Live TV playback may up to 30 minutes behind the current broadcast schedule in Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 (891980)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

SYMPTOMS

When you watch Live TV in Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, the program that is currently playing may be up to 30 minutes behind what is currently being broadcast. For example, Live TV may display content at 9:30 P.M. that was originally broadcast at 9:00 P.M.

CAUSE

If you keep Live TV on the same channel for a long time under certain CPU-load conditions, Media Center may fall behind in the buffer. When this behavior occurs, programming that you expect to start at a certain time may be delayed by up to 30 minutes in Live TV.

For example, if you record by using two tuners, and you watch live TV at the same time, this may increase your CPU load. Therefore, the amount of delay that occurs may also increase.

Note By default, Media Center buffers Live TV for up to 30 minutes. Because of this functionality, you can pause and rewind Live TV up to the length of the buffer.

WORKAROUND

To work around this issue and to return to current programming, use one of the following methods:
  • Press Live TV on the remote. When you do this, the Live TV buffer is preserved, and Live TV displays whatever is currently being broadcast on the selected channel.
  • Change the channel to another channel and then back again. As soon as you change the channel in Media Center, the Live TV buffer is flushed and regenerated. Therefore, Live TV displays whatever is currently being broadcast on the selected channel.
  • Press the fast-forward button (FF) on the remote to fast-forward through the Live TV buffer. When you have reached the end of the buffer, Live TV displays whatever is currently being broadcast on the selected channel.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

MORE INFORMATION

Media Center Technical Support

Because Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition was included with your hardware device or system, the hardware manufacturer provides technical support and assistance for this software. Your manufacturer may have customized the installation with unique components such as specific device drivers and optional settings to maximize the performance of that manufacturer's hardware. If you require technical help with Windows XP Media Center Edition, contact your manufacturer directly because the manufacturer is best qualified to support the software that the manufacturer has installed on the hardware.

You can also visit the Windows XP Media Center Edition product information Web site at the following Microsoft Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/29/2004
Keywords:kbtshoot KB891980 kbAudEndUser
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