Ian's Digital Lifestyle

July 2007 - Posts

  • CasaTools Integrates Media Center with Russound and NuVo

    Looks like another step forward for Media Center to fit in with whole house audio. Casatools  bridges Windows Media Center with whole house music systems from Russound and Nuvo. Media Center will act as a multi-source server for the whole house.

    In a month or so I will have an interview with Russound so we can find out more about using Media Center as a source for a whole house audio system

    More details from CePro

    The Media Center Show Podcast

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  • What Media Center Plug ins and addons do you use?

    One of the great things about Windows Media Center is the ability to  extend it's functionality above the basic specification with 3rd party applications, from Weather to RSS readers, from commercial skipping applications to movie management systems we all have our essential tools.

    So this got me thinking, if you had to pick one addon that you couldn't live with out, which one is it?  Is it an RSS reader or My Movies, it could be Orb or Webguide. Also what 3rd party application are you waiting for that isn't around at the moment? One example of that would be a full featured software Media Center extender.

    So here are my questions to you:

    1. What 3rd party application could you not live without?
    2. What 3rd party application is a nice to have?
    3. What 3rd party application do you want that is not out there yet?

    Let me know what you think, I think it would make a great discussion on the show, post your thoughts in the comments on on the forum

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    The Media Center Show Podcast

  • One Voice Wireless Home Voice Control

    One Voice Technologies have a new wireless microphone solution for their Media Center Communicator software. The LTB Q-Bean Wireless 2.0 Audio link systems streams uncompressed audio through a link that allows duplex voice and data control.

    One of the problems I have always had with Media Center Communicator is how to setup the Microphone, at the moment I have one on the desk but a wireless solution would be much better, plus you can use the Q-Bean with Skpye (all still in Media Center) so for me it's an ideal solution. I can sit on the sofa use my voice to navigate Media Center and chat via Skype all without any remote or keyboard.

    Lookout for a chance to win a copy of One Voice Communicator and LTB Audio link on the show next week!

     

    Details from their press release:

    One Voice Technologies and LTB Audio Partner to offer Wireless Voice Control for the Digital Home

    La Jolla, CA-July 25, 2007-One Voice Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: ONEV), developer of 4th Generation voice solutions for the Telecom and Interactive Multimedia markets, and LTB Audio Systems, Inc., the leading manufacturer of true digital 5.1 headphone technology, announced today a strategic partnership to offer One Voice's Media Center Communicator, voice recognition for Windows Vista Media Center, with LTB Audio's new Q-Bean, a digital wireless device which offers everything from digital CD-quality steaming audio to a built-in microphone for voice control of Windows Vista Media Center and wireless Skype phone calling. One Voice's Media Center Communicator, in combination with the LTB Q-Bean, enables users to move freely throughout their home and simply speak to play music, call to order a pizza using Skype, control Home Automation and much more using powerful voice commands. For more information, visit http://www.onev.com/mcc or http://www.shopltb.com.

    "LTB has found One Voice's Media Center Communicator to be a perfect combination along with our wireless Q-Bean product," said Jon Miller, vice president of sales for LTB Audio Systems, Inc. "People are amazed how the One Voice software instantly accesses music, movies, photos and much more without any voice training. We are excited about our partnership and look forward to a long and successful relationship with One Voice."

    "One Voice is pleased to announce our partnership with LTB Audio Systems, Inc." said Dean Weber, president and CEO at One Voice Technologies. "The Q-Bean's ability to deliver such robust CD-quality audio, at distances of 30 meters, enables users to use powerful voice commands to access their digital content from anywhere inside or outside the home. Imagine simply speaking into your Q-Bean to begin playing music, watch a movie, view photos, place a phone call and much more. Our partnership with LTB Audio delivers on this vision and is available today."

