Recent Comments:
VUDU on the LG BD390 review {Engadget HD}
Oct 2nd 2009 12:10AM I second that. There are millions of potential users if they created an MCE plugin for VUDU.
The irony is that I used to work for VUDU, now I work for a manufacturer or Media Center based servers.
Microsoft Media Center CEDIA predictions wrap-up {Engadget HD}
Sep 26th 2009 11:46AM I also use a Canon, HF100 to shoto home movies in 1080p AVCHD. I was surprised to see that I could simply plug the camera into my WIn7 Media Center and received a Media Center prompt to import the HD files and any still pictures (with the option to delete off the camera when complete.) The whole process was completely simple.
I knew Win7 could play the files natively, but I always used Windows Explorer on a seperate PC to manually copy the files over. This easy integration within the Media Center interface was simple enough for my wife to use.
Live from the Microsoft Windows Media Center event {Engadget HD}
Sep 9th 2009 8:26PM The bulk of the prize goes to the hard working installer, in this case Vision Audio, not so much the home owner.
For full details on the content and prize package:
http://www.microsoft.com/ceinstaller/content/installs/uic/Overview.aspx
Live from the Microsoft Windows Media Center event {Engadget HD}
Sep 9th 2009 8:07PM "7:38PM Dustin Andrew of Odessy Texas"
It's Dustin Anderson of Odessa, please correct.
Court injunction puts sales of RealDVD on ice, hopes and dreams in purgatory {Engadget}
Aug 12th 2009 4:29PM More bad news:
Kaleidescape loses appeal.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2351510,00.asp
CEDIA 2009 Windows Media Center predictions {Engadget HD}
Aug 10th 2009 12:18PM Great post, I would love some ZUNE HD integration with Media Center. I've never owned a ZUNE because my car has OEM iPod integration but this would be enough for me to ditch the iPod and go line-in for the car.
Netflix Watch Instantly coming to Windows 7 Media Center {Engadget HD}
Aug 3rd 2009 2:54PM To those using the Media Center client complaining about picture quality, not sure if it's the same in Win7 as it is in Vista Media Center but the Netflix plugin would incorrectly set the video stream to 500kbps although I have a much faster connection. You could manually set this to 1500kbps by hitting CTRL-ALT-SHIFT-S during playback to bring up the settings menu. This provided huge improvements in PQ for me and others.
You may need to have Media Center in windowed mode for CTRL-ALT-SHIFT-S to work, and it may take a few tries.
Poll: Do you / will you use Windows Media Center in your home theater? {Engadget HD}
Aug 3rd 2009 1:29PM I'll jump in here again with shameless promotion.
Mark hits the nail on the head here, there is a LOT to know ahead of time in order to properly configure a dedicated Windows Media Center system to run reliably. Even our own authorized dealers make mistakes (such as automatic updates enabled) which will bring a system down.
Before working for a Media Center OEM, I worked at Kaleidescape where you basically plugged it in and it worked, little to no configuration. It can be this easy because it pretty much does one thing, storage/playback of your DVDs. It doesn't do TV or Photos or Mp3s or Blu-ray, just one thing really well which makes it easier to setup. My microwave does just one thing as well and that was easy to setup too.
Media Center is far more powerful, but like in Spiderman, "With great power comes great responsibility" The user must take it upon themselves to get highly educated on the topic or go with a systems provider like us ( Niveus www.niveusmedia.com ), S1Digital, or Lifeware. These companies take the headache out of qualifying hardware, testing hot fixes, patches, drivers, service packs and just sell and support dedicated media servers that just work.
Poll: Do you / will you use Windows Media Center in your home theater? {Engadget HD}
Aug 3rd 2009 1:16PM You probably won't see a new crop of extenders, but you will likely see DRM relaxed on encrypted CableCard recordings allowing them to be played on other Media Centers and not just extenders.
Poll: Do you / will you use Windows Media Center in your home theater? {Engadget HD}
Aug 3rd 2009 1:14PM Hello Ed,
Sorry for the shameless promotion, I can't find a way to Private Message someone.
I can definitely address your "not good looking HTPC" concerns, as well as explain the differences from Vista Media Center to Win 7 Media Center.
www.niveusmedia.com
Give me a call at 510-687-0717 option 2 for sales.
