February 2009 - Ian Dixon's Blog - The Digital Lifestyle.com

Podcast: The Custom Integrator Show Installment 004

Installment 004 of The Custom Integrator Show is live , this week looking at Windows Media Center and how to deliver multi-channel audio and how to design for a multi-room installation Installment 004 is a continuation of where we left off in 003 with...

Published Fri, Feb 27 2009 1:54 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

Video: Freesat Running on Windows Media Center with Windows 7

One if the new features of Windows Media Center in Windows 7 is native support of DVB-S (digital satellite), with a DVB-S enabled tuner card and a satellite dish you can pickup hundreds of free channels using FreeSat (in the UK). In fact a nice feature...

Published Thu, Feb 26 2009 9:29 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Podcast, Video, Windows 7

Hulu Saving itself for Windows 7 Media Center?

Julie Jacobson on CE Pro has a great speculative post on whether Hulu got its content pulled from Boxee and other settop boxes to save itself for Windows Media Center in Windows 7. Julie points out that Hulu was co-founded by NBC which has worked with...

Published Thu, Feb 26 2009 4:07 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Windows 7

The Media Center Show #195 – Zune Subscriptions

Listen Here (mp3) This week Microsoft’s Jessica Zahn returns to the show to talk about the new music and discovery features in the Zune software and the Zune website, Jessica also talks about new subscription model with the Zune. I have some great...

Published Thu, Feb 26 2009 12:09 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Podcast, Zune, The Media Center Show

Event: Windows Media Center - How to exploit this platform as a developer

I spotted an interesting event for Media Center developers going on in London. At a Vbug London meeting in March John Price will be demonstrating Media Center development and how the Xbox 360 fits in with the picture "We’ll take a look at what Media...

Published Thu, Feb 26 2009 11:59 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, development

Add NASA TV Feeds to Media Center

I was reading the blog on hack7mc.com and saw a post on how to enable NASA feeds in to Windows Media Center complete with a file to put the links straight in to Media Center. The download is based on a post on the TGB form Beullpilot written way back...

Published Thu, Feb 26 2009 10:19 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

Windows 7 update KB963660 – stops codecs from expiring in March

One of the update for Windows 7 ( KB963660 ) that Microsoft put out this week on Windows Update is an update for audio and video codecs that expire after 90 days. So without the update TV or DVD playback will stop on March 15th (you get a “Decoder...

Published Wed, Feb 25 2009 2:35 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Windows 7

How to automatically download and import HD to Windows Media Center

Ben Drawbaugh has a great tutorial on how to automatically download and import HD content in to Windows Media Center . The solutions is a bit complicated but it looks like once the setup is done its pretty automatic. The content comes from BitTorrent...

Published Tue, Feb 24 2009 5:31 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

Zune Services coming to TV, PC and Mobile?

During the Microsoft Strategic Update Meeting I was listening out for Steve Ballmer talking about the TV strategy and he did briefly mentioned Windows Media Center and there was nothing new to talk about but one interesting thing I did pickup on is that...

Published Tue, Feb 24 2009 2:44 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Zune

How to get Media Center content on to an iPod

Last week on The Media Center Show a listener asked what is the best way to transfer TV shows recorded on Windows Media Center to an iPod, on the show I asked for recommendations and long time listener Brian Frost sent me some detailed instructions of...

Published Mon, Feb 23 2009 12:37 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

TDL Post Roundup

This weeks Media Center show is the return on Chris Lanier , The Custom Integrator Show hits show 3 and there has been a ton of great content on the site Backing Up Your Mac to Windows Home Server Hauppauge Working With Microsoft on Windows 7 HD-PVR Support...

Published Mon, Feb 23 2009 10:16 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: roundup

Windows Media Center’s New Pictures + Videos Features in Windows 7

Brandon LeBlanc on the Window Experience Blog has posted a video interview with Windows Media Center Program Manager Noah Spitzer about the new Pictures and Videos features in Windows 7’s Media Center. He shows off the new import features, Slideshows...

Published Sat, Feb 21 2009 9:18 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Windows 7

Cybersmart Systems goes live

Bjorn (regular listener and emailer to the show) at Cybersmart systems let me know that their web site has gone live today, Cybersmart are a custom integrators that use Windows Media Center as the core their systems and use software like mControl and...

Published Fri, Feb 20 2009 5:00 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

Live Mesh in a Car

We all love the idea of a in car computer (well I know I do) , the “Mesh Mobile” is a fantastic in car computer powered by Live Mesh. Microsoft’s Ori Amiga demoed his Porsche 911 to TechFlash.com , it shows his in car computer syncing...

