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News, Analysis, and Opinion on Microsoft Digital Media Technologies (and TGB News!)
August 2008 - Posts
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Award-winning Niveus Media Server – Vail Edition integrates
technologies to provide a high-performance entertainment experience.
Milpitas, CA – August 27, 2008 – Niveus Media is teaming up
with ADI to distribute the newest Niveus Media Server – Vail Edition to custom
electronics installers across the country. This media server will allow dealers
to provide a scalable, energy efficient solution to access, store, manage and
distribute digital content throughout a home.
“ADI is a highly experienced vehicle with a proven track
record for providing innovative products and impeccable service to dealers,”
said John Trimbach, Vice President Sales, Niveus Media. “We’re extremely
confident ADI will provide first-class distribution for Vail, while providing
increased brand awareness for Niveus.”
Referred to as “Sierra” in the pre-release beta version,
Niveus’ award-winning Vail Edition media server is based on Windows Vista® Home
Premium featuring Windows® Media Center.
Key Features:
- Pictures & Videos – Digital photograph and video
collections are securely stored while offering easy viewing access throughout
the home.
- Music – CD collections are merged with downloaded tracks to
create a uniform and all-encompassing music library.
- Movies – Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD support and an abundance of
classification capabilities offer a comprehensive, extremely intuitive, and
completely unique movie experience.
The Vail Edition is engineered with the proprietary Niveus
ConvergencePanel™ high-performance audio and video ports to ensure a simple
installation and seamless integration into the home network. With Vail, ADI
dealers now have direct access to Niveus Media’s lowest power consuming and
most compact media server to date, which easily integrates with many security
and home automation products currently available through ADI.
In a sleek and slender chassis, the CES Innovations 2008
Design and Engineering Award winning Vail Edition incorporates: powerful Intel®
processing; an optional Blu-ray Disc drive; Seagate® hard drives; Nvidia’s
GeForce Series 8 graphics featuring PureVideo™ HD technology; and proprietary
Niveus technology.
All Vail Editions sold through ADI will be bundled with an
exclusive content package from MusicGiants, the authority in HD music and video
downloads. Vail includes the proprietary HD Media Store which enables instant
access to MusicGiants, and includes 2 HDNet films and credit towards the purchase
of MusicGiants downloads.
“As a distributor, we are committed to providing our dealers
with access to cutting-edge technology from industry-leading vendors,” said RJ
Hirshkind, Senior Product Manager for A/V at ADI. “We are excited to offer the
Niveus Media Server at our branches, and help dealers provide completely
integrated home entertainment solutions.”
For more information on Niveus Media, Inc., please visit www.niveusmedia.com. For more information
about ADI, visit www.adilink.com.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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It looks like QWebL has
decided hold off until after CEDIA to launch the full details of their upcoming
home automation system, but they have put up an overview of what the solution
attempts to offer as well as choosing the winners of their video contest.
QWebL is designed to be an out-of-the-box solution to
control lights, climate, audio distribution, garage doors, security systems and
more using an interface on your Media Center PC, desktop PC, touchpanels,
wireless device, etc. Based on the About QWebL page
on their website they are targeting everyone from the homeowners to custom
integrators and even home builders.
They have one early shot up of their interface and while it
doesn’t match Media Center’s look and feel after getting a demo on it you can
see why they went a different direction.
I’m looking forward to seeing more after CEDIA comes and goes.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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D-Link has released the first firmware update for their
DSM-750 Extender. Based on the release
notes it appears that most if not all fixes in the new version 1.01 apply to the MediaLounge software
and not the Media Center Extender aspect of the product. That said it does appear to add 1080p output
as an option which should apply to both the Extender and MediaLounge modes. Other changes are below, you can
download the updated firmware here and upgrade
via the front USB port on the DSM-750.
- Support for 1080p TVs and video files
- Look of the Home page altered to improve navigation &
readability
- Online Media icon added to the home page
- Support for Rhapsody music service
- Support for Live365 Internet Radio service
- Support for vTuner Internet Radio service
- Remote control support changed to support Xbox 360 remote
- DVR-MS playback A/V sync issue in MediaLounge mode resolved
- Control point (aka "slave mode") access enabled
for playing video and music files from a compliant UPnP server
- Browsing music & video media files/folders now supports
only List mode (no thumbnail browsing).
- Photo files/folders supports browsing by thumbnail or list
mode
- "16:9" and "4:3" renamed
"Widescreen" & "Normal" in A/V Settings Menu
- Default device name is now "D-Link DSM-750"
- Audio tracks button improved to support multiple audio
tracks in supported video files
- Entering a wireless security key is now readable until
entered
- Reduced the amount of marqueeing text in the music player
page
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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New Module Makes Power Monitoring and Control Within Reach of all Homeowners
Surrey, BC – August 20, 2008
Today, Embedded Automation announced its mHome Power Management Module. The
mHome Power Management Module, which provides real-time energy usage
information and control functionality, is available as an add-in to Embedded
Automation's mHome products, including the award-winning mControl Digital Home
Software and soon to be released mPanel Digital Home Portal. Initially
supporting the TED (The Energy Detective) energy monitor, the mHome Power
Management Module will scale to support other power measuring devices and
future technologies such as "Smart Meter" solutions.
