Ian's Digital Lifestyle

February 2008 - Posts

• The Media Center Show Live - Today 8pm UK /12pm PST

  Today I will be interviewing Windows expert Ed Bott. We will be talking Vista Service Pack 1, Vista myths and the recent Vista news including today price change announcement It would be great to get the the interview interactive, so go to Live.TheDigitalLifestyle.com on today (Friday) at 8pm GMT / 12pm PST and and enter the chat room. You will be able to listen live to the interview and I will put your question to Ed. Live.TheDigitalLifestyle.com Technorati tags: Ed Bott, The Media Center Show Posted Feb 29 2008, 01:51 PM by Iand with no comments

• It's another post roundup!

  Here is another round up of recent posts: Zune + Windows Mobile = Better Together? It maybe a few years to late but on the Windows Mobile blog the team are asking how Windows Mobile and Zune can work together. It's great that they are asking but I can't help thinking that this is something that should have been done before the iPhone...   MyNetflix v2.1 Beta Anthony Park has updated MyNetflix with a new public beta, this adds WatchNow in full screen and a number of bug fixes. Head over to Anthony's blog for more details and a download I have completed development on the next version of MyNetflix (v2.1). This...   Windows Media Center query-based recording Top tip on how to use query based recording with Media Center. As Ewan says in the blog it's a bit obscure and not easy to find but it's well worth highlighting. I won't steal the thunder of the original blog post but you will find the feature under the...   The Media Center Show Live Feb 29th with Windows Expert Ed Bott It was good fun recording The Media Center Show Awards live , so I thought I would do another live recording. This Friday (29th) at 8pm UK / 12pm PST I will be interviewing Windows expert Ed Bott . We will be talking Vista Service Pack 1, Vista myths... Posted Feb 29 2008, 09:55 AM by Iand with no comments

• The Media Center Show #146 - Pasquale DeMaio (Microsoft) - Media Center Enthusiast

  Listen Here This week on the show I have two interviews. The first interview is with Terry Walsh from WeGotServed.co.uk talking about the data corruption bug that has hit Windows Home Server and pointing out how to avoid it then I have Pasquale DeMaio from Microsoft, he is a real Media Center enthusiasts and he talks about how he uses Media Center to distribute music around his home and he describes his Media Center setup. I have email and the latest Media Center news. Direct Download Link - Subscribe via iTunes - Subscribe via RSS - Vote for the show on Podcast Alley - Join The Media Center Show Group on Facebook - Catch me on Twitter Thanks to the show sponsor Tech.co.uk Get all the show times and links on the show blog The Media Center Show #146 - Pasquale DeMaio (Microsoft) - Media Center Enthusiast Posted Feb 28 2008, 12:53 PM by Iand with no comments

• Windows Home Server ‘Vail’ to get more entertainment hooks

  According to Mary Jo Foley Windows Home Server is going to get more entertainment features: I’ve tracked down (thanks to sources) a couple of new bits, however. The next major version of Windows Home Server is codenamed “Vail,” I hear. And Vail is going to include more entertainment “capabilities.” What that means, precisely, I don’t know. Does it mean Windows Home Server will somehow become one with Windows Media Center? There is obviously areas that Home Server would benefit inheriting some Media Center functions and a server based Media Center makes sense, I very rarely use my Media Center in any role other than a server. As long as the developer teams work together and Windows Home Server/Media Center doesn't get re-invented as another product (we don't need another Media Center platform) Windows Home Server ‘Vail’ to get more entertainment hooks Posted Feb 25 2008, 09:03 PM by Iand with 4 comment(s)

• Roundup of Recent Posts

  Will Digital downloads will be Blu-ray's downfall? I was reading a CNET post on why digital downloads will overtake Blu-ray and I almost agree. While I don't think it will happen over night, I am sure digital downloads will over take physical disks in the future. The problem Blu-ray has is that for most...   Media Center in the Kitchen I am having my kitchen redone at the moment (my wife's idea) and I am thinking of putting Media Center in to it. In the old kitchen I had an old laptop with a broken screen and a monitor, but it was messy and will not do (again my wife's thinking!) for...   Windows Home Server Data Corruption Bug Update Terry Walsh of We Got Served posts an update on the WHS data corruption bug, while the bug is very rare it can be nasty so I thought it would be good to get Terry on to The Media Center Show to clarify the issue and help make sure avoid the problem. So...   Microsoft announces games for Zune via XNA Studio Does anybody want to play games on their Zune? Not sure I am that bothered about playing games on my Zune I mainly use it the car for listening to podcasts and music, but I think its great that Microsoft are opening up the platform with XNA Studio Microsoft...   You can find the RSS feed for my blog HERE Posted Feb 25 2008, 10:06 AM by Iand with no comments

• The Media Center Show #145 - Steve Lindsay (Microsoft)

  Listen Here and Subscribe to the RSS feed HERE This week Microsoft's Steve Lindsay joins me to chat about his home Media Center setup and the custom developments he has been working on. Steve is involved in a program called the Microsoft Champion program and has volunteered to evangelise and support Media Center and related technologies and has started a a new blog on TheDigitialLifestyle.com.  Steve is very passionate about his home Media Center system so its interesting to hear how he has set it up. I have email, news items and software to give away. Direct Download Link - Subscribe via iTunes - Subscribe via RSS - Vote for the show on Podcast Alley - Join The Media Center Show Group on Facebook - Catch me on Twitter [mp3]http://thedigitallifestyle.com/audio/TDL_MediaCenter_20080221_145_a.mp3[/mp3] Thanks to the show sponsor Tech.co.uk Show times and links on the show blog post Posted Feb 21 2008, 12:52 PM by Iand with no comments

• Anybody having problems with the Media Center update?

