March 2008 - Ian Dixon's Blog - The Digital Lifestyle.com: Windows Media Center news, podcasts, videos, forums and wikis

Mesiro Merium media PC and Okoro's new system

A quick post on two new Media Center systems. First Meriso's nice looking PC with sleek case, prices start at €999. The standout feature here isn't the 1.66GHz Core 2 Duo T5500 processor, 250GB internal HDD, dual-layer DVD burner, GMA950 graphics accelerator...

Published Mon, Mar 31 2008 4:58 PM by Ian Dixon

Hauppauge HD-PVR Component Video Recorder Delayed

If you waiting for the Hauppauge HD-PVR you will have to wait a bit longer and if your waiting to use it with Media Center you could be waiting even longer... The Hauppauge HD-PVR device which was originally to be available by March 31st and then "April...

Published Mon, Mar 31 2008 2:49 PM by Ian Dixon

Installing Vista Service Pack 1 and WMV playback problems

I have had Service Pack 1 for Vista on my test machine since the beta was first launched and have also had it installed on my Samsung Q1 since it RTMed. So I thought I would update my main Media Center machine over the weekend. This was the biggest...

Published Sun, Mar 30 2008 9:59 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Vista

Xbox.com advert for the Xbox Media Center Extender functions

There is a nice advert for the Extender functions of Media Center on Xbox.com showing how the Xbox can be used for home entertainment. It's good that Microsoft are highlighting the Extender function of the Xbox. With it being it being on Xbox.com it's...

Published Sat, Mar 29 2008 8:55 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Xbox, Extenders for Windows Media Center

How do you organize your music library?

When you have a music collection that you play via Media Center at some point you come across the problem of having missing or incorrect meta data. This is especially a problem if you download mp3 files, and having missing album art looks really bad when...

Published Sat, Mar 29 2008 8:45 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

D-Link DSM-750 Extender Now Available - Chris Lanier's Blog

Chris is reporting that the D-Link Extender is now available for ordering and some retailers are offering it at $250. It's a shame D-Link are not offering the unit out side of North America as there has been good feedback from the beta testers. As Chris...

Published Fri, Mar 28 2008 3:08 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Extenders for Windows Media Center

Xbox 360 Arcade drops below £149

If your after a cheap Extender for Windows Media Center and can put up with a bit of fan noise then the Xbox 360 Arcade is now a very attractive. Digital Spy are reporting that Tesco and other UK retails have started offering the Arcade for £149...

Published Fri, Mar 28 2008 11:29 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Xbox

Autonomic Controls on Channel 10

Channel 10 have a nice video showing Autonomic audio distribution system for Media Center, which uses a 7.1 sound card to distribute 4 separate stereo pairs. Also shown in the video is a neat solution for controlling Media Center via a UMPC or a...

Published Thu, Mar 27 2008 2:38 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

The Media Center Show #150 - Charlie Owen on the Media Center Platform

Listen Here Welcome to show 150! Joining me this week is Microsoft's Charlie Owen, Charlie is a Program Manager on the eHome team and his area is the Media Center Platform and the SDK. Charlie talks about how the Media Center vision has changed since...

Published Thu, Mar 27 2008 12:25 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Podcast, Media Center Show, The Media Center Show

MyNetflix v2.2 Beta update

Anthony Park has updated MyNetflix which includes a new search feature and the ability to pick a bit rate. I just finished working on a few new features for MyNetflix, so I wanted to get this out there in public beta. The new version can be downloaded...

Published Wed, Mar 26 2008 1:40 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

HP's online demo of Media Center Extenders

HP have a video up demonstrating it's Media Smart TV and there is a demo showing off Media Center Extender functions (top right of the main video). It's a good background on the features that Extenders offer. It's a pity that HP are not planning to launch...

Published Wed, Mar 26 2008 11:44 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: HP, Extenders for Windows Media Center

Microsoft UK kick off a digital life marketing campaign

Microsoft UK have put up some videos off digital lifestyle products, the videos show off how Microsoft products fit in with the digital life e.g. guy on a skateboard using Windows Live Messenger on a Windows Mobile phone. It does show off Media Center...

Published Wed, Mar 26 2008 11:30 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Microsoft

Should 3rd Party apps look and feel like the rest of Media Center? Vote Now!!

A debate that has raged since Microsoft launched the SDK for Windows Media Center is should Media Center apps look and feel like native Media Center or should they have their own look Steven Harding has posted this question on his blog: Microsoft are...

Published Wed, Mar 26 2008 10:12 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Microsoft

Vista SP1 Gives Extenders a Speed Boost?