    About LTB Q-Bean

    The LTB Q-Bean is a digital wireless device which offers everything from digital CD-quality audio to a built-in microphone for speech and remote control features for Windows Media Player and Media Center users as well as music and movie playback. The Q-Bean system consists of the USB Puck and receiver. The USB Puck is a 2.4GHz digital radio frequency transmitter that connects to a computer via its USB ports. The transmitter puck requires no software for Windows XP, Vista, Mac or Linux operating systems and provides non-compressed streaming audio to the receiver. The receiver, a wireless key fob-sized device, integrates a microphone for voice communication, Window Media Player remote functions and a powerful adaptive digital signal with GSFK modulation.

    About Media Center Communicator

    Imagine walking into your home and using your voice to tell your Media Center to play MP3 or iTunes music, call to order a pizza , set the thermostat or home theater lighting, play a photo slideshow, watch and record live TV, read and send E-mail or video chat with a friend. Media Center Communicator delivers on this vision today! For more information, please visit http://www.onev.com/mcc or for an online demonstration go to http://www.onev.com/videos/mccoverview.wmv.

    About LTB Audio Systems, Inc.

    LTB, which stands for Listen To Believe, represents a product line focused on providing leading edge audio and multimedia headphones designed to meet the optimal demands of the latest Digital Media in Games, and Movies as well as music and Hi Def Audio. LTB controls various key technology patents that have made them an upcoming leading manufacturer of true surround sound technology products. For more information visit LTB at www.ltbaudio.com or go to www.q-bean.com.

    About One Voice Technologies, Inc.

    One Voice Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: ONEV) is the world's first developer of 4th Generation voice solutions for the Telecom and Interactive Multimedia markets. Our Intelligent VoiceT solutions employ revolutionary, patented technology that allows people to send messages (E-mail, SMS, Instant Messaging and paging), purchase products, get information and control devices - all by using their voice. The company is headquartered in La Jolla, California. For more information, please visit http://www.onev.com

     

    The Media Center Show Podcast 

  • The Media Center Show #116 - Mike Garcen

    By Ian Dixon (20.1mb 58mins 26sec)

    Direct Download Link  - Subscribe via iTunes - Subscribe via RSS

    This week Mike Garcen Microsoft MVP, contributor to MissingRemote.com and moderator at The Green Button joins me to talk about his community work with Media Center and his reviews of the various web streaming product for Windows Media Center.

    I have email (please keep them coming!), forum posts and news items

    The Media Center Show with Orb Networks, email the show: Show [at] TheDigitallifestyle.com

    Show Times and more information HERE
    Technorati tags: Windows Media Center, podcasts

  • MCEdev bring Media Center in to the Kitchen

    MCEDev have developed on a interactive cookbook and combined with adnotam developers of mirror displays they have a great system for delivering Media Center in to a kitchen

    Last month MCE-Community.de and Microsoft hosted a Media Center event where MCEDev presented a first preview of the interactive cookbook

    checkout more pictures and details on MCEdev's website

  • The Media Center Show #115 Kevin Tofel on UMPCs

    By Ian Dixon (20.6mb 59mins 56sec)

    Direct Download Link  - Subscribe via iTunes - Subscribe to the RSS feeds

    This week podcaster and blogger Kevin Tofel joins me to talk about UMPCs (Ultra Mobile PC). We talk about the different devices available, what you can do with them and how you can use them with Windows Media Center

    I have forum posts and news items

    Media Center Show with Orb Networks, email the show: Show [at] TheDigitallifestyle.com

    Show Times and all the RSS feeds HERE

  • Windows Home Server has been released to manufacturing

    Congratulations to the Windows Home Server team. Today they announced it has been RTMed (released to manufacturing)

    There will be a 120 day evaluation period, Iomega and Fujitsu-Siemens Computers will be shipping Windows Home Server.

    More from the Windows Home Server blog

    Technorati tags:

    The Media Center Show Podcast

  • Silverlight application for Media Center

    Casey Chesnut has an interesting project on his site, mceItvSilver is a prototype Silverlight application for Windows Media Center. It looks like Casey is becoming a little disillusioned with MCML development and is targeting Silverlight as a way of delivering content to Media Center, Xbox 360 and Media Room.