  There are a few reports (most coming from the same source) that some people are having problems with the latest Media Center update (February Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista). I have not had any issues, have you? Technorati Tags: windows media center,updates   Posted Feb 19 2008, 08:50 PM by Iand with 8 comment(s)

• Toshiba drops out of HD DVD war and a post roundup

  Sad day for HD-DVD owners and for consumers in general as Toshiba kills HD-DVD. While it's good that the format war is over I can't help thinking that HD-DVD was more consumer focused (think Managed Copy). I say forget physical disks and go with digital downloads BBC NEWS | Business | Toshiba drops out of HD DVD war   Microsoft's Windows Media Center Community page gets updated Microsoft have updated the community page that focuses on Windows Media Center. There are videos on Media Center taken from Channel 10 and links to community site including TheDigitalLifestyle.com. It's a great honour to be including along with The Green Button, Chris Lanier's blog, Missing Remote and and Ed Bott's Media Central   S1Digital on Channel 10 S1Digital have been featured on The Media Center Show a few times now with Paul Heitlinger on the show a couple of weeks ago . Channel 10 caught up with Paul at CES and have posted the video interview. As well as a background on S1digital Paul talks about...   mcePicasa (Picasa Web Album Windows Media Center Presentation Layer Application) mcePicasa is a open source project (on codeplex ) for viewing Picasa images in Media Center. Written in MCML (Media Center Markup Language) means it's a native Vista Media Center application with all the richness that offers. Plus being open source source...   Niveus drop HD-DVD for Blu-ray Another nail in the HD-DVD coffin? Niveus have added support for Blu-ray Disc playback and to cease production of HD DVD-based servers. Niveus update Storage Server Maybe if I blog enough about Niveus they will send me a nice new Denali Edition , maybe not. Niveus have added the Niveus Storage Server Pro to their product range, with 4TB of storage. Have a look at my CES video to see the Storage Server. It's a slim... Disney Revives 'House of the Future' with Media Center I hadn't seen the 50's "Home of the future" at Disney but they are going to create a modern home of future at Disney based on Media Center, HP and Life|Ware. Disney, Microsoft, HP and LifeWare spent over $15 million on hardware and software... Posted Feb 19 2008, 12:53 PM by Iand with 1 comment(s)

• The Media Center Show #144 - The Awards Show!

  LISTEN HERE It's The Media Center Show Awards! Recorded and streamed live last Wednesday, the aim of the awards was to highlight the great work done by the Media Center developer community.  Joining me are special guest from the community and listeners in the chat room. I also read out some interesting facts from the user survay. Direct Download Link - Subscribe via iTunes - Subscribe via RSS - Vote for the show on Podcast Alley - Join The Media Center Show Group on Facebook - Catch me on Twitter Thanks to the show sponsor Tech.co.uk Show times and all the links HERE and don't forget to subscribe! Posted Feb 14 2008, 12:33 PM by Iand with 1 comment(s)

• Roundup of recent posts

  Video: Unboxing HP's MediaSmart Windows Home Server In this video I unbox and give a brief tour of a HP MediaSmart Windows Home Server . It's a very compact unit with plenty of space for adding more storage and it has plenty of expansion options.  So have a look at this video and then compare it with the video I recorded of Tranquil's Windows Home Server. Watch via MSN Video Watch via Youtube Watch via Blip.tv Watch via Direct Download   February 2008 Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista Microsoft has released the February 2008 Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista. I would expect the update is included in Service Pack 1 for Vista as well as being on Windows Update Fixes include: Addresses an issue that is introduced in...   Media Center Add-In for updating Facebook Status As a facebook user and a Media Center user I was thinking of developing some kind of Facebook status update app. Well it looks like Jussi Palo beat me to it. His background application updates Facebook with what you are watching, eg "is watching..." . Great idea, but make sure you avoid the port channels ;) Posted Feb 14 2008, 10:14 AM by Iand with 2 comment(s)

