The Custom Integrator Show Installment 00C is live. Since we got lost in DCTs and CableCARD for the last five installments, we take a bit of a breather to catch up on some random thoughts and considerations this time.
The ATSC Digital Transition (in the US) – The FCC-mandated transition to all digital broadcasts finally is going to be completed in June. I want to reiterate that this migration is for Over The Air (OTA) ATSC broadcasts only and it is not something that affects the cable providers. If you have older systems out there with NTSC analog antennas and tuners, those clients will have issues receiving OTA TV come June. However, this is a great reason to get back in front of them and possibly sell some more business. We look at some of the things that will affect them and how you can turn it into a positive experience for your clients instead. We also talk a bit about the cable side of things and what is going on there. Many of the Multi Service Operators (MSOs) also are changing their cable delivery to digital, although it is unrelated to the ATSC mandate for OTA. Many consumers are confused by the coincidence. This change is just another set of opportunities for you to get back in front of your customers. We discuss some of the potential issues they may encounter as part of what the cable companies are doing and some of the approaches to turning them into some more additional business for you.
We then wonder into one of my favorite new features of Windows 7 – the FrameIt platform (http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/media/DigitalPicFrms.mspx). There are some cool new things you can do with DLNA-based electronic picture frames throughout the house. It is time to start presenting the concept to your clients and adding it to your lifestyle assessments you are performing at the start of the projects. You should be planning ahead already in your infrastructure wiring designs for power and even wired Ethernet (or using Power over Ethernet – PoE – in your Ethernet switches) to support these devices. You should start evaluating vendors and making relationships in anticipation of turning the ability to send slide shows to electronic picture frames associated as devices in the ecosystem. Microsoft has partnered with several vendors and even has a logo program for supporting it. I do mention one of the vendors in the show, so I thought I would include a link here as a place for you to get started. There are others though, this one just happens to be one of the larger ones we have found so far. http://www.photovu.com/digital-frames/overview.php. Another partner is iGala at http://www.i-gala.com/. I mean these things really are boss, man! You need to check them out (they have 19” and 22” high definition wide screen versions with VESA mounts!). What I did not mention in the Podcast is that these also link to Microsoft’s Live services (there is a FrameIt Live! Beta site for it already). Not only can you send pictures to them from your centralized media store using UPnP technologies, you can send weather updates and things like photos from the World Wide Telescope to them from across the web. There is a full API for developers, too. RMI even has a hardware/software development kit certified for this platform (http://www.rmicorp.com/products_by_solution/home_media_player.htm). Definitely worth checking into where this technology is going.
We then get into a discussion about another pet peeve of mine – the need for a “new definition” of high def. We definitely have outgrown 720p or 1080i as the distinguishing factor. Ian and I discuss some of the trends in the industry with 2K and 4K projectors and screens coming to the market in addition to 3-D in the home. We also talk about new sources that may leverage these new capabilities and why the newer HDMI specifications go to 1440/120 Hz and beyond (like the need for higher definition when going to something like the 82” display that Samsung announced, which has a resolution of 2160p). When you start shoveling data down the wire at 17 Gb/s or more to support these newer resolutions, you better have your wiring act together for sure. You also need to understand some of the newer “high def” formats so you can turn your ability to support those concepts into your designs and implementations as a value add that you provide as a custom system integrator. It is not so much about the sources and Internet content, it is about the ability to play back “higher versions of high def” with what you are recommending and installing.
Ian and I wrap this installment up with a discussion on the concept of add-ins for the Windows Media Center ecosystem. There are a ton of great add-ins out there. Some of them you “just can’t live without” as an enthusiast. Is it a good business practice to install those for your clients? We think not. Listen to find out why.
We may end up missing the installment for next week. We have some scheduling issues that may make it difficult to record and edit the show (sometimes we have some “real” work to do). We will let you know the status via The Custom Integrator Show blog site. We do have our Home Networking Considerations drill down in the wings though, so stay tuned….
0 thoughts on “The Custom Integrator Show Installment 00C”
Just finished listening. Another informative episode and, as always, a job well done.
Regarding Addins – perhaps some integrators could take the approach of having an Addin custom developed in-house (or through a contractor) which could then be part of your offering to the customer. Some OEMS (Nievius and S1Digital come to mind) already offer their own addins (or ones they’ve licensed).
Employ a developer knowledgable in MCML and create the Addins you need. You mentioned the lack of integration between Media Center and Powerpoint for the board room. An addin that wraps the Powerpoint viewer app in a Media Center Addin would accomplish that goal.
Of course, the burden of support is on your staff, but by custom developing your addins – you have the control to manage things like version upgrades as well as ensuring that you have a solution for your customers needs.
Just some thoughts. Thanks again for a great episode.
You definitely are on the right track. Even if you do not write an actual application or install add-ins to enhance the experience, personalizing your installations is a great sales tool. On one of the installments a while ago we mentioned taking your “automation programmers” and extending their knowledgebase to include some MCML development. You could create a company-specific pane or menu option that links back to a Windows Media Center compatible hosted page for your company. There you could have information about upcoming classes, specials, service and support offerings, and even parties. Being MCML, it even would render on the Extenders for Windows Media Center. There are a lot of opportunities to think out of the box since you have a direct window from your clients’ homes to you.
