Here at Hack7MC we’re going to start taking questions from our readers ad posting them in special Q&A posts. These might not warrant a completely new post but are certainly worth covering. Questions will be taken via the comments section, through Twitter, via email or through a special form located below Q&A posts.

Question #1, from Dave Bryce, about using a highly specific concoction of codecs for different types of video:

Question

Michael,

Can I ask, I would like to use Cyberlink for my TV, CoreAVC for h264/x264 and FFDShow for avi/divx/xvid etc. Is this possible using the MCDU in 7MC or does it only allow for one video codec.

Many Thanks

Answer

Yes, It is possible but you’ll need to use more than just MCDU. First you’ll need to install all three codecs. Then replace the default TV codec with Cyberlink using MCDU or this guide.

Next, open FFDShow’s video configuration and set h.264 to disabled. Use Filter Manager and set FFDShow to Preffered+1 and CoreAVC to Preffered.

This should defer h.264 to CoreAVC, use Graphstudio to double-check that h.264 is being handled by CoreAVC and with any luck you should be all set

Question #2, from Kromseesall via Twitter:

Question

So will this work with say Vonage, Skype or MagicJack?
(on Getting Caller ID in Windows 7 Media Center)

Answer

Yes! This will work for any service that transmits Caller ID data properly. Which, if your home phone is able to receive Caller ID should mean that your Media Center will as well. In fact, during setup for the guide Vonage was used to test the plug-in.

Now it’s your turn! Send in your question to Hack7MC and it may appear in the next installment of Reader Q&A. No question is too small so send it in, include a link to your website/twitter/whatever as well for a little extra benefit!