Ian's Digital Lifestyle

The Media Center Show #170 - Musicgiants

2008-08-21T11:17:00Z

This week I am talking to Scott Scott Bahneman, CEO of MusicGiants about their HD audio and video services that can deliver high quality music and videos directly in to Windows Media Center. As more of us connect Media Center up to AV Receivers having a source of high quality content available is very appealing. I also have a round up of news and your email

Please keep the email coming show [at] theDigitallifestyle.com

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This show is sponsored by mControl - Home Automation for Vista Media Center

Show times and all the links talked about in the show are in the podcast show notes

The Media Center Show #169 - Ed Bott on TV Feature Pack

2008-08-20T13:27:37Z

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Looks like I forgot to post the latest show on this blog! So here it is and it's a good one

Last week Microsoft released details on the Windows Media Center TV Feature Pack (the update formally known as Fiji) and that provoked a passionate debate around the limited (OEM only) availability of the update. So to get a expert view on the subject I chatted with Windows expert Ed Bott. We streamed the show live and had some great questions and opinions in the chat room. Ed has some interesting thoughts on the update and is always great to interview. I also have email, news items and a chance to win a copy of Kaspersky anti-virus 2009

Please keep the email coming show [at] theDigitallifestyle.com

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Live Chat with Ed Bott talking Windows Media Center TV Feature Pack - Monday 12pm PST / 8pm UK

2008-08-11T08:09:30Z

There are lots of questions (and frustration) about the new Windows Media Center TV Feature Pack so this Monday at 12pm PST (8pm UK) Windows expert Ed Bott will be joining me live to talk about the update and take your questions. Leave your questions as comments on this post or ask them live in the chat room on Monday.

Ed is one of my favourite guest to interview and is always entertaining, so join us Monday on Yahoo Live

The Media Center Show #168 - Mark McCall and a naked guy

2008-08-07T11:54:09Z

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This week I am talking to Automated Home's Mark McCall. We recorded the interview live and took questions from the chat room, we covered a wide range of topics from pre-installed crapware to home servers, Xbox Media Center to Apple TV. Oh and listen out for an unexpected guest half way through the interview. I also have your email and a round up of news items from the blog

Please keep the email coming show [at] theDigitallifestyle.com

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Vote for the show on podcast Alley
Jon The Media Center Show Group on Facebook
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This show is sponsored by mControl - Home Automation for Vista Media Center

Show Times and all the links talked about in the show on the podcast blog

Live Q & A with Mike Garcen

2008-08-04T21:33:50Z

Tomorrow I will be hosting a live Q & A with MissingRemote's Mike Garcen. Mike is a Windows Media Center MVP and an expert on Media Center. We will be talking questions on any Media Center topic from burning DVDs to getting Divx working on Media Center.

So join us at 12pm PST / 8pm UK on Yahoo Live, you can ask questions in the chat room, or leave a comment on this post.

New Roundup

2008-08-01T16:23:44Z

It's that time of week for a post round up. I have my interview with Engadget's Ben Drawbaugh, Open Media Library goes public and an statement from HP on their Windows Home Server update

HP Update Slowing down MediaSmart Windows Home Servers?

In Podcast 11 I reported a slowdown of my HP Media Smart Server after installing PVConnect. I attributed this to PVConnect creating a database of the many Photos, Videos, and Music files I have stored on my MSS. I viewed it as a normal process. Indexing...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

2008-07-31T11:32:37Z

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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 the weeks news.

Please keep the email coming show [at] theDigitallifestyle.com

Direct Download Link
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Vote for the show on podcast Alley
Jon The Media Center Show Group on Facebook
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Show times and all the links talked about in the podcast show notes

Post Roundup

2008-07-26T07:36:20Z

I had a day off with the kids and managed to put my back out so that delayed me unboxing HP's new TouchSmart but I got there in the end and recorded a video of my first impressions and what a fantastic system it is. Here is a roundup of some of this weeks posts

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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

2008-07-24T11:26:55Z

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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 to talk about PP1 and what is new in the HP update. 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 - Join The Media Center Show Group on Facebook - Catch me on Twitter

This show is sponsored by mControl - Home Automation for Vista Media Center

Show Times and all the items talked about in the show are on the show blog

Microsoft needs a coherent digital lifestyle strategy

2008-07-23T10:22:49Z

I posted this on my blog and I thought it would be worth talking about on here.

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 Owen posting on why DVD streaming may never happen I thought I would post on where I would like to see Windows Media Center develop.

