expert me and recklessly installed TV Pack 2008 over Vista SP1 install and brilliant, it worked! Little bit of a mix up with the download KB's but easily sorted. I wonder how many people are aware you can do this, I stumbled upon you by accident.

 

I am still getting "This computer is not digital cable ready. You will not be able to set it up for use with a CableCard".

I have followed the instructions to a "T". I have not skipped anything. I had my neighbor over here, who is a Comcast tech, and he can't seem to figure it out either.

I have performed all Vista Updates that are available.

Specs:

Vista Home Premium 64-bit
8gb PC6400 DDR2
Phenom II x4 940 Black Edition
EVGA GTX 295
24" Samsung 245BW Monitor
ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner w/CableCard installed and activated

How the heck do I enable Digital Cable on my computer ?

Any help is appreciated.

tanker

 

Video error after TV pack upgrade

I had Vista Ultimate and went through the above steps and now MCE complains with video error for livetv or recordedtv. I ca't do anything with MCE now.

Any help would be appreciated.

Fixed the problem. On my Intel on board G33 graphics controller changed the BIOS setting to 256MB & fixed (instead of DVMT).

 

I have a Hauppauge 1600 card. I followed the instructions, but when I setup the tv signal WMC says I have a set top box connected, which I do not. My tuner is listed as detected but not configured. I manually try to configure, but it only list analog options for setting up cable service.

 

Still having issues receiving Clear QAM channels

I tried all the steps in this post. I already have the Media Center TV Pack that came with my PC. I am running Vista 64, I have a AverMedia a323 dual tuner card or Hybrid as they call it. The thing is I have done all the updates and still unable to get the channels. Media Center doesn't even find the tuner for Clear QAM signals. All I get is the anolog tuner. I know for a fact that I can receive the channels because I do on my digital TV's and I get them through Beyond TV on the same PC. I would use Beyond TV but it is just a trial and I really don't like it as much as MC. I have found very little help from HP or Microsoft on this matter and AverMedia seems to be hiding or something.. Just Kidding, they are no help though.

Any help would be great! This is an HP TouchSmart PC and I love it and the 22" screen, but I really want it to do what it was supposed to do.

Thanks

 

I have a Hauppauge 2250 that is supposed to e able to handle clear QAM from cable. Now that my cable provider has gone digital, there are a number of clear QAM channels. I can get them on my digital ready TV but not through Vista MCE. I get the same thing everyone else here has reported. MCE will only recognize an analog tuner. If I select ASTC/QAM, then it looks only for OTA channels. But as for the TV Pack:

It installs and seems to function properly even though MCE was already installed (as an upgrade).

The video is noticeably worse than before the addition of the TV Pack.

Uninstall is accomplished by a system restore. So if you want to try this addition, create a restore point first. After a restore, the video was once again as it was before and MCE setup is like it was before this update.

My recommendation is that it is worth trying to see what you can get to work, but be sure to create a restore point in case you decide it's not ready for prime time.

 

InsaneNutter. Thanks loads for this post. This totally fixed my TV Tuner Card. I was only getting 2 stations until I installed the TV Pack you listed here and now I'm getting over 30. I live in the U.S. too so it definetly applies to us as well. I thought I had a bad tuner card or it needed a new driver or something. The built in HD recorder is sweet. I don't know why Microsoft isn't plugging this.

 

.rar files

I am trying to install TV Pack 2008, so I can record and watch cable tv with Microsoft Media Center. My computer isn't recognizing any of these .rar files. How do I get it to recognize these files? Why aren't they .exe files? Executables would work much easier on most versions of Windows.

 

They are RAR files because when RARed they don't take up as much room. Go here and download the program it will unRAR the files for you allowing you to use them.

 

I appear to be running into similar issues and have not found any resolution within the thread yet, so I thought I would throw it out there again.

Completed all the installs as instructed, added most recent updates from Microsoft on the Windows media center and also update the drivers on the on Hauppauge WINTV-HVR-1800 tuner card.

WMC recognized the digital signals on my outdoor antenna, but does not recognize any the Comcast clearQAM signals. Signals are found by HD TV's like others have also reported so I know I am getting the signals. I have also been able to get the digital cable signals when using the Hauppagge WinTV7 software. As with others, WMC has a much better interface if I can get the digital QAM channels. Any new thoughts?

SOLUTION FOUND:

After submitted the above request, I found some similar instructions as the this post at http://mikewren.com/howto-clear-qam-vista. This new set of instructions from Mike added some registry updates that eventually worked for me. Since I stumbled upon Mike's post after I already follwed this forums instructions, I did not want redo everything so I just went directly to the registry edit at step 8. After a couple of tries, I was still not able to get my system to work and was losing hope on getting it to work. I elected to remove the registry edit and I also uninstalled the lastest HVR-1800 driver as my picture using standard over the air was more pixalated than before. I reinstalled the older HVR driver I received when I purchased my tuner. Today I elected to redo registry edit. To my extreme surprise, my system recognized the clear QAM channels. Successs alas!.

 

Which versions for 32bit?

Hi, probably stupid question but which of the download versions should I use for 32bit computer? Is it x86 or x64 (or none of them)? Many thanks for your help.

 

x86 = 32bit
x64 = 64bit