Chris Lanier highlights that posters over on TGB are reporting that SP1 gives the Extenders a speed boost, improving the screen transitions. As I have said before I don't think that transitions are that bad but it would be good to see and improvement...

Published Tue, Mar 25 2008 4:01 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

MCE Collections Beta

WeGotServed.co.uk has an update on a couple of new addins and one that caught my eye was MCE Collections Beta. This is a new Vista Media Center application that provides access to TV collections on a Windows Home Server created with Recorded TV Manager...

Published Tue, Mar 25 2008 10:29 AM by Ian Dixon

Win a custom home entertainment system with Microsoft's Digital Home Makeover Competition

Microsoft are running a new competition to win a digital home makeover complete with Media Center and Extenders Our makeover team will use Windows® Media Center and Extenders for Windows® Media Center to turn one lucky person's home into a connected...

Published Mon, Mar 24 2008 9:15 PM by Ian Dixon

New Remote Control software to control Media Center from PSP or iPhone

There is a new Remote Control application in development that enabled you to control Media Center from a mobile device like a PSP or an iPhone. It's an open source project that is available from sourceforge.net , I will be giving it a try over the weekend...

Published Sat, Mar 22 2008 8:29 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

Steve Lindsay on Paul Thurrot's (non) review of Linksys Extenders on his Windows Weekly show.

I have already mentioned my disappointment of Paul Thurrot's dismissing of the Linksys Extenders ( here ) and Steve Lindsay expresses his thoughts. He mentioned some points that Paul completely missed, things like form factor, weight, power consumption...

Published Sat, Mar 22 2008 7:52 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Extenders for Windows Media Center, Linksys

Engadget HD - Who makes the best HD DVR?

Engadget are asking who makes the best HD DVR, and TiVo has taken the lead so you need to get voting for Media Center . To some, DVRs are a like a religion and switching shouldn't be taken lightly, but others will take whatever their provider gives 'em...

Published Fri, Mar 21 2008 8:26 AM by Ian Dixon

The Media Center Show #149 - Ed Bott on Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and more

Listen Here I have a great show this week even if your not a Media Center enthusiast. Windows expert Ed Bott joined me for a live show a couple of weeks ago talking about Vista Service Pack 1. We talked about many topics including Service Pack 1 and had...

Published Thu, Mar 20 2008 9:02 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Podcast, Vista, The Media Center Show

Windows Weekly dismisses the Linksys Extenders, while I sit happily watching TV on mine

Some times I like Windows Weekly with Paul Thurrott and some times the show really gets on my nerves. Normally Paul and host Leo Laporte seem to forget about Media Center completely while Paul gets his facts mixed up on Windows topics. This week Paul...

Published Wed, Mar 19 2008 9:26 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Extenders for Windows Media Center, Linksys

All Vista Media Center Keyboard shortcuts

Here is a top tip from the forums that I thought was worth posting. It's a complete list of Media Center keyboard shortcuts: A friend of mine gave me a little book on VMC and XBOX 360 etc. It contained a list of all the keyboard shortcuts for VMC, thought...

Published Wed, Mar 19 2008 8:50 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

The Ultimate Media Center Enthusiast Setup - Win an XBox 360 Elite and more!

As you may have read I am running The Ultimate Media Center Enthusiast Setup competition and as well as giving away mControl and Big Screen Headlines thanks to a very generous anonymous donor the winning entry will get a brand new Xbox 360 Elite + extra...

Published Tue, Mar 18 2008 8:35 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, The Ultimate Media Center Enthusiast Setup

Windows Vista Team Blog : Windows Vista SP1 Released to Windows Update

It looks like Microsoft have pushed the button and released SP1 via Windows Update. It's not being pushed down via automatically yet, that is coming mid April but it should be listed on Windows Update for download now. If you want to know all about Windows...

Published Tue, Mar 18 2008 5:27 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Microsoft

Chris Lanier on The Media Center Show Live - Today

Don't forget Chris Lanier will be live on The Media Center Show today (or tonight depending on your time zone!) 8pm GMT / 1pm PST. We will be taking Media Center, Extenders, Blu-ray on Xbox and lot more Listen and watch the video stream live and join...

Published Mon, Mar 17 2008 1:43 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: The Media Center Show

MceFM - Last.fm addin for Windows Media Center

If your a Last.fm user you will like the new addon for Windows Media Center by Damian Mehers . MceFRM is a a Last.FM addon Vista Media Center with features like using the More option from Media Center to select MceFM and then listen to more artist like...

Published Mon, Mar 17 2008 11:38 AM by Ian Dixon

The Ultimate Media Center Enthusiast Setup

Enthusiasts have started posting entries for The Ultimate Media Center Enthusiast Setup on the Flickr group . As I said on my blog on Friday: The Ultimate Media Center Enthusiast Setup is for Media Center enthusiasts to show off their home installations...

