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Ian DixonWindows Media Center and The Digital Lifestyle
July 03 The Media Center Show #163 - Stream DVDs to Extenders
This week Pete Stagman Windows Media Center MVP talks about how to stream DVDs to Extenders from a Media Center System. Pete worked on the I also have your email and news items. Please keep the email coming show [at] theDigitallifestyle.com Direct Download Link - Subscribe via iTunes - Subscribe via RSS - Vote for the show on Podcast Alley Show Times and all the links talked about in the show are in the podcast show notes June 27 Live Q&A session next weekDon’t forget I have moved my blog to TheDigitalLifestyle.com I haven’t done a live show for a while so next Tuesday 8:30pm UK / 12:30pm PST I am going to hook up the webcam and do a live Q & A session. I am open for questions on any digital lifestyle or Media Center topic but I especially want to take the opportunity to talk about HP’s MediaSmart Connect as it will be connected up and we can try anything out on the device, I want to take your calls so you can call in via Skype or a landline (I will give the number out on Tuesday), or I can call you if you send me your number. I will be using Yahoo Live to stream the session and if you have any question you want to send over before hand drop me an email (Ian at the digitallifestyle.com) or via Twitter June 26 The Media Center Show #162 - Warner Crocker on going mobile
I have a great show this week, Warner Crocker from Gottabemobile.com talks about making your digital lifestyle mobile. We talk about the rise of the low cost I also have your email, news items and don't forget about the HP Webinar on the new MediaSmart Connect I will be a guest on Direct Download Link - Subscribe via iTunes - Subscribe via RSS - Vote for the show on Podcast Alley Show times and all the links in the podcast show notes June 24 Don’t forget to register for HP’s Webinar on the new HP MediaSmart Connect
Don’t forget to register for HP’s Webinar on the new HP MediaSmart connect. The first one is with Ed Bott today at 10am PST and I will be the guest on Here are the official details: This summer, join HP and Microsoft for a series of webinars on HP's sleek, new connected entertainment device: the HP MediaSmart Connect, featuring Extender for Windows Media Center.
In this live online event you’ll get to meet the experts and learn why the HP MediaSmart Connect is the ’must have’ device that:
Brian Burch, Director of Marketing for HP's Connected Entertainment group, will lead an interactive demonstration of HP's latest advanced digital media receiver, and discuss other products on the market today. Brian will be joined by these industry experts who will share their impressions of the HP MediaSmart Connect and their thoughts on how this device will transform your living room experience:
Representatives from Microsoft will also be on hand to answer your questions about Windows Media Center and Extender technology. REGISTER NOW for one of the upcoming events and take the first step towards taking back control of your digital life! Click on the webinar date to go to the registration page for that session. Tuesday, June 24th
Thursday, June 26th Tuesday, July 8th
Thursday, July 10th
More details: http://www.microsoft.com/hpmediasmartconnect June 18 Post roundupDon't forget I have moved my blog to TheDigitalLifestyle.comOne of the most exciting products being at HP’s Berlin event is HP's new TouchSmart system. As I said before the hardware is a beautiful looking all in one design: This is combined with HP's own touch software that you can edit photos, view calendars, create playlists... June 2008 Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows VistaMicrosoft have posted the June update for Media Center: SUMMARY Microsoft has released the June 2008 Cumulative Update for Windows Media Center for Windows Vista. This update rollup is intended for computers that are running...
