Sdílet prostřednictvím

FAQ - DVD playback and Windows Media Center in Windows 8

  • Článek

We thought we would follow up the previous post with an FAQ which is based on the comments and discussions, so Bernardo put this together so things are in one place. Some of these might be introductory for some but since the comments covered a lot of topics, it seemed reasonable to start at the beginning. --Steven
What are the codecs needed to play DVD?
A codec is software that is used to compress or decompress a digital media file, such as a song or video. MPEG-2 is widely used as the format of digital television signals that are broadcast by terrestrial (over-the-air), cable, and direct broadcast satellite TV systems, and DVD Video. Dolby Digital is the widely used audio standard for terrestrial (ATSC, over-the-air), cable, direct broadcast satellite TV systems, and DVD Video. Dolby audio is also a mandatory format in Blu-ray.

How has Windows handled DVD related decoder licensing prior to Windows 8?
The issue surrounding the incremental costs of codecs to play DVDs isn’t new to Windows. In Windows XP and Windows Vista we addressed it by offering specialized editions, such as Windows Media Center Edition, or codec add-ons to Windows Media Player. DVD playback was not included in Windows Vista Starter, Home Basic, Business, and Windows Vista Enterprise editions.  OEMs (PC manufacturers) had the option to license Windows Vista Starter, Home Basic, and Business “with DVD” where we offered a version that includes the Dolby Digital codec to enable the OS to support DVD playback for a nominal price increase.  In Windows 7, we decided to make these codecs available broadly in most editions, except Windows 7 Home Basic (available in some emerging markets) and Windows 7 Starter editions (available for netbooks and some emerging markets). That means royalties related to DVD playback in Windows 7 have been paid broadly, regardless of whether or not the PC has an optical drive. Based on sales and usage, we supplied codecs to a very large number of PCs that were not capable of playing DVDs or simply did not ever play DVDs.

Who pays decoder royalties associated with DVD playback on PCs?
Typically, media codecs are based on intellectual property (IP), often patents, held by consumer electronics consortiums or companies.  The result is that entities who wish to sell products that include these codecs must pay royalties to the IP owners; sometimes to a single entity (e.g. Dolby Laboratories), and often through a license agency (e.g. MPEG-LA) who administers licensing for a number of IP holders under specific terms. The rules surrounding who pays these royalties vary by licensing program. According to the MPEG-LA program, the company that ships the end product is responsible for paying. In the case of new PCs with Windows pre-installed, that would be the PC OEMs. The Dolby program for Windows 7 was defined based on an agreement between Dolby and Microsoft where Microsoft has paid Dolby directly for the rights to Dolby Technologies built in Windows 7. Royalties are also paid by ISVs that include those technologies in their applications, even if those applications are bundled on new systems. This means that in many cases the same royalties can be paid multiple times over for a single PC (Microsoft pays some, OEM pays some, ISV pays some). In Windows 8, we will continue to include some technologies licensed by MPEG-LA and Dolby that will be paid by OEMs, but only those that relate to online media consumption (e.g. MPEG-2 container for H.264, Dolby Digital Plus audio) and not those related optical media. The costs associated with those codecs are lower, but significant, compared to optical media playback. Also, Windows 8 apps will be able to use these technologies as part of the Windows 8 Media Foundation APIs at no additional cost, as long as they are not providing optical media and broadcast related functionality.

How much does it cost the PC ecosystem to play DVDs?
Playing DVDs generally require MPEG-2 video compression and Dolby Digital (AC-3) audio. Even though it is possible to use other formats, the majority of commercial DVDs are encoded using these formats. In order to decode these formats, the playback device needs to be licensed to use these decoders. MPEG-2 decoder costs $2.00 per unit under current MPEG-LA terms. Dolby license is an additional cost that varies by the technology licensed, the type of device, and unit volume. While not related to Windows, Blu Ray would be an additional cost on top of these. So when you add all this up and apply to all Windows PCs, it is an ongoing cost of hundreds of millions of dollars per year to the PC ecosystem, well over a billion dollars over the lifecycle of the operating system and yet by most predictions the majority of PCs will not even be capable of playing DVDs. 

Why can’t I just pay for DVD when I need it?
When we have DVD playback capabilities in software broadly like in Windows 7, there is no way to distinguish whether the PC will ever play a DVD disc but still this cost is carried on every PC. While we might think that the best solution is some sort of “just in time” charge back to Microsoft based on telemetry or an “anytime upgrade” this is not how the third-party licensing programs work as described above.  So there isn't an approach where you buy Windows or a PC and only “pay as you go” if DVD playback is provided “in the box”.   Once it is distributed as a player, a license is required.

Will devices with Windows 8 pre-installed be able to play DVDs out of the box?
This is ultimately an OEM choice for what peripherals and software to include in a given system. If a new device has an optical drive, it will most likely include necessary software and licenses making it a seamless experience to the vast majority of customers. Similarly, an add-on optical drive (internal or external) will almost certainly come with DVD playback software unless you intentionally purchase a white label drive (which might be a perfectly reasonable choice if the drive is simply for loading software).  In all cases, there are numerous complete third-party applications that provide a broad range of support that is properly licensed. On the other hand, the ecosystem won’t have to pay for that software and related royalties on devices such as tablets, small form factor desktops, and laptops that are sold without optical drives.

What if I upgrade to Windows 8 on my current Windows 7 PC with a DVD drive?
If there is existing third-party playback software the Windows Upgrade Assistant will help determine if this software is compatible with Windows 8 and you will have the option to keep it during the upgrade to Windows 8. Otherwise, you will need to acquire third-party playback software after the upgrade to play DVDs. Alternatively, you can acquire the Windows 8 Media Center Pack or the Windows 8 Pro Pack post upgrade. Both Packs include Windows Media Center, including the ability to play DVDs.

Why can’t I buy a Windows 8 device that includes Windows Media Center pre-installed?
With the evolution of device form factors (tablets, thin and light, etc., none of which have optical drives) and change in media consumption patterns from optical disks and broadcast TV to online (Netflix, Youtube, Hulu, etc.), we concluded that we would no longer make DVD and broadcast TV capabilities available in all Windows editions, simply because the feature applies to a decreasing number of PCs sold. Instead, those capabilities will be available only to customers that want it via Add Windows Feature (aka Windows Anytime Upgrade). This ensures that the costs associated with playing DVDs and watching broadcast TV on PCs only apply to devices that have those capabilities and customers that want it.

