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Windows version of boxee open to all June 23rd

by Richard Lawler, posted Jun 6th 2009 at 11:29AM

Drooling over boxee on other platforms but haven't been able to nab an invite to the Windows alpha? De-stress, CEO Avner Ronen announced the plan is to open things up starting June 23. Other things touched upon at the Connections digital entertainment conference Wednesday included his belief that TV is going the way of the internet and that tech giants need to just let it happen, and the company's potential to make money from its media streaming platform, possibly from content providers for pushing their shows, collecting a fee from for-pay add-ons in an application store, or licensing boxee to hardware makers. Don't worry too much about a money grab on the way anytime soon, with a zero-dollar revenue goal for the year. In the meantime, chill and check out a preview of the Windows version and an example of how it can work as a simple Windows Media Center plugin.

[Via Download Squad]

Netflix Watch Instantly comes to Vista Media Center, not Extenders

by Richard Lawler, posted May 20th 2009 at 1:45AM Breaking News


Good news, Vista Media Center PC users will soon find a new option under the TV+Movies tile, as Netflix Watch Instantly streaming access is added directly to the interface. The soul crushingly bad news? A post on The Green Button informs that this does not apply to Media Center Extenders, so cheapskates hoping to get around the Xbox 360's Gold Xbox Live subscription requirement are still going to need those plugins and workarounds. This should go over much better than the InternetTV beta 2, but we're disappointed Microsoft's vision of TV on Your PC (as pointed out on its accompanying blogs, videos and assorted paraphernalia indicates) doesn't allow users to stretch their PC back to the TV at will. 'til that changes, check the gallery and after the break to see what awaits in Media Center once the update rolls out over the next 48 hours.

Update: We checked with Microsoft, and confirmed that, at least for now, this streaming only includes the same content as the browser experience - so no HD. As far as Windows 7 and / or RC1 support? No word yet.

[Via The Green Button]

Gallery: Netflix on Vista Media Center

Continue reading Netflix Watch Instantly comes to Vista Media Center, not Extenders

How to install a CableCARD tuner in your DIY Media Center

by Ben Drawbaugh, posted May 12th 2009 at 11:00AM

ATI Internal DCT

Access to premium HD on computers has eluded most for way to long, so as soon as we heard that it was finally possible for anyone to add a CableCARD tuner to just about any Media Center, we just knew we had to try it for ourselves, and more importantly, share with you exactly how to do it. This doesn't really require any hacking, or anything illegal for that matter -- we're not lawyers -- but it isn't cheap. The internal version of the ATI Digital Cable Tuner pictured above can be found new on eBay for about $195, or new from PC vendors like Cannon PC for just under $300. If that doesn't seem like a bad deal to you and you already have an HTPC up to the challenge, then you should join us on our journey to HD bliss by clicking through.

Continue reading How to install a CableCARD tuner in your DIY Media Center

Ubuntu-flavored boxee gets Pandora, App Box; bugfixes up for Mac and Apple TV

by Richard Lawler, posted Apr 27th 2009 at 9:57AM

The media manager boxee just keeps on rolling, though there's no new news to announce in the Hulu arms race, the Ubuntu version has been updated for Jaunty Jackalope, and to match its OS X counterpart with Pandora and RadioTime support, plus the App Box. It should be available as package updates for anyone already running the software, while Mac and Apple TV users can find slight updates for their software that should improve Flash performance. Next up? The Windows version, on track for public release in June. That's all.

NBC Direct download service relaunches, again

by Richard Lawler, posted Feb 18th 2009 at 8:52PM


NBC Direct is back with a new version of its download video player, sure to please all those anxious for a 2D version of the post-Super Bowl Chuck episode, but probably less endearing to others. NBC's solution lets viewers download shows rather than stream (you can start watching before the download finishes) in standard or high definition, however even in its third iteration is still Windows only and DRM-laden. Hulu still doesn't have much in the way of HD so it's a better option there, but we'll have to wait and see how it stacks up to the competition from ABC, Fox and CBS.

[Via Download Squad & Newteevee]

Windows Mobile Manager for Netflix includes streaming video previews

by Richard Lawler, posted Feb 9th 2009 at 5:54AM


Get enough Netflix / Microsoft synergy yet? We hope not, since that Netflix queue manager for Windows Mobile showcased during Steve Ballmer's CES keynote is slicker than we thought, with an exclusive streaming video preview feature. Whether DVD or Instant Watch that should add some enjoyment to your Netflix browsing, check out a YouTube demo after the break or just go ahead and download the app for yourself.

