Windows Media Center

In previous versions of Windows Media Center (before Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008) Windows Media Center recorded TV in the DVR-MS file format. In Windows 7, Media Center now outputs all Recorded TV to .WTV file format.

Unfortunately,  the WTV files do not "play nice" with video conversion applications, commercial skipping, etc. So, to do alot of the fun stuff with recorded media in Windows 7, we need to convert those pesky .WTV files back into DVR-MS files. Since Windows 7 Media Center records all programming to .WTV files, the first step we need to take is to convert our .WTV file to DVR-MS format.

Windows 7 has an easy built-in method for WTV to DVR-MS conversion.

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Nobody likes sitting through commercials do they? Ok, maybe folks in advertising.  Sure, occasionally some commercials are funny. As a general rule, however, we'd rather watch a show without them. If you're someone who like to save your favorite recoded show to watch them over and over again, you may want to take a little time and edit out all the commercial breaks.

VideoRedo is a native MPEG video editor that makes editing out commercials a snap. It is a commercials product that carries a price tag of $49.99 US (or $74.99 US for a higher end edition that feature DVD Authoring Tools). If you only edit the occasional recording, that price may be a bit salty. Naturally, I prefer to do things for free whenever possible, but  if you edit a lot of TV shows, VideoRedo can be well worth your investment.

So, how exactly does it work? It takes your DVR-MS file, allows you to edit it thought it's interface, then outputs it to .MPEG format.

It will edit any mpeg video, ts, .tvo, .crid, .rec, and dvr-ms files. You can use it for basic video editing, but where it really shines is in it's ability to easily edit out commercials. I've only tested it in Windows Media Center DVR-MS files, but it also claims to work on recording for all Tivo set top boxes and standalone DVD recorders.

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Once of my biggest annoyances with with Windows Media Center is that the mute button mutes the entire Windows 7 system, not just Media Center. I often have Media Center running in windowed mode on a second monitor while I'm doing work. Usually a sporting event or something where I can passively follow along without having to hear the audio. It would be nice to be able to just mute Media Center if I want to quickly watch a video on YouTube or something.

Well, there is a solution. It's just not the most perfect solution, but it works for me.

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There are lots of cool plugins and add ons to enhance your Windows Media Center experience. We're going to look at one that is already built into Media Center. If you watch live TV in Windows Media Center, you also probably know that the TV listings is nice, but lacks a little flair. It doesn't have nice color coded program listings like alot of the commercial systems you might get from your cable company.

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I have a pair of Hauppauge WinTV-HVR 2250 cards that work great with Windows 7 and my Comcast cable setup. Setting up a TV tuner card with Windows 7 Media center isn't terribly difficult. Media Center does a pretty good job of walking you through the process, but, I did run into a few minor snags. Specifically, getting both "regular" cable and ClearQAM setup together can be a little confusing.

Note: If you pick up one of the 2250 cards online, be sure you get the one with the remote control if you want one. They also sell it without for a few bucks cheaper.

If you are following along but have a different card, your results and screens may differ a bit, but hopefully this will keep you going in the right direction.

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Windows Media Center is a built-in application that is meant to be a media hub for all your digital entertainment.  It comes standard in the Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate versions of of Windows 7. It can be used as a media player and compliment to your operating system, or with optional TV tuner cards, can even replace your home DVR and function as a full service media PC.

Windows Media Center's initial setup isn't too terribly complex. Actually, If you aren't using a tuner card it's pretty much a breeze. I'm going to run through the basics of getting Media Center up and running Windows 7. There are a few optional steps here you can probably skip, but we'll go over them anyway.

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