Are you adding another Windows 8 edition called “Windows 8 Pro with Media Center”?
The Windows 8 Pro edition that includes Media Center will be named and branded Windows 8 Pro. The only difference is that it will include Media Center and you will also find a different string in the system properties where it will say “Windows 8 Pro with Media Center”. This is not a new edition of Windows 8.

Why do I have to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro to get Media Center?
Trends in Media Center usage show a decline in the number of customers that use it on a regular basis, starting from a relatively small base as we previously blogged about. When we look at actual usage, most customers using Media Center and playing DVDs used Windows Ultimate and XP Pro/Media Center. We believe those customers will also be interested in the additional features provided in the Windows 8 Pro edition, such as Boot from VHD, Client Hyper-V, etc., especially if they are using Media Center on a PC used for general tasks.  Considering the audience and current usage, we conclude the vast majority of Media Center customers upgrading to Windows 8 will be to the Windows 8 Pro edition. In our efforts to keep the Windows 8 editions plan as simple as possible, Windows Media Center is only available on Windows 8 Pro. If you already have Windows 8 Pro and want to add Media Center, you just need to acquire the additional Media Center Pack as an in-place upgrade available via Add Windows Features (formerly Windows Anytime Upgrade).

 

What is the Windows 8 Pro Pack and why does it include Media Center?
Windows 8 Pro Pack is an upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 8 Pro. Like we described above, Media Center is only available on Windows 8 Pro. When you acquire the Pro Pack, we make it a single step that takes you to Windows 8 Pro with Media Center. The cost of the Media Center Pack is essentially built into Pro Pack. Again, this is an attempt to add simplicity to the process of acquiring Media Center.

 

What version of Windows Media Center will be included in Windows 8?
The version of Media Center included in Windows 8 is what we shipped in the Windows 8 Consumer Preview. It is much consistent with what shipped in Windows 7.

Will CableCard and other devices continue to work with Media Center in Windows 8?
Yes, there is no change in hardware supported between Windows 7 and Windows 8.

Why doesn't Windows Media Player support DVD playback even after installing Media Center?
Based on the above discussion, it should be clear that we cannot enable DVD playback all the time in Windows Media Player.  Given the ongoing feedback to avoid feature overlap and to avoid the complexity of behavior changing for a previously installed component, we only enable DVD playback in Media Center once it is installed. 

 

If I upgrade in place, can't I just use the codecs that were already purchased with Windows 7?
The usage rights to these codecs needed to play DVD do not carry forward to a new version of Windows after you upgrade. These terms are defined by the licensors of these technologies, not Microsoft or OEMs.
Update, this FAQ was added to the original post.

Comments

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    It understood. Please reproduce DVD by putting in a decoder for exclusive use. Because it is based also on DVD ... Although I myself have changed to Windows 7, Windows MediaCenter is seldom used. Windows Media Player is better if per mp4, wmv, and flv can be reproduced as standard. The rest thinks the thing kana which is not so heavy.

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    Great Post! :) Thanks Win8 team.

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    The first question in your FAQ actually has 2 questions, and the second ("and why are they not included in Windows 8") isn't addressed in your answer.

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    @sean - sorry, just a typo...fixed.  the rest of the post is about the second part.

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    @Steven Sinofky thank you so much for removing WMC. is there a chance we can remove WMP as well. one of the first think I do when setting up a new windows system is go straight to windows features and uninstalling WMP & WMC. Basically ever thing under the media features. (even if its not my own pc I do this) there way better alternatives for playing media files, CCC pack + Windows media classic comes to mind. Can we please add Windows 2 Go in the Pro Version. That is the only enterprise feature I want and would actually use in a non business   related scenario. Would be a shame if I have to acquire enterprises edition in other means just to have that one feature .

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    @Steven Sinofsky, @Bernardo I have absolutely no problem paying for this feature in Windows 8. Really I don't. All I care is that if I'm paying for this, I expect value. Windows 7 MC on W8 is not value. A new MC. With DVD playback. With Blu-ray support. If you charge for it, then at least put some effort into what you're charging for. Because you'll just sell us a slightly modified version (to run on W8) of the W7 version. Sell for above cost price, I don't care. Just please please please put some effort into it.

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    The ability to play DVDs should be part of the Enterprise edition. As mentioned by quite a few, having to deploy and then support/patch... an additional application adds to the complexity, cost.

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    Don't pay for Windows 8 Pro or Media Center ripoff and fatten greedy, lazy Microsoft's bank account. Use MPC-HC for all your video playback needs. sourceforge.net/.../mpc-hc

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    Thanks for at least making it an option and not removing support altogether for Win8. What I would appreciate is support for the NZ MHEG5 format so we can at least see the full weeks television guide with our digital tv.

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    My HTPC is not a general purpose desktop PC, and it certainly doesn't need the extra features of Windows 8 Pro. You've made my decision easy - I won't upgrade my HTPC. I will continue to use Windows 7 Home Premium with its built-in Windows Media Center.

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    What about playing Quicktime movies like Windows 7 can do? I don't like to install extra video codecs on my Windows machine because most of them are badly written or include malware. Please make a stable video codecs pack that provides support for Quicktime, DIVX, OGG, etc, and I will be happy to buy it. An official codecs add-on from Microsoft. I cost is the issue, I can pay. I hate having to install malware or things that break my computer down just to play a movie for example created on the Mac. Please, cost is not the issue.

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    Hi Win8 Team, -Could you reconsider including native support for Matroska container (MKV/MKA/WebM), Theora & VP8 video, and Ogg Vorbis audio? They're widely used on YouTube (WebM/VP8/Vorbis) and Wikipedia/Wikimedia Commons sites (Ogg/Theora/Vorbis), which are #3 and #6 most popular sites on the internet according to Alexa: www.alexa.com/.../global (and they never get any lawsuit from anyone until now). And while you're at it, please add FLAC, Speex, and others too if possible. -I understand about 'supposedly' potential risk should there be a real patent case in the future, but isn't the 'allegedly' infringed patents already licensed by Microsoft when you include MP3, H.264, AAC, etc. for playback with Windows? Shouldn't it works this way? If not, could you please elaborate for us? I'm no lawyer, but have Microsoft's legal department actually do a thorough study on this matter? -Please answer, thank you very much. Best regards.

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    If Microsoft has to pay all sorts of licensing and royalty fees to play DVDs and Blu-rays, why are there open-source software projects such as VLC and MPC-HC that are available for free? Or is this some sort of arrangement to push sales of PowerDVD?

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    About Media Center. All I want to say is: they don't really care about us!