Keep those ideas coming! If you ever get that PowerPoint application written, let us know….
Heh – I’m a programmer, but I’ve had absolutely no time to delve into MCML (the boss wouldn’t like it if I did ‘personal’ stuff at work – and I have two small children at home, which makes other time options scarce). Otherwise, I’d definitely put something together.
Extending the idea, this might be something that the MCIA could get involved in. I could see a repository of plugins developed by the MCIA and made available based on your membership level. These could be those sort of specialized plugins like the Powerpoint one that have applications at the commercial/business level, but not of much use for a home installation.
My personal home goal is a system that integrates Kalidescape-like functionality (an on-demand movie server), with more whole-home functions (energy monitoring, security) and is a part of my home network. I want to be able to fire up a Media Center extender and have access to every function in those areas. It’s a tall order, and finding solutions that are both comprehensive and economical is a challenge. Additionally, my goal lately has been to reduce my energy footprint, which is kind of hard when you have at least two always-on systems (my WHS server and My Quad-Core Media Center system). An episode on ‘going green’ would be very nice.
Again, thanks for this resource. As an enthusiast, it has definitely helped me be more knowledgeable about the things I need to consider as I integrate Media Center into my home.
{"id":null,"mode":"button","open_style":"in_place","currency_code":"GBP","currency_symbol":"\u00a3","currency_type":"decimal","blank_flag_url":"https:\/\/thedigitallifestyle.com\/w\/wp-content\/plugins\/tip-jar-wp\/\/assets\/images\/flags\/blank.gif","flag_sprite_url":"https:\/\/thedigitallifestyle.com\/w\/wp-content\/plugins\/tip-jar-wp\/\/assets\/images\/flags\/flags.png","default_amount":500,"top_media_type":"none","featured_image_url":false,"featured_embed":"","header_media":null,"file_download_attachment_data":null,"recurring_options_enabled":true,"recurring_options":{"never":{"selected":true,"after_output":"One time only"},"weekly":{"selected":false,"after_output":"Every week"},"monthly":{"selected":false,"after_output":"Every month"},"yearly":{"selected":false,"after_output":"Every year"}},"strings":{"current_user_email":"","current_user_name":"","link_text":"Leave a tip","complete_payment_button_error_text":"Check info and try again","payment_verb":"Pay","payment_request_label":"TheDigitalLifestyle.com","form_has_an_error":"Please check and fix the errors above","general_server_error":"Something isn't working right at the moment. Please try again.","form_title":"TheDigitalLifestyle.com","form_subtitle":null,"currency_search_text":"Country or Currency here","other_payment_option":"Other payment option","manage_payments_button_text":"Manage your payments","thank_you_message":"Thank you for being a supporter!","payment_confirmation_title":"TheDigitalLifestyle.com","receipt_title":"Your Receipt","print_receipt":"Print Receipt","email_receipt":"Email Receipt","email_receipt_sending":"Sending receipt...","email_receipt_success":"Email receipt successfully sent","email_receipt_failed":"Email receipt failed to send. Please try again.","receipt_payee":"Paid to","receipt_statement_descriptor":"This will show up on your statement as","receipt_date":"Date","receipt_transaction_id":"Transaction ID","receipt_transaction_amount":"Amount","refund_payer":"Refund from","login":"Log in to manage your payments","manage_payments":"Manage Payments","transactions_title":"Your Transactions","transaction_title":"Transaction Receipt","transaction_period":"Plan Period","arrangements_title":"Your Plans","arrangement_title":"Manage Plan","arrangement_details":"Plan Details","arrangement_id_title":"Plan ID","arrangement_payment_method_title":"Payment Method","arrangement_amount_title":"Plan Amount","arrangement_renewal_title":"Next renewal date","arrangement_action_cancel":"Cancel Plan","arrangement_action_cant_cancel":"Cancelling is currently not available.","arrangement_action_cancel_double":"Are you sure you'd like to cancel?","arrangement_cancelling":"Cancelling Plan...","arrangement_cancelled":"Plan Cancelled","arrangement_failed_to_cancel":"Failed to cancel plan","back_to_plans":"\u2190 Back to Plans","update_payment_method_verb":"Update","sca_auth_description":"Your have a pending renewal payment which requires authorization.","sca_auth_verb":"Authorize renewal payment","sca_authing_verb":"Authorizing payment","sca_authed_verb":"Payment successfully authorized!","sca_auth_failed":"Unable to authorize! Please try again.","login_button_text":"Log in","login_form_has_an_error":"Please check and fix the errors above","uppercase_search":"Search","lowercase_search":"search","uppercase_page":"Page","lowercase_page":"page","uppercase_items":"Items","lowercase_items":"items","uppercase_per":"Per","lowercase_per":"per","uppercase_of":"Of","lowercase_of":"of","back":"Back to plans","zip_code_placeholder":"Zip\/Postal Code","download_file_button_text":"Download File","input_field_instructions":{"tip_amount":{"placeholder_text":"How much would you like to tip?","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"How much would you like to tip? Choose any currency."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"How much would you like to tip? Choose any currency."},"invalid_curency":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Please choose a valid currency."}},"recurring":{"placeholder_text":"Recurring","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"How often would you like to give this?"},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"How often would you like to give this?"},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"How often would you like to give this?"}},"name":{"placeholder_text":"Name on Credit Card","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter the name on your card."},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Enter the name on your card."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Please enter the name on your card."}},"privacy_policy":{"terms_title":"Terms and conditions","terms_body":null,"terms_show_text":"View Terms","terms_hide_text":"Hide Terms","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"I agree to the terms."},"unchecked":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Please agree to the terms."},"checked":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"I agree to the terms."}},"email":{"placeholder_text":"Your email address","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter your email address"},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Enter your email address"},"blank":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Enter your email address"},"not_an_email_address":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Make sure you have entered a valid email address"}},"note_with_tip":{"placeholder_text":"Your note here...","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Attach a note to your tip (optional)"},"empty":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Attach a note to your tip (optional)"},"not_empty_initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Attach a note to your tip (optional)"},"saving":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Saving note..."