Ian's Digital Lifestyle

News Roundup

Iand — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:59:51 GMT

A slow news week but some interesting stories, Ricavision disappearing along with it's long delayed Sideshow remote was a big disappointment but not unsurprising and this weeks podcast featured Brian Binnerup developer of My Movies of one of the most popular applications for Windows Media Center.

Updates for Windows Media Center out next week

In next weeks batch of updates from Microsoft there are two updates for Windows Media Center. One update is for TV Feature Pack and one for the release version of Media Center, watch out for them appearing on Windows Update on Tuesday. More details on...

Velocity Micro Announces the Release of the CineMagix FuzeBox

Velocity Micro have announced the release of their CineMagix Fuzebox . Fuze is a hybird Media Center system that is part Media Center and part custom application. They have a video demo on their site and you can see the video I look of Fuze back at CES...

My Movies for Windows Home Server Available Now

Over the weekend I mentioned about My Movies for Windows Home Server and today Brian Binnerup has officially released the Windows Home Server addin , this is a server version of My Movies designed for Windows Home Server. It has features like folder monitoring...

The Media Center Show #176 - My Movies

Listen Here (mp3) This week I am talking to Brian Binnerup developer My Movies of one of the most popular application for Window Media Center. This week Brian released details of the new Windows Home Server version of the My Movies which includes features...

End of the road for Ricavision?

Chris Lanier noted that the Ricavision remote had been delayed again but it looks worse than that. CEPro are reporting that the company has "essentially gone". I was impressed the Sideshow Remote Ricavision showed off at CES in January but the remote..

What will Windows 7 be called?

I was reading Ed Bott's blog post about Windows 7 final name and as yet there seems not to be to much speculation on what the next version of Windows will be called. As Ed points out Windows 7 shouldn't be called Windows 7 as its real version number is...

The Media Center Show #176 - My Movies

Iand — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:08:40 GMT

Listen Here (mp3)

This week I am talking to Brian Binnerup developer My Movies of one of the most popular application for Window Media Center. This week Brian released details of the new Windows Home Server version of the My Movies which includes features like automated disk copying. It also works as a meta-data provider for other applications like Microsoft's DVD Library,Niveus Movie Library, Open Media Library, Media Portal, and soon XBMC

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

I am looking for community submitted reviews of Media Center addins if you would like to review an application please email me ian [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 on the podcast blog

TheDigitalLifestyle.com news roundup

Iand — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 16:49:07 GMT

Another busy week on TheDigitalLifestyle.com, the server decided to fill all the available disk space causing it to go down on Friday just I was travelling back from Microsoft, fortunately Richard Miller sent me an email and with the EEE PC and Internet Connection Sharing I was able to sort it out from the M40 motorway, andway here is a roundup of the posts from the last week or so:

UK Windows Media Center / Digital Lifestyle Meetup

My Movies for Windows Home Server

One of the most popular Media Center applications is coming to Windows Home Server, My Movies for Windows Home Server works as a server for My Movies client applications and includes a fully automated Disk Copier. It also works as a meta-data provider...

Freeview HD arriving Autumn 2009

Freeview are planning to launch a HD service in the UK next year starting with Granada (my local region). In the press release Ilse Howling, Managing Director of Freeview said "With Freeview on PS3 and Media Center and HD just around the corner,...

moreTV: remote recording

Olcay Buyan sent me details of a new Windows Media Center application for Germany called moreTV. The addin is a Vista Media Center application for their remote recording server that is already available for STB. The app adds extra services to Media Center...

Media Center MVP for another year

Microsoft have let me know I have the honour of being a Windows Media Center MVP for another year. It's great being part of the such vibrant and lively community and the reason why I keep doing the blog and the podcast. As I said when I got renewed last...

The Media Center Show #175 - The Mark Of Excellence Awards

Listen Here (mp3) This week on the show I am talking to Roland Graham from CEA about the Consumer Electronics Association Mark of excellence award , this is an award presented by CEA's TechHome Division to honour outstanding achievement in custom home...

PCMag.com's guide to Media Center TV Pack

PCmag have an interesting article on Windows Media Center TV Pack, it highlights the features, the pitfalls and how to install TV Pack. Adam Thursby points out it has some good information on how to get CleanQAM working well. Checkout the rest of...