Published Fri, Feb 20 2009 3:57 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Live Mesh

Podcast: The Custom Integrator Show Instalment 003

Instalment 3 of The Custom Integrator Show is live looking at hardware and how to start categorizing the technical architectures within the box. Welcome to Installment 003 of The Custom Integrator Show. First of all, thank you for the feedback and encouragement...

Published Fri, Feb 20 2009 8:59 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

Video: TunerFree MCE on a Windows 7 Netbook

TunerFree MCE is a Media Center application that enables streaming of TV content from the like of BBC, ITV and Hulu all to the 10 foot Windows Media Center UI, You don’t need a TV tuner just an internet connection. Martin Millmore the developer...

Published Thu, Feb 19 2009 2:37 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Addins, Windows 7

The Media Center Show #194 – Chris Lanier returns

Listen Here (mp3) This week Media Center blogger Chris Lanier joins me in an interview recorded a few weeks ago he talks of his disappointment with TV Pack, the Enthusiasts verses Custom Installer debate and this thoughts on Windows 7. I also have your...

Published Thu, Feb 19 2009 11:23 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Podcast, The Media Center Show

Video: HP TX2 TouchSmart Notebook Unboxing

HP’s TX2 TouchSmart is a multi-touch dual digitizer enabled Tablet PC, aimed at consumers it makes a great entertainment PC. The dual digitizer means that you use the touch screen with your finger but when you use it with the special pen it switches...

Published Wed, Feb 18 2009 4:35 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: HP, Video

New Blogger on TDL: Richard Miller – Windows Media Center MVP

The latest blogger to join TheDigitalLifestyle.com is Windows Media Center MVP Richard Miller, Richard has been a guest many times on the The Media Center Show and been involved with the Media Center community for years. His first post is about the new...

Published Wed, Feb 18 2009 9:10 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

Remember a time before Windows Media Center?

Remember a time before Windows Media Center? Before DVRs and Xbox 360? BBC 4 will be showing how a modern families home be turned back to the 1970’s and then fast forwarded at the rate of a day per year going through the Seventies, Eighties and...

Published Tue, Feb 17 2009 2:03 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Other

Hauppauge Working With Microsoft on Windows 7 HD-PVR Support

GeekTonic published the workaround to get Hauppauge's HD-PVR working with Windows Media Center and today he says that Hauppauge are working with Microsoft to make the HD-PVR work with Windows 7. I know that changes in the structure of the TV drivers in...

Published Tue, Feb 17 2009 1:36 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Windows 7

Big Screen EPG v0.3 (Pimp’n Edition)

Niall has details of Big Screen EPG (an EPG tool for Windows 7 Media Center), for regions without official EPG data this would be a very valuable tool. Here are some of the features ( taken from Niall’s blog ) Brand new User Interface – much...

Published Tue, Feb 17 2009 1:16 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Addins, Windows 7

TDL Roundup

Time for a post round up. Instalment two of The Custom Integrator Show is out, this weeks Media Center Show is about Next Gen Remote Control and there has been great posts from TheDigitalLifestyle.com bloggers Big Screen EPG (3rd Party EPG Tool for Windows...

Published Mon, Feb 16 2009 10:19 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: News

The real reason why the Media Center TV pack update was OEM only?

On the next Media Center show I will be talking to Chris Lanier in an interview I recorded a few weeks ago and one of the topics we talked about was why TV pack for Vista was OEM only. You can hear Chris’ thoughts on the show next week and it a...

Published Sat, Feb 14 2009 1:36 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Windows Media Center TV Pack

Secondrun.tv beta

I have not had chance to test it yet but the much talked about secordrun.tv beta has been posted It looks like there is already an update out Download the app and leave your feedback "I just dropped a new build out that should fix the display problems...

Published Sat, Feb 14 2009 10:31 AM by Ian Dixon

Microsoft looking for sports bloggers for Media Center feedback

Microsoft are looking to get feedback from bloggers to share how they use TV on their PC. It look interesting, Media Center should be the best way to watch sports with its internet connection and the power of the PC so hopefully the bloggers can give...

Published Fri, Feb 13 2009 8:22 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

Microsoft splits Zune team in two, will there be better Media Center Integration?

Cnet have a post about the Zune team being split in to two groups, one that looks after hardware that will report to the same group as Windows Mobile and the software group will report to Enrique Rodriguez the VP that runs the Media Center business. I...

