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

Cat out of Bag: Netflix Officially Supported in Win 7 Media Center?

Since Netflix was officially announced for Vista Media Center in May we have been wondering if Windows 7 Media Center will get a Netflix application, well it looks like there is an official version coming and it was shown off at Steve Ballmer’s keynote...

Published Fri, Jul 31 2009 5:42 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Windows 7

Windows Home Server Demo Video

Michael Gannotti has nice video up showing Windows Home Server and Power Pack 3 . Taken at Microsoft’s Tech Ready event Michael talked to Vick from the Home Server team about the features of Windows Home Server. The video also shows the Windows Media...

Published Fri, Jul 31 2009 1:51 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Windows Home Server

New Movie Collector MCE 6.3

On last weeks show I talk to Brian Baskerville about the MCE Zone Media Center applications and yesterday Collectorz released the new Media Center version of Movie Collector the app that Brian developed for them. Here are some of the features: New Views...

Published Thu, Jul 30 2009 2:30 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

Podcast:The Media Center Show #217 – Mobile Platforms

Something a little different this week, I am looking at mobile platforms with Bjon Morris from Cybersmart system , Garth Miles and Chris Oldroid from Mobile Tech Addicts podcast . With Smartphones becoming more and more popular with consumers I wanted...

Published Thu, Jul 30 2009 12:13 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: The Media Center Show, mobile

MSN UK launches free streaming video service

Microsoft are going to start offering full length TV shows for streaming for free from MSN video in the UK. The service will include 300 hours of TV shows from the BBC Worldwide and ALL3MEDIA. According to the report on BBC news the shows will be available...

Published Thu, Jul 30 2009 11:39 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: BBC

Connected Home/DLNA Best Practices

Over on TwonkyMedia’s forums they have a great best practices guide on DLNA. They cover network tips, server and storage, Digital Media Adaptors and other tips. DLNA and UPnP seems to be getting some traction for distributing content around the home and...

Published Thu, Jul 30 2009 11:06 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: DLNA

Welcome to a new show: TDL Mobile

I want to introduce you to a new podcast from The Digital Lifestyle.com TDL Mobile , the new show focuses on the mobile lifestyle and talking about the latest news from iPhones to Android, WebOS to Windows Mobile. The show is going to be host by Jonathan...

Published Wed, Jul 29 2009 2:59 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: mobile

Ben Drawbaugh reviews Windows 7 Media Center RTM

While there are not many changes between the release candidate and the RTM version of Windows Media Center it is worth looking at the improvements in the new version of Media Center. Ben Drawbaugh has a nice detailed review of Windows 7 Media Center RTM...

Published Mon, Jul 27 2009 4:28 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Windows 7

TDL Post Roundup

This week we had Windows 7 being released to manufacturing and I looking forward to getting my systems up and running, on The Media Center Show I talked the new Windows Home Server addin for Windows Media Center and Media Ceter apps from MCEZone. Here...

Published Mon, Jul 27 2009 12:05 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: News Roundup

Podcast: The Custom Integrator Show Installment 015

The latest instalment of of The Custom Integrator Show is live, this show finishes off looking at UPnP and DLNA. The Custom Integrator Show Installment 015 is Live. This time we dive into the major UPnP A/V services and how the protocols interoperate...

Published Mon, Jul 27 2009 9:09 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

Windows 7, Play To, and a Samsung DLNA enabled TV

As regular readers will know I am very excited by the possibilities of DLNA and Play To, we just need more devices to support the standard. Fellow Media Center MVP Barb Bowman has posted how she got a new Samsung DLNA enabled TV working with Windows 7...

Published Sat, Jul 25 2009 9:18 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Samsung, Windows 7, DLNA

Hauppauge, MaxLinear to produce TV tuners for netbooks

Hauppauge are working with MaxLinear to bring out TV tuners specifically designed for Netbooks and UMPCs. The mincard tuners will work with ATSC and DVB-T and it will be interesting to see Netbooks shipping with TV Tuners and Windows 7 Home Premium as...

Published Fri, Jul 24 2009 9:55 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Netbooks

The Media Center Show #216 – MCEZone and WHS PP3

Two interviews for you this week. I am talking to Windows Media Center developer Brian Baskerville from MCEZone.com about his range of Media Center applications and I am talking to Windows Home Server MVP Andrew Edney about the new Windows Home Server...

