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Posts with tag Windows

Windows Media Center SideShow Gadget released in beta

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 8th 2008 at 1:41PM


We'll admit that SideShow hasn't acquired nearly the fanfare we bet Microsoft figured it would, but those still interested in what it can do will likely be elated to find that the long-awaited Windows Media Center SideShow Gadget is finally available. Released last week in beta form, said download can be sucked down as we speak and used within Vista Media Center to change live TV channels, schedule recordings, start / stop playback of clips and browse your photo / music files to boot. Anyone spent any serious time with it over the holiday (in the US, anyway) weekend?

[Via Chris Lanier's Blog, thanks Josh]

Mitsubishi teams with NVIDIA and Aspen for in-home 3D solution

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 23rd 2008 at 5:05PM


Neither Mitsubishi, NVIDIA nor Aspen Media are members of the recently formed 3D@Home Consortium, but that's not stopping the trio from teaming up in order to bring the third-dimension into the home. In a rather vague release issued today, the three companies are seemingly coming together in order deliver "high-value 3D content to the consumer at home in one convenient package." What exactly is in that package remains to be seen. From what we can glean, Aspen will be providing the Aspen Media Server, which will in turn possess one of NVIDIA's 3D-capable GeForce FX Go GPUs. From there, we'd bet Mitsubishi throws in an HDTV to seal the deal. C'mon you guys, throw us a bone here, will ya?

Hauppauge tuners net QAM support in Vista MCE, thanks to beta plug-in

by Darren Murph, posted May 16th 2008 at 12:49PM


Folks possessing a Hauppauge HVR-1250, HVR-1600, HVR-1800 or HVR-2250 -- have we got an interesting tidbit for you. A fresh new beta plug-in has surfaced, which promises to give the aforementioned cards ClearQAM support within 32- and 64-bit Vista Media Center environments. Initial reports are somewhat disappointing, but encouraging nonetheless. Those with nerves of steel can hit the read link and proceed to download the beta -- but only if you promise to tell us how it goes in comments below.

[Via Chris Lanier's Blog, thanks Will]

vmcNetFlix add-in enables Xbox 360 viewing of Netflix 'Watch Now' content

by Darren Murph, posted May 13th 2008 at 6:36AM


We've already seen Orb play nice with DirecTV's HR21, but what about integrating Netflix's "Watch Now" content into one's Xbox 360? vmcNetFlix, a brilliant add-in for Windows Vista Media Center, enables users to manage their Netflix subscription, stream Netflix "Watch Now" movies directly from the Media Center player or download those movies for playback at a later time from a "WatchLater" gallery. Theoretically, this will enable any Vista Extender to play nice with Netflix, but for those with an Xbox 360 laying around already, there's no need to go out and purchase a standalone unit. There's a plethora of additional information and near daily updates with changes and bug fixes going on in the read link, so be sure to give that a look if this sounds like something you'd be interested in.

[Via Thomas Hawk's Digital Connection]

Workaround enables DVD Library streaming on Media Center Extenders

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 29th 2008 at 7:32PM


Check it Media Center Extender owners -- a fancy new workaround is reportedly enabling users to stream DVDs via their DVD Library, which isn't enabled by default on any MCE. For starters, Vista SP1 is required for everything to work correctly, and once you've confirmed that you're running said OS, you can hit up the read link for a how-to guide explaining the steps to creating symbolic links; essentially, the hack tricks the device into playing .VOB files. It's noted that symbolic links shouldn't be created on Windows Home Server shares, but if you do as you're told, everything should turn out peachy. Just don't come barking up our tree if it doesn't, alright?

