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

The Media Center Show #167 - Ben Drawbaugh (Engadget HD)

Listen Here (mp3) This week I am chatting with Engadget HD's Ben Drawbaugh. We will be talking about Windows Media Center, Home Automation, remote controls and the recent Extender shoot he did for Engadget HD. I also have your email and a round up of...

Published Thu, Jul 31 2008 12:28 PM by Ian Dixon

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

TVTonic 3.3 Released

TVTonic is a great addon for Windows Media Center, it provides a platform for downloads internet video straight in to the Media Center UI. As well as providing content channels you can use it to subscribe to any video RSS feeds ( like the one for my video...

Published Thu, Jul 31 2008 11:18 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, TVTonic

HAI Launches Developer Support Program and Website

HAI have launched a developer program for their home automation solution, they have a Media Center UI for their system so interesting to see how developers can make use of the SDK and Media Center Press Release: New Orleans, LA - July 30, 2008 HAI...

Published Wed, Jul 30 2008 5:00 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Home Automation

Open Media Library 0.1 Goes Public Beta

Open Media Library has gone in to public beta, OML is an open source Movie library application for Vista Media Center, that looks fantastic and has features like DVD streaming to Extender along with support a good selection of video formats . I have been...

Published Tue, Jul 29 2008 10:18 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

Official Statement from HP on Windows Home Server PP1 Slowing Issue

There have been reports of the new HP Update Slowing down MediaSmart Windows Home Servers (see David's post on The Windows Home Server Blog ) and Brian Burch )Director of Marketing for HP Connected Entertainment) has provided me with an official statement...

Published Tue, Jul 29 2008 8:40 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Home Server, HP

Dell’s new Studio Hybrid would make a great Media Center PC

Sean Alexander has posted details on Dell’s new Studio Hybrid. First off it looks a great, takes only 65watts of power and has HDMI. It would make a great Media Center PC either directly connected to a TV or serving Extenders. This could be an ideal Media...

Published Tue, Jul 29 2008 2:34 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Dell

What “How To” topics would you like to see covered?

I am working on a series of “How To” articles that will either be blog posts, part of The Media Center Show or videos and I wanted to get your feedback on what subjects would be worth tackling. When I asked the question on Twitter I got some good suggestions...

Published Tue, Jul 29 2008 11:20 AM by Ian Dixon

On10 takes a tour of Disney Innoventions Dream Home

On10 video up of a tour of The Disney Innoventions Dream Home. The video shows off the technologies used in the home like Windows Home Server, Window Media Center and Microsoft Surface. What could possibly make the happiest place on Earth even happier...

Published Sat, Jul 26 2008 8:20 AM by Ian Dixon

Paul Thurrott reviews Media Center Extenders

You may remember me getting a bit upset by Paul Thurrott’s dismissal of the new generation of Extenders for Windows Media Center. Basically he said the extenders were no better than the old models and they were not worth looking at. I totally disagreed...

Published Fri, Jul 25 2008 2:28 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: HP, Extenders for Windows Media Center, Linksys, D-Link

Video: Unboxing and a first look at HP’s new TouchSmart

I was really looking forward to getting hold of HP’s new TouchSmart PC (the IQ500) ever since I first saw the product back in Berlin . In this video I unbox the TouchSmart, fire up the unit for the first time and take a look at the TouchSmart UI. Since...

Published Fri, Jul 25 2008 1:32 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: HP, HP TouchSmart

The Media Center Show #166 - HP on Windows Home Server Updates

Listen Here This week Microsoft put out Power Pack 1 for Windows Home Server, this includes a fix for the data corruption bug, x64 support and extra backup features. Also HP put out an update for the HP MediaSmart Server so HP's Allen Buckner joins me...

Published Thu, Jul 24 2008 12:20 PM by Ian Dixon

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

Samsung MediaLive Extender launches

Remember the Samsung Media Center Extender I saw at CES? (see this video ) well it finally due for release and has had a name change from Home Digital Media Adapter to MediaLive. This is the extender for Windows Media Center that is designed for 2008...

Published Wed, Jul 23 2008 10:46 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Extenders for Windows Media Center, Samsung

HP IQ500 TouchSmart First Impressions

Due to me putting my back out yesterday I wasn't able to unbox the TouchSmart last night so today I had some help and managed to get the unit unboxed. I recorded an unboxing / first impressions video but to be honest its not until I put it in the living...