Published Thu, Jul 23 2009 11:45 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Windows Home Server, The Media Center Show

AMD Release WHQL Graphics Drivers for Windows 7 RTM

I seem to remember when Windows Vista was released it took ages for some companies to get round to releasing drivers. With Windows 7 the situation is looking a lot better, AMD have released signed graphics drivers for Windows 7 RTM. ATI Radeon users can...

Published Thu, Jul 23 2009 11:44 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows 7

Windows 7 Has RTM’d!

Just spotted on the Windows Team Blog that Windows 7 has been released to manufacturing, so the release version of Windows 7 will be build 7600. Also Windows Server 2008 R2 has also RTM’d. So now we just have to wait to get hold of the released...

Published Thu, Jul 23 2009 8:42 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows 7

Custom Start Strips with Hack7mc’s WMC Custom Configuration Wizard

Hack7mc.com have a neat little tool for creating custom start strips. You can create, arrange and delete custom strips just using a wizard and without any hacking around in Windows. Great for getting your Windows 7 Media Center just to how you want it...

Published Wed, Jul 22 2009 3:45 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Addins, Windows 7

Engadget’s guide to building a HTPC for under $1,000

If you thinking of building a HTPC you may want to checkout Engadget’s new guide on on how to build a Blu-ray / TV tuner-equipped HTPC for under $1,000 . Each components is explained the build processes is detailed. They chose Windows Media Center as...

Published Wed, Jul 22 2009 1:38 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

TheGreenButton.com gets a makeover

After being left on a pretty old forum engine for some time today TheGreenButton.com has finally been upgraded. The new site looks great and and all of the content has been migrated over. It will be interesting to see if Microsoft takes advantage of the...

Published Wed, Jul 22 2009 9:48 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

Magic Slideshow for Windows Media Center

Want a slide show in Windows Media Center that is a little different? Magic Slideshow is a Media Center slideshow app that display pictures from the year the track was released, so you great sound track to your pictures. Although I don’t have a...

Published Mon, Jul 20 2009 9:26 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Addins

New Film.DE Media Center Addin for German Media Center Users

There is a new Media Center application for German users, FimDE plugin looks like a movie recommendations app but that’s as much information as I could workout from the German translation: Das zweite auf der CeBit präsentierte neue PlugIn für den Windows...

Published Mon, Jul 20 2009 3:25 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Addins

TDL Post Roundup

Here is a round up of the posts from the last week, best news for Media Center users is the Windows Media Center addin that is part of Windows Home Server’s Power Pack 3 . The update includes a 10 foot version of of the Home Server console and TV...

Published Mon, Jul 20 2009 10:13 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: News Roundup

Video: First look at Windows Home Server Power Pack 3 (beta) Windows Media Center Addin

One of the main features of features of the new Windows Home Server Power Pack 3 beta is the much improved Windows Media Center integration. Not only is there a 10 foot version of the Home Server Console there is automatic archiving of Recorded TV shows...

Published Sun, Jul 19 2009 11:14 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Windows Home Server, Windows 7

Sinderon SinCast offers simultaneous multi-zone streaming

“Play To” and DLNA in Windows 7 is a good step forward in distributing content around digital homes but it doesn’t offer simultaneous playback. SinCast 3 is a new application that does offer simultaneous playback of music, videos and TV. It works with...

Published Sun, Jul 19 2009 10:03 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Addins

tubeCore Beta 4 Released

tubeCore is Windows Media Center DLNA receiver that will stream Internet TV from services like Tversity , PlayOn , and Twonky Media . Yesterday they released beta 4 , no major changes that I can see but beta 3 released the day before adds support for...

Published Fri, Jul 17 2009 4:19 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Addins

My Movies 3 to be MCML and released in September

Brian Binnerup the developer of My Movies has posted in the MissingRemote forums that a new version of My Movies will be coming in September and will be the first version that is a native Windows Media center application (written in MCML). Brian sent...

Published Fri, Jul 17 2009 11:23 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Addins

Official: Windows Home Server Power Pack 3 BETA with Media Center features!

I posted earlier that PP3 for Windows Home Server could be on the way, well it is and its official. The Windows Home Server Team Blog have posted details of PP3 which has some major benefits for Windows Media Center Users, including archiving and management...

Published Fri, Jul 17 2009 9:45 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Windows Home Server, Windows 7

Windows Home Server Power Pack 3 Beta?

Terry Walsh of We Got Served has a link to an article on Winbeta reporting that Windows Home Server Power Pack 3 beta could be coming soon. In fact the details have come from the Windows Home Server Team blog and then the post was pulled, it said: We...

