The Digital Lifestyle and Media Center Show

KeepVault for Windows Home Server: Custom Data Plans and Discounts for HomeServerShow Listeners

homeservershow — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:25:00 GMT

Keepvault has announced custom data plans to meet Windows Home Server users' needs. Follow the link to learn more and find about about discount plans for HomeServerShow.com listeners as well as thedigitallifestyle.com subscribers.

Dan Reynolds, Marketing and Sales Director for Proxure, Inc, has informed The Home Server Show that Keepvault has added a custom pricing plan to their popular KeepVault for Windows Home Server platform.
"We’ve added a 'custom' field to our website, so users can now choose from a number of other storage amounts," said Dan.

He also mentioned some news about KeepVaults updated Add-In. "We expect to complete testing on the new add-in in ~2 weeks and it will be available free to all existing users and of course to all new users. "
Stay up to date on the Add-In release at KeepVaults forums which are found here.

The best news is for all Home Server Show listeners. KeepVault has authorized me to share some discount links with you.

Home Plan (100GB)

Enthusiast Plan (500GB)

Business Plan (2 TB)

Follow these links to the KeepVault checkout. You will notice a 10% discount has been applied. If you haven't already listened to the Podcast review you will find instructions on how to register for a free year of the KeepVault Home Plan.

Read the review on KeepVault here.

Listen to the Podcast review here.

TheDigitalLifestyle.com news roundup

Ian Dixon — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 08:47:00 GMT

Another busy week on TheDigitalLifestyle.com, the server decided to fill all the available disk space causing it to go down on Friday just I was travelling back from Microsoft, fortunately Richard Miller sent me an email and with the EEE PC and Internet Connection Sharing I was able to sort it out from the M40 motorway, andway here is a roundup of the posts from the last week or so:

UK Windows Media Center / Digital Lifestyle Meetup

Freeview HD arriving Autumn 2009

Freeview are planning to launch a HD service in the UK next year starting with Granada (my local region). In the press release Ilse Howling, Managing Director of Freeview said "With Freeview on PS3 and Media Center and HD just around the corner,...

moreTV: remote recording

Media Center MVP for another year

The Media Center Show #175 - The Mark Of Excellence Awards

Listen Here (mp3) This week on the show I am talking to Roland Graham from CEA about the Consumer Electronics Association Mark of excellence award , this is an award presented by CEA’s TechHome Division to honour outstanding achievement in custom home...

PCMag.com’s guide to Media Center TV Pack

PCmag have an interesting article on Windows Media Center TV Pack, it highlights the features, the pitfalls and how to install TV Pack. Adam Thursby points out it has some good information on how to get CleanQAM working well. Checkout the rest of...

MSNBC News Beta for Windows Media Center

CEA Opens Nominations for 2009 Mark of Excellence

New home for my Media Center system

dBpoweramp's RipNAS Essentials for Windows Home Server

dBpoweramp has released RipNAS essentials for Windows Home Server users. As the name might imply, RipNAS enables CD ripping directly to your WHS. Even HP's MediaSmart Server! From dBpoweramp.com: RipNAS Essentials™ is an ideal companion to any Windows...

Windows Home Server and Media Center—All in one box

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My Movies for Windows Home Server

Ian Dixon — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 08:32:18 GMT

One of the most popular Media Center applications is coming to Windows Home Server, My Movies for Windows Home Server works as a server for My Movies client applications and includes a fully automated Disk Copier. It also works as a meta-data provider for other applications like Microsoft’s DVD Library,Niveus Movie Library, Open Media Library, Media Portal, and soon XBMC without the need for installing the My Movies client. I will have some more details on it soon and I will have My Movies developer Brian Binnerup on The Media Center Show soon to explain all about it

www.mymovies.dk

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UK Windows Media Center / Digital Lifestyle Meetup

Ian Dixon — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 07:45:00 GMT

Would you be interesting in meeting like minded enthusiast at meetup next year? I am planning a event in the UK for Windows Media Center, Windows Home Server and other digital lifestyle products enthusiast to meetup share tips and stories,see some of the latest hardware and show off some of the interesting projects the community has been working on. I am sure we can get some free food together and maybe some swag too. The sessions could range from the basics for newcomers to advanced topics like home automation and maybe even linking Media Center with Robotics. It could also be an opportunity to give some feedback to Microsoft, what we like and what really bugs us!

So I want to know:

Would you come?
Where should it be?
What would you like to see shown off?
Would you like to show off some of your projects?
What kind of products should we focus on?