• Roundup of recent posts

  Here is a quick roundup of recent posts incase you missed any :) Tranquil PC to Launch T7-HDX Home Server Extender When I visited Tranquil's office last year one of the cool technologies David showed me was their Server Extender. One of the problems with the small and compact T7 is that adding extra space means extra USB hard disks cluttering up your setup, so the...   Windows Vista SP1 availability for technical customers While there is nothing major for Media Center users in Vista SP1 the reliability updates should make it work while. Last week Microsoft announced that Service Pack 1 had RTMed (released to manufacturing) but due to driver issues was being held back till...   Niveus on Channel 10 I chatted with Tim cutting of Niveus at CES (plus got the scoop on the Niveus Companion software) and Channel 10 have posted an interview they did with him at CES . In the video Tim talks about the background of Niveus and some of the product ranges Niveus...   New Vista Media Center Plugin - MyNetflix (beta) Media Center MVP and the developer behind mceBrowser Anthony Park has a great application for Media Center Netflix users. MyNetflix is a Vista Media Center application that enables you to view your Netflix queue, browse movies and play "watch now"...   New Blog and forum: Microsoft Coder's Media Life Please welcome to TheDigitalLifestyle.com Microsoft's Steve Lindsay . Steve is to 'Champion' Media Center and Home Server for several communities and TheDigitalLifestyle.com is one of them. Steve is going to be answering questions in the forums and writing...   Video: Unboxing and setting up a Linksys DMA2200 Media Center Extender Now that I have the video out on Linksys' DMA2100 I thought I would try the DMA2200. This is the big brother of the 2100 and includes an upscaling DVD Player. ( You can read my first impression in here ) This video shows the unboxing of the DMA2200, the...   Want to add more content to Yougle? Yougle is a great addin for Media Center that enable you to watch user generated content via the 10 foot UI. The developer Steven Harding maintains The Digital Lifestyle.com Developer blog and he has posted details on how to add customer sources to Yougle...   Have your say on the Vista Start Menu Over on TheGreenButton.com forums Microsoft Program Manager Charlie Owen ask for you to have your say on the Vista Media Center Start Menu. The thread is already pretty long so if you want to have your opinion heard head over the the forum. It's great...   Niveus team up with Lagotek I have to admit I have not heard of Lagotek, it looks like a PC based home control / automation system. From looking at the website it seems like they have wall mounted LCD touch screens and they are working with Niveus to show off some pretty high end... Posted Feb 11 2008, 08:53 PM by Iand with 2 comment(s)

• Video: Unboxing and setting up a Linksys DMA2200 Media Center Extender

  Now that I have the video out on Linksys' DMA2100 I thought I would try the DMA2200. This is the big brother of the 2100 and includes an upscaling DVD Player. (You can read my first impression in here) This video shows the unboxing of the DMA2200, the setup process and getting it working with my Media Center system. Watch via Youtube Part 1 and Part 2 Watch via MSN Video Watch via Blip.tv Direct Download The RSS feed for the video show is HERE Technorati tags: Windows Media Center, Linksys, DMA2200, Extenders for Windows Media Center Posted Feb 08 2008, 12:14 PM by Iand with no comments

• Pros and Cons of the Linksys Extenders

  As I have been using the Extenders (see the the unboxing videos here) for a few days and I have had loads of questions so I thought I would try and put some of the points down here 5.1 Audio I thought I would try a WMV file with 5.1 audio encoded in it. The file is a conversion of a DVD for which I used DVD-WMV. On my Xbox 360 when I played the WMV file it outputted the audio in 5.1 and my receiver decoded it with no problems. On the DMA2100 and DMA2200 the same file connected via digital audio cables it only outputted the audio in Stereo. I have a few films converted to WMV so this is a big disappointment. I did notice a setting in the Audio setup for the Extenders called "WMAPRO 5.1 decoding" with this set to Internal the WMV played the stereo track and with it set to External no sound came out at all while watching the file. My Denon AV receiver doesn't decode WMA pro so that is why there is no sound. This setting does not seem to effect any other audio. When playing a DVD the 5.1 audio worked fine (as did DTS) Continue reading Posted Feb 08 2008, 11:15 AM by Iand with no comments

• Video: Comparing The Xbox 360 with a Linksys DMA2100

  I was about to packup the Linksys DMA2100 and unbox the 2200 when I thought it would be interesting to compare the Extender function of the Xbox 360 with the Linksys DMA2100. So with both extenders connected up to my TV I made a side by side comparison of the two users interfaces. I tried standard TV and some hi def content. My next video will be the unboxing and setup of the DMA2200 Watch via MSN Video Watch via Youtube Watch via blip.tv Direct Download The RSS feed for the videos is HERE Technorati tags: Media Center Extedners, Linksys, DMA2100, Xbox 360 Posted Feb 07 2008, 02:49 PM by Iand with 7 comment(s)

• The Media Center Show #143 - S1Digital on Cablecard

  LISTEN HERE S1Digital make a great range of high end Media Center Systems, including a quad Cablecard system. In this weeks show Paul Heitlinger from S1Digital joins me to chat about their Media Center systems, Cablecard, their new showroom and the importance of fitting good quality components into your systems. I have email including a listeners asking for help with an Xbox 360 extender that keeps disconnecting and an update on the Linksys DMA2100 Extender I have been playing with. Direct Download Link - Subscribe via iTunes - Subscribe via RSS - Vote for the show on Podcast Alley - Join The Media Center Show Group on Facebook  Thanks to the show sponsor Tech.co.uk For the show times,links and all the RSS feeds head to The Media Center Show Blog Posted Feb 07 2008, 12:31 PM by Iand with 1 comment(s)