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    This is simply a dreadful decision. The third party (fully licensed) solutions for playing DVDs have been and are simply dreadful. Back in the XP days I had to use them and frankly they were just thinly veiled up selling opportunities to get features that should have be included and had nowhere like the stability of the native decoder. The only people that will be happy with this decision will be the makers of PowerDVD and the ilk and we are going back to the bad old days of having to have a separate ( poor quality ) program, with a random interface,  that doesn't integrate with anything else just to watch a DVD.

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    Would I be able to install (k-lite) MPC or VLC on Windows 8? If I need to play DVD, would I be able to play on MPC or VLC without paying the penalty/royalty fee?

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    How about the pirated version of Windows 8? will it contain Media Center with all the required codecs? 8-)

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    Steven, Apologies for commenting offtopic but this seems the easiest way to attract your attention. I've read your last summer (August 29, 2011 6:15 PM) article titled "Improvements in Windows Explorer". From the three "Goals of the new Windows Explorer" listed, the third reads"Respect Explorer’s heritage. Maintain the power and richness of Explorer and bring back the most relevant and requested features from the Windows XP era when the current architecture and security model of Windows permits." In this context, do you consider that "single click expanding of folder trees"* windows xp feature has any chance of being reintroduced in windows 8 rtm, at least as an option? (do whatever defaults you want, but can I have it back?) Does "the current architecture and security model" permits this? Many thanks in advance!

  • connect.microsoft.com/.../explorer-should-expand-folder-tree-the-windows-xp-way

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    and to leave and ontopic comment: to everyone complaining about missing codecs, there are free options available at a google search distance (ffdshow is the first to come to mind)

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    I missed something in the post perphaps, but your rationale for not including the dvd playback license is that many computers are not even capable of dvd playback - isn't the windows installation media a DVD?

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    So the writing is on the wall.  If we upgrade Windows 7 (With media Center AND DVD Playback) to Windows 8, we have to re-buy these functions (The same one we already had on windows 7).   OR  buy that very special sku that includes media center (OEM-Specific-Sku).   This is just absurd, why not ENABLE these two functions if a user upgrades from an edition that includes the codec/licence since we effectively "Already Payed for it!"  Why must this process be so Anti-Consumer? I think its time to re-focus my business strategies endorsements away from Microsoft.

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    Or, why not let us "Install DVD Playback and Media Center" by typing a Windows 7 Product Key and leverage activation since its the exact same product?   Something needs to be put in place where a user can retain these functions without having to re-buy them.  Treat it like the domain join feature from Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, if you upgraded from MCE 2004 or XP Pro you kept domain join.

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    Is an alternative to the "Media Centre Extender" being developed? It's not perfect as is, and I would love to have a way to easily, wirelessly playback photos and videos from my PC to my Xbox. Apple's made some great headway into this field with their AppleTV, and mirroring feature that allows a tablet to be used as an extra screen. Intel's been pushing it's WiDi technology to wirelessly stream a display onto a TV. There's no question in my mind that consumers want an easy solution to connect the various screens in their lives, and with all the Xbox 360s out there, it seems like a great opportunity to get into that market. I do have doubts however... I haven't seen a single effort from Microsoft that wasn't poorly implemented. Just too many steps and too complicated to setup (took me 20 min to figure out the Play-To feature... which doesn't always work). And the Windows Phone "Companion" app that needs 30 seconds to reconnect each time its screen locks out... not a very effective remote control, right? Please prove those doubts wrong :)

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    Microsoft will most likely keep crippling WMC for Canadians by intentionally disabling ATSC support. And now they make us pay extra for DVD support. It's like they're doing everything in their power to make sure nobody wants of it.

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    Even in this matter you're just following Apple's lead. I have always been able to justify Windows' cost using the cost of a gazillion things such as the cost of patents, codec license agreements, etc... but not anymore. This is a disgrace. I will be sticking to Windows 7.

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    @those still frustrated with the decision Guys, let's look at the facts. Potentially (and hopefully) millions of ultrabooks and tablets will be sold in the next few years running Windows 8 - all of which will be sold without optical drives. Physical disk usage is only going down. It would be ridiculous to pour millions of dollars to the Codec owners when the codecs can never be used. The option to purchase these capabilities as an add-on seems like a reasonable compromise. Furthermore, PCs sold as Media centric devices can easily integrate third party apps to compensate. And as long as the combined cost of Windows 8 and the "Pro Pack" isn't unreasonable, I can't see what the problem is in upgrading Windows 7. Essentially, you'd be paying the same (presumably) price had the codec been included from the start, but if you don't need it, you would be paying less. Sounds fair to me.

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    That is all perfectly reasonable, so far best explained by Hal hal2020.com/.../media-center-dvd-playback-and-microsofts-media-strategy , but nevertheless non-inspiring at best. Fundamentally, these are workarounds for a problem we should be really thinking about. As DLNA or AirPlay catch on, the personal computer as a home entertainment device becomes obsolete. We will we be paying for access and royalties on each device, and, what it all comes down to, per-view or incomprehensible webs of competing flat-rates. And all that while we gradually loose control over what we have access to.

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    Steven, great job reimagining windows media! ??? JF: "Essentially, you'd be paying the same (presumably) price had the codec been included from the start, but if you don't need it, you would be paying less. Sounds fair to me." Bull!  They would charge what they would charge for a Windows 8 purchase/upgrade.  The less they pay to license third-party IP/code, the more profit from each copy of Windows.

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    I have been a WMC user since 2005 and it is heavily integrated into my home.  I have found the lack of any substantial updates to the product troubling.  Knowing that the product is essentially the same from Win7 to Win8 tells me that nobody at Microsoft is working on the product for more than maintenance. So off it spins to a "pro pack" not unlike the incredibly successful Win95 "Plus!" (LOL).  Next it will terminate like Microsoft Money.  I wish Microsoft would just donate the code for MCE to an Open Source project and be done with it.  Then I could make informed decisions about how much time to devote to a product I worry will see no innovations and declining a declining user base for the next 5 years and then be quietly terminated.

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    All those complaining about the removal of codecs explain why it's a problem installing a separate codec pack? Microsoft did give reasonable justification in that it makes no sense making all windows users pay for it when only a smaller number use it. One question I do have, when you talk about removing DVD support from Windows Media player I take it you are talking about support for DVD video discs, not the ability to support MPEG2 (or other formats) with third party codec packs? Also your justification for forcing us to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro in order to get Media Center makes no sense. If it's because most people who run Media Center have Windows Ultimate or XP Pro Media, isn't it because with XP you had no choise and with Vista & 7 because these are peoples who are running it on their general purpose pc in which case Windows 8 Pro features will sell themselves? But for those like myself who use it in the lounge I fail to see how any of the pro features are useful. Is it because for us your real reason is to push us to the xbox? Does that have the ability to record digital tv, can we play videos off a website, can we install third party addons?

