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Charlie Owen, a former Media Center team member wrote a post this week about Media Center expanding its marketplace, specifically going from the current enthusiast market to a more mainstream market.  Charlie analysis comes to the pretty simple answer of “It’s possible, but highly unlikely at this point.” I had previously come to this conclusion, but to me the real question is “will Microsoft attempt to develop for the enthusiast market?”  Lucky for me, Charlie replied to my comment with exactly what I was expecting Charlie: “No. That’s because they have never done so. The enthusiast market is always a … Continue reading Going Beyond The Enthusiast Market

It has been my theory that Microsoft is slowly ditching the concept of using and promoting Media Center as a whole home entertainment experience and moving to the “TV on your PC” concept which they have been actively promoting over the past 6 months.  This concept is something that most Media Center enthusiasts don’t want to believe as it turns Media Center into a product that most current users have no interest in.  What better way to find out the future of Media Center than looking at how it could be presented in the upcoming Microsoft retail stores. Gizmodo got … Continue reading Media Center Gets "PCTV" Marketing in Microsoft Store Mockups

Preface: Before you read this please try and get in the right mindset.  Microsoft doesn’t care about what anyone reading this blog wants.  They don’t care what I want either.  It is a hard truth to take, but that’s a fact.  They will say that they listen to all requests, and that’s true, they do.  What they don’t do is make any sort of business decision (translation, features) based on my ramblings, The Green Button, Engadget, or anyone else.  They don’t make Media Center for “us”, and before anyone can start to understand the points I try and make about … Continue reading Does Home Server & Media Center Mean a Connected Future?

Today Microsoft released their native Netflix application for Windows Media Center to much fanfare.  The release comes with a catch, but let’s back up a bit before we get to that. I’ve talked about the need for Microsoft to get Netflix within the Media Center ecosystem, and ever since Reed Hastings joined Microsoft’s board I knew it was coming.  A year ago Microsoft announced Netflix would be coming to the Xbox 360 Dashboard and that rekindled my thoughts about the Xbox 360 being Media Center biggest enemy in the marketplace.  Today those thoughts are confirmed once again by the Netflix … Continue reading The Story Behind Netflix for Windows Media Center

New TV, LCD TV/DVD Combo and Standalone Player Utilize Widget Channel, Developed by Intel® and Yahoo!®, and Microsoft’s Windows Extender for Media Center Platform to Deliver an Exciting Content Solution for the Home CES, LAS VEGAS – January 7, 2009 – Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C. (“Toshiba”), announced its new audio/video (A/V) devices with Network Player capabilities, which deliver on the promise of digital convergence in the home. Toshiba is launching this initiative across three product categories – REGZA® LCD TVs, LCD TV/DVD Combos and standalone players – in an effort to meet individual consumer needs. Toshiba’s new A/V devices … Continue reading Toshiba Introduces Network Devices Designed for The Connected Home, Including Extenders.

Silly me, I figured the fire sale on Linksys DMA2100 and DMA2200 Extenders over the past two months might indicate them getting ready to drop a new hardware revision on us, but sadly that doesn’t appear to be the case.  Consumer Electronics Daily is reporting that Cisco (eg. Linksys) “has no immediate plans” to replace the two Extender SKUs.  Cisco did note that a firmware update would likely be the next step.  When that update drops or what is included remains to be seen. The DMA2100 has sold for a low of $59 at Dell.com a few week ago.  The … Continue reading Linksys: “No Plans for Models to Replace” DMA2100/DMA2200

CED is reporting that HP is ending their run in the LCD TV business and killing off their MediaSmart HDTV lineup.  I can’t confirm the report myself, but if true this puts another dent in Microsoft’s vision to have Extender technology built into HDTVs.  Their focus is now said to be their MediaSmart Receiver which I reviewed earlier this year.    Watch for deals, word is the current displays will be getting a price cut at Costco stores. In related news, Samsung has shipped their MediaLive Extender which only works with Samsung Series 4 and up displays and you can still … Continue reading HP Cutting MediaSmart TV Lineup; Exits LCD TV Business

In case you have missed the dozen other Linksys DMA2100 Extender deals over the past few weeks, you can now pick them up at Amazon.com for $99 after Amazon’s special $20 off a $100+ Linksys purchase.  Using the same deal you can get the DMA2200 for only $130.

From distributed HD entertainment to automation and control, Windows Media Center is at the center of an ever-expanding ecosystem within the custom installation channel. DENVER — Sept. 4, 2008 — At CEDIA EXPO 2008, Microsoft Corp. announced expansive growth of the Windows Media Center ecosystem, the formation of an exciting new industry alliance composed of some of the custom channel’s top brands, the winner of the 2008 Windows Media Center Ultimate Install Contest, and numerous partner innovations supporting the Windows Media Center in the custom installation channel. CEDIA EXPO 2008 is an annual show for the residential electronic systems industry … Continue reading Microsoft Showcases Windows Media Center Momentum at CEDIA EXPO 2008

Niveus Movie Library Goes Primetime! Version 1.5 is enriched to offer high-res cover art (including Blu-ray) and support for a wider catalogue of movie sources, such as disc-in-drive… and more! Denver, CO – CEDIA Expo 2008 – September 4-7 – Booth #850 – Designed exclusively for Niveus Media customers, the Niveus Movie Library is a robust movie management tool that aggregates an entire movie collection into one distinct and intelligent interface. Upgraded to accommodate a growing number of movie sources, Niveus Movie Library 1.5 now features: disc-in-drive support; a 10’ interface for backing up movies to the Niveus Media Server; … Continue reading Niveus Media @ CEDIA: Movie Library, 8 CableCARD, 10 Extenders, Home Server