S1Digital

Windows 7, the next major release of the operating system that powers S1Digital's Media Centers, will be available starting Thursday, 22nd October 2009. Windows 7 is a major release that brings many new features to the Media Center Platform. More information on Windows 7 can be found here.

Some of the new features include: Support for up to four TV tuners in any tuning space (e.g. four CableCard tuners) on all version of Windows 7. So if you have Windows 7 Home Premium, you'll now be able to watch and record up to four shows at the same time (if you have four tuners). Internet TV content is now integrated into the TV guide. Native support for more file formats (such as DivX and Apple's AAC) For example, iTunes music will automatically appear in the Media Center music library. Share recorded CableCard TV between Media Centers now. Any TV show that is flagged as "Copy Freely" (i.e. not copy protected) will be able to be watched on another Windows 7 Media Center, copied to DVD or copied to another computer. Stream recorded TV, music and videos over the Internet Numerous other stability improvements and fixes

1. If you have purchased a new S1Digital Media Center that has not shipped yet:

All outstanding Media Center orders will ship on or just after October 22nd so you will get a brand new install of S1Digital's customized Windows 7 build out of the box. There is nothing more that you will need to do to enjoy the benefits of Windows 7.

 2. If you purchased an S1Digital Media Center between June 26th and October 22nd:

Included with your Media Center was a Windows 7 Upgrade Coupon. To receive your copy of Windows 7, you must follow the directions on the coupon. The Windows 7 upgrade disc will be fulfilled directly from Microsoft. S1Digital will not be sending out Windows 7 upgrade discs.

 3. If you purchased an S1Digital Media Center between Jan 20th and March 31st 2009:

If you would like to take advantage of the Windows 7 upgrade promotion that S1Digital ran between Jan 20th and March 31st, you must contact S1Digital with your order number, order name, or email address used to purchase the Media Center requesting an Windows 7 upgrade. Once we confirm that you are eligible for the upgrade promotion, we will respond to you with instructions on how to obtain the free Windows 7 upgrade.

 4. If you are the owner of an older S1Digital Media Center that did NOT come with a free Windows 7 upgrade:

S1Digital will be offering Windows 7 for purchase after October 22nd. We strongly recommend that you perform an UPGRADE installation of Windows 7 to retain all your settings and content. If you do an upgrade installation, you must purchase the same version of Windows 7 as you have installed currently (e.g. if you have Vista Home Premium 32bit, you can only upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit). If you plan on doing a clean install, you can purchase any version of Windows 7 you like.

Note that if you are still using Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, you MUST perform a clean install, you cannot upgrade.

If you want to know more about features contained in each version of Windows 7, take a look at "which one is right for you" table. Unless you really need the features contained in a higher version of Vista, it is recommended that you upgrade to the same version you currently have.