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    If it's really a license fee thing, I don't understand why DVD playback support is lost on an upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 8.  If I have Windows 7 on my PC, the license fee has already been paid for my device, upgrading to Windows 8 should not take it away.

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    I must say the art of succinct writing is not a quality of Microsoft blog posts. Sprawling overlong prose that can simply be shorter are the norm. Nevertheless, there are few things that I do not understand: First, if there are patent fees, how comes there are free and open-source MPEG-2 decoders? Second, if we are eventually to pay for codecs, why not pay Microsoft? (Surely, Microsoft does like being paid, doesn't it?) Third, what about continued lack of support for royalty-free open formats? In the end, I have nothing to complain: I will continue my practice of installing third-party codec packs. But I am also making a point of not being particularly excited about Windows 8.

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    Can someone please write a PVR program that supports the Copy Once Flag? Preferably on Linux. Would also pay for extender like capabilities for multiple TV's

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    So, looking at the last post, leaving out WTV and MKV container support was just an oversight.. right? I am one who only recently found WMC useful as the multiple stream CableCard tuners came to market. I am sure I was not alone, and all of this began in mid/late 2010.

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 04, 2012
    PLS removing  Windows Media Player.

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    So how come Mac OS costs what $50 and it plays DVD? @Dear Microsoft why bother with Windows Media Player? Why not just remove it from Windows? Lesson learned -> stick with Windows 7

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    > That means royalties related to DVD playback in Windows 7 have been paid broadly, regardless of whether or not the PC has an optical drive. Based on sales and usage, we supplied codecs to a very large number of PCs that were not capable of playing DVDs or simply did not ever play DVDs. Non sequitur. There is no need to have an optical drive to play a DVD. The DVD is just media to store the contents of the DVD format. That format can be saved as an ISO file and mounted to play.

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    Just a note on all the suggestions for additional codec support.   This is something we covered during Windows 7 development and more recently during IE9 development.  This blog isn't a place to discuss the practicality of using/licensing of other codecs, but we have talked about the principles and practical realities of shipping these as part of commercial software products.  This post on the ieblog (blogs.msdn.com/.../html5-and-web-video-questions-for-the-industry-from-the-community.aspx) is relevant to the discussion around any of the other technologies mentioned in the comments here.  Our position is consistent with regard to the principles described in that post.  Please keep in mind that freely downloadable or open source are not relevant to the intellectual property rights contained within that code.  I recognize this is an emotional and frustrating topic for some who read this blog, but this is the framework we must work within.   @Alan The notion of playing DVDs without the optical media has been brought up several times in comments.  This has been an issue of legal proceedings in several markets and our position is valid in major markets when it comes to optical media that have some form of IP protection. @AZJack DVD distribution of software does not require the license for DVD playback of movies.  If you do download Windows 8 (as millions have done for the Consumer Preview) you will get a DVD data ISO which you can burn to an optical disc if you prefer. --Steven

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    Is the ability for Media Player to play DVDs is entirely removed or just the decoders so if we supply a third party decoder, can we play a DVD in Media Player? Media Player had some DVD-video standard specific functionality. Is that removed or it returns if you supply the MPEG-2 and audio decoders?

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    @steven Sinofsky I hate to be off topic. There's not Blog about it. I may even step on a few feet here but is it true that windows 8 Core (home)? dose not have Domain support. As well as Not having remote desktop support (IE rdp client to connect to other computers?) www.winbeta.org/.../windows-8-removes-updates-desktop-features Im going to be just like windows XP. Windows 8 Home will not be popular and MS will end up only selling Windows 8 Pro a after 1 year of being on  market. I'll be looking at getting Windows 8 Pro or even better yet. corp. edition for my gaming rig and tablet since its like the only version that has ever thing under the sun. IE windows to go

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    Do you guys realize that you will have to pay for Media Center which from what i gather won't support Blu Ray so it means you will have to pay additional $50 on top of it for 3rd party blu ray software. Windows 8 will cost you more than Windows 7.

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    @Aaron - The usage rights to these codecs needed to play DVD do not carry forward to a new version of Windows after you upgrade. These terms are defined by the licensors of these technologies, not Microsoft or OEMs.

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    <quote>Bernardo Caldas [MSFT] Saturday, May 5, 2012 2:15 PM # "The usage rights to these codecs needed to play DVD do not carry forward to a new version of Windows after you upgrade. These terms are defined by the licensors of these technologies, not Microsoft or OEMs."</quote> So, shall we go ahead and ask your licensors if they will permit this?  If this is what is preventing us from re-using our Windows 7 codecs then we shall shift our focus on "them" since your saying the ball is in their court.

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    In an effort to contribute to the post, I have added some additional FAQs: Will there be a consistent way to play DVDs across Windows PCs?  No. Will there be a consistent way to play Blu-Rays accross Windows PCs?  Heck no. Why do I need the Pro version of Window 8 before I can get Windows Media Center?  Because. How much will it cost to play a DVD using a Microsoft-based solution?  Other than having to pay >$50 for an unnecesary Pro upgrade, the fee for playing DVDs is considered 'marginal'. After paying for the Windows 8 Media Center Pack in Windows 8, what new features will be present?  None. How often will Windows 8 Media Center be upgraded?  Never. Why should regular users of Windows 7 Media Center upgrade to Windows 8?  (Long pause...) What will happen to Windows 8 if one of the most loyal user bases (Windows Media Center users) do not upgrade? TBD

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    This is not just an issue about DVD-playback. Many TV-programs for receiving DVB-streams rely on the system-decoder for MPEG2. So now I have to either pay for WMC (yeah, right) or install unreliable third-party-decoders? No, thanks. This effectively killed Windows 8 for me. OSX, here I come.

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    @andyCadley Quote : Another feature removed was Remote Desktop. Those with Home-based computers will now be unable to connect to work computers : hmm not be able to connect to work computers, Translated : will not have Remote Connection client to connection remotely to other pcs. said nothing about not being able to be the Remote Pc <computers connect to home pc or home version> which is standard in all preview version of windows home.