Join me on one of HP’s Webinar on the new HP MediaSmart ConnectAs Brian Burch from HP talked about on show 156 HP are launching the MediaSmart Connect a new Extender for Windows Media Center and over the next couple of months HP and Microsoft are hosting a series of webinars talking about and demonstrating the new... Windows Media Center expands features in JapanMicrosoft looks to be expanding Windows Media Center features for the Japanese market. They will be adding ISDB-T support which is the Japanese digital TV format and multilanguage closed-captioning. Also being added is TV Asahi, NHK, NTV, TBS and Fuji... Origami Experience 2.0 ReleasedBack at CES Microsoft where showing off the Origami Experience 2.0 for UMPCs. This is add on application for UMPCs that is designed for touch and the 7 inch screen. 2.0 looks like a complete re-write of the original software and has features like touch... HP announce the HP MediaSmart ConnectHP have launched the MediaSmart Connect (formally known as the HP MediaSmart Receiver). This is the dedicated Media Center Extender first shown at CES that as well as being a Media Center Extender will also stream content from other sources. So far there... June 12 Join me on one of HP’s Webinar on the new HP MediaSmart Connect
Don’t forget I have moved my blog to TheDigitalLifestyle.com
Ed Bott, http://www.zdnet.com Patrick Norton, http://www.tekzilla.com Mike Garcen, http://www.missingremote.com Ian Dixon, http://www.thedigitallifestyle.com ,yes that's me! So make sure you register for my session which is on Thursday, June 26th here are all the official details: This summer, join HP and Microsoft for a series of webinars on HP's sleek, new connected entertainment device: the HP MediaSmart Connect, featuring Extender for Windows Media Center.
In this live online event you’ll get to meet the experts and learn why the HP MediaSmart Connect is the ’must have’ device that:
Brian Burch, Director of Marketing for HP's Connected Entertainment group, will lead an interactive demonstration of HP's latest advanced digital media receiver, and discuss other products on the market today. Brian will be joined by these industry experts who will share their impressions of the HP MediaSmart Connect and their thoughts on how this device will transform your living room experience:
Representatives from Microsoft will also be on hand to answer your questions about Windows Media Center and Extender technology. REGISTER NOW for one of the upcoming events and take the first step towards taking back control of your digital life! Click on the webinar date to go to the registration page for that session.
More details: http://www.microsoft.com/hpmediasmartconnect
The Media Center Show #160 HP’s Connect Your WorldA special show this week as for the last three days I have been in Berlin at HP’s Connecting Your World event. HP had a massive launch of new notebooks and the Email and news items will be carried over to next week Direct Download Link - Subscribe via iTunes - Subscribe via RSS - Vote for the show on Podcast Alley Thanks to the show sponsor Techradar.com
Links talked about in the show this week:
Technorati tags: Windows Media Center, podcasts June 07 Off to Berlin for HP Connecting Your World eventDon't forget I have moved my blog to TheDigitalLifestyle.comOn Monday I am heading over to Berlin for HP's Connecting Your World event. HP will be discussing their new products and strategy and I hopefully will be So if you have any questions or issue you think I should ask let me know as intend to grab a bunch of interviews (post question as comments HERE or email me show [at] theDigitallifestyle.com) . I will be blogging when I can so keep an eye out on the RSS feed and I will be posting on Twitter regularly too. June 06 This weeks posts
It’s been a busy week with hardware announcements coming out of Computex 2008, like the AMD and ASUS launches plus Finally Windows Sideshow comes to Windows Mobile and I ask “How do you take your media with you?” How do you take your media with you?Most of us use Media Center centrally store our content, it could be TV, music, picture and DVDs . So what about accessing this content when your out and about? I have another a number of different ways of accessing my content. I have my Zune 30 which...
AMD Live! Home Cinema Changes Home Theater PC Market?Somewhat overshadowed by the AMD’s “Puma” launch this week was AMD launch of AMD Live! Home Cinema at Computex 2008 and according to Jake Ludington this could be game changer. Jake says that AMD’s chipset supports HD (including Blu-ray) through... Video: Media Center University: Optimizing for Entertainment & Networking – Part 1On Microsoft’s consumer electronics blog they have a link to part 1 of the Media Center University video. The video was taken at EHX Spring's Media Center University , I am watching it now, it has some good tips on connecting up a Media Center system... ASUS Debuts World's First HDMI-Ready Sound CardIf your on the look out of the a new sound card and want the highest quality you should checkout the latest sound card from ASUS. The ASUS Xonar HDAV1.3 is the first HDMI ready sound card, the card is HDMI 1.3a compliant and decode audio from HD sources... AMD Launches Next-Gen Notebook Platform "Puma"AMD’s new platform for laptops “Puma” look interesting for mobile users wanting to take their content with them. It combines the AMD Turion X2 processor and a Radeon HD 3000 graphics chip and promises to deliver “ Full HD Experience ”. It will be interesting... Consumer Electronics Installer Blog : CGMS-A, Broadcast flag and Windows Media CenterA few weeks ago there was a bit of outcry by some bloggers that Microsoft had enabled DRM in Media Center when users were blocked from recording “ American Gladiator ” ( see this story ) and that “once again Microsoft kills its products with DRM”. Chris...