Either leave a comment on this post or send me an email Ian at thedigitallifestyle dotcom and if there is enough interest I can start planning it.

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Freeview HD arriving Autumn 2009

Ian Dixon — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:15:56 GMT

Last month the TV Feature pack edition of Windows Media Center was officially given the Freeview seal of approval and hopefully Media Center will be able to receive the HD content once it starts broadcasting. I am pretty sure Freeview HD is going to be using H.264 for the HD channels so Media Center would need to support that standard and at the moment it doesn’t (even with the TV Feature Pack), whether it could be added and the TV card manufactures like Hauppauge come out with compatible tuners remains to be seen

More info on Techradar

Picture from TechRadar

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moreTV: remote recording

Ian Dixon — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:20:58 GMT

Olcay Buyan sent me details of a new Windows Media Center application for Germany called moreTV. The addin is a Vista Media Center application for their remote recording server that is already available for STB. The app adds extra services to Media Center like Personalized and Editorial Recommendations, search buddy, automatic keyword recording and a premium EPG for all German channels. moreTV also adds a web based and mobile EPG.

Features:

14-day EPG using Premium Data featuring genre filter, list view, etc
Personalized and Editorial Recommendations moreTV recommends for each user the highlights of the day and personalized recommendations
Search Buddy
All shows related to a user-defined keyword are automatically recorded.
Remote Recording: Schedule recordings from anywhere in the world using an Internet-PC or an iPhone
2 Electronic Program Guide (EPG)
14-day Premium EPG for all german channels
Advanced filter and search options
Series recording assistants
Advanced overview screen
including thumbnail
Rich metadata information, like genre and description
Detail screen

Have a look at Olcay’s blog for all the details. It looks an interesting addin and will be available soon, no details on fees yet.

Screenshots from Olcay’s blog

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The Media Center Show #175 - The Mark Of Excellence Awards

Ian Dixon — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:35:00 GMT

Listen Here (mp3)

This week on the show I am talking to Roland Graham from CEA about the Consumer Electronics Association Mark of excellence award, this is an award presented by CEA’s TechHome Division to honour outstanding achievement in custom home electronics products, services and installation. Last year Lifeware was amongst the winners so Media Center is well represented in the awards. I also have email and a round up of the weeks Media Center news

I am looking for community submitted reviews of Media Center addins if you would like to review an application please email me ian [at] TheDigitalLifestyle.com

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[mp3]http://thedigitallifestyle.com/audio/TDL_MediaCenter_20081002_175.mp3[/mp3]

This show is sponsored by mControl - Home Automation for Vista Media Center

Show Times:

00:50 Coming up this week
02:19 Email – Divx Problem fix
02:56 Email – Ripping DVD
05:30 Email – Recordings.xml problems
07:53 HP customers can now upgrade the memory on HP MediaSmart Servers without voiding the HP warranty.
08:35 How to use Windows Media Center on a Leopard Network
09:20 Intelliremote 1.1 adds full wireless keyboard and mouse
10:17 Niveus Unified Search for Windows Media Center
11:11 clipShow for Windows Media Center
12:12 Windows Home Server and Media Center—All in one box
13:33 Welcome to Roland Graham
15:15 What are the Mark Of Excellence Awards
16:47 Convergence
18:24 List of categories
21:06 Windows Media Center in the awards
25:00 Custom home installs
26:28 How to enter
33:11 Type of categories
34:45 Judging process
36:49 Awards dinner

Music by Ian Dixon

Technorati tags: Windows Media Center, podcasts

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Media Center MVP for another year

Ian Dixon — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:42:28 GMT

Microsoft have let me know I have the honour of being a Windows Media Center MVP for another year. It’s great being part of the such vibrant and lively community and the reason why I keep doing the blog and the podcast. As I said when I got renewed last year “I am still passionate about Windows Media Center and the possibility for the platform has for the future, it is great being part of the Media Center community and I am enjoying building the community around TheDigitalLifestyle.com”

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The Media Center Show #175 - The Mark Of Excellence Awards

Ian Dixon — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:38:00 GMT

Listen Here (mp3)

I am looking for community submitted reviews of Media Center addins if you would like to review an application please email me ian [at] TheDigitalLifestyle.com

Direct Download Link
Subscribe via iTunes
Subscribe via RSS

Vote for the show on podcast Alley
Jon The Media Center Show Group on Facebook
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[mp3]http://thedigitallifestyle.com/audio/TDL_MediaCenter_20081002_175.mp3[/mp3]

This show is sponsored by mControl - Home Automation for Vista Media Center

Show Times:

Music by Ian Dixon

Technorati tags: Windows Media Center, podcasts

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PCMag.com’s guide to Media Center TV Pack

Ian Dixon — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:36:25 GMT

What's the neatest feature in Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system? The answer is simple: Windows Media Center. And the good news is that the media-centric interface just got its biggest overhaul since Vista launched. The Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008 software lets PCs receive high-definition cable content without requiring specially certified systems (though CableCARDs are required for premium, encrypted content). That means high-def cable for the rest of us!

