Here is a reason that will keep a Vista Media Center from ever entering my household and it’s got DRM written all over it.
A Vista media center will not let you stream cable video content around your house without using a Media Center Extender (MCX), which at present consists of the Xbox 360, although more third party devices are on there way.
This effectively means you need to buy an MCX device to watch TV around your house and even then it will be controlled by the content owners who will be deciding what you can do with your content.
I also imagine this kicks Slingbox type devices and PMPs out of the arena too so don’t even think about watching TV outside your house.
I’m guessing this is a decision from CableLabs rather than from Microsoft, we already know that TiVo is having trouble getting its multi-room viewing and placeshifting ideas past CableLabs for the Series 3.
I don’t know about you but this whole thing seems backwards, we had multi-room viewing and placeshifting when we had a video tape. You could take that tape upstairs to watch on another TV and you could take that tape to your friend’s house to watch it.
But using more ‘advanced’ PVR technology with a PC means you are suddenly not allowed to do this unless the content owners say so. Maybe I should dust off my old VCR.

via PVRWire

Jay P. Kapur of the Media Center TV Team confirmed at AVS Forum that Vista will not need an NTSC Tuner!  This means you can use ATSC Tuners and/or CableCARD’s without needing a separate NTSC Tuner installed.  Vista Beta 2 still needs the NTSC Tuner, but the final will not.  Previously, Media Center has keyed the ATSC EPG Data off of the selected NTSC Lineup.

News Source: AVS Forum/ Vista Discussion

I’ve got a few pointers for anyone who can’t find where the simple link to the Online Spotlight went in Vista Media Center.

You can go to….

TV + Movies | More TV

or

Music | More Music

or

Pictures+Video | More Pictures (What no More Video?)

or

Online Media | What’s New

or

Online Media | Browse Categories

or

Tasks | More Tasks

So, if you find yourself without quick access to the Online Spotlight in Media Center 2005 you will want Vista for sure.  I think you have like a 75% chance of being on a tile that brings you to the Online Spotlight at all times.

Thoughts?  Clearly this is overdone and needs reconsideration.  I’m sure that the Online Spotlight will be redesigned for Vista, but it better be a huge redesign to warrant all of those access methods.

News Source: Chris Lanier’s Blog

I found this on mikeysblog.com

I love Youtube and Yougle is a Media Center UI for Youtube and Google Videos

Read more about Yougle at the developers page. Download it for free from HERE

http://www.push-a-button.com.au/products/mce/Yougle.php