Good news, OCURs (can) support Tuning Adapters.  Bad news, OCUR is an open spec and the fact that they “can” doesn’t mean a whole lot.  CableLabs recently addressed the issue (PDF)with the two fantastic (ok, maybe not) bits of information below.  Pair that with Microsoft’s own fantastic response from a few months ago and the bottom line is not to expect a Tuning Adapter mixed with an OCUR any time soon.

If things work the way I think they will then we are waiting for one of two things to happen.

Possibility A: CableLabs updates the specs for the TA/TR to clearly state that it can work with OCURs using the PC as a hub.  ATI provides a firmware update for the OCURs to work and Microsoft updates Windows and Media Center to allow it to work.

Possibility B: ATI or some other company releases new OCURs (eg. New hardware) with the correct firmware upgrades and USB port configuration to work with the current TR specs.  Microsoft provides an update for Media Center because CableLabs is suggesting it will be needed.

Judging by CableLabs verbiage in the below statements, I think a bit more than a Tuning Adapter connecting to the PC is involved.  It isn’t a good sign when the main entity behind these things is saying that a timeline for development hasn’t been identified.  Stay tuned for some other changes CableLabs is making.

Can existing DTVs, STBs or OCURs by upgraded to support the Tuning Adapter?

“Existing one-way products that already include an USB port may be able to be upgraded by the manufacturer to support the Tuning Adapter.  Some manufacturers have announced plans for much upgrades.  For more information, check with the manufacturer of your unidirectional Digital Cable Product.”

Will the Tuning Adapter work with a Vista PC that is equipped with a Digital Cable Tuner?

“The TRIF specification is designed so that it can also with a Vista PC that is equipped with a Digital Cable Tuner.  However the timing for the development, availability and support of compatible products depends upon the PC and OCUR manufacturers’ schedule, as well as necessary upgrades provided by Microsoft.”

CED is reporting that HP is ending their run in the LCD TV business and killing off their MediaSmart HDTV lineup.  I can’t confirm the report myself, but if true this puts another dent in Microsoft’s vision to have Extender technology built into HDTVs.  Their focus is now said to be their MediaSmart Receiver which I reviewed earlier this year.    Watch for deals, word is the current displays will be getting a price cut at Costco stores.

In related news, Samsung has shipped their MediaLive Extender which only works with Samsung Series 4 and up displays and you can still get Linksys Extenders for cheap at Newegg and Amazon (thanks Harry!).

Just about a year ago I reviewed Vidabox’s Premium Wireless Keyboard with Optical Trackball and came to a pretty simple conclusion; great inexpensive wireless keyboard that didn’t have a Green Button for Media Center use.  The fact that it didn’t include a Green Button came as a downer to me as it is the central way to navigate the Media Center experience. The lack of a Green Button has been on Vidabox’s radar and they recently released a newer model using a laser trackball.

The Vidabox Premium Wireless HTPC Media Center Keyboard with Laser Trackball includes a 2000dpi laser trackball, a Green Button hotkey at the top of the keyboard, improved battery life (6+ months), and redesigned internals to help with better reception via RF.  Throughout my testing I found that the quoted 30-foot wireless range held up pretty well without any major drops that can become frustrating.

Back when I reviewed the optical version my big complaints where the lack of a Green Button and a trackball that moved with the slightest touch (kills batteries over the long haul and puts a mouse pointer on your screen).  Both of these issues have been fixed with the laser trackball version and it is still a solid keyboard that I would recommend highly.

Buy here

Included in the box:

Premium Wireless Keyboard with Optical Trackball

Three AA batteries

USB Receiver

Pros:

Inexpensive ($69.99)

Designed for your lap

Laser Trackball/Mouse works very well

Cons:

Control takes getting use to

Photos (Click for larger view)

Long Zheng just posted about a recently updated version of Microsoft.com, so I went to check out the changes and realized a few things.  First, I think it has been well over a year since I actually felt the need to checkout Microsoft’s homepage.  Second, I realized that Media Center is nowhere to be found on Microsoft’s homepage.  About the closest you get is Windows Media Player or Media Center Peripherals which apparently is another wording for “mouse and keyboard.”