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    Remote desktop -- this was listed in the editions table and is unchanged from Windows 7: windowsteamblog.com/.../announcing-the-windows-8-editions.aspx Remote desktop (client) is in both x86 editions (Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro) and also Windows RT Remote desktop (host) is Windows 8 Pro (Note there is no Windows 8 Core as mentioned above)

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    @steven Sinofsky I though core = home just a guess. and thanks for clearing that up. before its to late can we please still get Windows 2 Go in Pro please?

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    And before you say that there are replacements for many of the Windows accessories, I will tell you that the alternatives are broekn and badly designed. I tried Notepad ++ and Notepad 2 for example and they seem to be some kind of Linux application ported to Windows. I can't find good free DVD Making applications and even good Media Players, except perhaps Winamp for music. I mean Microsoft software is more professional, does not break you system, does not include viruses, does not give you something free and then try to make you pay through other means, etc., etc. The alternatives you think they exist are not easy to find and badly written, i.e. it is as if they don't exist.

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    Hmmm.. So who exactly gets the money that everyone has to pay to enable DVD codecs, and why does anyone wanting to include the codec have to pay them a ton of money? It just doesn't seem fair :-/

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    This is a joke, admittedly a bad one, but it is the first time I have ever seen a software package move so far backwards with a new release.

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    People there are things that never change! With every windows you have to get another browser and another media player. you should get used to it. Why ? because they miss a lot of features.

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    @Alex Kven, if you are holding license you will get the money. Apparently, Dolby Digital would be the chief beneficiary. What's the point? If you have DVD ROM player, you would be able to access (read/right) data; video games, myData DVD yada yada... If you have DVD movie (with VOB files etc), you will be able to access the files BUT you won't be able to play the movie in the correct format (with menus and whatnot).. unless you pay the royalty fee! With the online subscriptions (like Netflix, Zune etc) and video streaming becoming popular channels, comparatively, most people have passed the idea of watching movies on DVDs. If you still want to play the DVD, you can buy MS's media pack or you can use free VLC or k-lite codecs to play DVD movie on windows.

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    It's true that fewer systems in the future may be getting a DVD drive.  However, most PC systems sold up to now have a DVD drive and most of them are running a Home edition.  So now if you upgrade to Windows 8, you have to get a Pro edition to be able to get built-in DVD playback or otherwise you're stuck with a 3rd party solution?  Why would anyone want to upgrade?  You really need to allow installing the WMC pack for either Windows 8 edition.  Forcing people who want DVD or WMC support to get a Pro edition sounds like a very bad idea indeed.

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    @Steven Shinofsky,Windows Team It feeds back, although it is slightly unrelated to a report! Since it is inconvenient that the display area of the words of Windows Media Player or a title cannot adjust narrowly, it is good in coming to be able to do. and development of Windows 8 and Internet Explorer 10 -- please do your best. Will the formal version appear around October ? November, and become general sale?

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    Sikandar "If you still want to play the DVD, you can buy MS's media pack or you can use free VLC or k-lite codecs to play DVD movie on windows." Sinofsky is out of mind... Why i have to pay a media pack, when a free VLC player read also MKV, m2ts file that Microsoft media pack do not do? (M2ts playback with media player working, but no chooseable languages) Windows 7 media Center, vlc and cyberlink powerdvd(provided with LG blu ray player) Now playing every audio and video format(mkv, flac, cue asf) and watch and record every TV channel i want. No sense at all to downgrade to Windows 8 to have less WMC is used a lot, so there be amount of us the will no downgrade!!

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    www.verboon.info/.../windows-8-the-comeback-of-3rd-party-dvd-player-software the comeback of 3rd party dvd players. and i do agree with microsoft's strategy, who has inserted a dvd in the last 6 months in their pc?

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    I don't need the DVD playback feature, but the missing "MKV" container is really bad. Today i can't use the DLNA feature of windows because my Samsung TV (of course) plays MKV files perfectly fine, but you can't stream it from a windows computer. Which is really strange. So i have to use 3rd party DLNA software to make it work. That's a shame.

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    I can't wait for windows 8, it seems to be great. www.fatburningproof.com

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    Hmm came off a bit harsh there in my previous post, sorry.

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 05, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    @Steven Sinofsky Windows Media Center is my favorite Microsoft product.  I built my own DVR server using Windows 7 Home and bought enough XBOXs to replace all of the cable boxes in my home.  I even wrote an article about it.   www.amazon.com/.../ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt Your logic as to why WMC users need the Pro version is deeply flawed.  WMC is used by HOME users which need HOME features.  The expectation is that when people spend MORE money, they expect MORE value.  That is not the case here.  The fact that you expect us to spend MORE money to upgrade to PRO then MORE money for the WMC add-on which is essentially UNCHANGED from W7 is mind-boggling.   Instead of upgrading to Windows 8, I will be transitioning to the Mac.  Congrats, Microsoft.  You've officially lost touch with your userbase.  

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    @steven sinofsky http://www.xtrabuttons.com/

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    Aryl Ether Systems has some very good questions.  The biggest one I concur with is that why do we need separate management tools? TRM135, I am right with you.

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    I really think that Windows 8 will be an epic fail, probably a lot worse than Vista. You have created some unique pieces of Software like Media Center or Windows Live Mesh. And now you're crippling it or killing it off for no reason. You turn Live Mesh into a Dropbox copy and remove the ONE feature that made it unique: P2P folder sync. You have created this wonderful Media Center, improved it greatly with Windows 7, and now you're killing it off because your telemetry usage data is indicating declining usage. But all it would have taken is some fine-tuning AND better marketing and this thing would have taken off. But well, you will wait until Apple comes up with iTV or iPanel and then they'll try to catch up. Oh boy, it's so sad... :(

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    Why does a home user need to pay for Pro features? makes no sense for me pay for all the Enterprise features like domain join, bitlocker etc. in for getting media center.