The mHome Power Management Module offers the following
benefits:
- Available as an mControl plug-in module - no user
programming is required.
- Real-time status display, allowing users to view current
energy consumption and historical usage from any mControl user interface.
- User-configurable power management conditions for use with
mControl macros based on any of the following properties: current power usage
(kW), peak power usage today (kW), total power today (kWh), total power
month-to-date (kWh) and others.
- Live view on mPanel for view-at-glance status information.
"The mHome Power Management Module represents a big
step towards conserving energy. The solution is affordable and easy to install.
All a user needs to do is enter where the device is located on the network and
the information is automatically presented in a easy to understand format on a
variety of user interfaces – including on their Vista Media Center, from any
Internet Explorer browser session, on their cell phone or on any mPanel
connected to the home network,” said Ted Singh, C.E.O. of Embedded Automation.
“Not only have we given our users the key first step of having a live reading
on their energy usage with which they can use to localize energy waste, but via
mControl’s automation engine, users can also create energy-saving macros.”
The mHome Power Management Module will be available in
August 2008.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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Hanover MA, Aug 13,
2008, Inteset, has updated its Movie Collection server module to fully support
Blu-ray movies.
One of the major selling features of the Inteset media
server has been its ability to store, search, and play back movies seamlessly
within the Windows Media Center interface using the proprietary Movie
Collection module. Inteset has offered this feature to its dealers for years
and has now improved the capabilities by adding full Blu-ray support. In
addition, movie profile lookups are simpler than ever. The system will scan the
inserted DVD or Blu-ray disc to identify it, and then retrieve full profile information
from Inteset's all-new movie database. Lookups can also be performed based on
UPC code and movie title.
"We're happy to make available this exciting new
upgrade of our Movie Collection module," states David Hirsh, Inteset's
Director of Business Development. "The module with additional Blu-ray
support works perfectly with our new 15 terabyte A/V NAS storage server and
Vana advanced extender systems as well," explains Hirsh.
The Inteset Movie Collection module is available on all
Inteset media servers. Blu-ray playback is now standard on the Inteset Maximus
media server and optional on the Denzel and Vana media servers. The module
upgrade is free on all prior and new Inteset servers running Vista Media
Center.
To learn more about how to obtain the latest Inteset Movie
Collection module and other Inteset products and services, visit
www.inteset.com. Get a live demonstration by visiting Inteset at CEDIA 2008,
Denver, CO, booth 452.
About Inteset
Inteset, LLC has been creating high-end home entertainment
products since 2003. Inteset offers four categories of products: media servers,
media extenders, high-capacity storage devices, and exclusive software for its
systems. The near silent media servers come with up to 8TB of internal, 15TB
external, protected storage. The advanced media extenders are independent
systems as well as A/V distribution clients. All systems are shipped with an
enriched Microsoft Windows Media Center interface that includes a movie
management module and a multi-zone music module among other exclusive software
offerings. These systems appeal to A/V dealers and integrators domestically and
internationally for their high-integrity construction, reliability,
ease-of-use, unique entertainment modules and services, price point, and interoperability
with advanced control systems.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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Houston, Texas -
August 15, 2008 – Media Center PC innovator and Microsoft OEM Partner,
Cannon PC, announced that it will begin shipping the Microsoft Windows Media
Center TV Pack with its line for Media Center PCs.
Cannon PC will begin shipping systems with the new TV Pack
beginning in early September. The Microsoft
Windows Media Center TV Pack adds native support for up to 4 TV tuners
(including digital cable tuners), ClearQAM (Unencrypted Digital Cable) tuners, sharing
of unprotected digital content via PlayReady enabled PCs and more.
Cannon PC has always been a pioneer in the Media Center
industry. As a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner
and an authorized partner for Digital Cable integration, Cannon PC was first to
demonstrate the ability to have 6 Digital Cable Card tuners in their Media
Centers recording 6 HD digital TV signals at once.
“We are exciting about this new enhancement to the Media
Center technology. It shows the levels
of commitment that Microsoft and it partners are taking to make Media Center a
powerful and solid success in the home.
We look forward to many more innovations coming from the eHome Group.”
says Gregg Cannon, President of Cannon PC.
About Cannon PC
Cannon PC Media Centers are specifically designed for custom
installers and integrators in the home automation or home theater
business. Cannon PC Media Centers include
features like Blu-Ray drives, RAID storage configurations, 1080p playback and
HD audio. Cannon PC Media Centers are
sold through our authorized dealer network as well as through our online
store. Our customers and dealers have
access to years of proven, reliable Media Center installations to ensure
reliable and trouble free enjoyment.