MSNBC News Beta for Windows Media Center

There is a new MSNBC addin for Windows Media Center user in US and Canada, I haven't been able to try it myself but according to Brandon LeBlanc on The Windows Experience Blog it gives you quick access to the latest election news, top stories and weather....

CEA Opens Nominations for 2009 Mark of Excellence

The Mark Of Excellence awards are not something I have have talked about before on the blog but seeing how a lot of the entries relate to Windows Media Center I thought it was worth a mention. There are some interesting categories that will be interesting...

New home for my Media Center system

I am not the most tidy of people and when building up a Media Center system over a period of time the cables and components have got a little messy so to help with the WAF I bought a new cabinet. I am currently using Windows Home Server, a home brew Media...

dBpoweramp's RipNAS Essentials for Windows Home Server

dBpoweramp has released RipNAS essentials for Windows Home Server users. As the name might imply, RipNAS enables CD ripping directly to your WHS. Even HP's MediaSmart Server! From dBpoweramp.com: RipNAS EssentialsT is an ideal companion to any Windows...

Windows Home Server and Media Center-All in one box

I often wish for an all in combination box of Windows Media Center and Windows Home Server, Adam Thursby and Philip Churchill both spotted a project to build a combined box based on two motherboard. It has two Micro ATX boards, one for Vista and one for...

UK Windows Media Center / Digital Lifestyle Meetup

Iand — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 15:48:31 GMT

From my Blog on TheDigitalLifestyle.com

Would you be interesting in meeting like minded enthusiast at meetup next year? I am planning a event in the UK for Windows Media Center, Windows Home Server and other digital lifestyle products enthusiast to meetup share tips and stories,see some of the latest hardware and show off some of the interesting projects the community has been working on. I am sure we can get some free food together and maybe some swag too. The sessions could range from the basics for newcomers to advanced topics like home automation and maybe even linking Media Center with Robotics. It could also be an opportunity to give some feedback to Microsoft, what we like and what really bugs us!

So I want to know:

Would you come?
Where should it be?
What would you like to see shown off?
Would you like to show off some of your projects?
What kind of products should we focus on?

Either leave a comment on the post on TheDigitalLifestyle.com or send me an email Ian at thedigitallifestyle dotcom and if there is enough interest I can start planning it.

The Media Center Show #175 - The Mark Of Excellence Awards

Iand — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:48:13 GMT

Listen Here (mp3)

This week on the show I am talking to Roland Graham from CEA about the Consumer Electronics Association Mark of excellence award, this is an award presented by CEA's TechHome Division to honour outstanding achievement in custom home electronics products, services and installation. Last year Lifeware was amongst the winners so Media Center is well represented in the awards. I also have email and a round up of the weeks Media Center news

I am looking for community submitted reviews of Media Center addins if you would like to review an application please email me ian [at] TheDigitalLifestyle.com

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

This week on TheDigitalLifestyle.com

Iand — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 23:55:41 GMT

Subscribe to my blog HERE and don't forget the forums

Remember the last Windows Media Center CE Box

With the talk of a headless Windows Media Center System Richard Miller reminded me of Microsoft's last attempt at a CE Media Center device. The LG LRM-519 was a Set To Box device with Windows Media Center as a UI. It could download the EPG data...

My Drinks for Windows Media Center

I am always on the lookout for new applications for Windows Media Center and combine a Vista Media Center application with drink and your on a winner! My Drinks is a Vista Media Center version of the XP version from a couple of years ago and it has been...

Is this why H.264 got removed from TV Pack?

Derek Flickinger sent me a link to an article about the ATSC group choosing H.264 for DTV transmission. Derek wondered if this was the reason why H.264 support was dropped from TV Feature Pack as Microsoft knowing about the impending change would...

What's the most you'd pay for the ultimate HTPC?

Ben Drawbaugh at EngadgetHD asks an interesting question "What's the most you'd pay for the ultimate HTPC?", he has put up a vote page for you to have your say. The wide range of computers that can pull duty as a HTPC varies wildly from $500 all the way...