},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Note successfully saved!"},"error":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Unable to save note note at this time. Please try again."}},"email_for_login_code":{"placeholder_text":"Your email address","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter your email to log in."},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Enter your email to log in."},"blank":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Enter your email to log in."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Enter your email to log in."}},"login_code":{"initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Check your email and enter the login code."},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Check your email and enter the login code."},"blank":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Check your email and enter the login code."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Check your email and enter the login code."}},"stripe_all_in_one":{"initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter your credit card details here."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Enter your credit card details here."},"success":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter your credit card details here."},"invalid_number":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card number is not a valid credit card number."},"invalid_expiry_month":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's expiration month is invalid."},"invalid_expiry_year":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's expiration year is invalid."},"invalid_cvc":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's security code is invalid."},"incorrect_number":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card number is incorrect."},"incomplete_number":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card number is incomplete."},"incomplete_cvc":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's security code is incomplete."},"incomplete_expiry":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's expiration date is incomplete."},"incomplete_zip":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's zip code is incomplete."},"expired_card":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card has expired."},"incorrect_cvc":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's security code is incorrect."},"incorrect_zip":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's zip code failed validation."},"invalid_expiry_year_past":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's expiration year is in the past"},"card_declined":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card was declined."},"missing":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"There is no card on a customer that is being charged."},"processing_error":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"An error occurred while processing the card."},"invalid_request_error":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Unable to process this payment, please try again or use alternative method."},"invalid_sofort_country":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The billing country is not accepted by SOFORT. Please try another country."}}}},"fetched_oembed_html":false}
Just finished listening. Another informative episode and, as always, a job well done.
Regarding Addins – perhaps some integrators could take the approach of having an Addin custom developed in-house (or through a contractor) which could then be part of your offering to the customer. Some OEMS (Nievius and S1Digital come to mind) already offer their own addins (or ones they’ve licensed).
Employ a developer knowledgable in MCML and create the Addins you need. You mentioned the lack of integration between Media Center and Powerpoint for the board room. An addin that wraps the Powerpoint viewer app in a Media Center Addin would accomplish that goal.
Of course, the burden of support is on your staff, but by custom developing your addins – you have the control to manage things like version upgrades as well as ensuring that you have a solution for your customers needs.
Just some thoughts. Thanks again for a great episode.
You definitely are on the right track. Even if you do not write an actual application or install add-ins to enhance the experience, personalizing your installations is a great sales tool. On one of the installments a while ago we mentioned taking your “automation programmers” and extending their knowledgebase to include some MCML development. You could create a company-specific pane or menu option that links back to a Windows Media Center compatible hosted page for your company. There you could have information about upcoming classes, specials, service and support offerings, and even parties. Being MCML, it even would render on the Extenders for Windows Media Center. There are a lot of opportunities to think out of the box since you have a direct window from your clients’ homes to you.
Keep those ideas coming! If you ever get that PowerPoint application written, let us know….
=D-
Heh – I’m a programmer, but I’ve had absolutely no time to delve into MCML (the boss wouldn’t like it if I did ‘personal’ stuff at work – and I have two small children at home, which makes other time options scarce). Otherwise, I’d definitely put something together.
Extending the idea, this might be something that the MCIA could get involved in. I could see a repository of plugins developed by the MCIA and made available based on your membership level. These could be those sort of specialized plugins like the Powerpoint one that have applications at the commercial/business level, but not of much use for a home installation.
My personal home goal is a system that integrates Kalidescape-like functionality (an on-demand movie server), with more whole-home functions (energy monitoring, security) and is a part of my home network. I want to be able to fire up a Media Center extender and have access to every function in those areas. It’s a tall order, and finding solutions that are both comprehensive and economical is a challenge. Additionally, my goal lately has been to reduce my energy footprint, which is kind of hard when you have at least two always-on systems (my WHS server and My Quad-Core Media Center system). An episode on ‘going green’ would be very nice.
Again, thanks for this resource. As an enthusiast, it has definitely helped me be more knowledgeable about the things I need to consider as I integrate Media Center into my home.