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My Movies for iPhone is now available in the app store...

Ian Dixon — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 08:38:57 GMT

Brian Binnerup has launched My Movies for the iPhone. The app allows you to catalogue your movie collection from the online My Movies database using barcodes or title searches or you can use it as a companion to My Movies on your PC.

When you logon to My Movies on the iPhone with your existing My Movies account it will sync details of your movie collection to the phone

There are two version of the app, an unlimited Pro version (paid) and a lite free version. The lite version limits you to a 100 titles but if you have more than 2,500 points in the your account (which can be earned by submitting metadata) there are no restrictions on the free app

Once you have signed in you can add movies by searching or by scanning the barcode and a nice touch is that you are asked about the status of the movie, e.g. for keeps or for sale making it easy to keep track of your movies. You don’t have to use the PC software at all, it can all be done via the iPhone. I have had a quick play and so far I am really impressed, so I think I will be switching back to My Movies on my main PC to see how well it works together

Search for “My Movies” in the iTunes app store and make sure you get one from Binnerup Consult as there are other apps in the store called My Movies and don’t forget My Movies is available in the Windows Media Center app store

Ask Windows Expert Ed Bott on TDL

Ian Dixon — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 07:09:00 GMT

On Tuesday I will be interviewing Windows Expert Ed Bott for a future edition of The Media Center Show and so I would love some of your question for Ed. Ed has years of experience with Windows and dealing with Microsoft so send in your questions on Windows, Microsoft and the eco-system and I will pick out some to put to Ed.

Email them to AskEd [at] TheDigitalLifestyle.com or via twitter @isdixon

Podcast: The Custom Intergrator Show 026

Ian Dixon — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:35:00 GMT

We are back with the latest instalment of the Custom Integrator Show. As ever Derek has a detailed blog post to go with the show so make sure they check that out and don’t forget to subscribe

We spend a considerable amount of time in Installment 026 discussing the growth of HDMI and digital interconnects as the only high definition connectivity option available in about a year, especially for Blu-ray players. Of course, current equipment still should play as it does now (unless it potentially gets a firmware update that changes that), but we, as integrators, need to design and implement for the future

[mp3]http://media.libsyn.com/media/iandixon/TDL_Custom_20100316_026.mp3[/mp3]

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TDL Mobile Show #30

jonathand — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:23:00 GMT

Busy schedules and illness has pushed this weeks show back and unfortunately Jose was unable to join us but Jon and Sheldon kept up the fort. This week we talk Android news and in particular carrying on from Show 29 Sheldon gives his first impressions of the Nexus One. We then go on to talk about the lastest WP7S news coming out of MIX`10.

Enjoy the show and as usual dont forget to get in touch!

[mp3]http://media.libsyn.com/media/iandixon/TDLMobile-Show30.mp3[/mp3]

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Show Notes

MIX `10 Videos

MIX '10

Nexus One Sales Figures

Legend, Desire Coming in April

B&N App on iPad

Update your droid to enjoy pinch to zoom
HTC A9292 Supersonic shows up in another inventory listing
Windows Phone 7 tablet should be real
Windows Phone 7 series won't have cut & paste

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Google working with Intel, Sony on TV project

Ian Dixon — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:09:57 GMT

I mentioned that Google are working with Dish Networks on a Google Set top box and I speculated that we would see an enthusiasts platform as well as boxes developed for Cable/Satellite operators. On a post on Rediff.com they say that Google is working with Intel and Sony to create a Google TV platform, bringing content to the TV from the web. Google TV would be Android powered and could be built with Logitech, I can see this being competition to Boxee as it will have the social networking and web apps built in and I think its an area where out of the box Windows Media Center is lacking butit can be expanded on with 3rd party apps.

I did suggest a TV project is one of the reasons why Google is working on apps like its 10foot reader app so maybe we will see more web based apps designed for the 10 foot UI

So the ongoing battle for control of the TV continues…

Podcast: The Media Center Show #248 – Voice Control Media Center

Ian Dixon — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:43:00 GMT

This week I am talking to Eddy Carroll from Amulet Devices about there very cool voice controlled remote control solution for Windows Media Center. Their system enables full interaction with Windows Media Center via a voice controlled remote control and it offers a whole range of possibilities . I have email and news items including a new tuner giveaway on TDL, updated Media Center apps and a lack of Freeview HD tuners for Windows Media Center.