Cannon PC Selling Standalone Digital Cable Tuners

If your looking for a standalone Digital Cable Tuner then your options have been limited but Chris Lanier is reporting that Cannon PC are by offering both internal and external Digital Cable Tuners online . At $300 and $315 it may be an interesting option...

Samsung Media Center Extender gets a release date

According to Ben at EngadgetHD the new Samsung Media Center Extender has a release date of October 15th on Amazon . Like I have said before it's a nice looking extender but it's limited to selected Samsung HD TVs ...

The Media Center Show #174 - Open Media Library

Listen Here (mp3) This week I am talking David Shulitz a developer working on the Open Media Library project. OML is a open source movie browser applications for Vista Media Center, it's a great looking application that adds some great functionality to...

Windows 7 pre-beta to be given out at PDC

I wish I could have made it over to the PDC this year as it looks like it will be the first public airing for Windows 7 . Attendee's will be given a pre -beta copy of Windows 7 and I expect a lot of Windows 7 features will be talked about at the show....

New Beta Version of ngRC Version 2.0 released

A new beta of ngRC V2 has been released , this is the next generation Remote Control that turns your iPhone/iPod Touch or PSP in to a WiFi enabled remote. You can control Vista Media Center or XP Media Center plus it can control your Extender sessions....

HP customers can now upgrade the memory on HP MediaSmart Servers without voiding the HP warranty.

As you add more and more addins to your Windows Home Server you may find that it needs a memory upgrade and for self-built boxes that is easy to do but for HP MediaSmart customers adding memory would void the warranty but today HP announced that they...

S1Digitial Platinum Edition with TV Pack Review

So it's been about a month since my S1Digital Media Center arrived and I couldn't be happier with it. Like every other review I've read about their systems this thing is just rock sold! I meant to get this post written sooner but IKE had other...

How to use Windows Media Center on a Leopard Network

If you have a Mac network and where wondering how to integrate Windows Media Center into your network then this article from hackaday.com explains how to do it. The article takes you step by step through the process from the Mac side as well...

Intelliremote 1.1 adds full wireless keyboard and mouse

Melloware the developers of Intelliremote have let me know that they have updated their application and added full wireless keyboard and mouse support. So from your iPhone or iPod Touch you can not only control Media Center and other application you can...

The Media Center Show #174 - Open Media Library

Iand — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:10:00 GMT

Listen Here (mp3)

This week I am talking David Shulitz a developer working on the Open Media Library project. OML is a open source movie browser applications for Vista Media Center, it's a great looking application that adds some great functionality to Media Center (download from HERE) . I also have email and a round up of the weeks news.

I am looking for community submitted reviews of Media Center addins if you would like to review an application please email me ian [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 on the show blog post

The Media Center Show #173 - Martin Vilches from Ecuador

Iand — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 19:34:16 GMT

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This week I am talking to Martin Vilches of IQhome from Ecuador. Martin is installing Windows Media Center and home automation including MSN integration, Telephone integration and Controlling MCE (and devices) from other displays like a UMPC. We also talk about the Media Center market in Ecuador.

I also have email and a roundup of the latest news

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

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Show Times:

00:50 Coming up this week
01:35 Email - Skype for Media Center?
03:22 Email - TV Pack OEMS - S1Digital and Fluid Media
05:04 Microsoft and Hauppauge First to Bring Freeview-Certified PC Solution to U.K. Viewers
06:04 Tingz Media Center app shown at TechCrunch50
07:10 Release Candidate of Windows Media Center Gadgets for Windows SideShow (but not TV Pack)
08:00 Microsoft Launches New Worldwide Platform for Broadcast TV on the PC
08:41 Media Group to Create Digital Video 'Ecosystem'
09:31 Get 10% off a Vidabox Premium Wireless Keyboard
10:50 I bought a Netbook
12:24 See the winner of Microsoft's Digital Home Makeover Competition
13:18 Zune Brings Powerful New Entertainment Features to Every Zune Portable Media Player With Software Release
14:50 Addin Reviews
15:38 Welcome to Martin
18:00 Media Center usage
20:22 Home Automation and control
23:30 Superna
26:13 MSN Integration
30:12 Phone Integration
35:54 Show room
38:16 Thanks to Martin

This Week on The Digital Lifestyle

Iand — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 16:38:06 GMT

Here are some of the interesting posts from TheDigitalLifestyle.com over the last week

Media Group to Create Digital Video 'Ecosystem'

We all hate the restrictions put on us by DRM and especially when we can't share legitimately purchased content between devices. eWeek are report that a consortium (including Microsoft) it working together to create a digital Ecosystem for sharing content,...

