Month: March 2006

MCE Video Encoder | MCE Video Encoder (Via eHomeUpgrade) is a Windows application that controls encoding and streaming of all video files, including DivX and Xvid. The application also includes a set of add-ins for Windows Media Center Addition 2005 that controls the MCE Video Encoder application. Therefore, this allows you to not only set up and control video streams from your Windows Media Center PC, but also control and view the streams from a Media Center Extender and even an Xbox 360. MCE Video Encoder has the following features: Start and Stop Streaming from Windows Client and MCE Add-in, … Continue reading MCE Video Encoder – Encoding & Streaming DivX to Xbox 360

The Media Center Show #50 | 16th March 2006 (1 Hour 14mins 1secs) MP3 – 23MB (Download Here) This week Ian Dixon talked with two Media Center MVP’s (Most Valued Professionals) about Media Center and Vista.  Also, Orb’s Ian McCarthy reports from MIX06 and e-mail and Skype messages in to the show. There is also a chance to win One Voices’ Media Center Communicator.

Sony VAIO VGP-XL1B2 Media Changer | Sony has started selling there VGP-XL1B2 DVD Changer for use with Windows Media Center Edition 2005 Update Rollup 2.  This 200 CD/DVD can write and read just about all current media (CD-R, CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, and DVD R DL).  It uses Firewire to connect with the PC and upto 5 changers are supported.  Price: $799.99 Per Unit. Update:  $100.00 MIR at Amazon.com! var dc_UnitID = 14; var dc_PublisherID = 11967; var dc_AdLinkColor = ‘6699cc’; var dc_adprod=’ADL’;

Encrypted DVB-S in MCE (The Green Button Community) | The Green Button member MacBurp has posted details from AVForums member nigelbb, on how-to get encrypted DVB-S within Media Center.  It appears that there are currently a few flaws, but they are known and apparently being worked on.  I don’t have any experience with DVB, but for those not in the States you might want to look into this. var dc_UnitID = 14; var dc_PublisherID = 11967; var dc_AdLinkColor = ‘6699cc’; var dc_adprod=’ADL’;

Microsoft Sees Rapid Media Center Sales (CNET) |  U.S consumers bought more Windows Media Center-equipped PCs than the standard edition of Windows XP last month and sales of Media Center will reach 10 million by the end of March, a Microsoft executive said Tuesday. Joe Belfiore, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Windows eHome Division, disclosed the sales numbers at a keynote speech here at Mix ’06, a Microsoft conference aimed at Web developers and designers. Belfiore also demonstrated the upcoming enhancements to Media Center, which will come out with Windows Vista at the end of this year, saying it will … Continue reading Microsoft Sees Rapid Media Center Sales

Vista May Not Support HD DVD at Launch (CE Pro) | CE Pro posted a piece last week about Vista and HD DVD/Blu-ray support.  Julie e-mailed me the article and quickly I knew that something was wrong.  I went to a few sources of mine to try and figure out exactly what Microsoft’s plan is regarding HD DVD playback support within Windows Vista.  I had been under the impression from the start that Vista would support playback of HD DVD’s out-of-the-box and that Blu-ray playback would be completely left to third parties.  The story at CE Pro said otherwise, quoting … Continue reading Vista To Support HD DVD Playback (Not Blu-ray)

Rival To Official Media Center Extender (Media Center PC World) | Media Center PC World has an article on PCzapper TV Extender.  As much as this company wants you to think it’s a Media Center Extender, this is just an analog PC to TV device.  It does the exact same thing as the dozens of analog devices you can find at your local RadioShack, etc. var dc_UnitID = 14; var dc_PublisherID = 11967; var dc_AdLinkColor = ‘6699cc’; var dc_adprod=’ADL’;

The Media Center Show #49 | 16th March 2006 (1 Hour 7mins 4secs) MP3 – 23MB (Download Here) This week Ian Dixon talked with Jury Balta from 10 Foot World about there Online Spotlight application, and other Media Center topics.  Next week Ian has Media Center MVP’s and Show 50!

Z-Wave is now supported in mControl from Embedded Automation Inc. mControl v1.4 has just been released and with support for the popular Z-Wave protocol which is capable of automating devices including lighting, appliances, and thermostats. The Z-Wave protocol is a low-cost, two-way, wireless mesh network communications technology that enables consumers to monitor and manage their lighting and other home controls easily, conveniently and securely from anywhere in the world. Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) support is also part of mControl v1.4 and has been accomplished through partnership with Residential Control System’s (RCS) and their brand new Z-Wave enabled thermostat. … Continue reading Embedded Automation’s mControl adds Support for Z-Wave