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OT - Rant about trying to findi details about versions of Win 8.1 OS



 
 
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  #16  
Old October 19th 13, 04:20 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-8
Yes
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 39
Default OT - Rant about trying to findi details about versions of Win 8.1 OS

....winston wrote:

Yes wrote:

@jerryab, at present, I haven't decided if I want, need or would use
Media Player if I had it. Under WinXP, the same security settings
were shared by both Windows Media Player and Internet Explorer. I
couldn't stand that because I wanted to use different security
settings; the IE settings being considerably more restrictive. One
size does not fit all. If I changed security settings in one app,
I had to go back and reset them when I used the other - a very big
hassle. So I chose to use a third party app for media and lock
down IE. I will be going with 64-bit OS for the reasons you gave -
increase the amount of RAM I can use and to use hard drives larger
than 2TB.


Media Player is included with Windows 8.
Media Center is not included with Windows 8.

Media Center plays DVD's, Media Player does not.

Media Center is an update and only available for Win8 Pro at a cost
of $10.

Installing Media Center (on an OEM or Retail Windows 8 Pro) will
change the license to a retail Windows 8 Pro with Media Center. It
will also change the product key. - if the system is ever returned
via a clean install (or recovery media) to Win8 Pro pre Media Center
and then desired to be updated to Win8 Pro with Media Center then
both product keys may be necessary to facilitate the clean install
(Win 8 Pro) and update (Media Center). The exception may be OEM
recovery media which may or may not require the original product key.

Since Media Center changes the license...if installing on an OEM
machine and still in warranty...check with them if it nullifies o/s
support during the warranty period.


Was not aware about the DVD playback problem - that sucks AFAIC. My
needs to play a DVD are very basic - play and watch. It sounds like
the Media Center is just an extra hassle and may be just another way
for Microsoft to increase its overall revenue. I can probably find
alternatives in the open-source community.
Ads
  #17  
Old October 19th 13, 08:50 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-8
Paul
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 18,275
Default OT - Rant about trying to findi details about versions of Win8.1 OS

Yes wrote:
...winston wrote:

Yes wrote:

@jerryab, at present, I haven't decided if I want, need or would use
Media Player if I had it. Under WinXP, the same security settings
were shared by both Windows Media Player and Internet Explorer. I
couldn't stand that because I wanted to use different security
settings; the IE settings being considerably more restrictive. One
size does not fit all. If I changed security settings in one app,
I had to go back and reset them when I used the other - a very big
hassle. So I chose to use a third party app for media and lock
down IE. I will be going with 64-bit OS for the reasons you gave -
increase the amount of RAM I can use and to use hard drives larger
than 2TB.

Media Player is included with Windows 8.
Media Center is not included with Windows 8.

Media Center plays DVD's, Media Player does not.

Media Center is an update and only available for Win8 Pro at a cost
of $10.

Installing Media Center (on an OEM or Retail Windows 8 Pro) will
change the license to a retail Windows 8 Pro with Media Center. It
will also change the product key. - if the system is ever returned
via a clean install (or recovery media) to Win8 Pro pre Media Center
and then desired to be updated to Win8 Pro with Media Center then
both product keys may be necessary to facilitate the clean install
(Win 8 Pro) and update (Media Center). The exception may be OEM
recovery media which may or may not require the original product key.

Since Media Center changes the license...if installing on an OEM
machine and still in warranty...check with them if it nullifies o/s
support during the warranty period.


Was not aware about the DVD playback problem - that sucks AFAIC. My
needs to play a DVD are very basic - play and watch. It sounds like
the Media Center is just an extra hassle and may be just another way
for Microsoft to increase its overall revenue. I can probably find
alternatives in the open-source community.


I added the Media Center thing at the time, because it
was a free add-on. If you don't have TV tuner cards
to work with it, the only visible change in your OS,
is the addition of two more CODECs to the pool of
CODECs. And those are for DVD playback.

That makes it about equivalent to having a copy of
WinDVD on the machine.

If you have TV tuner cards, then the Media Center
is more worthwhile.