[mp3]http://media.libsyn.com/media/iandixon/TDL_MediaCenter_20100318_248.mp3[/mp3]

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Clubhouse tags: clubhouse, media center, windows media center, how-to

Win a Avermedia TV Tuner!

The Media Center Show #248 – Voice Control Media Center

Ian Dixon — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:10:00 GMT

[mp3]http://media.libsyn.com/media/iandixon/TDL_MediaCenter_20100318_248.mp3[/mp3]

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Clubhouse tags: clubhouse, media center, windows media center, how-to

Win a Avermedia TV Tuner!

Windows Phone 7 Series, my thoughts

chrisoldroyd — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:58:57 GMT

So as the dust settles on the Windows Phone 7 Series details announced at Mix 2010 I thought it was about time that I chimed in with my thoughts on this new platform.

First off, after it was announced at Mobile World Congress I was genuinely excited, the first time in a long long time that a Windows Phone product has got my juices flowing, unfortunately after MWC I was left with lots more questions than answers but following Mix those questions are now getting answers but are they the right answers.

In my opinion Microsoft has taken a long hard look at the competition, it's history and it's future and has chosen to chase the dollar, what do I mean by this, well Windows Mobile was the power users platform of choice, the OS that the geeks of this world were proud to use, an OS that you could do anything with, no limits, no restrictions and a huge underground community to assist with those whims, of course attached to this were lots of complaints that devices slowed down, were buggy and crashed a lot, and to be honest they were.

That has now been blown apart with Windows Phone 7 Series, this OS is following the Apple model, locked down to the hilt, synching only with the Zune desktop software, apps only available via the Marketplace, very restricted multi- tasking, no memory card slots oh and I nearly forgot, no customisation of the user interface and wait for it....... No copy and paste, you can hear the screams and gnashing of teeth from the die hard Windows Mobile fans who have stuck up for the aging OS for years, Microsoft have said thanks but get lost, it's not the choice for the geek anymore that is for sure, Android has just received a huge sales boost, you can read the comments on many popular Windows Phone forums, it's the end of an era.

As far as I am concerned it's the start of something fresh, new and usable, it's a UI designed for finger navigation, structured and easy to use, app development is structured also and will have standards to be followed so apps will function and operate in similar ways like the iPhone and sandboxed, so it's not all bad but Windows Phone 7 Series has just done the biggest U turn in OS history, geeks need not apply, Microsoft is targeting a whole new Market!

Let's hope it has enough good features to attract this new market and also stand alongside what Apple has to offer with their new hardware and software in the summer, I fear for the future of Windows Phone 7 Series, I really do, if you copy a winning formula you have to have something special to compete with the original, I just don’t see what they have here, apart from less features, sure Xbox integration is nice but how deep will that go really and does anyone really want all that Facebook integration on their home screen, I don’t that’s for sure.

If Microsoft really wanted to wow the consumers who love their products, there should be Media Center integration, Windows phone 7 Series should be an extender and a remote control at the very least, access to TV Guide data and the ability to set up recordings, what a missed opportunity to bring everything together. It could also be a Windows Home Server remote admin tool, you should be able to use the My Phone service but not in the cloud but on your Windows Home Server, thats what its for, maybe I am being impatient, I just feel Microsoft could have done much more, they have had a long time to put this together, maybe they will add these features in time, but history does not show that, we will see.

What do you think?

Where are we with Windows Media Center and CableCARD now?

Ian Dixon — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:44:00 GMT

I must admit I haven’t been following the Windows Media Center/CableCARD news recently as over here in the UK we don’t have anything like that, so after seeing the Ceton announcements and Mike Garcen’s post on ATI’s CableCARD tuners I thought I would try and summarise it here

First ATI; Mike Garcen on Missing Remote has got some inside info on the ATI CableCARD tuner, he has been told their tuners are “end of life” which means no devices are being manufactured and they have effectively discontinued their tuner range. This isn’t surprising as sales have been disappointing, one of the main factors behind that is that when the tuners where first released in 2007 you could only use the DCTs with a certified PC so you couldn’t go and build your own box and add an ATI CableCARD tuner. This has now changed as Microsoft have relaxed the restriction so enthusiasts can add DCTs to their existing setups thus opening the market up.

So while ATI seem to be getting out of the game Ceton have stepped up to the plate.