October 2008 Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista (KB955519)

• Fixes an issue in which you cannot seek through recorded TV shows on Windows Media Center systems that have digital cable tuners. Additionally, the recorded TV shows display the incorrect length.
• Fixes an issue in which Windows Media Center Extenders cannot re-connect to a host computer after the host computer resumes from the suspend mode or the sleep mode.
• Fixes an issue which is introduced by KB950126. In this issue, a video that is paused may resume if you minimize or maximize the Windows Media Center window or if a screen saver starts.
• Implements support for Digital Rights Management (DRM) free copy for digital cable tuners that have the latest digital cable tuner BIOS that support DRM free copy.
• Expands the solution that was introduced in KB950126 to improve the experience of recording analog TV broadcasts to include set-top box scenarios. Previously, some analog TV broadcasts were blocked with the "protected content" message.

October 2008 Cumulative Update for Media Center TV Pack for Windows Vista (KB956147)

• Addresses an issue in which Windows Media Center Extenders cannot re-connect to host computer after the computer resumes from the suspend or sleep mode.
• Improves the experience of recording analog TV broadcasts to include set-top box scenarios. Previously, some shows were blocked with "protected content" messages.
  • Note: This solution does not apply to configurations that use analog TV over digital cable tuners. The BIOS for the digital cable tuners provide content protection.
• Addresses an issue in which incorrect PlayReady API is called.
• Addresses an issue in identification of systems with the Windows Media Center TV Pack installed for server-related content.
• Addresses an issue with certain extensibility applications that pass the Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) protocol-based URLs.
• Addresses an issue with .wtv files that are listed as unsupported file type after the third-party decoders are installed.
• Addresses an issue with Terrestrial Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting (ISDB-T) digital TV signal when it uses component or composite output.

Okoro Media Systems, manufacturer of Digital Entertainment Systems for the high end audio video market, is pleased to announce the availability of the 2009 OMS-SX100 model. The OMS-SX100 is an “Ultra Low Profile” Digital Entertainment Systems based on AMD's energy efficient Athlon X2 platform. The OMS-SX100 features cool and quiet operation, 7.1 LPCM HDMI support, 1080P Blu-ray playback and low power green operation. The 2009 OMS-SX100 Digital Entertainment System can also handle the needs of customers with limited space with its 2.7 inch ultra low profile frame. Coupled with the OMS Slim Blu-ray drive, the unit is Blu-ray profile 2.0 compliant and can decode 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS along with 7.1 Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio formats. 
 
"Since the release of the low profile series in 2006, Okoro Media Systems has been working on delivering to our customers the next generation of ultra low profile systems. Our customers want a powerful machine that can manage their media, playback Blu-ray titles as well as being green. We feel that the SX100 will give them a feature packed Digital Entertainment System in a thin and elegant form factor. " said Christopher Curry, VP of Sales & Marketing.
 
The OMS-SX100 is now shipping and has the following standard specifications:
 

• 45watt Dual Core AMD Processor
• 8-channel LPCM audio via HDMI
• 2GB RAM
• 500GB low power HD storage
• DVD Burner 
• HDMI, DVI, VGA output
• Windows Vista Home Premium

The following options are also available:

• OMS Slim Blu-ray Drive
• 4GB RAM upgrade
• 1TB low power HD upgrade

Coming soon CableCARD and SAGETV HDPVR models and other additional upgrades. 
 
For more information about the OMS-SX100 Digital Entertainment system, please visit www.okoromedia.com.

Remember when I said you would hear more about Zune on mobile phones before the years end?  Well, now you have.  “Zune software will also be ported to and be more important not just with the hardware but on the PC, on Windows Mobile devices, etc.," said Steve Ballmer.

Missing Remote has had a few great articles over the past few weeks including a Battle of the Windows Home Server Systems and a letter to Microsoft about what is going on with Media Center.  The article ends with a note to Microsoft asking for them to “go back to the drawing board and re-think the Media Center product: its future as a product, the viability of the strategy of having it tossed into random Windows versions, and goals for the technologies that make up Windows Media Center.”

Last month Ed Bott wrote the best article ever on the Media Center platform.  He covered several issues but mainly focused on the TV Pack and all of the issues that happened behind the scenes.  I didn’t get to post about it when he first published it, but I have to get it out there because Ed really did a fantastic job with the article.

PC Mag has an “unofficial” Guide to the TV Pack including installation instructions just in case you happen to find it online somewhere.

I’ll be a guest on The Media Center Show before year’s end, but that shouldn’t stop you from waiting until then to listen to Ian’s other weekly podcasts.  Hear about Open Media Library (OML) from David Shulitz and CEA Mark Of Excellence Awards with Roland Graham.