Windows SideShow for Windows Mobile Developer Preview releaseFinally Sideshow comes to Windows Mobile, well in a developer preview. This means that you will be able to use Sideshow gadgets on your Windows Mobile phone. I have just downloaded and installed it and the first thing I noticed is that its says you need... vmcNetFlix goes Open SourceOne of the Windows Media Center NetFlix addins vmcNetFlix has gone open source. While I can't take advantage of (no Netflix in the UK) I do think Windows Media Center is ideally situated to be the central point for download services like Netflix, why... June 05 The Media Center Show #159 - Autonomic HomeListen Here Direct Download Link - Subscribe via iTunes - Subscribe via RSS - Vote for the show on Podcast Alley Thanks to the show sponsor Techradar.com
Show times and all the links talked about in the show are in the show notesMay 30 This weeks postsAre you interested in a book on Media Center development? Or having problems with XP Service Pack3 and Extenders? Check out this weeks post round up: Would you like to see a Media Center Development book?Steven Harding on The Digital Lifestyle Developer Blog is working on a Media Center development book and is asking would you like it in traditional book format or an inexpensive PDF copy. I think a PDF is a great idea as its a much cheaper way of distributing... Consumer Electronics Installer Blog : In-room Extender Design StrategyPreviously Microsoft's Consumer Electronics installer blog talked about using Media Center with a rack mounted solution for distributing content around the home. While this was a interesting solution the idea of having all the equipment in a rack didn't appeal to me so I like the look of the in-room solution they are showing in.... AMEX RM-mp1 Media Center RemoteEngadget have a nice picture of AMEX's RM-mp1 Media Center Remote. It has a touchpad, laser pointer, wireless USB receiver and it works with Media Center. It sure looks nice, shame there are no more details AMEX offers up RM-mp1 media center remote... Having problems setting up an Extender on XP SP3?Microsoft's Aaron Stebner details the issue that is causing Extender setup to fail on some XP SP3 installations and while the eHome team work on an update he has a manual workaround to resolve the issue Root cause of the issue I looked in the source code... TeVeStream CaptionSeeker - New Software for Locating Recorded TV Scenes by CaptionsNot sure if anybody has tried this but I just spotted a post about TeVeStream CaptionSeeker, an application for searching captions in TV shows and then you can seach for text in the show and jump to the scene in Media Center. Looks... Don't forget to Vote for The Ultimate Media Center Enthusiast SetupThere is still time to vote for your favourite Enthusiast Setup from our Flickr group and if you vote you get chance to win some great prizes, here are the nominations: jbworks mattingly47302 elootos fyiguy1 DWAnderson Take a look at their pictures send...
and finally don't forget this weeks podcast:
The Media Center Show #158 - Fuze Media SystemsListen Here Back at CES in January I came across FUZE Media Systems ( see this video ), they have a different approach to Media Center using a hybrid system of their own code and parts of Media Center to create a locked down whole home media solution... May 29 The Media Center Show #158 - Fuze Media SystemsDon't forget I have moved my blog to TheDigitalLifestyle.com, please subscribe to the RSS feedListen Here Direct Download Link - Subscribe via iTunes - Subscribe via RSS - Vote for the show on Podcast Alley Thanks to the show sponsor Techradar.com
Show Times and all the links talked about in the show are on the show blog May 22 Recent Post Roundup is back!Don't forget I have moved my blog to TheDigitalLifestyle.comI haven't done one of these for a while, so here is a round up of recent post on my blog. How do you use Home Automation?On The Media Center Show we talk about Home Automation frequently, with packages like mControl home automation is affordable and can scale from a single light switch all the way to full security systems and environmental control. I want to know how you...