Back at CES in January Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer talked about Ceton’s new quad CableCARD tuner, the tuner is now available for pre-order now (although the release date has slipped from March to May 31st) and is priced at $399, its been named InfiniTV 4 and you can pre-order from:

Cannon PC

· Fluid Digital

· Zones.com

Then there is Silicon Dust’s HD Homerun CableCARD tuner which is due this year, I saw a prototype unit running at CES (see this video) and I know lots of you are interested in a network tuner so this could be a great option.

So I still wonder how big the market will be for CableCARD tuners but at least with the OEM restrictions lifted enthusiasts can get onboard. So US readers are you interested in a Ceton or HD Homerun tuner or are other system more interesting for you like Internet or OTA?

I see Ben Drawbaugh on Engadget HD has details on future solutions for CableCARD that look like it could be much better for Windows Media Center users in the future

UPDATE:

It's CabelLabs that removed the OEM restrictions not Microsoft

Songler add support for Youtube

Ian Dixon — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:30:35 GMT

Songler is Martin Millmore’s brilliant music addin for Windows Media Center that enables music streaming from Spotify and Last.frm and now in the latest version (2.0) he has added support for Youtube music videos.

The app is free and available from MadeforMediaCenter.com and you can get more details from Martin’s site

Win an Avermedia USB TV Tuner with TDL

Ian Dixon — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:09:00 GMT

Its only a couple months off the World Cup and whether you love or hate football its going to be hard to avoid this summer, but a new TV Tuner from Avermedia may just help. Thanks to Avermedia we are giving away 3 Avermedia DVB-T tuners (UK spec) so if your a football fan you can use the tuner to record the matches or if your not you can record plenty of content to watch while there is nothing else on the telly!

There are two ways to win, the first is this simple questions:

Question: Bryan Robson scored the fastest goal during the world cup finals in Spain in 1982. After how many seconds?

Send your answer in to win@thedigitallifestyle.com and I will pick a winner at random (entries close March 26th)

You can also win via twitter, I will be giving one of the tuners away on twitter next week just follow @isdixon and I will give out details soon

The tuner I am giving away is a Avermedia AvertTV Volar HD Pro USB (available at Amazon soon) and comes with remote, Avermedia software (such as Snug TV) and of course works with Windows Media Center and Windows 7

Avermedia are launching three tuners: 835 HD Pro RRP £34.99, H830D Video Capture RRP £59.99 and H830 Hybrid USB Stick £64.99

Sorry overseas readers its UK only

Autonomic Mirage Media Server by S1Digital 1TB Cloud Storage Home Control System

Ian Dixon — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:17:00 GMT

Julie Jacobson at CE Pro great article on S1Digital’s new music service solution. Autonomic Mirage Media Server by S1Digital is built on Autonomic’s Media Control System which according to CE Pro “merges multistream iTunes, Windows Media and Internet radio into a whole-house system that can be controlled by AMX, Crestron, RTI, URC and NuVo keypads and touchscreens.”

The server is a Windows XP Embedded box with 1TB of storage that enables syncing content over the internet, so once connected it will pull down all the users content and make it available to DNLA clients like the Xbox 360.

It’s not all about media its also a home automation controller and with AMX, Crestron, Home Automation Inc, RTI and URC support and can do neat things like scheduling playback to selected zones.

The unit also works at a home automation control system and can do things like scheduled playback on selected zones.Say you like to listen to Bloomberg radio in the morning. The MMS can be programmed to tune to the Bloomberg Radio Internet station at 6 a.m. on weekdays, and stream the news to your bedroom and bathroom zones. At the same time, the system might message the control system to ramp up the lights and adjust the temperature.

The MMS is strictly for custom installers and retails for $3,995, read Julie’s post for a full run down of the features

UPDATE: Added the correct product name

Samsung to release ‘slate’ PC

Ian Dixon — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:37:42 GMT

It looks like another manufacture is jumping in on the slate bandwagon. Samsung are said to be working on a new PC slate device that is targeted for consumers. Samsung are looking to make this a “primary device” and provide desktop docking, as with HP I think they are trying to highlight the the short coming of the iPad by pointing out its a full PC.

The device is set to ship “in the second half of the year” which could be around the same time as the HP unit.

I still have an occasionally use my Samsung Q1 UMPC while it was ok for watching Media Center content it was to limited for day to day use but I loved the form factor so maybe a more powerful lighter slate with a capacitive touch would be a useful device for me

Do these Windows 7 tablets excite you or is the iPad better for you?

