Even after disabling Media Center via group policy there is still a MC process that will run periodically. I didn't realize it until my "extender" wouldn't go to sleep (MCUpdate had pegged 1 CPU).  Fortunately, it's easy to fix.  Open up the task scheduler and right-click the mcupdate task and select "disable".

Good new for those who jumped on Sage 6.5.1 for the EVR.  They've got hardware acceleration working!

Don't know when 6.5.2 is coming, but hopefully not too long from now.  Until then, here's a screen cap :)

MPEG2-TS[H.264 16:9 1080p@24fps, AC3/640Kbps@48kHz 5.1]

UPDATE:

No waiting involved, the fix can be downloaded from this thread.

Not much more to say. 

Get it here.

UPDATE:

While the EVR is exposed, it doesn't actually work (VMR does).  There are lots of other reasons to give it a go, I am...

Not quite what I was hoping for, but definitely a big step in the right direction.

UPDATE 2:

openning an elevated cmd prompt and running regsvr32.exe STVEVRPrstr.dll from the sagetv folder (c:\programfiles\sagetv\sagetv) fixes the EVR issue.

Good news for Vista* SageTV users, I got an email last week** letting me know that Sage should be starting a beta with EVR support (6.5.x?) this week.

I can't wait to get the visual quality, and CPU offload that the EVR brings in an easy to use 10' interface (EVRPlay works, but its 10' interface didn't do so well my last SAF poll).  If only I could get my HD PVR working, I'd be in HD heaven.

 

* It seems that XP users can also get the EVR by installing .NET 3.5; I haven't tested it, but a recent change to EVRPlay seems to indicate that it works.

** Reflexively, I assumed that it was something that carried an implicit NDA; occurred to me today that it might not be the case, so I asked.  Real transparency takes some getting used to :)

A while back when messing around with AnyDVD, I started getting a BSOD (0x0000007e) whenever the HD PVR was connected to my HTPC.  I had to send my HD PVR away for a while (it was locking up periodically), so I didn't get a chance to look into it too much.  When it came back, I plugged it in and installed the latest drivers (v1.1) on my AnyDVDless machine which was fine until the next time I rebooted.

As it turns out, the problem wasn’t AnyDVD (sorry Slysoft), but a low level device filter that ArcSoft TME installs.  Of course the strangest thing, is that TME is bundled with the HD PVR; thank you Hauppauge.  I don’t know why this problem needed AnyDVD to manifest itself originally on my main HTPC, but I’ve since been able to reproduce it on another PC that has never had AnyDVD on it. 

Taking a look at the Hauppauge support forums, I'm not alone so here are the steps to fixing it:

1. Disconnect the HD PVR.  While I could boot into Vista with the device off, and turn it on afterwards without a BSOD on my HTPC, that wouldn’t work on my repro PC.  Turning it off should work,  but just to be sure I pulled the power cord.
2. Install ImgBurn.  There are other tools to that will handle removing afc.sys, but this is the tool that was recommended to me, so it’s what I used.
3. Run ImgBurn as an administrator.  You can look the filters that get loaded as a user, but you won’t be able to remove any.
4. From the tools menu, select “Filter Driver Load Order…”
5. Select “afc.sys” from the list and click “Remove Selected Filter”, then click “OK”
   
   
6. Reboot, just to be sure.
   

 1.0.0.6

- listens for some WM_USER+234 messages at "EVRPlayApp" "EVRPlayWin"
- added Media Browser mode
- added DTB XML option
- Recorded TV & My Videos buttons launch respective tabs in Media Browser
- added PriorityClass setting

bin | source

1.0.0.1

- added WOL Mac: if present a WOL packet will be sent
- added launch delay: how long to wait before launching the configured exe (useful if you need to give your Sage server time to wake up)
- fixed a launching bug

bin | source

 

Version 1.2.1.5
- Fixed proppage.dll registration crashing dvrmstompegsettings on x64
- Added MceState registration check when launching dvrmstompegsettings, should address mcestate not registering properly on x64
- AutoZoom should apply only once per file
- folder processor driven off of watched types
- Prevent standby will prevent standby (instead of just asking for it)
- Fixed a file path selection bug in the settings tool
- Cleanup process will cleanup orphaned "Cleanup Ext" in the watched folders

x86 | x64 | Source

SageTVLauncher runs in the backgroup and listens for WM_INPUT messages from the eHome (Media Center) Remote.

It will launch SageTV (or any configured application) when "The Green Button" is pressed.  It also listens for other eHome action buttons (like Music, Recorded TV, Live TV, etc) and will navigate to those experiences in SageTV after starting it.  SageTVLauncher is also able to detect the precence of ehtray.exe, terminating it if found.  It will also monitor for the creation of the process and terminate it whenever it is found.

While very similar to SageTvTray, it works in a very different way.  Because it deals with WM_INPUT messages instead of integrating directly with the device, it should work with a broader set of remotes.  It also supports a much more flexible usage (as well as having more capability); it should be possible to have the application launch any application.

Run SageTVLauncher.exe -c to configure

bin | source

In case you missed it, Charlie Owen posted some really slick screen shots (and even slicker SDK enhancements) of the Win7 version of Media Center today.  As sick as the new music experience is, my personal favorite is the details screen.  I really wish I'd been able to make it out to PDC and see it up close (and get a copy of the bits).  Can't wait for the beta to start; hopefully we can put Fiji behind us.

Also, Ian's asking what we should be calling the new version of Media Center; vote early...

 

1.0.0.5
- files can be viewed as they convert if both processes are run as an admin (disable UAC)
- experimental -> wtv conversion
- read sage xml files to create dvr-ms metadata

bin | source

1.0.0.5

- fixed a keyhandling issue when the progress bar was displayed
- "info" button triggers actions dialog

bin | source

Crap, I just bought a DG45ID for my "extender". 

 

1.0.0.4

- disable screen saver during playback
- fixed some full screen mode issues
- fixed an issue when selecting "Maximize"
- reworked status bar and web browser display
- added zoom
- hanndle "Watch (Streamed)" and "Watch (Local File)"
- stop dialog
- actions dialog

bin | source

Props to whoever can name the the movie.

New Early Access rev of 1.2.1.5.  This should be the last one before public release unless there's a major issue.

 Version 1.2.1.5
- Fixed proppage.dll registration crashing dvrmstompegsettings on x64
- Added MceState registration check when launching dvrmstompegsettings, should address mcestate not registering properly on x64
- AutoZoom should apply only once per file
- folder processor driven off of watched types
- Prevent standby will prevent standby (instead of just asking for it)
- Fixed a file path selection bug in the settings tool
- Cleanup process will cleanup orphaned "Cleanup Ext" in the watched folders

x86 | x64