Beta Test Windows Home Server Power Pack 1In the coming weeks Microsoft are planning to put out the beta of Power Pack 1 for Windows Home Server on the connect beta site and as Philip Churchill says on his blog "with the primary focus on getting the Server Storage component tested". As Power...
FUZE Media Systems incorporates Blu-Ray capabilityI met with FUZE Media Systems at CES back in January and they will be on the show in a couple weeks. Today they added Blu-Ray capabilities to their whole home media systems. They are partnering with ArcSoft to provide the Blu-ray support and Arcsoft seems...
CyberLink Live 2.0Cyberlink have launched 2.0 of CyberLink Live a placeshifting application that looks to rival to Orb and Webguide. With Cyberlink Live you can watch Live TV, browse your EPG and schedule recordings and as with Orb and Webguide you can also stream...
Fixing Windows Vista, Part 4: Get smart about servicesEd Bott continues writing about how to get the best out of Windows Vista and debunking many of the myths around the operating system. In part 4 Ed looks at services and counters the myth that you should disable many of the Windows services. Today’s...
MyNetflix developer heads to NetflixAnthony Park the developer behind mceBrowser and recently MyNetflix has announced that he is going to work for Netflix. Anthony is a great developer of Media Center application and I am sure his skills will be very useful for Netflix and I hope this means... The Media Center Show #157 - Microsoft's Hakan OlssonListen Here Direct Download Link - Subscribe via iTunes - Subscribe via RSS - Vote for the show on Podcast Alley Thanks to the show sponsor Techradar.com
Show Times, links and all the details in the show notes May 15 The Media Center Show #156 - HP on the MediaSmart TVListen Here Direct Download Link - Subscribe via iTunes - Subscribe via RSS - Vote for the show on Podcast Alley [mp3]http://thedigitallifestyle.com/audio/TDL_MediaCenter_20080515_156.mp3[/mp3] Thanks to the show sponsor Techradar.com
For full details of the times and links talked about in the show go to the show Blog May 08 Post RoundupDon't forget I have moved my blog to TheDigitalLifestyle.com It's been a busy week this week. I have been looking at the HP HDX Dragon Entertainment PC I am giving away, it's a fantastic laptop the most powerful Vista machine I have ever used. I will be giving away the unit starting May 9th so keep an eye on the blog for details of how to win. Other posts this week: What Power Settings do you use on your Media Center system?A question came up in the forums about power settings and sleep mode and how even with Vista some people don't risk Sleep mode on their Media Center system. I have to admit I don't use Sleep mode on my Media Center box as it now operates more like a server...
MyNetflix v2.2.1 - Instant Queue FeatureAnthony Park has updated MyNetflix to include new Instant Queue features This feature ties in well with what many people have been requesting for MyNetflix. So, this morning I added the code necessary in MyNetflix to use this new Instant Queue. Now in...
First Impressions of the HP DragonLast night I recorded an unboxing video of the HP Dragon that I will be giving away ( as part of the 31 Days of the Dragon ), I should have the video up in a couple of days so in the mean time I thought I would post my first thoughts. The first thing...
Video: Unboxing a HP HDX Dragon Entertainment PCAs part of the 31 days of Dragon I am giving away a HP HDX Entertainment PC and in this video I unbox the monster machine and take a quick look at the Vista performance rating and Windows Media Center. As I said in my first impressions post it is the...
Zune gets an updateToday when I fired up my Zune desktop software it prompted me to download the new version (2.5). It looks like the social elements got updated plus other new features. You can find out more details on the featues via Zunethoughts.com and it looks like...