Paul
  #18  
Old October 20th 13, 05:47 AM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-8
...winston[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,861
Default OT - Rant about trying to findi details about versions of Win8.1 OS

Yes wrote:
Paul wrote:

Yes wrote:
Wolf K wrote:

On 2013-10-18 12:01 PM, philo wrote:
Yes wrote:

Microsoft is out of their collective f*** minds.
... snipped ...

I finally did find a comparison chart - using Google. It
popped up at the top of search results, as compared to nothing
using the search on Microsoft's pages.

Microsoft's comparison chart is in their Enterprise section at


https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/wind...e/default.aspx
I will be doing a new install over my existing WinXP Pro OS,
going from 32-bit (the WinXP) to 64-bit.
Use the MS Upgrade Adviser if you haven't done so already. And be
cautious about 640-bit. If your XP machine is older than about 5
years, the CPU may not run a 64-bit OS. CPUs of that age were
often "640bit ready", ie, they emulated 64-bit operation.

HTH

Thanks for the warning. I have already confirmed that my CPU can
handle 65-bit.


Not everything in computing is a power_of_two.

The machine we had in school was 60 bit. They used to fit
ten 6 bit characters in the registers. It made some kinda sense.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CDC_6600

This company made a 36 bit processor. I never saw one
of these or worked on one, but because these existed,
I used to get software people at work, pestering me
to add some more bits to our 32 bit processor :-)
It was a running joke with them. People are spoiled
now, with 8/16/32/64 progressions. It used to be a
lot more fun when things were weird (like DEC and octal
for numbers - octal used to drive me crazy).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbolics

I did end up building something with a pretty
odd number of bits to it. Maybe up around 110 bits,
in a bit slice design. When you wrote firmware for it,
you burned sets of ROMs, and it cost the company a
small fortune for blanks. (Batches of chips used to
cost $3000, and I had to be careful not to waste them.
Or my manager would get that look in his eye.)
The fun part for me was, adding bits until you had
enough to control "everything".

Power_of_two is for wussies. 65 bits, no problem.

Paul


My typo :-) Should read 64-bit :-)

I'll now try to find out the licensing difference between the OEM
version and the so-called "Full Version" is.

It used to be a relatively simple decision. OEM was essentially
install the OS on one machine only whereas the license of the retail
version stayed with you the person so that you could use it
indefinitely and move it to a new pc, removing it of course from the
previous pc.

I seem to remember reading that with Windows 8 that Microsoft changed
licensing terms so that it no longer has a "retail" version as I
understood the concept, so then I have to wonder why choose its concept
of a retail version to that of the OEM version. Microsoft offers a
Personal Use License for those build your own pc people to use in
conjunction with the OEM license. Current promotion pricing for the
OEM is about $60 cheaper.

I think this time, I'll ignore Microsoft's own search function and
check what pops up on Google.

Win8 came in the following
Retail
- upgrade media (download was the same bitness as the pc performing
the download), option to get disc for additional price
- upgrade disc media came with 32 and 64 bit DVD)

Personal Use for System Builder Version
- came with 32 or 64 bit DVD not both
- during install user had option for Personal Use (build own pc) or
OEM build (build pc and resale to another)
** Personal Use choice was not transferrable, OEM was transferable
with machine)

Win 8.1
- all media is full version (retail or Personal Use/OEM)
- retail media is transferable
- Personal use/OEM choice no longer present (only OEM for reselling
o/s and pc to another) - i.e. not for use on building own pc

i.e. the licensing changed from 8 to 8.1

Licensing and 'Technically feasible' are two different things.


--
...winston
msft mvp consumer apps
  #19  
Old October 20th 13, 05:51 AM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-8
...winston[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,861
Default OT - Rant about trying to findi details about versions of Win8.1 OS

Yes wrote:
...winston wrote:

Media Player is included with Windows 8.
Media Center is not included with Windows 8.

Media Center plays DVD's, Media Player does not.

Media Center is an update and only available for Win8 Pro at a cost
of $10.