My Samsung Q1 running Windows 7

Via http://apcmag.com/samsung-to-release-slate-pc.htm

No Freeview HD tuners for Windows Media Center until after the world cup?

Ian Dixon — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:28:00 GMT

Football fans looking to watch the world cup in HD via Windows Media Center may be disappointed, last year Microsoft and Hauppauge announced Windows Media Center would be compatible with the new Freeview HD standard (DVB-T2) and tuners would be available for the World Cup in June but fans could be left in standard def as it looks like Hauppauge may miss the June date. In their forums they say it could be a “ later summer launch” launch due to “T2 tuner components are not yet readily available”, this years world cup will be a big event for HD and it will be a real shame if Media Center missed out.

I am trying to find out when Avermedia’s Freeview HD tuner will be launched but as yet I have no details

UPDATE:

Freeview HD is rolling out across the UK, you can check if your region supports it at http://www.freeview.co.uk/freeview/Services/Freeview-HD2

TVGorge drops content

Garry [WMA] — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:14:00 GMT

A few weeks back that was a bit of a stir about a new source for Internet TV. TV Gorge had content from all round the world and no international restrictions on viewing. It seemed to good to be true and unfortunately it was. They recently released thisannouncement:

TVGorge has recently been advised to remove all of our indexed content. We understand content owners have a need to protect their content and we can only hope they take the initiative to provide easy access to all of their great TV shows at an international level. If anything, hopefully we have shown them that people are desperately looking for a place to watch their favourite TV shows.

We will still continue to operate and index streaming TV sources, however we will be changing our indexing methods and the sites that we link to. We will no longer be linking to or embeddding sources such as Wisevid or Zshare, instead we will be providing easy access to your favourite shows on a wide variety of network websites.

Basically what this last line means is they will be linking to NetFlix and Hulu.

Video: Create Custom WebApps In Media Center 7

Ian Dixon — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:12:55 GMT

There are lots of great web apps out there and wouldn’t it be great if you could access them from Windows Media Center, well you can with Mozilla Prism and Media Center Studio. Halcion1 in the TDL forums has posted a video showing step by step how to create the launch points.

Great review of Entourage Edge

Garry [WMA] — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 13:58:00 GMT

Over at Engadget they have put up a really well balanced review of the Entourage Edge. Ian and myself saw this intriguing book shaped device at CES earlier this year.

I was quite enthusiatic about the concept and some of the use interface and could see its targetted audience of replacing student textbooks working well, I was not a great fan of the rather large and to be honest a bit clunky form factor.

With two screens one of e-Ink and one a more normal lcd and running Android it is probably the shape of things to come but the I am pretty sure the future shape will be sleeker and slimmer. Anyway I highly recommend reading the review.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/12/entourage-edge-review/?s=t5

TDL Mobile Show #29 - Nexus One Round Table

J. Ortiz — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 09:42:00 GMT

It has been two months since Google unleashed the Nexus One onto the public; but the Nexus One announcement unveiled more than just a "Superphone". With the Nexus One announcement also came Android 2.1, and a Google Phone store. With so much to talk about, it only made sense to have a round table discussion on those topics. What better panel for these topcis than ZDNet's Matt Miller and Android Gal Nicole Cozma from AndroidGuys.com. On this 90 minute show we dive into the Nexus One's hardware and design, Android 2.1, and the impact of Google opening up its online phone store. This one is a must listen!

You can find Matt Miller at: ZDNet & Nokia Experts

You can find Nicole Cozma at: AndroidGuys.com & KnowYourCell

[mp3]http://media.libsyn.com/media/iandixon/TDLMobileShow029.mp3[/mp3]

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ITV HD to launch on Sky and Virgin on the 2nd April

chrisoldroyd — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:50:27 GMT

The Guardian are reporting that eventually after years of negotiation, a deal has been struck between ITV, BSkyB and Virgin Media, to bring ITV HD to the masses.

Football fans will be able to watch almost every football World Cup match in high definition this summer after ITV announced plans to launch ITV1 HD on 2 April.

ITV has struck deals with BSkyB, bringing an end to almost two years of negotiations, and Virgin Media to carry the new channel, and it is also launching on Freeview for the first time.

On Freesat, the ITV1 HD service will launch as a full channel, replacing a red button service.

The deal means that almost all of the 64 World Cup games, which are being split for broadcast by the BBC and ITV, will now be available to watch in high definition. The BBC already has a HD channel.