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    I use my MCE for MCE purposes and nothing else. It's not a Pro pc and I've certainly no use for VHD booting... #fail

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    I am sorry, but is it true that your writing on this blog in general is confusing, too long and unclear? Why can't you write in straight short sentenses, using a conversational style? Take the following quote from this post for example: "According to the MPEG-LA program, the company that ships the end product is responsible for paying. In the case of new PCs with Windows pre-installed, that would be the PC OEMs. The Dolby program for Windows 7 was defined based on an agreement between Dolby and Microsoft where Microsoft has paid Dolby directly for the rights to Dolby Technologies built in Windows 7." So, why do both Microsoft and OEMs have to pay royalties then? If the "company that ships the end-product" is the OEM, then they are the ones paying. So, what is the need for the "The Dolby program for Windows 7"? What is the need for Microsoft also paying royalties? Unclear. Perhaps you mean that OEMs pay when Windows comes pre-installed but Microsoft pays instead when Windows is sold directly to a consumer? Is this what you mean? Then, why don't you say it in simple English: "OEMs pay when you buy a computer with Windows pre-installed. Instead, if you buy Windows directly, Microsoft pays the royalties."  Simple English. I am sorry, but is it true that your writing on this blog in general is confusing, too long and unclear? Why can't you write in straight short sentenses, using a conversational style? Take the following quote from this post for example: "According to the MPEG-LA program, the company that ships the end product is responsible for paying. In the case of new PCs with Windows pre-installed, that would be the PC OEMs. The Dolby program for Windows 7 was defined based on an agreement between Dolby and Microsoft where Microsoft has paid Dolby directly for the rights to Dolby Technologies built in Windows 7." So, why do both Microsoft and OEMs have to pay royalties then? If the "company that ships the end-product" is the OEM, then they are the ones paying. So, what is the need for the "The Dolby program for Windows 7"? What is the need for Microsoft also paying royalties? Unclear. Perhaps you mean that OEMs pay when Windows comes pre-installed but Microsoft pays instead when Windows is sold directly to a consumer? Is this what you mean? Then, why don't you say it in simple English: "OEMs pay when you buy a computer with Windows pre-installed. Instead, if you buy Windows directly, Microsoft pays the royalties."  Simple English.

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    @Steven Sinofsky As a current WMC7 what is the added value of WMC8 for me to pay for the upgrade?

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    Hello.

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    @nowuniverse WMC8<WMC7 since many plug-ins are not working and you have to pay more. I am WP7 user, I have an Xbox and a Zune Pass. Zune not in WMC. xbox extender does not have netflix.

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    @Amador Plugins from WMC7 are not working in WMC8, really? WOW, din't know that!

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    @Amador Plugins from WMC7 are not working in WMC8, really? WOW, didn't know that!

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    Well if everyone is looking for a "Metrofied" Media Center, then we can put our money on Niveus since they are producing their own platform to work on Windows 7/8 with full cablecard support.   If they ever reply to my Demo request, you can be sure that I will be pushing that solution.  Still though, it stings that microsoft is abandoning the MCE platform.

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    @All Purpose Geek I am putting my money on Ceton with the Q and their extender. I want blu ray streaming and netflix on my extender.

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    Or you can just use VLC and avoid the hassle.

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    I hope for everyone's sake that VLC can keep going and provide its software & codecs without any legal obstacles put in its way- Arcsoft and Cyberlink would be waiting in the wings unfortunately....

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    Really shouldn't be surprised, but it looks like more confirmation to avoid using Media Center. If they aren't going to put any effort into fixing the bugs, adding new features, or improving MC in any way why would I support them by buying it? I really feel bad for companies like Ceton and Silicon Dust for developing products for it.

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    I'm comfortable with everything Microsoft is doing here, EXCEPT for the need to upgrade to Pro to get Media Center.  Bleck!!!!!  I completely disagree with the assertion that people who want Media Center also want the other Pro features.  In fact I'd say it's almost definitely the exact opposite - the most enthusiastic WMC users are those who use it on a machine dedicated to serving as a DVR.  They are the LEAST likely to use the additional Pro features because they rarely use the machine for other tasks.  By bundling WMC with a Pro upgrade pack, it triples the price and simplifies nothing.  It kills any hope of getting WMC as a $20 add-on.  Why should we pay for business-oriented features to get a home entertainment capability? I think a big problem here is that MS is still treating Media Center like a new Windows edition instead of what it is - an application plus services.  In spite of the assertion that "this is not a new edition of Windows", the blog post also says the reason you can't install WMC without upgrading to Pro is "to keep the Windows 8 editions plan as simple as possible."  They even change the system string to "Windows 8 Pro with Media Center" after you install the media pack*.  So would Win 8 Home + Media Center be a different edition or not?  The Windows team's verbal answer to that question is "no," but their mindset and actions still say "yes."  The mindset matters.  It's that mindset that leads them to bundle Media Center with an OS upgrade.  It's that mindset that makes them invent a non-existent tradeoff between the number of Windows editions and making WMC available to non-Pro users. Microsoft, you're right that installing Media Center doesn't make a new Windows edition.  Quit acting like it does.  Make the Media Center pack available to Win 8 Home users WITHOUT requiring an expensive Pro upgrade.  If you really want to simplify things for us, only bundle things that actually go together, and quit introducing artificial prerequisites.

  • Great idea.  Let's change the system string every time we install a new program!  "Windows 8 Pro with Media Center, Microsoft Office, Lord of the Rings Online, Dropbox, and Fish Tycoon".  Perfect!

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    @Carlos Nothing says that they will support blu-ray streaming on extenders.  The only possiblity is perhaps Netflix if they build their own application that does not use Silverlight.

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    I know it's completely unrelated to this topic but is Microsoft going to be addressing the long running Windows bug where large icons will revert to their 48x48 counterparts, rather than using the correct 128x128 or 256x256 version that scales properly? I've taken a screenshot of the issue: img208.imageshack.us/.../iconso.jpg That screenshot was taken on the Windows 8 Consumer Preview. Notice how it doesn't affect all icons. Changing the icon will not fix it unless you select a different instance of the icon - selecting the same one results in the 48x48 still being used. It happens so often that it makes using the desktop for shortcuts virtually unusable - I only installed the DiRT Showdown demo a couple of days ago and already the icon is broken. Also, does the shortcut overlay in the corner really need to scale with the icon? It's rather unattractive and isn't anti-aliased at larger sizes.

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    Much ado about nothing imo...

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    Twitter of Japan ... It is subject at a certain movie. "Windows XP currently used at least 2025" There are nothings in support extension by no means? If it becomes so, it will become difficult to take out Windows 8. Although he thinks that it is probably a lie ...

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    @Steven Sinofsky: When stepping back and looking at this complex situation from a broader perspective: What are the lessons learned for MS regarding the long term strategy? How will you use your influence in the IP / patent ecosystem to offer more simple and consumer friendly solutions? I know this will go beyond the topic of this blog post, but I guess many of us would be interested anyway. With regard to DVD, one option might be to just portion out the missing fees among the media (streamed or sold DVD) and not the device. So that sould be in the range of 1-2 cent per stream.