    The app is a Internet TV application for Media Center and shows that Silverlight can work as a platform for Media Center. As Casey points out there are some limitations with using Silverlight but it does work. Casey also writes about his frustrations developing MCML applications which I can understand, it's not a platform you can quickly pick up and start writing (like you can with HTML applications)

     

    http://www.brains-n-brawn.com/default.aspx?vDir=mceitvsilver

    The Media Center Show Podcast

  • The Media Center Show #114 - Steven Hughes

    By Ian Dixon (22.8mb 66mins 28sec)

    Direct Download Link  - Subscribe via iTunes - Subscribe to the RSS Feed

    This week Steven Hughes a Windows Mobile MVP joins me to talk about Windows Mobile devices. We talk about Windows Mobile 6, mobile devices and how to get your Media Center content on to your mobile device. I have email, news items and an opportunity to host your own Podcast.

    The Media Center Show with Orb Networks, email the show: Show [at] TheDigitallifestyle.com

    Show Times and links on the full blog post HERE


    Technorati tags: Windows Media Center, podcasts

  • Post your guide data problems

    I want to keep all the comments and problems with guide data together in one location so I can pass on the details to Microsoft. So please report your problems or comments on THIS THREAD

    So please post your guide data problems and include the channel with the problem, the channel number, transmitter or region and the signal type.

    e.g. ITV1 - Channel no 3, no guide data via Winter Hill on DVB-T

    Guide data problems can can havoc with your recordings to it will be good to let Microsoft know the impact

    The Media Center Show Podcast

  • Microsoft to launch cheaper Xbox 360?

    It looks like they may be a cheaper Xbox 360 on the way. Reports are that the "Falcon" 360 will use a 65-nanometer manufacturing process making the console run cooler and be cheaper to manufacture.

    A cheaper device will be good for Media Center users looking for a cheap Extender

    Gaming - News - Microsoft to launch cheaper Xbox 360? - Digital Spy

    Technorati tags:

    The Media Center Show Podcast

  • Download "De-Dupe DVRMS" and delete duplicate Recorded TV files

    Garry Whittaker has a new tool available for download, called "De-Dupe DVRM". It's a tool that scans your recorded TV folder, looks at the metadata and identifies and deletes duplicate TV content.

    Very handy when you have series records setup and you end up with duplicate recordings.

    Download from The Digital Lifestyle.com downloads

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    The Media Center Show Podcast

  • Windows Vista SP1 Beta due next week?

    Could there be a surprise beta of Windows vista SP1 out next week? According this post Microsoft could be preparing the beta for sometime next week with a RTM of November. It will be interesting to see if there is a Windows Media Center update included, if it does then that would fit with the eHome teams yearly release cycle but nothing has been announced, and I haven't heard any rumors of a Media Center update for then either.

    The Media Center Show Podcast

  • Microsoft Extends Xbox 360 warranties to three years

    If you get the dreaded three flashing red lights on your 360 and need to send it back to Microsoft for repair there is one piece of good news. Microsoft is reimbursing anyone who has experienced the "three flashing red lights" error and incurred repair expenses and new owners will get a three year warranty for there 360.

    Good on Microsoft for accepting there is a problem

    more info

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  • The Media Center Show #113 - Sony

     
    05 July

    The Media Center Show #113 - Sony

    By Ian Dixon (19.5mb 56mins 43sec)

    Direct Download Link  - Subscribe via iTunes - Get the RSS feed for the show

    This week Xavier Lauwaert from Sony joins me to talk about the Sony XL3 Media Center Server and the TP1 living room PC, we also talk about how Windows Media Center fits in with Sony's product range. I have email, news items and details on a new feature for the show

    The Media Center Show with Orb Networks, email the show: Show [at] TheDigitallifestyle.com

     

    Show times avaible HERE



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