Nearly all of the matches will be shown on BBC1, BBC 2 or ITV1 except for eight in the earlier stages of the tournament which clash with other matches. These will be shown on either BBC3, the interactive streams of BBC1, or ITV2, ITV3 or ITV4.

ITV's new HD channel will simulcast the ITV1 schedule including Britain's Got Talent, Law and Order: UK, Foyles War and the prime ministerial debates.

"All of our output will benefit from the stunning picture quality that high definition offers, whether it's ITV's original drama, landmark factual shows, entertainment events or our live football," said Peter Fincham, ITV's director of television, channels and online.

BSkyB said today that as well as ITV1 HD there would also be high-definition channel launches for Hallmark and Sky Sports 4 on its digital satellite service. Sky has now passed 40 channels in HD on its service and has targeted 50 by Christmas.

via The Guardian

GoogleReader for Windows Media Center

Ian Dixon — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:17:02 GMT

Recently Google launched a 10 foot interface for Google Reader (their RSS reader app) and while its not specifically designed for Windows Media Center it will work in the UI

Martin Millmore of TunerFreeMCE fame has created a launched for the app so it will work in Windows Media Center. Martin does say that there are a couple of issues around security but he workarounds for them.

Google Reader in Media Center works ok but the UI is more mouse based than remote control based but its useable and Martin’s app makes it easy to start from Media Center. I think that is interesting is that Google has decided its worthwhile creating a 10 foot UI so maybe this points to Google expecting more web based devices being connected to our TV?

The app is free and can be downloaded from Martin’s site

TDL Mobile Show #28

J. Ortiz — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:37:00 GMT

The crew is back this week on show 28. Some recording missteps forced us to rehash the first segment of this week's show, but it was well worth it as we hear from Jon about making the switch from the iPhone to the HD2. We move on to talk a little Apple, Palm, Motorola, and Google, and wrap things up with market share stats on smartphone platforms. Also, be on the lookout for the Nexus One round table coming up this week and don't forget to subscribe!

[mp3]http://media.libsyn.com/media/iandixon/TDLMobileShow028.mp3[/mp3]

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Show Notes

HD2 US Launch

Google Apps Marketplace

Eric Schmidt Quote

HP Slate Shows Off Flash

Verizon Sells Mi-Fi to iPad customers

3D on Win 7S

Android Crippled by AT&T

Palm PDK Beta

comScore Market Share Stats

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Remote Potato hits v0.85

Ian Dixon — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:56:11 GMT

Remote Potato the remote scheduling app for Windows Media Center has been updated to version 0.85. The new build adds real-time video streaming, fully-interactive Silverlight Skin, channels re-orderable by user and has multiple bugfixes and UI enhancements.

There is also a videos showing off the app in action

More info and the download from fatattitude.com

Podcast: The Media Center Show #247 – Jose Ortiz

Ian Dixon — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:55:00 GMT

This week I am talking TDL Mobile podcaster Jose Ortiz about mobile devices and gadgets, with a new mobile platform from Microsoft and new devices from Apple plus Apple suing HTC there is a lot to talk about and Jose has boundless enthusiasm for mobile gadgets so its great fun catching up with him. I have email and a look at the weeks news including info on Microsoft’s Courier tablet, HP’s slate and updated Media Center applications

[mp3]http://media.libsyn.com/media/iandixon/TDL_MediaCenter_20100311_247.mp3[/mp3]

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Music by Ian Dixon

Clubhouse tags: clubhouse, media center, windows media center, how-to

The Media Center Show #247 – Jose Ortiz

Ian Dixon — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:37:00 GMT

[mp3]http://media.libsyn.com/media/iandixon/TDL_MediaCenter_20100311_247.mp3[/mp3]

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Denon Announces A/V Receivers Compatible with Windows 7

Ian Dixon — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:49:43 GMT

Interesting to see Denon announce their range of AV receivers have earned “Compatible with Windows 7” logo. This means that they are Play To compatible so you can stream music to it from Windows 7 (and other DLNA devices), in fact one of the devices can also receive video content so you could use it to stream video from Windows 7 to a HDTV (maybe another reason we don’t need Extenders?) They come with Ethernet and wifi so it should be easy to connect it up to the rest of your network

Its good to see AV manufactures supporting Play To and DLNA, i would like to see more devices connected this way (check out our play to Wiki)

via windowsteamblog