The TV Pack was released on July 16, replacing the existing Media Center code in Vista with a new version—6.1.1000.18273. Here's the bad news (or, maybe, not-so-great news): It's an OEM-only upgrade, so you can't download it through Windows Update or from Microsoft.com. It's intended for release to manufacturers only, and there's no guarantee they'll offer it as an upgrade to current users. In fact, there are only a handful of places on Microsoft's collection of Web sites that mention it at all; visit Media Center's main digs on the corporate portal and you can't even tell that there's been an upgrade. With even less fanfare (not so much as a press release), the company officially launched TV Pack at this year's CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association) show in September, where manufacturers such as Life|ware and Niveus Media released computers with the new code.

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MSNBC News Beta for Windows Media Center

Ian Dixon — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 11:35:03 GMT

There is a new MSNBC addin for Windows Media Center user in US and Canada, I haven’t been able to try it myself but according to Brandon LeBlanc on The Windows Experience Blog it gives you quick access to the latest election news, top stories and weather. I love these kind of addins because you can quickly get an update on the world without leaving Media Center, I have been hoping that the BBC would come up this kind of application for UK users but alas nothing yet. Checkout Brandon’s post for all the details and US users should see the title show up in the TV + Movies menu.

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CEA Opens Nominations for 2009 Mark of Excellence

Ian Dixon — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The Mark Of Excellence awards are not something I have have talked about before on the blog but seeing how a lot of the entries relate to Windows Media Center I thought it was worth a mention. There are some interesting categories that will be interesting to watch like Best Software Application and UI innervations. Last year Lifeware won an award for their Media Center based system.

I will have more on the awards on this weeks The Media Center Show

AWARDS HONORING CUSTOM HOME ELECTRONICS

Call for Submissions Runs October 1 Through November 14

Arlington, Va., October 1, 2008 – The Consumer Electronics Association today opened entries for the 2009 Mark of Excellence Awards, presented by CEA’s TechHome Division to honor outstanding achievement in custom home electronics products, services and installation. Winners will be announced at an awards dinner on Friday, March 13, 2009 at the Rosen Centre Hotel, during the tenth annual Electronic House Expo (EHX) Spring 2009, which returns to the Orange County Convention center in Orlando, Florida, March 10-14. Award entries will be accepted until November 14, 2008, and will be reviewed by a panel of industry experts and submitted in two categories: Supplier and Systems Integrators. New sub-categories this year include Best Software Application, Best Universal Design Home and Best Community Home of the Year. “We look forward to receiving this year’s entries for the most innovative products in custom home electronics,” said Karen Chupka, senior vice president of conferences and events, CEA. “We are continually impressed by the quality of product submissions as our Mark of Excellence Awards Program becomes more popular every year.” To help with the entry submission process, CEA will use a time-saving entry portal collaboration system, powered by mBLAST, that allows co-workers to combine their separate nominations and pre-populate basic nominee information.

To submit products for the 2009 Mark of Excellence Awards program, review evaluation criteria or learn about our new manufacturer scholarship program, log onto

www.CE.org/MarkofExcellence

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New home for my Media Center system

Ian Dixon — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 21:17:00 GMT

I am not the most tidy of people and when building up a Media Center system over a period of time the cables and components have got a little messy so to help with the WAF I bought a new cabinet. I am currently using Windows Home Server, a home brew Media Center PC and HP’s TouchSmart IQ500 all serving out content to Extenders so I wanted to get as much as I could in to a cabinet with the exception of the TouchSmart which could sit on top. I found a nice looking cabinet at a local store and now this has got all my kit in to it so my wife is happy. I did add some ventilation to the back of the unit as it was getting a little warm in there.