D-link DSM-750 Now ShippingJust got a press release from D-link saying the DSM-750 is now shipping. I actually thought the unit was already shipping but I must have been wrong :) A lot of people have been impressed with the D-link Extender as it seems to have better performance...
Windows Media Center experience throughout the house with rack-mounted ExtendersMicrosoft's customer installer blog takes a look at how you can use Media Center Extenders to distribute audio and video around the home. They show how you can put all your AV equipment, PC and Extenders in the same rack and then each Extender's video... The Media Center Show #155 - LagotekListen Here Direct Download Link - Subscribe via iTunes - Subscribe via RSS - Vote for the show on Podcast Alley Thanks to the show sponsor Techradar.com
Show times and all the links talked about in the show are on the show blog post May 06 Zune gets an updateToday when I fired up my Zune desktop software it prompted me to download the new version (2.5). It looks like the social elements got updated plus other new features. You can find out more details on the featues via Zunethoughts.com and it looks like the video download service has been expanded Here are the details from Microsoft
REDMOND, Wash. — May 5, 2008 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that Zune, the company’s all-in-one digital entertainment brand, is adding new software features and content to the Zune online store, music community and Zune Pass monthly subscription service. Zune is expanding its video store to include downloads of popular television shows from COMEDY CENTRAL, FUNimation® Entertainment, MTV, NBC Universal, Nickelodeon, Starz Media (including Manga Entertainment), Turner Broadcasting, Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC) and VH1 that consumers can sync to their device and enjoy on the go. In addition, by further integrating the Zune music community into the core experience, the new software makes it easier for people to find and listen to the music they want, share it with friends, and take it with them wherever they go — whether they choose a Zune Pass or a la carte MP3 downloads. Zune Pass subscribers can now set up automatic, real-time feeds of the music their friends are listening to and add those songs to their collection or Zune device. Starting today, consumers can choose from more than 800 episodes of popular television series to download and watch on their computer or their Zune, including COMEDY CENTRAL’s “South Park,” FUNimation’s “Afro Samurai” and “Witchblade,” MTV’s “The Hills,” NBC’s “The Office,” “Heroes” and “30 Rock,” Nickelodeon’s “SpongeBob SquarePants,” SCI FI Channel’s “Battlestar Galactica” and “Eureka,” Starz’s “Ghost in the Shell” and “Street Fighter,” Turner Broadcasting’s “Metalocalypse” and “Robot Chicken,” UFC’s “The Ultimate Fighter®” and “Fight Night™,” and VH1’s “Rock of Love” with Bret Michaels. Each television show will be priced at 160 Microsoft Points per episode (approximately $1.99) at launch. With more than 3.5 million tracks, two-thirds of which are available in pure MP3 format, 800 television shows, 4,800 music videos and 3,500 audio and video podcasts, the Zune online store is a great place for consumers to find the entertainment content they want. In addition, the bright, full-color screen on every Zune portable media player delivers a high-quality video experience on the go. “Partnering with Zune will allow us to develop innovative content offerings for their customers, including flexible pricing and packaging options beginning this fall,” said JB Perrette, president of NBC Universal Digital Distribution. “NBC Universal is excited to offer our hit television shows to Zune customers.” A Better Way to Experience Music In a recent study commissioned by Zune, 54 percent of consumers surveyed said they were frustrated when trying to find new music, mostly because they said they didn’t have enough time, didn’t know where to look, or felt that they ended up wasting money on music they didn’t end up liking. At the same time, 89 percent said they would trust a friend or family member’s musical recommendation over a music critic’s. The growing Zune online music community enables consumers to explore, discover and share music. Members get a free, customizable Zune Card: a snapshot of their favorite tracks and the music they’re playing on their Zune. Previously this personal snapshot resided only on the Web, but with the latest software updates Zune Cards have become much more portable. Now consumers with the Zune Pass subscription have the ability to take what their friends are listening to from the Zune music community on the go via Zune Card personal playlists for easy exploration and access, when and where they want it. The Zune Pass subscription allows consumers to explore millions of tracks with no commitment other than the monthly fee similar to the price of one CD — $14.99 per month. “Consumers want