Page 1 of 1

Playing back "protected" content after W10 upgrade

Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 9:58 pm
by Paul Anderegg
If I upgrade my Windows 7 Media Center to Windows 10, will I still be able to play back PROTECTED CONTENT shows that were previously recorded? When I say upgrade, I mean upgrade from within the Windows 7 install using the free Windows 10 thing, not a clean install.

My Windows install is years old, and glitches come up now and again, but with no ability to keep files if I do a clean install, I stuck with it. I have now installed a newer bigger SSD with a brand new WMC7 install, and transferred my guide scheduling, but in order to watch older protected files, I have to dual boot into the old WMC7. Want to run the upgrade on the OLD install and use Windows 10 built in players to watch the slew of older protected recordings left over there. Possible?

Paul

Re: Playing back "protected" content after W10 upgrade

Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 11:27 pm
by DavidinCT
There is no Media Center in WIndows 10.... You might be 100% SOL. From what I was understanding the WTV files don't even play back natively in WIndows 10, so meaning you might be out of luck.

Best bet if you have DRM'd shows, stick with what you have and fix it. Unless your not worried about this content...

There is a 3rd party hack that I lot of us have been working on to get WMC running on Windows 10, so far it's working. BUt, DRM'd shows and extenders are a whole different story.

If you format the drives, you might as well delete the shows because if they are DRMed, they are worthless..

Re: Playing back "protected" content after W10 upgrade

Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2015 12:03 am
by Paul Anderegg
I understand there is no WMC in 10, didn't know wtc files will not play in 10. I know my wtc files play on Win7 Media Player, and I know Win10 includes Media Player, so that sucks.

Was specifically wondering if 10 breaks 7's tokens or whatever when you upgrade. Maybe I will just do a full system image backup, let 10 install, try it, an dif it fails, restore the old image assuming Win10 doesn't log in with MS and screw something up when Win7 breaths again.

Paul

Re: Playing back "protected" content after W10 upgrade

Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2015 9:39 am
by IT Troll
As David said, Windows 10 does not play Windows Recorded TV files. So I don't think you are going to have any luck.

You could try installing the unofficial Media Center package for Windows 10 that is floating around the Internet. But I am doubtful it will play protected content.

Re: Playing back "protected" content after W10 upgrade

Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 6:49 pm
by prouton
Be aware that if you accept the Windows 10 upgrade, and then want to go back to Windows 7, you need to uninstall Windows 10 in the official manner (via Windows itself) so that Microsoft sees that you rejected it. Otherwise, 30 days after you do the upgrade your Windows 7 license is nullified -- no reinstall or continued activation possible.

So if you go backwards, don't just wipe out the Windows 10 system and install Windows 7 from scratch.

Re: Playing back "protected" content after W10 upgrade

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 7:53 pm
by DavidinCT
prouton wrote:Be aware that if you accept the Windows 10 upgrade, and then want to go back to Windows 7, you need to uninstall Windows 10 in the official manner (via Windows itself) so that Microsoft sees that you rejected it.
Is this documented anywhere ? I know off topic here but, If you upgrade to 10 from 7, and go back to 7, do you own a copy of 10 or will you lose it once you roll back ?

To the OP, I am someone who is VERY involved with the Windows 10 hack for WMC, if your going to worry about Protected content, my advice is STICK WITH WHAT YOU HAVE. DO NOT upgrade to Windows 10 or you will be losing ALL OF YOUR "Protected" content...

Playing back "protected" content after W10 upgrade

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 9:05 pm
by RobsterUK
I have to disagree with what is said above. Windows 10 will play .wtv files - but non protected ones.
The way it was worded made it sound as though Win10 won't play that file format.

I have windows 10 on my tablet at work. I have shark codec pack installed and I can take recorded shows from WMC win7 on USB to watch during lunch break.

Re: Playing back

Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2015 2:25 pm
by DavidinCT
RobsterUK wrote:I have to disagree with what is said above. Windows 10 will play .wtv files - but non protected ones.
The way it was worded made it sound as though Win10 won't play that file format.

I have windows 10 on my tablet at work. I have shark codec pack installed and I can take recorded shows from WMC win7 on USB to watch during lunch break.
I have tested this in DETAIL. With out any 3rd party codecs, out of the box, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10 will not play video on a WTV file. If you try to play back a WTV file, it will treat it as a audio file and just play sound. This is on NON protected content (have not tried to upgrade with protected content)

Yes, with Shark's codec, you will get video but, with out the official codecs from Microsoft, it would be impossible to play back protected content.

Re: Playing back

Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2015 4:37 pm
by snorkelUK
DavidinCT wrote:I have tested this in DETAIL. With out any 3rd party codecs, out of the box, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10 will not play video on a WTV file. If you try to play back a WTV file, it will treat it as a audio file and just play sound. This is on NON protected content (have not tried to upgrade with protected content)
Installing Windows DVD Player app on Win 10 results in WTV file playback in both Media Player, and Media Center.

Re: Playing back

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2015 1:06 pm
by IT Troll
snorkelUK wrote:Installing Windows DVD Player app on Win 10 results in WTV file playback in both Media Player, and Media Center.
That's interesting and unexpected. Microsoft does include the app for free to those upgrading from Media Center so I can see why they might include this secret feature. Perhaps the app has some merit after all...

Re: Playing back "protected" content after W10 upgrade

Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2015 10:25 pm
by RobsterUK
What official codec from Microsoft enables protected wtv filed to be played? I thought that transferring protected files between pc's was a already a grey area.

How many people do not have additional codec installed on a media pc anyway? MS default codecs are not enough for the majority of people.

Interesting about the Win10 DVD App. If that plays wtv files it either installs codec for that format.
Or, did someone say that it is installed for those Win10 upgrades from systems that previously had WMC installed.
If so then perhaps the codec from WMC is preserved during the upgrade process.