Published Sat, Mar 15 2008 9:01 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

AnandTech on the Windows Home Server Bug

If your technical and want to know more about the Windows Home Server bug you should read the article on AnandTech . When it rains, it pours, and sometimes you get hit by lightning too which will really ruin your day. Since very late last year, Microsoft...

Published Fri, Mar 14 2008 4:26 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Home Server

FUZE Media Systems

Another press release! This time about FUZE media who I interviewed at CES From Chris Lanier FUZE Media Systems Introduces Entry-Level Whole-Home Media Solution for Smaller Residences FUZE “Mini Edition” Is a Complete, One-Box Solution | Electronic...

Published Fri, Mar 14 2008 4:01 PM by Ian Dixon

Niveus Adds Movie Gallery Interface to Aggregate Films

Niveus is rolling out a new user interface for Media Center that shows artwork and metadata for combined media sources such as recorded TV, downloaded and HD content The details from CE Pro: 03.14.2008 — Niveus Media is rolling out a new user interface...

Published Fri, Mar 14 2008 3:48 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Niveus

Steve Lindsay's new video - The Top 5 Things YOU didn't know you could do Vista Media Center

Steve Linsdsay has posted a new video showing 5 things you didn't know you could do with Media Center, some of them you will know and others you may not. The areas Steve covers are: Advanced Scheduling Internet TV Sports Windows Home Server Media Center...

Published Thu, Mar 13 2008 11:51 PM by Ian Dixon

Show off your Media Center Setup and win prizes

Microsoft Ultimate Install competition is a great idea and it's a great opportunity for custom AV installers to show off their installation skills but it's only open to customer installers, enthusiast are left out of it so I have a new competition! The...

Published Thu, Mar 13 2008 11:20 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

Yougle 0.4.0 - Internet Video on Media Center

Steven Harding has updated Yougle to 0.4.0 and I got a chance to play with it tonight. It's a small install and then you can watch Youtube, MSN video and other Internet video sources all in Windows Media Center. Steven has done a great job with the application...

Published Thu, Mar 13 2008 9:01 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

Mike Seamons leaves Lifeware for Microsoft

You may have heard Mike Seamons on The Media Center Show in the past talking about Life|ware and Windows Media Center (I talked to him at CES), well Mike is leaving Life|ware and going to work at Microsoft as a Product Manager in the eHome group, according...

Published Thu, Mar 13 2008 3:23 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

Microsoft Announces 2008 Ultimate Install Contest

ORLANDO, Fla. — March 13, 2008 — Today at the Electronic House Expo (EHX) in Orlando, Fla., Microsoft Corp. announced the 2008 Windows Media Center Ultimate Install Contest. This exciting design contest, now in its second year, seeks...

Published Thu, Mar 13 2008 3:14 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

The Media Center Show #148 - Todd Bowra on Media Center Extenders

Listen Here This week I am talking Windows Media Center Extenders with Microsoft's Todd Bowra. Todd talks about the new generation of Media Center Extenders,how to connect them and the various types of devices available . I have email, news items...

Published Thu, Mar 13 2008 12:10 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Podcast, The Media Center Show

Microsoft are looking for Software Design Engineers in Test (SDETs) for the Media Center Core Team

If you have a passion for Media Center and fancied working on the product. Microsoft are looking for Software Design Engineers in Test to work on Media Center. Following the links to Microsoft's jobs site one of the roles is working on a "newly-formed...

Published Wed, Mar 12 2008 2:55 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Microsoft

Embedded Automation Announces mPanel

Embedded Automation have announces mPanel, a touch screen for accesing digital media and home automation. I hope to find out more from Embedded Automation and get an update on the show. Here is the press release: Integrated Touch Screen is a Portal for...

Published Wed, Mar 12 2008 7:27 AM by Ian Dixon

Next Live Show: Chris Lanier Monday 17th 8pm GMT

Most people will know Chris Lanier and his great Media Center Blog, and he is going to be the next guest on the live media center show. Monday 17th 8pm GMT / 1pm PST I will be streaming the recording of The Media Center Show via live.thedigitallifestyle...

Published Tue, Mar 11 2008 10:49 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: The Media Center Show

Use the updated FolderShare to share media around the home

One tool I couldn't live without is FolderShare , I use it to sync folders across my Tablet PC, UMPC and Media Center PC. It works by you installing the FolderShare client and then picking a folder (or folder tree) you want to sync up and it does the...

Published Tue, Mar 11 2008 10:29 AM by Ian Dixon

March 2008 - Ian Dixon's Blog

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