[Thanks, Ryan]

Crestron adds Windows SideShow support in kepads, remotes

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 19th 2008 at 3:18PM


We know, the lack of SideShow support up until now is somewhat baffling, and while having Crestron onboard certainly won't hurt matters, we doubt this is just the boost Microsoft was waiting for. Regardless, the aforementioned figurehead in home automation has just announced that its touchpanels and control systems will support Windows SideShow, giving owners of such devices easy access to news feeds, sports scores, weather alerts, e-mail, etc. through a simple network connection to a Vista PC. For those curious if their devices are included in the fun, any touchpanel or 2-way device that supports dynamic text (such as the APAD wall mount controller and MLX-2 handheld remote) is game, and if you're eager for more, just head on down to the read link for Creston's official take.

Does Dish have a Media Center tuner on deck too?

by Ben Drawbaugh, posted Apr 7th 2008 at 5:16PM

Vista Media Center
All this information about DirecTV's Media Center tuner has gotten us excited about Vista Media Center again. The last time we were this excited about MS's DVR platform is when we learned about the ATI CableCARD tuner -- that excitement was quickly dashed when the reality of obtaining one set in. But this new tuner offers us the same promise, but only enables one additional provider -- or so we thought. It seems that a commenter our friend Chris Lanier blogs and that he seems to put some merit in, claims that beta program letters have gone out to some Dish subscribers as well. Chris also points out that most of the technology like DVB-S and h.264 are already there, and that the main missing component -- a big one -- is Dish's conditional access system. Of course we always knew that collaboration between big companies like this is almost never limited by technology.

Niveus unveils Media Center Companion 3.0 / Basic

by Darren Murph, posted Feb 5th 2008 at 6:11PM


Itching to try your hand at some new software? Available now to owners of Niveus' Media Center Control Server, Media Center Companion 3.0 (free upgrade for Niveus Media Center customers) enables users to "integrate control abilities for Media Center content to any Windows XP or Vista-based UMPC, laptop, desktop, or tablet PC." Additionally, it downloads the entire media database of music, shows, etc. along with cover art, which can be viewed and accessed on the Windows Client. As for the free Media Center Companion Basic, which is suitable for any Windows Vista-based Media Center, it supports full remote control of "Music, Pictures, and Remote functions on Windows Media Centers," but it won't play nice with Extenders. Feel free to take a look around in the galleries below before getting your download on, and browse through the nitty-gritty in the full release waiting after the jump.

Continue reading Niveus unveils Media Center Companion 3.0 / Basic

Windows Home Server bug corrupts files

by Nilay Patel, posted Dec 27th 2007 at 3:06PM

Looks like we've got a definitive answer to "How would you change Windows Home Server?" -- make it so it doesn't corrupt data. Microsoft has just posted a Knowledge Base document saying that it's confirmed WHS corrupts various files when saved to the server by certain apps. The bug affects several MS apps, including Money, Outlook 2007, Vista Photo Gallery, Live Photo Gallery, and SyncToy, but it also hits Quicken, Quickbooks, and -- fatally for a media server -- BitTorrent clients. Microsoft says it's working on a fix, but that in the meantime, you should avoid using WHS with these apps.

[Via Computerworld, thanks Tanner E.]

Microsoft, HP add Media Center Extender functionality to MediaSmart LCD HDTVs

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 27th 2007 at 7:09AM


Just in case Linksys and D-Link's introductions weren't enough to satisfy, Microsoft is now announcing yet another partner in its refreshed Extenders for Windows Media Center effort. Beginning in "early 2008," owners of HP's current 42- and 47-inch MediaSmart LCD HDTVs will be able to utilize all of the features of the Media Center Extender platform sans any additional hardware. According to Microsoft, users will simply download a software update for their set, after which they'll be able to kick back and enjoy a little Windows Media Center Internet TV while basking in the glory that is added functionality.