Published Fri, Jul 17 2009 9:13 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Windows Home Server

Podcast: The Media Center Show #215 – Zune HD

A great show for you this week, I am talking to Jason Dunn from ZuneThoughts.com about the new Zune HD and the direction Zune could take in the future with its integration with Xbox. I also have the latest news and email in to the show. Listen Here (download...

Published Thu, Jul 16 2009 11:49 AM by Ian Dixon

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

Podcast: The Custom Integrator Show Installment 014

The latest instalment of The Custom Integrator Show is live, this show continues talking about UPnP and DLNA. We look at the server, renderer and controller roles as well as talking about “Print To” and “Play To” in Windows 7 The Custom Integrator Show...

Published Thu, Jul 16 2009 10:36 AM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Custom Installer

Recorded TV Manager Console Released

Rick Drasch has released Recorded TV Manager Console which is part of the Recorded TV Manager family of applications that enables archiving of Windows Media Center content to NAS devices or Windows Home Server. The new Recorded TV Manager Console provides...

Published Wed, Jul 15 2009 10:54 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Windows Home Server, Addins

Microsoft Windows 7 developer contest

Microsoft are launching a Windows 7 developer contest , you can win a trip to the Los Angeles PDC 2009 and $17,777! “Code 7 is a special coding contest for developers. It is a great opportunity to show the world your creativity and coding powers. It is...

Published Wed, Jul 15 2009 3:29 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Windows 7

Microsoft to launch music streaming service in the UK

According to the PC Pro Microsoft have confirmed it is preparing to launch a music-streaming service in the UK. In the The Telegraph , Peter Bale, executive producer of MSN claimed: "Music is an important area for Microsoft. We are looking at launching...

Published Tue, Jul 14 2009 5:28 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Microsoft

Don’t forget Windows 7 is on pre-sale in the UK tonight at midnight

Just a quick reminder that Windows 7 is going on pre-sales in the UK tonight at midnight. You can get Windows 7 Home Premium for £49.99 and Professional for £99.99 and the pre-order is available at Amazon.co.uk, Argos, Comet, Currys, Dixons, Ebuyer.com...

Published Tue, Jul 14 2009 2:49 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows 7

Achieving HDMI audio output with ATI hardware on Windows 7 (and Vista)

A lot of people seem to have had issues with Vista and HDMI when using a receiver as part of the system, it seems to be related to when you switch inputs it can mess up Windows screen resolution when using ATI hardware. In Windows 7 the problem...

Published Mon, Jul 13 2009 10:06 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Vista, Windows 7

How to exclude TV Movies from Win7s Movie Library

Ever wanted to hide TV Movies from Windows 7 Movie Library? Well you can with a hidden registry key: The key has to be added to the registry, its not there by default The Registry Key is HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings...

Published Mon, Jul 13 2009 9:42 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Windows 7

Thinking of using OTA in Media Center? then know your antenna rights

If your thinking of using over the air HDTV in Windows Media Center and looking to use a rooftop antenna Ed Bott has a breakdown of your rights (in the USA). I know lots of Media Center users are getting free channels using ATSC tuners and if an indoor...

Published Mon, Jul 13 2009 5:33 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

TDL Post Roundup

This week on The Media Center Show we talked Media Center in developing countries with Chris Lux and on the blog I asked the question Where to next for Windows Media Center . Here are some of the posts on the site in the last week: 10 quick hacks to extend...

Published Mon, Jul 13 2009 12:21 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: News Roundup

10 quick hacks to extend Windows Media Center

TechRadar have posted another of my magazine articles I wrote for Windows Vista Magazine, this one is 10 top tips to extend Windows Media Center: Windows Media Center is designed to be an all-singing all-dancing entertainment hub. As good as it is out...

Published Sun, Jul 12 2009 12:01 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, How To

Where to next for Windows Media Center?

Now that Windows 7 is done and the the current version of Windows Media Center is signed off and about to hit RTM where does Windows Media Center go next? The dream of the Extenders looks like its going away and other solutions are coming forward like...

Published Sat, Jul 11 2009 1:53 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center

Podcast: The Media Center Show #214 – Chris Lux

This week I am talking to Media Center enthusiast and medical student Chris Lux. Chris recently spent some time in Kenya and we talk about his experiences with technology in developing countries, plus we talk about streaming media with Chris’ setup...

Published Thu, Jul 09 2009 12:32 PM by Ian Dixon

Filed under: Windows Media Center, Windows Home Server, The Media Center Show, Windows 7

July 2009 - Ian Dixon's Blog

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