Published Fri, Feb 13 2009 3:34 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Zune, Xbox

Podcast: The Custom Integrator Show # 002

Instalment 002 of The Custom Integrator Show is live , Derek has the details on the show blog: “We continue to lay the initial groundwork by looking at “The Process” from a requirements and lifestyle assessment perspective. This includes...

Published Fri, Feb 13 2009 3:19 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Custom Installer

Windows Media Center Software Development Kit for Windows 7 Beta Now Available

The Software Development Kit for Windows 7 Media Center has been available on Microsoft’s connect site for a while but this is not open to everyone but now its available to all on Microsoft’s Download site , so get downloading and start coming...

Published Fri, Feb 13 2009 9:46 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, development, Windows 7

New Aspen Media server

Aspen Media Products are launching a new range of Media servers starting with the $949 unit. Aimed at the DIY market an the base unit comes with 500GB of storage and a single tuner Cablecard, Electronic House have all the details and it looks like it...

Published Thu, Feb 12 2009 12:51 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

The Media Center Show #193 – NGRC: Next Generation Remote Control

Listen Here (mp3) This week I am talking to Oliver Schulze developer of NGRC (Next Generation Remote Control) a web based remote control solution for Windows Media Center which works great on an iPhone. Oliver explains the open source project works and...

Published Thu, Feb 12 2009 9:48 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Podcast, The Media Center Show

Gizmodo take a look at Windows 7 Media Center

Gizmodo have taken a detailed look at the new features of Windows Media Center in Windows 7. This latest version of Media Center is by far the best yet and Gizmodo have gone over all the elements from Music, TV and the internet channels. I have...

Published Thu, Feb 12 2009 8:57 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Windows 7

Media Center Integrator Alliance Sponsors Media Center University at EHX Spring 2009

Media Center Integrator Alliance Sponsors Media Center University at EHX Spring 2009 In addition to co-sponsoring the 3 rd annual Ultimate Install Contest, MCIA plans to debut a new training program at this year’s Media Center University. February...

Published Wed, Feb 11 2009 3:11 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

Gizmodo test Windows Media Player 12 and Play To

Play To is one of my favourite new features for Windows 7 and Gizmodo have been testing Play To and putting Windows Media Player 12 through it’s paces. I have found the media player in Windows 7 much better than Vista due to how many codecs work...

Published Tue, Feb 10 2009 8:56 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows 7

February 2009 Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista

It’s patch Tuesday again and this week month there is a patch for Vista Media Center, all the details are on Microsoft.com Microsoft has released the February 2008 Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista. This update rollup is intended...

Published Tue, Feb 10 2009 8:39 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Windows Vista

How to Subscribe to The Digital Lifestyle.com

With so many resources on The Digital Lifestyle.com here are some ways to subscribe to the content, first there is the main RSS feed , this will get you all the content from the site in RSS format (works with all RSS readers, I use Google Reader ) and...

Published Tue, Feb 10 2009 3:11 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: News

The Ultimate Enthusiast Windows Media Center Competition 2009

Last year I ran The Ultimate Media Center Enthusiast Setup competition , this was competition for enthusiast to show off their home install and it’s back for 2009! I am still working on the details so this is a heads up to get your setup ready....

Published Tue, Feb 10 2009 2:01 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, The Ultimate Media Center Enthusiast Setup

Hulu / Internet TV for Media Center coming soon with SecondRun.TV

Richard Miller tweeted about a video showing Internet TV content (like Hulu) on Windows Media Center, the application is called SecondRun.tv so far there is only a video to go off the features, but it looks intriguing. I wish the TV companies would just...

Published Tue, Feb 10 2009 1:25 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Addins

DVRMSToolBox to work with Windows 7

Last weekend I spent hours working with DVRMSToolbox and Lifextender for a magazine article on how to remove commercials from Media Center recordings and I was aware than none of these apps worked with TV Pack or Windows 7, so I was pleased to see Engadget...

Published Tue, Feb 10 2009 9:57 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Addins, Windows 7

Update on RadioTime for 64bit Windows

Last week I mentioned a temporary fix to get RadioTime working on 64bit Windows, now RadioTime have updated their installer so no fix is needed. I tested it on a 64bit version of Windows 7 and it seems to work fine, I am listing to some random 80’s...

Published Tue, Feb 10 2009 8:50 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Addins

February 2009 - Ian Dixon's Blog

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