more than the traditional transactional model of an online music store plus portable device,” said Chris Stephenson, general manager of Global Marketing for Zune at Microsoft. “Zune is putting the strong combination of an online music community together with subscription to deliver a new experience centered on music discovery that’s good for consumers, artists and the industry. This approach exposes consumers to music they might not have otherwise tried, keeps them coming back, and gives them purchasing options that suit their preferences.” New updates to the Zune online music community include the following: • Syncing Zune Cards to a device. Consumers simply drag and drop Zune Cards from friends to a Zune device and get updates on what friends are listening to every time they sync. If the song is available with Zune Pass, subscribers automatically have the full tracks on their Zune while nonsubscribers have full album information and artwork. If consumers hear something they like, they can add it to their collection with one click. Next time the user syncs his or her Zune, he or she will be asked to confirm the purchase. • Enhanced friends search. Consumers now have the ability to add their name, location and bio to their Zune music community profile, making it easier than ever to find their friends. • Instant friends. The true power of the Zune online music community is unlocked when friends are added and consumers can follow the music they’re listening to. Now, when new Zune owners join the Zune online music community, they’ll find the top music editors from the Zune Marketplace team already added to their friends list, giving them a head start in finding new music. • Artist and album reviews. Inside the Zune music community, members have the ability to write and post their own reviews for artists and albums, providing another community-driven feature to support the exploration and discovery of music. The music community helps to find and recommend the best music. • Reputation badges. Now members of the Zune community can earn badges that are displayed on their Zune Card showing they’re passionate fans or active members. • Windows Live connections. Windows Live Messenger contacts will now be able to see what users are listening to via the Zune software. Clicking on the tracks displayed in the “Now Playing” feature will connect the Windows Live Messenger friend directly to that artist’s page on the Zune Social. A More Integrated Way to Manage and Enjoy Entertainment Responding directly to customer feedback, Zune has updated and added features and functionality to address better integration between the software, the online music community and the store. In addition, the updates include frequently requested features such as the ability to sync multiple Zune players at once. Specific feature updates include the following: • Auto playlists. Users can create an auto playlist that updates itself automatically as new music is added. • Browsing videos. Consumers can browse their video collection by genre and series, plus they can preview videos before they play them on full screen. • Editing album and track information. Users are able to edit track or album information (metadata) quickly via multi-select and drag-and-drop. The advanced metadata editing features make it easy to edit multiple tracks or survey albums and artist information. • Organizing collections. In addition to sorting by artist or album, consumers can now sort by genre. While browsing by genre they can further sort music by artist, album or release year. • Gapless playback. Consumers will now be able to listen to an album without the brief gap between tracks, both on their Zune and in the Zune software. This is a must-have for live-concert recordings and compilation albums. • Syncing groups. Zune software now syncs to multiple Zune players simultaneously. Users can prepare which content on their computer to sync even when their Zune isn’t connected. Consumers can create custom sync groups for music, pictures and videos. • Zune reminders. Experience is improved when a Zune player’s memory is nearing capacity, via an easy-to-use tool. More information on Zune and related images are available at http://www.zune.net/press. Video: Unboxing a HP HDX Dragon Entertainment PCAs part of the 31 days of Dragon I am giving away a HP HDX Entertainment PC and in this video I unbox the monster machine and take a quick look at the Vista performance rating and Windows Media Center. As I said in my first impressions post it is the most powerful machine I have ever used, and the screen and speakers are fantastic. Don't forget I am giving this machine away
You can subscribe to the RSS feed for video and the RSS feed for my Blog May 01 New RoundupDon't forget I have moved my blog to TheDigitalLifestyle.com Here is this weeks news roundup. Most exciting is the massive giveaway coming soon: | ||||||||||||
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