Published Wed, Jul 23 2008 10:01 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: HP, HP TouchSmart

Home Server Podcaster David McCabe joins TheDigitalLifestyle.com

Now that Windows Home Server finally gets it's demons laid to rest with the data corruption bug fixed in Power Pack 1, Windows Home Server can continue growing as a platform and hopefully it will get further integrated into Microsoft's Digital Lifestyle...

Published Wed, Jul 23 2008 4:24 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Home Server

Big Screen Installers Updated

Nial's blog has been quiet for a while but he is back with an update on the Big Screen applications. He has updated the installer to support future versions of Windows Media Center. Check out Niall's blog for more details In preparation for future Vista...

Published Wed, Jul 23 2008 8:39 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

Microsoft needs a coherent digital lifestyle strategy

While there has been a lot of talk about forthcoming TV features for Windows Media Center (I find it frustrating that some of the testers are breaking NDAs and giving out incorrect information while the rest of us wait for the NDAs to be lifted) and Charlie...

Published Tue, Jul 22 2008 4:56 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Windows Home Server

HP MediaSmart Server update is live!

In conjunction with the Windows Home Server Power Pack 1 update HP have announced that the HP MediaSmart Server update is live. This software update provides enhanced media streaming through PacketVideo PVConnect and server side anti-virus protection...

Published Mon, Jul 21 2008 5:44 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Home Server, HP

Windows Home Server Power Pack 1 released to manufacturing

Windows Home Server Power Pack 1 has been in beta for what seems a very long time and I have been running it on my MediaSmart server with no issues. The biggest part of the update is that it fixes the data corruption bug as well as adding x64 support...

Published Mon, Jul 21 2008 5:00 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Home Server

How to Remove The Microsoft Games in Program Library

Charlie Owen now back blogging has gone for a less controversial post and posted a handy tip on how to get rid of the pesky games that install themselfs in the Program Library in Windows Media Center I'll admit it somewhat irks me we shipped games inside...

Published Sat, Jul 19 2008 7:37 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

EngadgetHD: Windows Media Center TV Pack was released yesterday

There has been no official information from Microsoft but according to Engadget HD Windows Media Center TV Pack was released yesterday. I wish I could say more about it but I can’t! Wow, we didn't see this coming, at least not this fast -- just a week...

Published Fri, Jul 18 2008 9:44 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

Amazon launch a video streaming service

Amazon are launching a video streaming service that once again cries out for a Media Center UI. The service can stream content via a browser or if you have a Sony Bravia with Bravia Video Link will steam directly to the TV. So add that to the list of...

Published Thu, Jul 17 2008 5:36 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Video Downloads, Amazon

Planning for the future

I am planning guests for future shows and I thought I would take the opportunity to find out the community opinions. So what kind of shows would you like to see? More developer shows? More interviews with OEMs and Microsoft? Or features looking at related...

Published Thu, Jul 17 2008 3:26 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: The Media Center Show

Charlie Owen on Historical Perspectives on DVD Streaming Feature

Charlie Owen is back blogging and seems to have gone straight for a controversial post! He has posted this thoughts on why DVD streaming is not a feature of Media Center (and properly never will be). So far it’s been left to the community to come up with...

Published Thu, Jul 17 2008 1:02 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

The Media Center Show #165 - mPanel

Listen Here This week I am talking to old friend of the show Ted Singh from Embedded Automation . Ted will be talking about mPanel a new wall-mountable touch screen that you can play music from and control the home, Ted will also be updating us on mControl...

Published Thu, Jul 17 2008 12:00 PM by Ian Dixon

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

Tweak Vista Media Center with Tweak MC

Remember TweakMCE for XP Media Center? Wondered where the Vista equivalent is? Wonder no more as Microsoft have released TweakMC for Vista Media Center (what took you so long guys!) The new application is available on MSDN is also available in source...

Published Thu, Jul 17 2008 10:37 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Windows Vista

Videogiants wins Electronic House 2008 Product of the year award

Videogiants and Musicgiants are offering HD video and audio content for Windows Media Center viand I will be interviewing CEO Scott Bahneman on a future show to find out how we get the content. Today Videogiants won Electronic House 2008 product of the...

Published Wed, Jul 16 2008 10:07 PM by Ian Dixon

VidaBox PicoPC Brings PC Features to HDTVs

CE Pro have details of a interesting new product from Vidabox. The PicoPC is a tiny little box with no moving parts and Windows XP, so you can browse the web, listen to music and watch pictures all from the 13 ounces device. It has USB and R232 designed...