To learn more about Cannon PC and their Pro A/V line and Home
Series Media Center PCs, visit them on the web at www.cannonpc.com.
sales@cannonpc.com
832-364-6608
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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Specialty media server
company among licensed Microsoft Partners to deploy Media Center TV Pack 2008
The Woodlands Texas-August
13, 2008– Microsoft OEM Gold Partner and authorized digital-cable media
server OEM Fluid Digital is proud to announce the integration of Microsoft’s
Media Center TV Pack to enable an enhanced TV viewing experience.
“We’re excited about delivering even more value to our
customers with native support for four digital cable tuners, an enhanced
electronic program guide, and the ability to share non-protected digital cable
content across PlayReady-enabled PCs and portable media devices,” says Chris
Morley, Executive Vice President, Fluid Digital.
Fluid Digital Media Servers will begin shipping with the
Media Center TV pack in Q4 of 2008. In
addition to four digital cable tuner support, Fluid Digital will be able to
integrate additional Clear QAM tuners in a heterogeneous manner, with the
ability to remap channels to various tuners within the system.
“In my 32 years of designing and integrating home theater
solutions, I have never experienced a technology progress so far and at such a
rapid pace,” said Kevin Buchanan, President of Fluid Digital. “What Microsoft has been able to accomplish
in the living room has been awe inspiring and we are pleased to be a part of
the story.”
Fluid Digital media servers are sold through a vetted dealer
network and are professionally installed to ensure years of hassle-free TV and
media enjoyment. Fluid Digital Media Servers
are a perfect combination of technology, art, and experience in the audio
visual industry.
About Fluid Digital
Fluid Digital is among a handful of Microsoft Partners
authorized to integrate Windows Vista with Digital Cable support. Fluid Digital was the first to market with
AMD’s 780G chipset integrated in a digital cable media server. Fluid Digital is the only media server in the
business that is wholly owned by a custom A/V hybrid (retailer/installer) that
enables them to have the fastest response time in the industry.
Contact:
For dealer inquiries, please contact Kevin Buchanan at
281-298-8778. For technical and
capabilities inquiries on Fluid Digital media servers, please contact Chris
Morley at 512-535-2659. Please visit our
website at www.fluiddigitalmedia.com.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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Microsoft’s partners seem to be having a hard time finding success
in Media Center with interactive streaming plug-ins available through the ‘Explore’
(Online Spotlight) section of Media Center.
Several partners have seemingly dropped support for Media Center
without
notice over the past year and with the lack of a worldwide presence for
the applications you have to wonder about the future of Media Center as
a streaming platform.
MTV Networks pulled their applications for MTV, MTVU, VH1,
and Comedy Central months ago with no reason as to why. Just last month the Queensberry
Fight Network launched a Media Center application, yet today it is nowhere
to be found. And finally with the downfall
of Yahoo! and AOL web properties, Microsoft is having a hard time keeping third
party content available within Media Center.
So my question is, with Microsoft clearly targeting
streaming as the future (and present) of the digital home, is it hurting the
Media Center platform and Microsoft’s long term goal for streaming dominance to
have all these companies come and go with such limited success?
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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Today Microsoft made the
Windows Media Center TV Pack official. Formally codenamed Fiji, the
TV Pack is meant to add support for various TV signal types within Vista Media Center.
News about the TV Pack has been leaking out for the past month, and instead of
waiting for CEDIA as originally planned Microsoft let the cat out of the bag
today so people will know exactly what to expect and not to expect within the
TV Pack.
First of all, yes the TV Pack is OEM only. The
official word for the OEM only release has basically centered around the
installation method, which according to Microsoft was designed for a clean
install of Vista Service Pack 1 (plus a few patches) before the new software
bits can be loaded. As some have already figured out, it is possible to
avoid the clean install method and just install it on your existing Vista SP1
install, but of course it isn’t suggested. Outside of the install method
the TV Pack is very dependent on new hardware (TV Tuners) and thus that likely
played into the decision to make the product OEM only. Sadly, Microsoft
seems to have forgotten the big splash they wanted to make by including Media
Center in two of the Vista SKUs and getting away from the OEM only
release. By providing the TV Pack as an OEM only release they have (once
again) kicked all existing news while they were already down.
Next up on the list, DIRECTV and H.264 support which will
not be shipping in the TV Pack. I don’t believe an official reason has
been given, other than the previously leaked “more complex then expected” but I
wouldn’t count on seeing it until Windows 7. As I’ve said in the past,
the chance of another Media Center release this year and/or DIRECTV support
shipping separate is very doubtful (read: not going to happen).
So what is in the TV Pack? Depends on where you live (there are some other features I will talk about in another post).
Japan
- Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting – Terrestrial
(ISDB-T)
- Broadcast Markup Language (BML) Support
Europe
- Digital Video Broadcasting – Satellite (DVB-S)
- Digital Video Broadcasting – Terrestrial (DVB-T)
- Multimedia and Hypermedia information coding Expert Group
(MHEG) (MHEG5)
US
- ClearQAM (Unencrypted Digital Cable)
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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