Before:

After:

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dBpoweramp's RipNAS Essentials for Windows Home Server

homeservershow — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:34:00 GMT

dBpoweramp has released RipNAS essentials for Windows Home Server users. As the name might imply, RipNAS enables CD ripping directly to your WHS. Even HP's MediaSmart Server!

From dBpoweramp.com:

RipNAS Essentials™ is an ideal companion to any Windows Home Server (WHS) system [HP MediaSmart, Fujitsu Scaleo, Tranquil PC, etc]. RipNAS adds CD Ripping capabilities to your WHS box (whilst maintaining WHS abilities). Adding new discs to the music network share (for media streaming) is as simple as inserting a CD and waiting a few minutes. Windows Home Server, a Media Streamer [Sonos, Logitech Squeezebox, etc) and RipNAS Essentials™ are all that are required to join the distributed home audio revolution.

How easy is CD Ripping with RipNAS? (example using Teac Secure Model):

Insert a CD into the slot loading drive,

Track Titles and Album art are automatically downloaded from the Internet using PerfectMeta™ (AMG, GD3, MusicBrainz & freedb)

CD tracks ripped to a lossless audio format (configurable) using dBpoweramp CD Ripping Engine (regarded as the best of the best),

Ripped tracks automatically saved to Music shared folder along with embedded album art (also Folder.jpg),

Secure Model verifies ripped tracks for errors using AccurateRip and c2 pointers,

Only four minutes to rip an entire CD (approximately), after which it is ejected.

RipNAS Essentials is available as: software & CD/DVD drive (high quality Teac USB slot loading drive, everything needed to begin ripping), or stand-alone software.

Ready for Streaming

Tracks can be ripped to either FLAC or WMA Lossless and are automatically embedded with ReplayGain ID Tags. FLAC is ideal for Sonos or Logitech Squeezebox media streamers. WMA Lossless can be used with the built in WHS Windows Media Connect music sharing option, streaming to all uPNP compatible devices.

RipNAS operates 100% without the need for 'eyes on' interaction, whilst at the same time RipNAS integrates into the Windows Home Server Console page, allowing precise control over Ripping operations:

The main RipNAS status page is shown above: current disc shown at the top, previously ripped discs are listed below. When secure mode is active tracks with unrecoverable errors are separated into a different folder. Silent ripping is possible with a x4 speed ripping option, which renders the drive in-audible (requires x4 speed compatible drive such as Teac).

Fine control of RipNAS is accessible through the Settings page:

On the settings page encoder (audio format) can be chosen, RipNAS comes preinstalled with the following encoders: FLAC, Wave, mp3, WMA (Lossless), Apple Lossless. In addition any supported dBpoweramp encoder can be installed. [Multi-Encoder] allows two audio-formats to be encoded at the same time (for example a FLAC lossless archive along with an mp3 collection for use in a portable mp3 player). Secure models have the option of switching between Burst and Secure ripping modes (detection and recovery of errors), also Squeezebox and iTunes Server (Firefly) can be configured and disabled if present on the machine.

Pricing

RipNAS Essentials and Teac USB Drive $165US, $165+VAT EU

RipNAS Essentials and Teac USB Drive(secure abilities) $215, $215+VAT EU

RipNAS Essentials Software Only $80, $80+VAT EU, $80 Worldwide

Requirements

Internet connection to Windows Home Server machine, for metadata and album art retrieval.
RipNAS & Drive option requires 2x free USB ports.

Purchase Details

Software delivered electronically (ensuring latest version)
PerfectMeta (AMG, GD3, MusicBrainz & freedb) functions for the life of the product.

Teac Drive Specifics Includes: Delivery, USB cable (and PS2 power pass through cable for USB 1.1 ports). 1 Years Warranty.

Check out the dBpoweramp.com site for more details and purchasing options.

Stay tuned for a homeservershow.com review and podcast on RipNAS Essentials.

Windows Home Server and Media Center—All in one box

Ian Dixon — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:16:18 GMT

I often wish for an all in combination box of Windows Media Center and Windows Home Server, Adam Thursby and Philip Churchill both spotted a project to build a combined box based on two motherboard. It has two Micro ATX boards, one for Vista and one for Windows Home Server with two power supplies and a selection of drives. Its an impressive feet to get both systems in one case, checkout the video showing how it’s done and more details on the original post

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A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME

DrFlick — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:05:00 GMT

I am vice president of R & D for Interactive Homes, Inc. (www.InteractiveHomesInc.com). I provide consulting, design, development, and implementation services for manufacturers and consumer electronics installation companies on new technologies, products, and strategies related to standards-based Distributed Audio, Video, Communications, and Control (DAVCC) systems for the home and consumer market spaces. My long-term goal is to be instrumental in the development and deployment of entertainment systems on space stations and space colonies.

