Month: November 2006

Vista: no CableCARD streaming to other PCs (Ars Technica) | Ars Technica has a summery of last weeks No Streaming CableCARD Content to Other Windows PC’s, and questions the ability to transfer content to portable device… Quote:  “It’s hard to believe that Microsoft wouldn’t enable this at least for the Zune (which currently has no way to transfer video back off the device, making it “safe” for content owners), but it’s not clear exactly which parties are behind which restrictions.” While this is true from the basic consumer use standpoint, it’s not hard to get anything off a Portable Media … Continue reading CableCARD Recordings On Zune? Why The Answer Is No

The Media Center Show Awards 2006 | Ian posted up the voting page for the Media Center Show Awards for 2006 today.  Make sure to vote, it only takes about a 1 minute and gives those who spend there time working/playing/developing for Media Center a pat-on-the-back. There is also a few great incentives to vote, including getting entered in a prize draw for free software including mNewsCenter and Media Center Communicator! There are categories for: Best Media Center Utility Best Online Spotlight Applications Best Communication Tool Best Community Resource Best Hardware Manufacturer Best Enthusiast Blog Best Microsoft Media Center Blog … Continue reading Vote for The Media Center Show Awards 2006

[EHX] Manufacturers Exploit Vista for Home Automation & A/V (CE Pro) | Julie has a post with some of the great stuff that was on show at EHX.   Embedded Automation, Cortexa, Exceptional Innovation, Honeywell, Niveus, Superna, and more are showcased.  Check it out!    (Photo Courtesy of CE Pro) var dc_UnitID = 14; var dc_PublisherID = 11967; var dc_AdLinkColor = ‘6699cc’; var dc_adprod=’ADL’;

Big Screen Contacts | Niall has pushed out another application for Vista Media Center.  Big Screen Contacts is an MCML application for Vista Media Center that can sync with Windows Contacts.  Includes some cool features, such as… Browse your Windows Contacts Directory by Surname, Name, or Company Name. Search your Windows Contacts by keyword (with triple-tap friendly text entry). Drill down to detailed Contact information such as Home/Work Address, Phone Numbers, Email/IM Addresses, Family and Personal Notes. Track birthdays for your contacts – with inbuilt birthday list. Toggle between 3 different browser views ( List, Tile and Large Icon) and … Continue reading "Big Screen Contacts" for Vista Media Center

WebGuide4 | Homepage | Yesterday Doug announced that WebGuide4 now supports Live TV Streaming! Doug says “After more than a year of on and off development (most of it frustrating), I’ve finally pushed live transcoding/live tv to the point that is ready for outside use.  This feature is rather complicated, so some people may have issues getting it running right away, but with participation of the many smart users in these forums, I feel we can work through most issues. “ I haven’t played with it yet, but this is very cool.  About the closest to the mystic “SoftSled” as you … Continue reading WebGuide4 Now Supports Streaming Live TV (SoftSled Like!)

It’s been over a year since I first starting writing about it and the point still stands, to output full resolution with CableCARD the Xbox 360 must have a digital connection! Microsoft already covered part of the picture, allowing the Xbox 360 to output 1080p for HD DVD and gaming, however VGA and Component do not guarantee full resolution output for CableCARD, just as it doesn’t for HD DVD. Just as with HD DVD and Image Constaint Token (ICT), CableLabs defines Constrained Image Trigger (CIT).  Both are really the same, and basically will downres any content that has the bit … Continue reading Still Waiting for that Digital Output (DVI/HDMI) Dongle….

The Media Center Show #84 | 23rd November 2006 (53mins 21secs) MP3 – 18.3MB (Download Here) This week Ian Dixon talked with Orb co-founder Joe Costello about Orb 2.0, mycasting, the explosion of digital media and taking your Media Center content with you on the go. Checkout The Media Center Show Extra #4, also tell Ian what you think of the “extra” shows on the survey page Don’t forget the Media Center Show Award nominations, voting starts soon.

Another MCE CableCard Shortcoming: No Streaming to Other PCs (CE Pro) | Julie is out with an article about CableCARD in Vista and how streaming to other PC’s isn’t supported. Very true, just as with current CGMS-A protected content it can only be played back on the Media Center PC it was recorded on (inside of Media Center only, not in Windows Media Player) or a Media Center Extender. As Julie points out the only Extender that supports Vista is the Xbox 360 right now.  v2 Extenders are on the way and will support connecting to Vista and will also … Continue reading No Streaming CableCARD Content to Other Windows PC’s

GARDEN CITY, NY – November 22 – VidaBox LLC announces a new silent media center / HTPC system, dubbed the VidaBox™ STEALTH™. Less than 3.6″ tall, the STEALTH™ is a fully-featured, miniature form factor media center featuring a slot-loading DVD±RW dual-layer burner, dual analog tuners, and massive VidaSafe™-protected storage of up to 1,500GB. “The STEALTH™ is perfect for those who consider silence and small size as definite must-haves, without compromising or sacrificing any features,” says Steven Cheung, co-founder of VidaBox. “The STEALTH™ really shines in home theaters, where noise must be kept to an absolute minimum. Our unique system design, … Continue reading New Silent VidaBox STEALTH Media Center with up to 1,500GB of Storage

[Live From EHX] Niveus Media’s Rainier Vista Media Server (CE Pro) | Of course two of the coolest Media Center companies at EHX where Exceptional Innovation and  Niveus Media.  CE Pro’s Jason Unger already covered Exceptional Innovation’s Life|point and Life|vision and now be covers Niveus Media’s Rainier Vista Media Server. Watch it Here