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    I was just watching “Triumph of the Nerds”  (again) few hours ago… Remember why the Macintosh didn’t get as much market share as Apple expected? Because it didn’t have a “Killer App”  while PC’s had Lotus 123…  Even if ??-DOS wasn’t as easy to use as the Macintosh, even if ??-DOS was uglier, they kept the market share because of the vast amount of APPLICATIONS written for it. Remember that, if Windows 8 does not have killer apps, it is DOOMED since day -1; I’m a Microsoft fan boy, and evangelist.  That is the only reason I haven’t abandoned ship yet.  I know how to use linux, I know java, I like Android and the PS3… The only reason I’m still here is because of LOYALTY. And I’m sure I’m not the only one. Just remember that, we DO NOT need you, we are here because we chose you.  If you fail and disappoint us, we will flee. Just think your decision VERY carefully, because you are in a situation that demands it. If Windows 8 fails to get a consistent market share on PC’s, Tablets/Slates and Smartphones, consider yourselves IBM++.  

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    I have to admit I am deeply troubled by this basic removing of functionality from a product; this is a kick to the groin of all those who have invested time and effort into committing to MS Media Center - a product which through third parties (media browser, Arcsoft, Cyberlink, Ceton Corp, SiliconDust) has gotten better and better. Now, many find that it's an excellent whole home AV solution, with it's ability to power xbox's and support CableCard multi-level DVR.   To find that this functionality is now cut for all except those who are on "PRO" is a way to significantly increase the cost of this design.  With a reduced level of functionality.  

  • Anonymous
    May 06, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    I'm sure 99% of users complaining don't use DVD movies on windows. It is useless, it is like the Quota settings on disk. Who need this?

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    @ agree uhm me? any ANYONE who's using Windows for a HTPC ?!?!

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    Another datapoint: Media Center / HTPC user since MCE Freestyle & Symphony era; Ceton cards, the whole nine-yards.  Just went through the process of adding internal blu-ray drive to my media centers and tried PowerDVD12 and Arcsoft's... Current solutions for integrated Blu-ray playback (PowerDVD and Arcsoft) at the 10' level don't match the seamlessness of the MC built in DVD support.  Please consider adding built in blu-ray support to this add on pack if we're going to be paying for it.  Thanks -

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    @All Purpose Geek  I just inferred it from some comments the company made(DTS support on extender and mounting ISO) . Ceton  have not even confirmed netflix on extenders.  WMC is the best DVR solution for those with cablecard access. Too bad MS doesn't know how to market it.

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    I wanted to say thanks for the FAQ - It is wonderful that you guys watch the blog comments and recognize true confusion over the general noise of whining - and post a response.

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    What actually amuses me is the the inevitable downgrade rights that End-Users (when they purchase OEM-edition Windows 8 Pro) get. Just like Windows 7 Pro, Windows 8 Pro should come with downgrade rights to a prior-edition of windows.  The amusing factoid is that when a user downgrades from Windows 8 Pro to Windows 7 Pro they get MCE/DVD Playback for 'free' and sidestep the royalty payment. Just include the darn codec, a $2-$10 savings is not worth the licensing headache regarding DVD Playback.

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    Personally I use VLC for all of my media, so I will just be able to carry on on my merry way.

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    Read several of the Windows 8 blogs plus a few of the comments.  The Windows 8 team has known from the beginning exactly what it is going to do. By hiding behind metrics and telemetry data they're trying to sound like we are all included.  You know, "we do this together".  What a scam!

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    >So when you add all this up and apply to all Windows PCs, it is an ongoing cost of hundreds of millions of dollars per year to the PC ecosystem But "the PC ecosystem" isn't paying for this: the individual PC purchasers are.  The incremental cost per PC is of the order of, say, 10 bucks, based on the $2 figure mentioned for Dolby. What's the cheapest Windows PC? Maybe $200.  Even then, $10 = irrelevant to purchase decision. The only way this could possibly represent hundreds of millions of dollars to the PC ecosystem is if the PC ecosystem intends to put the savings in its own pocket rather than lowering the price to me the customer.  But it wouldn't dream of keeping the money, would it?

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    I am only using WMC on my Win7 HTPC because it was there and included (I won't say free). I will stick with Win7 on that machine and when I have to go to Win8 (or 9 or 10), then I will look at open source options, instead because the two criteria I used to pick Win7 WMC no longer apply in Win8.

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    Would love to see this addressed (from a comment above): "Could you reconsider including native support for Matroska container (MKV/MKA/WebM), Theora & VP8 video, and Ogg Vorbis audio? They're widely used on YouTube (WebM/VP8/Vorbis) and Wikipedia/Wikimedia Commons sites (Ogg/Theora/Vorbis), which are #3 and #6 most popular sites on the internet according to Alexa: www.alexa.com/.../global (and they never get any lawsuit from anyone until now). And while you're at it, please add FLAC, Speex, and others too if possible." I think Microsoft could win back a lot of good faith if they baked in support for some of these other formats.  And it would help IE10's acceptance too, if it could natively play WebM/VP8/Vorbis/Ogg/Theora/etc because support is baked into the OS. It's another way to get to "It Just Works"

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    @John I haven't used a DVD on my PC for several years now (the XBOX is better in the living room than a PC), and I never use WMC. But the problem here is that Windows will include even less codecs than Windows 7. I've had to install codec packs / media players (like VLC) to several people that come to me because their video file won play on their PC's. Now everybody with a MEPG-2 Video will have to install a codec pack, get VLC, convert the videos, get a mac or trash their videos. I'm very worried about the future... I hope I'm just a little paranoid. --Arturo

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    la

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    Bald people are the problem! Bald people!

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    @alan, 5 May 2012 8:57 AM: Noone ever wants to mount an ISO... or waitaminute, do they? I seem to recall a feature the Win8 team presented as one of the improvements of Windows 8... :) This is nonsense, MS! Windows 8 is clearly two separate products sown together by MS management.

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    Bah, too much negative feedbacks and no response at all... Microsoft is not taking as a serious thing, forcing end users to smthg ugly and unuseful, but WE are the one that will pay for new OS, and if Microsoft don't listen to us, will not get money. It will fail as Titanic, we still remain happy with Windows 7, we do not loose nothing, and of course think to consider Mac Osx as a replacement

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    OT. Is possible add thumbnail in VIDEO Folder like Xbox Media Center ?