Installing Media Center (on an OEM or Retail Windows 8 Pro) will
change the license to a retail Windows 8 Pro with Media Center. It
will also change the product key. - if the system is ever returned
via a clean install (or recovery media) to Win8 Pro pre Media Center
and then desired to be updated to Win8 Pro with Media Center then
both product keys may be necessary to facilitate the clean install
(Win 8 Pro) and update (Media Center). The exception may be OEM
recovery media which may or may not require the original product key.

Since Media Center changes the license...if installing on an OEM
machine and still in warranty...check with them if it nullifies o/s
support during the warranty period.


Was not aware about the DVD playback problem - that sucks AFAIC. My
needs to play a DVD are very basic - play and watch. It sounds like
the Media Center is just an extra hassle and may be just another way
for Microsoft to increase its overall revenue. I can probably find
alternatives in the open-source community.


Alternative (and free) application software for Win8/8.1 are available
for DVD playback.
i.e. unless you like the familiarity of Media Center (feature-wise
it's quite the same on Win8 as Win7) from past use/behavior you should
be happy with 3rd party applications.


--
...winston
msft mvp consumer apps
  #20  
Old October 20th 13, 06:33 AM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-8
Ron
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 507
Default OT - Rant about trying to findi details about versions of Win8.1 OS

On 10/19/2013 2:24 AM, ...winston wrote:
Yes wrote:

@jerryab, at present, I haven't decided if I want, need or would use
Media Player if I had it. Under WinXP, the same security settings were
shared by both Windows Media Player and Internet Explorer. I couldn't
stand that because I wanted to use different security settings; the IE
settings being considerably more restrictive. One size does not fit
all. If I changed security settings in one app, I had to go back and
reset them when I used the other - a very big hassle. So I chose to
use a third party app for media and lock down IE. I will be going with
64-bit OS for the reasons you gave - increase the amount of RAM I can
use and to use hard drives larger than 2TB.


Media Player is included with Windows 8.
Media Center is not included with Windows 8.

Media Center plays DVD's, Media Player does not.


*Windows* Media Player won't play DVDs?

  #21  
Old October 20th 13, 09:45 AM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-8
...winston[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,861
Default OT - Rant about trying to findi details about versions of Win8.1 OS

Ron wrote:
On 10/19/2013 2:24 AM, ...winston wrote:
Yes wrote:

@jerryab, at present, I haven't decided if I want, need or would use
Media Player if I had it. Under WinXP, the same security settings were
shared by both Windows Media Player and Internet Explorer. I couldn't
stand that because I wanted to use different security settings; the IE
settings being considerably more restrictive. One size does not fit
all. If I changed security settings in one app, I had to go back and
reset them when I used the other - a very big hassle. So I chose to
use a third party app for media and lock down IE. I will be going with
64-bit OS for the reasons you gave - increase the amount of RAM I can
use and to use hard drives larger than 2TB.


Media Player is included with Windows 8.
Media Center is not included with Windows 8.

Media Center plays DVD's, Media Player does not.


*Windows* Media Player won't play DVDs?


Correct on Win8 or Win8.1 (any version) MP doesn't play DVD's
....and Media Center is a Windows Pro only option (Media Center is not
available for Windows 8 Core or Windows 8 Enterprise)

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...-playback-help


--
...winston
msft mvp consumer apps
  #22  
Old October 20th 13, 05:35 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-8
Ron
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 507
Default OT - Rant about trying to findi details about versions of Win8.1 OS

On 10/20/2013 4:45 AM, ...winston wrote:
Ron wrote:


Media Player is included with Windows 8.
Media Center is not included with Windows 8.

Media Center plays DVD's, Media Player does not.


*Windows* Media Player won't play DVDs?


Correct on Win8 or Win8.1 (any version) MP doesn't play DVD's
...and Media Center is a Windows Pro only option (Media Center is not
available for Windows 8 Core or Windows 8 Enterprise)

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...-playback-help


This computer came with Power DVD so I never even tried to use WMP to
play a DVD. The second paragraph is the real reason why WPMP no longer
plays DVDs.

snip

According to Microsoft, DVDs are old-school technology that’s no longer
needed. Today’s ultrathin laptops and tablets don’t even have DVD
drives. Most people watch movies by streaming them to their computers
over the Internet, Microsoft says. Or, they watch their DVDs on TV.