VidaBox RoomClientHD Streams Blu-ray and DVD

Ian Dixon — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:36:00 GMT

Vidabox are now shipping RoomClientHD media extender (not a Windows Media Center Extender) thay offers Blu-ray and DVD streaming. No price information at the moment and it does require a Vidabox server. I will have Vidabox on a future show so if you have any questions for them let me know

More details on Vidabox's website and info from CE Pro

09.29.2008 — VidaBox is now shipping its RoomClientHD media extender that offers Blu-ray and DVD streaming.

RoomClientHD connects to any HD or SD TV via HDMI, DVI or VGA cables and offers 1080p upscaling/playback of all content.

It also supports lossless audio codecs and has an option for a built-in Blu-ray drive for local playback.

RoomClientHD comes preconfigured with Microsoft Vista Home Premium and a Media Center user interface.

VidaBox says the user needs Cat5e/6 cabling and one of the company's media servers for RoomClientHD to work. VidaBox recently introduced its RACK24 Server that has 22TB of storage.

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clipShow for Windows Media Center

Ian Dixon — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 20:51:48 GMT

I have lots of short video clips taken with my camera so I was very pleased to see of clipShow beta for Windows Media Center.

clipShow is a Windows Vista Media Center application that provides the ability to view a personal video collection in a slide-show type fashion. It features a "clip" capability that can play continuous random clips of video media (customizable by 30 seconds, 60 seconds, 90 seconds, or the entire video). It also provides the capability to create custom playlists from the Media Center video library. In addition it also can organize a video media collection by common tags stored in the video file metadata, and allow clips to be played by those tags.

It looks like an application that I could put to use as most of the video clips never get shown unlike my photos which are display on a digital photo frame. The application and source code are available on codeplex in 32bit and 64bit flavours, don’t forgot that it’s only a beta.

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The Home Server Show Video Podcast 1 - Upgrading the RAM in your HP Media Smart Server

homeservershow — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:00:00 GMT

Part one of this series is available at homeservershow.com.

It's a litle rough around the edges, much like my first podcasts were so hang in there. The first two minutes are mostly intro and then the work starts. If you have not seen inside of the MSS this is a good chance to do so.

The whole process was fairly easy and I'll show you some detailed close-ups of areas that have caused problems.

<a title="RAM Upgrade" href="http://homeservershow.com/hp-to-allow-memory-upgrades-to-your-media-smart-server-without-voiding-warranty.html">The RAM can be found at newegg.com. Follow this post for the details.</a>

I recorded all of this with a Canon HG-10 Hi-Definition camera so if there is interest in higher resolution video I can get one made. As always, let me know what you think.

Part II will follow soon.

Niveus Unified Search for Windows Media Center

Ian Dixon — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:39:00 GMT

Looks like an interesting new application from Niveus who are doing some great development work on Media Center platform and it looks like this application is not just for to Niveus customers. I think over the weekend I will give it a try

Easily search through entire media catalogues and select Internet content utilizing the unified Niveus Search tool, now available for download.

Milpitas, CA – September 26, 2008 – Niveus Media, Inc. announces beta availability of the new unified Niveus Search, which enables easy retrieval of content accessible across the local network and Internet. The patent-pending Niveus Search offers Windows Vista^® Media Center users an easy-to-use, 10’ interface that provides an all encompassing scan of both the Media Center and Internet sources.

No longer do Media Center users have to scroll through lengthy catalogues trying to locate a certain movie, TV program, song, etc. Utilizing the unified Niveus Search yields visual results of the electronic program guide, recorded TV, music, photos, videos, and web-based content, from sources such as Netflix^Ò, Flickr^Ò, and Live365 Internet radio. Additionally, for the less decisive that aren’t sure what to watch or listen to, by entering keywords of interest, Search will return a number of related results from across its sources.

Accessing and using the Niveus Search tool is simple and can be easily accomplished with the use of only a remote control. By selecting “New Search” via the Search icon on the Windows Media Center strip, users can enter keywords with the remote control (T9) or the onscreen keypad. Search then reveals results in a compelling gallery, with cover art, movie posters, icons, pictures, or other supported visual formats. The user can then click play, slideshow, or schedule a recording based on the type of result(s) returned. Previous searches can be found through a Previous Searches icon on the Media Center menu.