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    I’m a Microsoft fan boy, and evangelist.  That is the only reason I haven’t abandoned ship yet.  I know how to use linux, I know java, I like Android and the PS3… The only reason I’m still here is because of LOYALTY. And I’m sure I’m not the only one. Just remember that, we DO NOT need you, we are here because we chose you.  If you fail and disappoint us, we will flee. Just think your decision VERY carefully, because you are in a situation that demands it. <a href="http://www.kabbanet.ro">http://www.kabbanet.ro</a>

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    To the dev team: RESIGN !

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    Please, windows 8 needs a game folder, like in W7...  I'm using W8 in another pc, and don't know where to put my games :/

  • Anonymous
    May 07, 2012
    Here's something that can fish you our Microsoft. - 3 SKUs

  1. Business
  2. Media
  3. Ultimate Business will be your pro minus minus dvd playback etc Media will have dvd playback + bluray playback etc etc minus fax etc Ultimate will have everything. Keep it simple. Charge the consumers accordingly Don't truncate the OS experience to set a price.

  • Anonymous
    May 08, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 08, 2012
    *ESRB ratings...not MPAA ratings...lol

  • Anonymous
    May 08, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 08, 2012
    @C-Dan. Art Liberated @AZJack Maybe you should read the article "How much do DVD and digital media playback features really cost?" written by Ed Bott! www.zdnet.com/.../4977 Maybe this aricle makes it even more clearer!

  • Anonymous
    May 08, 2012
    Can't believe this, the more details about Windows 8 I hear the more disappointed I become. This is really poor. DVD play back should be included as standard; the reasonings are weak. At this rate I will be sticking with Windows 7 as it will work far better for me than Windows 8, and this is coming from a Windows long term techie users, not an anti Microsoft bod.

  • Anonymous
    May 08, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 08, 2012
    @C-Dan. Art Liberated @AZJack Maybe you should read the article "How much do DVD and digital media playback features really cost?" written by Ed Bott! www.zdnet.com/.../4977 Maybe this aricle makes it even more clearer! ???

  • Anonymous
    May 08, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 08, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 08, 2012
    DVDs are dead at this point and you could always just google some program to playback your DVDs like XBMC, VLC, KMPlayer. The fact that Microsoft is spending money at all to support DVD codes is surprising and kudos to them for doing it.

  • Anonymous
    May 08, 2012
    Computer with usb3.0,Blueray drive are today being support  by  OEM,anything a OEM add that Microsoft is not supporting          the OEM will add supporting software for that DVD playback e tc---etc---etc                                                                                                                

  • Anonymous
    May 08, 2012
    What a silly fool is Steve Dicklost,if you want your troubles solved ask the boys from Canonical or Debian or me Windows 8,9 ? what a what.

  • Anonymous
    May 08, 2012
    I find the decision to omit DVD Playback to be a pretty retrograde step - like you WANT your users to buy an ipad instead of a Win8 PC.  I travel a lot and regularly have dvds to watch on those long boring flights or even longer nights in a remote hotel - having the DVDs and being able to play them is a useful thing (and to avoid paying rip off charges for wireless or in-room TV movies). I can't help feeling you are creating Vista 2nd Edition.  

  • Anonymous
    May 08, 2012
    Stop the silly speculation about Win 8 it will be flop a la Vista hasta la Vista sick puppy and no apologies from the fools like the Steven or Stephen or what ever DH Bros

  • Anonymous
    May 08, 2012
    I am in total disbelief.  It's taken two posts and a lot of words to essentially tell us that you're removing basic features.  I am pretty sure that Media Centre will be totally deprecated in the next version of Windows.  So much for choice and usability. I know that people often forget that Windows XP came out over 10 years ago and pre-dated DVDs so it would never have included native DVD playback.  Slowly and surely Windows 7 has changed all that, we were getting to the stage where ‘everything just worked’.  How is this re-imagining Windows exactly?  We should be adding codec support, not removing fundamental ones.  The boys down in Cuppertino must be laughing into their designer blue-sky thinking coffee cups. DVDs are still a valid choice for a lot of people in all kinds of situations.  I don't care about bare, statistical, blind telemetry data, it is not the panacea to understanding about what people want or what people care about.  When someone buys a PC and sticks in a DVD, it should just work.  Now granted, if they buy a pre-installed PC, chances are the OEM will have a decoder and (another DVD player app) pre-installed but what if they rebuild and have lost the OEM discs or there were no discs to start with?  What if the install partition is lost or corrupted?   It just makes no sense removing such a basic requirement and worse, hiding it within the nightmare of Microsoft's marketing machine which can't help itself but botch up a simple experience by adding all sorts of naming convention jargon designed to give the impression of something grand and self-important whilst confusing, confuddling and bewildering those not lucky enough to hold a degree in Microsoft-speek. So let’s just recap here, this is 2012 and Microsoft is removing DVD-playback based on ‘user feedback’ and yards of telemetry data.  This disjointed and warped thinking doesn’t add up when Windows 8 will continue to support floppy disks and dot-matrix printers.  I just don’t get it.   This is what Microsoft should be doing for Windows 8 media – this is how I imagine Windows to be re-imagined: • Merge WMP, Zune, WMC into ONE killer product that has different end points for different screens i.e. tablets, phones, PCs and Media Centres. • Support for WP7,8 etc AND for regular mp3 players, Plays For Sure devices, Zune players • Native support for DVDs and blu-rays • Support for other codecs like ogg, DIVx, AAC/M4a and dare I say it Quicktime – just make it all work! • Proper support for in-car systems using USB or Bluetooth. Why do ipods/iphones work but not Microsoft devices?  Microsoft should own this space, it should be fighting to be in every video/audio context, not spending its time gouging through endless hours of telemetry just to tell us that they are listening to what we want.  Telemetry won’t reveal that list above!

  • Anonymous
    May 08, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 08, 2012
    Windows 7 SP2? Office for Mac next?

  • Anonymous
    May 08, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 09, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 09, 2012
    So, Is Microsoft gonna use PNG crush or something similar to losslessly compress PNGs in Windows 8?

  • Anonymous
    May 09, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    May 09, 2012
    I am very surprised at MS to not include Windows Media Center in all their Windows 8 OS as a main feature. This would help grow this feature into something very valueble. MS is giving Windows Media Center Limited exposure to only pro OS. I think this product is mature enough that everyday users will find this feature usefull. I dont use it yet because in Windows Xp and vista I did not find it as clean and mature as it is now. I hope you add it back into the general and pro version of windows.

  • Anonymous
    May 09, 2012
    To Steve "jumping monkey" Ballmer: RESIGN !

  • Anonymous
    May 09, 2012
    The comment has been removed