Also, Microsoft no longer wanted to pay licensing fees to the companies
owning the patents to the MPEG-2 decoder and Dolby Digital audio support
required for playing back DVDs.

snip



  #23  
Old October 21st 13, 06:47 AM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-8
...winston[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,861
Default OT - Rant about trying to findi details about versions of Win8.1 OS

Ron wrote:
On 10/20/2013 4:45 AM, ...winston wrote:
Ron wrote:


Media Player is included with Windows 8.
Media Center is not included with Windows 8.

Media Center plays DVD's, Media Player does not.

*Windows* Media Player won't play DVDs?


Correct on Win8 or Win8.1 (any version) MP doesn't play DVD's
...and Media Center is a Windows Pro only option (Media Center is not
available for Windows 8 Core or Windows 8 Enterprise)

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...-playback-help


This computer came with Power DVD so I never even tried to use WMP to
play a DVD. The second paragraph is the real reason why WPMP no longer
plays DVDs.

snip

According to Microsoft, DVDs are old-school technology that’s no longer
needed. Today’s ultrathin laptops and tablets don’t even have DVD
drives. Most people watch movies by streaming them to their computers
over the Internet, Microsoft says. Or, they watch their DVDs on TV.

Also, Microsoft no longer wanted to pay licensing fees to the companies
owning the patents to the MPEG-2 decoder and Dolby Digital audio support
required for playing back DVDs.

snip



The second paragraph probably covers the business reason but not
entirely inclusive of all reasons....since OEM's are involved for the
majority of sold o/s - cost passed on to OEM and OEM also responsbile
for support.



--
...winston
msft mvp consumer apps

  #24  
Old November 15th 13, 10:15 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-8
WireTalk
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 36
Default OT - Rant about trying to findi details about versions of Win8.1 OS

On 2013-10-19 11:20 AM, Yes wrote:


Was not aware about the DVD playback problem - that sucks AFAIC. My
needs to play a DVD are very basic - play and watch. It sounds like
the Media Center is just an extra hassle and may be just another way
for Microsoft to increase its overall revenue. I can probably find
alternatives in the open-source community.


Yup it suck that DVD movies and the nice Vista/7 built-in games are
gone. Small potatoes but ..

If you've ever bought a DVD-R drive, they usually come with softwares
such as PowerDVD and Nero etc. PowerDVD plays DVDs quite well. For
simple playback on the monitor it's more than sufficient. Check your
discs you might have a copy. If not, search online, there are divers
solutions for DVD movie playback.

WireTalk

--

Are you Christian? But stumbling online?

The Lord makes all things new:

http://www.holinessprompter.com

New software for Christians who've decided to get honest.

--

And every man that hath this hope in
Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.

1 John 3 : 3
--
  #25  
Old November 15th 13, 10:38 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-8
WireTalk
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 36
Default OT - Rant about trying to findi details about versions of Win8.1 OS

On 2013-10-19 11:20 AM, Yes wrote:


Was not aware about the DVD playback problem - that sucks AFAIC. My
needs to play a DVD are very basic - play and watch. It sounds like
the Media Center is just an extra hassle and may be just another way
for Microsoft to increase its overall revenue. I can probably find
alternatives in the open-source community.


Yup it suck that DVD movies and the nice Vista/7 built-in games are
gone. Small potatoes but ..

If you've ever bought a DVD-R drive, they usually come with softwares
such as PowerDVD and Nero etc. PowerDVD plays DVDs quite well. For
simple playback on the monitor it's more than sufficient. Check your
discs you might have a copy. If not, search online, there are divers
solutions for DVD movie playback.

WireTalk

--

Are you Christian? But stumbling online?

The Lord makes all things new:

http://www.holinessprompter.com

New software for Christians who've decided to get honest.

--

And every man that hath this hope in
Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.

1 John 3 : 3
--
 




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