Microsoft launches Windows Media Center Internet TV beta
By Darren Murph 
posted September 27th 2007 7:39AM
posted September 27th 2007 7:39AM
Just as we expected, Microsoft is getting official with its Windows Media Center Internet TV feature, which is set to go live in beta fashion tomorrow morning. According to Microsoft, US-based users of Vista Home Premium and Vista Ultimate will soon be able to download a simple update that will enable them to "enjoy a range of television and video content on their PCs and TV sets [with a Media Center Extender of some sort] without a TV tuner in their PC." The streaming content will all be ad-supported "by an advertising platform provided by YuMe," which means that you'll be getting it gratis. The programming reportedly "comes from MSN Video," and just over 100 hours of it will be available when the beta begins. To whet your appetite, a few notables that will be available are "full episodes of TV shows such as 'Arrested Development,' full-length music concerts by artists such as Chris Cornell, Snoop Dogg, Elton John, Pink, John Mayer and the Pussycat Dolls, movie trailers, news segments from MSNBC, and sports clips from FOX Sports."
Where do I get the download?
I can confirm that the new Internet TV feature is available only on the Windows Vista release of Windows Media Center. There are no plans to deliver it for Windows XP. Windows Vista is Microsoft's current platform, so you can expect ongoing development efforts to be focused there, not on Windows XP.
The "Internet TV" item should automatically appear on your Media Center Start menu in the "TV & Movies" section, just to the left of "Play DVD". If it isn't showing up, try this:
Go to Tasks > Settings > General > Automatic Download Options.
If the checkbox "Retrieve CD album art, ... from the Internet" is not checked, check it, then click Save.
Now, go back into Automatic Download Options, and click the "Download Now" button near the bottom.
John E
Microsoft Corporation
I've tried this several times, but to no avail. I live in the US and have Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit installed on my media center PC. There is no "Internet TV" option anywhere in Media Center. What is the problem?
@Brandon: One thing to check: Do you have your locale set to something other than "English (United States)"?
Control Panel > Clock, Language, and Region > Regional and Language Options > Formats
If current format is not "English (United States)" then make it so, and try the download again.
John E
Microsoft Corporation
Yes, I just verified that the regional setting was already set to "English (United States)". Tried the update procedure again; like before, Media Center says "guide data downloaded successfully" but still no internet tv.
I checked the event logs, and they report that a package called "NetTV" has been downloaded several times since September 28. It seems as if the Internet TV package is being downloaded but not installed(?). I have rebooted Windows and restarted Media Center several times.
I should add: This is *not* a way to get access to the Internet TV feature if you are located outside the United States. The service will check whether your IP address is actually in the United States at startup time.
John E
Microsoft Corporation
I can not get this to work on one of my two pcs. My desktop works but not on my VMC machine that I use as my only TV source (frustrating, wish it was the other way around). Everything suggested here has been done, settings mirror each other, yet the VMC still does not work.
@Brandon, @bw8755:
Are you fully up-to-date on all Windows Updates, particularly those that refer to Media Center? You'll need these updates before the NetTV package will actually install.
John E
Microsoft Corporation
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
I just checked, and Windows Update reports that everything is up-to-date (last updates installed 9/11/07). I really appreciate your help, by the way.
hahahaha, stupidest comment ever
Yeah, I can't get this to work either. I'm in the US(right next to Microsoft Mountain View), with a Windows VISTA Home Premium w/all the updates, clicked Download Now several times, but nothing happens....
Windows Media Center Internet TV is awesome! I have 4MB Comcast Internet and it run very smooth. I didn't buy a media center extender, I just hook my laptop up to my HDTV with a VGA cable. Most of it is free, but you have to pay for showtime and some other.
It is a great service!
hey can anyone tell me how i can get windows media center 2005 cause i really want it for my xbox 360 so can anyone please help:) thank you