Now available via the Niveus Software Labs webpage, Niveus Search is being released as beta for all Windows Vista Media Center users for an undetermined amount of time to gather feedback, field results, and suggestions. Niveus will continue to release improvements to Niveus Search beta via the Niveus Software Labs and intends to release a production version of Niveus Search to the Windows Media Center community when ready. Niveus Search will be supported by the user community in thenew Niveus Software Labs Forum. Select screenshots can be viewed through the Niveus Software Labs by selecting the screenshots tab.

For more information, please visit www.niveusmedia.com.

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Intelliremote 1.1 adds full wireless keyboard and mouse

Ian Dixon — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:24:14 GMT

Melloware the developers of Intelliremote have let me know that they have updated their application and added full wireless keyboard and mouse support. So from your iPhone or iPod Touch you can not only control Media Center and other application you can also use it as wireless keyboard.

The iPhone application is a free to existing customer and the PC server is $24, more details from Intelliremote

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My DMA2100 Extender Experience

JustSmitty — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:08:00 GMT

Hey all. I just got the Linksys DMA2100 Media Center Extender from NewEgg.com for $99 last week (As of right now the price is $119). The overall setup was easy until I got to the wireless network setup. My wireless network is a 802.11n network, and I have also selected that the network broadcast only on the 5Ghz band. The 2100 found my other network that I have setup, but that is a 'G' only network. On the plus side, once I manually keyed in all of the network info it had no issues finishing up the setup from that point on.

Because it is so small I was able to slide it right under the LCD TV in my bedroom. My wife is really excited about it because she was never really sure how to get to the Media Center through our XBox360 on our main TV. The WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor) for this device is very high so far. I will be very interested to see in the near future to see how much she will use it when I am not around.

The Extender itself is very well made, but I wish the remote was better. It is the only part of the device that feels a little cheap when you hold it in your hand. I also wish that the buttons one the remote had a back light for use in the dark or low light situations.

Overall I am very happy with the purchase. The $99 price was too good to pass up, and so far I have no buyers remorse. The device has meet all of the expectations that had from all of the reviews that I have read both on this site and others.

Ian Dixon's new book out now. Order from Amazon

Using Microsoft Windows Vista Media Center (Babani Computer Books)

How to use Windows Media Center on a Leopard Network

Ian Dixon — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 08:44:12 GMT

If you have a Mac network and where wondering how to integrate Windows Media Center into your network then this article from hackaday.com explains how to do it. The article takes you step by step through the process from the Mac side as well as the changes needed to get Media Center working. Personally I prefer to use Windows Home Server with my network but it’s nice to have the option

MCE, as it’s commonly referred to, can play back DVDs, music, videos, and broadcast TV all from one interface using a single remote. We wanted to build a home network that would centralize all our media, provide Time Machine backups for the Apple computers, and also act as a bittorrent client and print server.

We knew we could easily set up another Windows machine to act like a server, but Time Machine only supports writing to Mac formatted drives. There is information out there that shows how to get around this, but we didn’t want to risk our backups using unsupported methods. Running a NAS box was out as well for the same reason

Thanks to b3nz0n8 for the tip

Pictures from Hackaday

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S1Digitial Platinum Edition with TV Pack Review

mabrown — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 04:08:28 GMT
So it's been about a month since my S1Digital Media Center arrived and I couldn't be happier with it. Like every other review I've read about their systems this thing is just rock sold! I meant to get this post written sooner but IKE had other plans for me, including no power for a week! In my last post I said I'd go into some detail into my tuner setup. The machine shipped with 2 Internal CableCard tuners, I added 2 additional external CableCard tuners and 2 HDHomeRun units, for...(read more)

The Home Server Show 18 - PP1 Fix and HP Memory Announcement

homeservershow — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 02:45:00 GMT

Visit the Home Server Show Podcast Here

Links and News Items mentioned on the show

Sans Digital TowerRAID TR4M-B Enclosure Review

Add-In: Router Control

Proxy Server on Windows Home Server

Computing on Demand

Add-In: TV Manager

Pimped WHS with Popcorn Hour installed

Forums and Photos for Pimped WHS

Windows Home Server Add-In Wish List

WinDirStat

Snapfish

DotNetNuke

HUGE announcement at the end of the podcast. Don't miss it!

Don't forget to vote for the Home Server Show at Podcast Alley.

My Blog at thedigitallifestyle.com

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