Media Center . . . "Internet TV not available after September 20?!"

[BonzaiDuck]

An hour ago, I went back to "Internet TV" and "Netflix" to resume a movie I'd been watching. Before the Yes/No dialog about ending Live TV, a new box appears, saying "Media Center will not provide Internet TV after September 20 . . . . [paraphrase] go to www . . . . .com for [this I-net-TV source/service], for Zune go to www . . . .com . . . "

I don't know how to say it, how much to say or ask. Let me put it this way . . . .

"What the **** is going on with this!!!???"

I want my Netflix, I want all my other stuff -- through Media Center. I was getting accustomed to the HDCP limitations on all my sources -- I-net TV, cable-HD TV, broadcast HD TV -- all through MEDIA CENTER.

Perhaps someone could direct me to the right person to strangle. I want to know what's going on . . . . . why . . . . . how . . . .

This is going to [almost] turn my life upside down! How can they do this?!

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

Internet TV is the channels that WMC offers by clicking on the "Internet TV" icon (the one next to Guide) in WMC. The loss of this won't affect Netflix, cable TV, or any other access within WMC. No great loss.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Internet TV is the channels that WMC offers by clicking on the "Internet TV" icon (the one next to Guide) in WMC. The loss of this won't affect Netflix, cable TV, or any other access within WMC. No great loss.

But . . . NetFlix is on the same menu as the other I-net TV options. . . .

My subscription for ~$8/mo seemed worth it, even though the reviews [even "Consumer Reports"] gave it mediocre ratings. If they're going to just delete the various free "network" channel offerings for that menu, like "MSN" and "CBS," that's one thing. If I can't access NetFlix through that option and menu -- that's something else . . . Maybe I missed something as my choice of sequential steps became a habit. I guess the only thing to do is "wait and see," then discover again how to access NetFlix through WMC.

 

[Arkitekt]

There are other ways to access Netflix, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Chances are that if Netflix support is removed that a plugin will appear shortly after to fill the void. Sounds to me though that with the new WMC they are just dropping free ITV support.

 

[Binky]

If they drop one of the most useless features of media center, I doubt many people will complain.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

But . . . NetFlix is on the same menu as the other I-net TV options. . . .

My subscription for ~$8/mo seemed worth it, even though the reviews [even "Consumer Reports"] gave it mediocre ratings. If they're going to just delete the various free "network" channel offerings for that menu, like "MSN" and "CBS," that's one thing. If I can't access NetFlix through that option and menu -- that's something else . . . Maybe I missed something as my choice of sequential steps became a habit. I guess the only thing to do is "wait and see," then discover again how to access NetFlix through WMC.

There is also a Netflix icon in the Movies heading.

 

[ViRGE]

They're finally dropping that useless Internet TV feature? It's about damn time. In principle it would be great, but since it's never populated with recent, full-length content, it's basically useless.

I think the only time they ever got anything right was for the 2008 Olympics; the WMC application and event viewer was quite good.

 

[Mloot]

I actually used internet tv somewhat frequently. Now that it is gone, I have started looking for a plugin that would give me access to some of the shows/podcasts I like to watch. It looks like Revision3 would fill the void, but I tried installing it, but it does not show up in WMC.

 

[piasabird]

I always just go to a website to watch my Internet Programs. I dont subscribe to Netflix or any other service at this time. I like watching Korean TV Programs with sub-scripts. I use a variety of different sites. I have one computer that is basically used as a streaming box, with some occasional web surfing. There are always the funny Cat Videos and Youtube.

 

[Sammy2]

Take a look at Playon but I don't know if they have a WMC plug-in.

 

[Savij]

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...a-center/4e045d3e-c61a-4e61-909c-816620d0ff68

 

[wirednuts]

wow... what a failure. they put a lot of work into their internet tv package too.

im guessing the likes of netflix and hulu simply took away all the good content... and microsoft was also probably having a hard time finding a way to keep their service free so they just said the hell with it.

 

[ServerGUY]

So whats used to stream sports with them?

 

[wirednuts]

streaming sports can only be done legally through league websites or network streaming websites. its always hit or miss

but thank you Microsoft, because my program guide is so much nicer now since it just loops over to my channels continuously, and doesn't get stuck on internet tv channels I never used to watch

 

[ServerGUY]

That sucks. Thats the only thing keeping me with cable.

 

[ViRGE]

So whats used to stream sports with them?

Boxee used to be a good option for that (they had an official MLB.tv application), but these days I don't know if there's a good solution for Media Center users.

 

[hoorah]

There is also a Netflix icon in the Movies heading.

Also? thats the way I've been using Netflix on my WMC PC for the last 2 years. There is a better way?

 

[hoorah]

Also, for someone like my mother who only has an antenna and an internet connection, the internet TV options were a nice supplement to regular broadcast TV.

I don't think she ever used them, despite me showing her how several times, but I thought they would be particularly useful for cord-cutters. Oh well.

 

[notposting]

We used them occasionally but I have Netflix and Hulu in the Pictures and Videos (along with more videos on server) strip, My Movies for DVD rips, plus the local networks. No great loss but they could have done so much better...what would be appreciated is if they revamped it a bit to enable easy plugin development and usage.

Open source it to the community and watch it flourish.

 

[wirednuts]

you know ever since my program guide stopped showing all the internet tv channels it has been much nicer to look at much easier to scroll

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

Also? thats the way I've been using Netflix on my WMC PC for the last 2 years. There is a better way?

There was an icon to access Netflix in the Internet channel lineup as well. I wouldn't have called it a "better" way to access Netflix, just another way.