Rather than being a list of specific features instead I would like to see Media Center reach out and be part of a connected ecosystem. Where Apple seems to score is that their products all seems to work well together by design e.g. The iPhone is designed to work with iTunes, MobileMe, App Store etc, where as Microsoft's digital lifestyle products do not have a coherent solution e.g. Zune is has no hooks in Media Center, Windows Home Server does not backup recorded tv etc

So what I would like to see:

Windows Home Server Integration, Zune Integration, A unified music and video store, Windows Mobile Integration

Read the full post for my thoughts and already in the comments there has been some disagreement about Home Server Integration

This weeks posts

2008-07-17T15:20:18Z

Back again with this week in Media Center world, there is the Media Center university part 5 (how may parts are there!), Ed Bott on running Windows Home Server in a virtual environment, Charlie Owen starts a firestorm and I am planning for future shows

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

The Media Center Show #165 - mPanel

2008-07-17T11:04:19Z

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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 2.1. I also have your email and a round up of the weeks news

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 - Join The Media Center Show Group on Facebook - Catch me on Twitter

Show times and all the links talked about in the show are on the podcast blog

Post Roundup

2008-07-10T12:41:46Z

Back with another post round up with some rumours on future updates, Media Center university videos and BBC Radio on Media Center

No DirecTV HD for Vista Media Center until 2010?

First I want to say I have no inside information on this one way or another but Engadget HD are saying that "H.264 and DirecTV support have been pushed to Windows 7" here is one other possibility though, at least one well respected member of DBSTalk reported...

Media Center University Part 4

Todd Rutherford presents part 4 of the Media Center University this time looking at Whole House Integration. You can download the video in a variety of formats including including iPod , WMV , WMV (high) and Zune Media Center University: Whole House Integration...

Mike Garcen reviews HP's MediaSmart Connect Extender

I am still using my HP MediaSmart extender full time at the moment and am very happy with it and Mike Garcen at Missing Remote has written a great review of the unit After including their extender technology strictly with their HP branded flat panel televisions,...

Microsoft to Train Installers and unveil "new technologies" for Media Center at CEDIA Expo 2008

Microsoft continues [edit thanks Jim for the correction] to target Media Center at Custom Installers: At CEDIA Expo 2008 they will be training installers on setting up Windows Media Center and other related topics like Windows Home Server, Extenders and...

Update on Engadget HD's Media Center Update story

It looks like Engadget HD have some details on potential future updates on Media Center: The update expected this month is mainly focused around International support, which has evidently really been lacking up until now. The Japanese can expect ISDB-T...

BeebMC - BBC Radio addin for Windows Media Center

Damian Mehers has developed a BBC Radio addin for Windows Media Center that enables listening of BBC Radio streams directly from the Media Center user interface. It's a simple app that Damian originally developed for his own use and has made it available...

The Media Center Show #164 - CaptionSeeker

2008-07-10T11:28:18Z

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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 talk about the other application that TeVeStream have developed. I also have your email and news items. Please keep the email coming show [at] theDigitallifestyle.com

This show is sponsored by mControl - Home Automation for Vista Media Center

Direct Download Link - Subscribe via iTunes - Subscribe via RSS - Vote for the show on Podcast Alley - Join The Media Center Show Group on Facebook - Catch me on Twitter

Show Times and all the links talked about in the show are in the podcast show notes

Post Roundup

2008-07-03T13:27:13Z

The post round up is back, it's been a busy week, the live show was great and even a naked man turning up didn't put is off (you will have to wait for the podcast to find out what i mean)

Looking for a new Media Center PC

My main Media Center PC developed a power supply problem a few weeks ago and I have been on a lower spec backup PC and while it's working it's underpowered for driving 5 Extenders so I am on the market for a new Media Center PC. Over the last couple of...

Media Center University: Optimizing for Entertainment & Networking - Part 3

The 3rd and final part of the Media Center University Video has been posted on Microsoft CE installer blog. This video covers Extender setup, network tuning and Windows Home Server. Topics covered include: Setting Up a Media Center Extender The 3 Server...

Fiji nation upset at use of name Microsoft Fiji

Fun story of the week, apparently Fiji (the country) are upset with Microsoft over the use of the Fiji name. According to the post on Australia's ABC radio news "Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum told Fijilive his country wants an amicable resolution...

Facebook on Windows Media Center

If you a Facebook user and want to get all that social content on to the TV then Martin Thornalley may have the answer for you. He is developing a new application for Vista Media Center called Photato that brings Facebook to the 10 foot interface. The...

How Microsoft can rescue Windows Media Center

When MSNBC called Windows Media Center PCs a miss earlier this week I wrote my reply but I thought I would save the post for my first post on TechRadar.com's Digital Home Blog . My thoughts were this: Windows Media Center is a service and not a product....

Ten Reasons Why Vista Isn't That Bad - Gizmodo

Over the last year Windows Vista has come in for a tremendous amount of criticism, some of justified but most of it not and lots made by people that had never used the OS but I get the feeling that the perception is slowly starting to swing back Microsoft's...

Watch a replay of the HP Webinar on the MediaSmart Connect

If you didn't get chance to catch the webinar I participated in a replay has been posted online. The session was introducing HP's new MediaSmart Connect a Media Center Extender and digital media adapter and was hosted Brian Burch, Director Marketing at...