NFL and DirecTV partner on streaming games

by Steven Kim, posted Aug 29th 2007 at 5:53PM

NFL Sunday ticketYou can now watch NFL football over the interwebs, free from regional restrictions! Excited? We thought so -- here's what you'll need. First, sign up for DirecTV's Sunday Ticket ($269/year). Second, add in the "SuperFan" program (an additional $99/year). Third, you'll need a Windows PC (sorry Mac users). Once all that is squared away, you can enjoy watching live games webwide in Internet Explorer. Meh, says we, especially when you look at MLB.TV. Admittedly, the SuperFan package is required for HD delivery of the games on DirecTV anyways (which the internet feed definitely won't be), so chances are that football nuts may already have these packages lined up. The NFL is keeping tight control over their content, but this is a step in the right direction. Meanwhile, "misplacing" a Slingbox at your buddy's place in another region is looking better and better.

My Movies 2 adds support for HD DVD / Blu-ray

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 10th 2007 at 3:33AM

Would you look at this -- the My Movies plug-in from the days of yore is finally getting updated to play nice with ripped HD DVD and Blu-ray titles. Also new to the v2.31 release is improved folder monitoring, metadata updating via the web, the ability to automatically attach HD DVD and Blu-ray cover underlays for HD DVD and Blu-ray covers, and moreover, a smorgasbord of bugs have been fixed from the prior version. To take a gander at the (admittedly lengthy) list of updates and fixes, be sure to hit the read link after safely securing your spectacles, and try out the download if you think this will make your movie management chores a bit less involved.

[Via eHomeUpgrade]

Microsoft entices beta testers with Windows Media Center update

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 19th 2007 at 7:30PM


It was but three months ago that Microsoft opened the flood gates to beta signups for Windows Live for TV, and now the mega-corp is soliciting the help of free laborers yet again to test out a potentially buggy and likely frustrating piece of forthcoming software. If you're still intrigued, Microsoft is holding an open signup to beta test Windows Media Center update for Vista, but we certainly hope you weren't counting on even a partial list of features, as the curiously bland signup page doesn't relinquish much of anything beyond procedural instructions. So if you're hankering for something new to try out, and don't mind replying to Microsoft's "surveys, bug reports, and other means as required," feel free to hit the read link and toss your name in the hat.

[Via BoyGeniusReport]

Windows Vista Protected Media Path DRM already broken?

by Ryan Block, posted Jan 29th 2007 at 6:44PM

It sounds like we may have another name to add to the pantheon of anti-DRM digital freedom fighters: Alex Ionescu, who's claiming his driver signing bypass method allows end users to bypass Vista's Protected Media Path DRM (the junky stuff that prevents you from watching "premium" content and HD material on non-HDCP outputs, like component, VGA, older HDMI TVs, etc.) Using Alex's technique (which has yet to be released to the general public, for fear of going the way of our man Viodentia), no unsigned drivers are loaded in the process, thereby convincing the media applications that are scanning for anti-DRM "badware" that everything's peachy, go ahead and output that signal even though it may be through the analog hole. We'll all be waiting, Alex, for you to move to Sealand so you can release the hack, we've got a lot of HD DVD and Blu-ray movies to watch, and not a lot of patience for HDCP-carrying gear.

[Via Slashdot, thanks gamebittk]

Intervideo's WinDVD 8 launched in the US

by Richard Lawler, posted Nov 2nd 2006 at 2:58PM

All those looking to add Blu-ray and/or HD DVD playback to their existing PC get ready, Intervideo's WinDVD 8 is finally coming to US shelves. Already available overseas and as a pack-in with some Sony and Toshiba drives and laptops, it will finally be available as a standalone for those who bought a Blu-ray or HD DVD drive with no playback software. Set to run on Windows XP and the upcoming Vista, the Platinum edition of the software can also act as a UPnP server, streaming media to compatible devices. Out of the box its not ready for Blu-ray or HD DVD playback, an add-on HD Upgrade Pack will be necessary but no word yet on the pricing or system requirements there. The Gold edition has a price of $39.98, while the Platinum version with the media server and support for advanced HD codecs is $59.95. Look for it to show up on Intervideo's site...any minute now, and on store shelves in the next few weeks.




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