Month: June 2006

Simplifi Digital recently released their line of AV Expander Cards that will allow Media Center users to do basic input switching without worrying about the 2-second delay that is common with TV Tuners and Media Center.  Media Center requires TV Tuners that do hardware MPEG-2 encoding, which introduces a 2-second delay.  This is a deal breaker if you want to connect something like a video game console or other analog devices. Product BackgroundAV Expander Cards fix all problems associated with Media Center and display of legacy devices such as game consoles, VCRs, and camcorders. Simplifi Digital was nice enough to … Continue reading Simplifi Digital AV Expander Review

The Media Center Show #63 | 22nd June 2006 (47min 4secs) MP3 – 14.1MB (Download Here) This week Ian Dixon talked with Niall Ginsbourg about his Big Screen Photos application. A Flickr application for Windows Media Center, developed using the latest .NET 3.0 technologies (with a great Vista Media Center style UI).  Also talk about the application and how using XAML has made for a rich application UI.  You can download a beta from here!

In one of Microsoft’s WinHEC 2006 PowerPoints (MED004_WH06.ppt) they had this to say about an XPe/Vista Embedded version of Media Center. Need To Offer Two Software Options Windows Vista Premium – for those who want to load their own applications, games, etc. Embedded XP/Windows Vista – for those who want a more stable/externally supported solution Device updated by CE manufacturer or service operator (cable, sat, or telco) only Still leverage PC applications base, commodity HW, and infrastructure Calls to Action Microsoft Investigate Embedded OS with 10’ MCE/Diamond features I’m not sure if I should be excited about Microsoft thinking about … Continue reading Microsoft Planning an Embedded Media Center Solution?

Matt Goyer pointed to the Sony VGP-XL1B2 DVD Changer @ Amazon for just $399.99!  Great price, and as Matt points out it just keep climbing in Amazon’s Top Seller for Computers (Currently 13th). I would have purchased one of these for my parents, but since I can’t stream to an Extender I don’t see any point in spending the cash to be limited to a single-room solution. var dc_UnitID = 14; var dc_PublisherID = 11967; var dc_AdLinkColor = ‘6699cc’; var dc_adprod=’ADL’;

Microsoft launched there new MCX Partner Site for Pika the other day.  Pika is the codename for Media Center Extenders (MCX) v2.  According to Microsoft, Media Center Extender Technology Features are as follows… Hardware, operating system, and middleware independence and adaptability OEM-local user interface flexibility and extensibility Based on DLNA 1.0 framework and protocols (including an optional DLNA stack implementation) Reliable wired and wireless network AV streaming Standard and high-definition graphics and video Support for Windows Vista-compatible premium digital TV, including U.S. Digital Cable (Open Cable) Simple, inexpensive OEM licensing Microsoft has finally partnered with Sigma Designs for the MCX … Continue reading What’s In-Store For Codename Pika?

The Media Center Show #62 | 15th June 2006 (47min 4secs) MP3 – 16.4MB (Download Here) This week Ian Dixon talked with Eric Voetberg, Program Manager from the eHome Team at Microsoft about the development process for Vista and Eric’s area of expertise in Media Center Online Spotlight and More Programs.

Being worked on right now.  Sorry for the inconvenience. Update: Back up and running smooth.  [:)] var dc_UnitID = 14; var dc_PublisherID = 11967; var dc_AdLinkColor = ‘6699cc’; var dc_adprod=’ADL’;

Xploder Media Center for Xbox 360 Set for International Release | Xploder is set to release their transcoding utility to be used with the Xbox 360 Media Center Extender functionality.  Not really sure how successful this software will be, going up against Transcode 360 which is free, but see the full press release here. As a side note, My Movies and Transcode 360 will soon work together to create an all-in-one solution. var dc_UnitID = 14; var dc_PublisherID = 11967; var dc_AdLinkColor = ‘6699cc’; var dc_adprod=’ADL’;

Okoro Media Systems, manufacturer of digital entertainment systems for the high end audio video market, is pleased to announce the availability of the high performance GX Series. The OMS GX series is based on the AMD FX and Intel Duo 2 Technologies and comes with 1 Terabyte of storage. The GX Series will feature uncompromising gaming performance and will allow the use of up to five media center extenders for high definition video and audio distribution. This series also features a seven inch touch screen display with HD transcoder for 720p resolutions. “Our customers enjoy playing the latest video games … Continue reading Okoro Media Systems Launches High Performance Digital Entertainment Systems

The Media Center Show #61 | 8th June 2006 (46mins 12secs) MP3 – 15.8MB (Download Here) This week Ian Dixon talked with Teresa de Onis, AMD brand Manager and Orb’s Ian McCarthy about AMD Live! and what it means for Media Center users.