HD Giants Offers Windows Media Center Addin

When I interview Musicgiants back on show 170 Scott Scott Bahneman told us about a Media Center addin that they were about to release. Yesterday Musicgiants changed their name to HD Giants and released details of their new Media Center app. According...

I bought a Netbook

After a year of hype I caved in and bought a Netbook. I picked up a bargain off ebay, the ASUS EEE PC 701 with 1GB of RAM. The unit has 4gb of flash memory and has a 4gb SD card, it came with Linux which I was very impressed with. The built in apps...

Microsoft Launches New Worldwide Platform for Broadcast TV on the PC

Following on from Microsoft’s press release about Freeview certification for Media Center today they put out a press release with details of PBDA (Protected Broadcast Architecture). It seems that PBDA is going to bring “PC solutions for pay TV” next year,...

Release Candidate of Windows Media Center Gadgets for Windows SideShow (but not TV Pack)

Remember the beta Windows Media Center gadget for Windows Sideshw that released back in July? ( see the review on the gadget blog ) well Microsoft have put out a Release Candidate of the gadget and It looks like it now supports Extenders. The updated...

The Media Center Show #172 - CEDIA

Listen Here (mp3) Last week was the CEDIA show, a show for high end custom installers with likes of Niveus and Life|Ware showing off 10 extender based systems. This week I have Kevin Collins, director of the Custom Installer Channel in the Connected TV...

New utility to create links for DVDLibrary

Remember the guide on how to stream DVDs to Extenders? The guide works well but it is a pain to create the link files necessary for streaming to work. Fortunately a cleaver developer has created a utility to simplify the process and has created an updated..

Microsoft and Hauppauge First to Bring Freeview-Certified PC Solution to U.K. Viewers

I noticed the Freeview logo once when testing TV Feature pack and sure enough Microsoft has announced Windows Media Center as the first PC based solution to get Freeview certification (in combination with Hauppauge’s WinTV-HVR-2200 dual tuner). I am not...

Ed Bott: Here’s why CableCARD isn’t mainstream yet

Ed Bott writes about the issues and potential pitfalls that can happen when getting a CableCARD up and running. The problem seems to be the many elements involved in getting the system up and running. What interested me most is the idea that Ed has about.

The Media Center Show #172 - CEDIA

Iand — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:21:42 GMT

Listen Here (mp3)

Last week was the CEDIA show, a show for high end custom installers with likes of Niveus and Life|Ware showing off 10 extender based systems. This week I have Kevin Collins, director of the Custom Installer Channel in the Connected TV Business, Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft talking about Microsoft's announcements at CEDIA including the winner of the Ultimate Installer competition and details on the 10 Extender update. My second guest is Intel's Greg Schlechter a director of the newly announced Media Center Integrators Alliance, he will be explaining what the alliance is about and what it can mean for enthusiasts. I also have a news round up and your email

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

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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 on the show blog

The Media Center Show #171 - Kevin Tofel on Cloud Computing

Iand — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:50:33 GMT

Listen Here (mp3)

Back after a week off, this week talking with blogger and podcast Kevin Tofel talking about Cloud Computing. Kevin recently switched to only using web based apps and we chatted about what is Cloud Computing, the security risks around it and the how it will effect the digital lifestyle. I also have a roundup of news and email

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

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

The Media Center Show #170 - Musicgiants

Iand — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:17:00 GMT

Listen Here (mp3)

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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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 are in the podcast show notes

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

Iand — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:27:37 GMT

Listen Here (mp3)

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

Iand — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:09:30 GMT

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

Iand — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:54:09 GMT

Listen Here (mp3)

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

Direct Download Link
Subscribe via iTunes
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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