Published Wed, Jul 16 2008 9:49 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Vidabox

The Media Center Show Live today with Kevin Tofel talking Cloud Computing

Don’t forget today/tonight at 8pm UK/ 12pm PST I will be chatting with Kevin Tofel about Cloud computing. You can watch live on Yahoo Live and ask questions in the chat room. See you later!

Published Tue, Jul 15 2008 5:13 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Live Streaming

Damian Meher: Screencast on creating a simple Media Center application

Damian Meher the developer behind BeebMC has created two screencast on how to create Media Center applications. Part 1 looks at the tools used for Media Center development and starting a new project and part 2 looks at using a template to create a BeebMC...

Published Tue, Jul 15 2008 9:41 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, development

Media Center University: Whole House Integration of Media Center Systems – Part 5

The Consumer Electronic's blog has with part 2 of Todd Rutherford's presentation (part 5 of the Media Center University series) looking at integrating Windows Media Center into a whole home solution Download: iPod | MP3 | WMA | WMV | WMV (high) | Zune...

Published Mon, Jul 14 2008 10:36 PM by Ian Dixon

Microsoft brings Netflix streaming to the Xbox 360

Looks like the rumours where true, Microsoft are enabling Netflix streaming straight in to the Xbox 360. It would be nice to see an smiler official solution for Media Center users. Details from Engadget : After months of speculation and rumors , Microsoft...

Published Mon, Jul 14 2008 8:01 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Xbox

HP Touchsmart available in US stores

I really liked the HP Touchsmart PC I saw in Berlin (see this video ) and for US consumers it's available in stores now. If you get chance to have a play with the Touchsmart I would recommend taking a look at as the UI is very nice. I asked about UK availability...

Published Mon, Jul 14 2008 1:56 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: HP

The Media Center Show Live with Kevin Tofel talking Cloud Computing on Tuesday July 15th

As more companies offer us web based services that reduce the dependency of client based applications (think Gmail, Google Documents, Live Mesh) we are storing more of our data in the cloud. So does that mean we can leave desktop app behind or are there...

Published Sat, Jul 12 2008 8:58 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Live Streaming

Microsoft show off Media Center and Extenders at Magnolia AV stores

It looks like Microsoft are getting the idea that for Media Center and Extenders to be a success they need to show them off in stores. They have just completed fitting out all 13 Magnolia AV stores with a merchandising rack showing off the Windows Media...

Published Fri, Jul 11 2008 5:50 PM by Ian Dixon

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

Ed Bott on running Windows Home Server in a virtual machine

A few people have mentioned to me about the possibility of running Windows Home Server on a virtual machine and I did try it with Virtual PC back when Home Server was in beta but while it worked I found the performance was not very good and it didn’t...

Published Fri, Jul 11 2008 10:48 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Home Server

Kangaroo TV review

While I was at Silverstone over the weekend I hired a Kangaroo TV, this is a hand held unit that enables you to watch live TV pictures, in car cameras, timing data and audio commentary and over on the Digital Home blog on Techradar I have posted...

Published Fri, Jul 11 2008 9:59 AM by Ian Dixon

Windows Media Center SideShow Gadget Review

On the Gadget Blog Justin has reviewed the Windows Media Center Sideshow gadget , this is the gadget (in beta at the moment) for controlling Media Center from a Sideshow device such as a Windows Mobile Device or a Ricovision Remote Control. I keep meaning...

Published Thu, Jul 10 2008 2:55 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Windows Sideshow

The Media Center Show #164 - CaptionSeeker

Listen Here This week I am talking to Tony Leung from TeVeStream about CaptionSeeker and application that enables you to locate a scene in a recorded TV show by searching for a keyword or phrase in captions and jump to the scene in Media Center. We also...

Published Thu, Jul 10 2008 12:24 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center Books, The Media Center Show, Podcasts

TheDigitalLifestyle.com Gadget Blog gets a new writer

Welcome to Justin Smith, he has taken over the Gadget Blog on TheDigitallifestyle.com . He will be focusing on new and interesting software gadgets, as well as customizing gadgets and maybe developing new gadgets. I plan on using this Blog a couple of...

Published Wed, Jul 09 2008 9:21 PM by Ian Dixon

Niveus Offers 2 Media Server Training Courses

There will be no shortage of Media Center training at CEDIA this year with Niveus offering training courses on their hi-end equipment. They will be covering topics including network storage, mulitroom A/V and home control. Obviously Niveus will focus...

Published Wed, Jul 09 2008 12:33 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Niveus

July 2008 - Ian Dixon's Blog

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