Month: February 2008

mcePicasa allows browsing, searching, viewing, editing, and uploading of your albums and community albums from Google’s Picasa service.  It’s MCML, so Vista only but you get that amazing native UI.  It’s open source up on CodePlex also.  (Via Ian Dixon) Speaking of CodePlex, developers can get behind making an unofficial SoftSled, MCE Daemon Tools Loader, and MCEMailbox. Facebook has made its way onto Media Center as well.  A new Media Center background add-in allows you to update your status with what you’re listening to or watching.  It uses Facebook.NET which is also on CodePlex.

Customer demand and format war influences Niveus to add support for Blu-ray Disc playback and to cease production of HD DVD-based servers. Milpitas, CA – February 15, 2008 – Niveus Media, the leading manufacturer of high-performing digital entertainment solutions for the connected home, announces support for Blu-ray Disc playback on Niveus Media Servers. Additionally, Niveus announces that new production of HD DVD-based servers will be phased out in the next 30 days. “Incorporating Blu-ray into our offering has always been part of the plan but the demand from our customers, market trends, and recent announcements expedited our decision to come … Continue reading Blu-ray Now Available on Niveus Media Servers

AP writer Peter Svensson recently reviewed the Linksys DMA200 Extender.  While he didn’t give it a shining review, these types of reviews often point out important facts and opinions that need to be looked at.  Often when technology enthusiasts like myself review such a product the mass market aspect doesn’t shine though to its fullest.  After all, I’ve been using Media Center and Extenders for years and have a general knowledge of all points involved. General points made by Svensson in the review. “Worked pretty much as advertised” However, “will be met with as little enthusiasm as the first one” … Continue reading Associated Press Reviews Linksys DMA2200 Extender

By now I’m sure you have heard of Anthony Park’s MyNetflix plug-in for Vista Media Center, but NetflixMC is right on it’s heals as a second option. NetflixMC is a WPF plug-in instead of MCML and right now just allows the use of Watch Now within Media Center.  It’s suppose to be both MCE 2005 and Vista compatible, but check out the impressive demo video below. Ideally, I’d love to see both the developers put their knowledge together and see if Media Center can have by far the most Netflix plug-in out their. [YouTube:toxffPDpHSY] (RSS reader please click here if … Continue reading Media Center Netflix Plug-in Battle Begins

Ian’s yearly Media Center Show Awards podcast has been posted, and while I wasn’t able to attend I want to thank everyone for voting for me for best enthusiast blog.  Did I win?  Download the show and fast forward to 52:37 to find out. If the suspense is killing you and you must know now, I won again this year!!  Thank you to everyone who voted and everyone else out their blogging. Every year I say it wouldn’t be possible without all the other bloggers and readers and that stays true.  Even more so, the Media Center community and awareness … Continue reading The Media Center Show Awards 2008

I’ve got five (5) Hulu invites that I’m giving out.  If you want one, reply to this post saying that you would like an invite and put your e-mail address as your URL.  I will randomly select five people tonight and send you an invite. It look like Netflix is dropping HD DVD and going with Blu-ray only.  It’s amazing how things can turn in just a matter of weeks.  Once again, HD DVD support in Media Center would be pretty pointless at this stage and native Blu-ray in Media Center is far away. I’m looking to buy an internal … Continue reading Short Bits: Hulu Invites, Netflix BD, USB Card Reader

Fellow MVP Anthony Park has just released MyNetflix for Vista Media Center.  This incredible MCML plug-in has a host of features including “Watch Now” streaming ability!  That’s right, no more waiting for Netflix to get their head in the game.  Other features include… View Netflix queue Browse movies View your history/recommendations Add/remove/move movies to your queue Browse “Watch now” movies Play “Watch now” movies Grab the free beta download here.  Thanks for Anthony Park and Ryan Hurst (for the original work) for making this plug-in a reality.    

It wouldn’t surprise me if Niveus Media was the first OEM to offer DIRECTV support, and judging by the following graphic it looks like they might already be planning for such features. Niveus’ website now lists “HD Satellite” as a “TBD” (To be determined) option on all of their Media Center’s.  Given this, one might think Niveus has already been talking with Microsoft and DIRECTV trying to get advanced support in their products. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise to me.  I’m willing to bet that the first time the DIRECTV tuner is demoed at a trade show … Continue reading Niveus Media Gearing up for DIRECTV Support?

Companion Basic enables full remote control of an unlimited number of Windows Vista Media Center zones via any network attached Windows Client. Milpitas, CA – February 5, 2008 – Niveus Media, the leaders in ultimate entertainment solutions for the connected home, recently announced that Niveus Media Center Companion™ 3.0 and the new Niveus Media Center Companion™ Basic are now available for download. While Niveus Media Center Companion™ offers robust client control on Niveus Media Centers, Niveus Media Center Companion™ Basic offers support for Music, Pictures, and Remote control functionality of any Windows Vista-based Media Center user, Niveus or other. Allowing … Continue reading Niveus Media Center Companion Basic – Now Available As A Free Download

You can now purchase all Big Screen v2 products online at bigscreenglobal.com.  Even better, right now you can get a few bucks off your purchase by clicking here.  Next week, in the sprint of the new branding in the sidebar you might just be able to win a free copy right here.  Stay tuned. Could Apple really beat Microsoft to interactive TV applications?  They now have a patent that describes OCAP-like interactivity features.  OCAP of course, is the interactivity layer that is defined in the CableCARD 2.0 (tru2way) specs that should be supported in BOCRs.  No idea if it is … Continue reading Short Bits: Big Screen Apps, Apple TV, Start Menu Feedback