[Via My Philly Network]

Continue reading Windows Mobile Manager for Netflix includes streaming video previews

How-to guide explains boxee / Vista Media Center integration

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 27th 2009 at 10:20AM


We've already seen boxee for Windows previewed, but if you've been toying with the idea of integrating it into your Vista Media Center setup, you'll probably want to give the read link a look. In short, the step-by-step guide walks you gently through the integration procedure in order to provide easy access to built-in Windows functions (recorded shows, for instance) as well as boxee's portal to the best content the web has to offer. Have a look at the results video just after the break.

Continue reading How-to guide explains boxee / Vista Media Center integration

boxee for Windows alpha previewed

by Richard Lawler, posted Jan 19th 2009 at 7:34PM


Looking for another Windows Media Center complement / alternative? Download Squad's taken a look at the currently in private alpha Windows version of boxee and found the interface a breeze to operate with a standard Windows Media Center remote, not surprising since it was originally designed with Mac remotes in mind. Of course, without Media Center's DVR underpinnings it's not a full replacement, but with a slick video browser and often updated sources, it could find its niche as a way to navigate both locally stored and online streaming video. Hit the read link for more impressions if you haven't been invited to the party (now open to all on Mac or Ubuntu) yet.

DISH Network's Draco project brings programming to Windows Media Center

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 16th 2009 at 11:39AM Breaking News


Aw, snap! Just over a month after DirecTV went and killed its totally promising HDPC-20 tuner, in flies this. DISH Network is apparently gearing up to unveil some sort of HD-capable DISH-to-Windows Media Center liaison, with current test setups involving a modified ViP 211K receiver attached via Ethernet to a PC. The initiative is being coined Draco, and we're even told that dual tuner setups (most likely using dual boxes for now) are in action and working beautifully. It's tough to tell if this is the same project that was rumored way back in April of last year, but it's safe to say DISH is hoping to pick up the pieces that DirecTV inexplicably dropped. Windows Media Center, you've just regained our attention.

Gallery: DISH Network's Draco project brings programming to Windows Media Center

XBMC spinoff Media Portal reaches version 1.0, five year countdown to MediaPortal 2 begins

by Richard Lawler, posted Dec 27th 2008 at 3:05PM


It's been five long years, but the devs behind MediaPortal have decided their Windows Media Center / SageTV / BeyondTV competitor is worthy of exiting beta, finally reaching version 1.0. A long way from its roots as a Xbox Media Center port for Windows, it promises easy access to music, movies and more from a full screen display, along with support for watching and recording live TV. DownloadSquad mentions MediaPortal 2 is now on the way, with the open source project looking to add media streaming to / from various devices to the mix. Certainly seems worth a look if waiting on a boxee invite isn't your cup of tea.

[Via Download Squad]

China Digital TV teams with Microsoft on Vista-friendly PC-TV tuner

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 7th 2008 at 7:56AM


For those that have been paying any level of attention to the TV revolution in China, this here partnership won't come as a shock at all. As the nation continues to push for widespread adoption of TV viewing (it's for the kids, folks), China Digital TV has teamed with none other than Microsoft in order to bring to market a Vista-compatible PC-TV tuner. According to the release, the solution will "allow computer users throughout China to watch and record scrambled digital cable television programming on their PCs." The device itself is based on a DVB-C digital IC, enabling it to receive digital cable television programming and "decode the encrypted television signals through the conditional access module." Sadly, there's no mention of a price (nor an image), but we are told that it's being deployed by cable companies as well as PC / STB manufacturers right now.

Windows commercial gets wrong message across on 4:3 sets

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 19th 2008 at 3:02PM


We can't say we spotted this one in person (sorry, Chuck lost its luster after about six episodes), but we'll still join in the chorus of laughter. The image spotted above was an advertisement for Microsoft's little 'ole operating system, known around the underground as Windows Vista. What you're supposed to see there is "Windows: Life Without Walls," but instead, you're missing the final "s." In fact, Michael Smith points out that most 4:3 set owners actually saw even less than that (think "Windows: Life Without"). The capture was taken from a locally broadcast 4:3 NTSC feed of the show, and amazingly enough, it wasn't the only commercial aired that night with some of the critical information hanging off in no man's land. Have any of you spotted this recently, or was this just a one-time screw up?

Windows Media Center Gadgets for SideShow finally released

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 25th 2008 at 12:07AM


This release may have been a bit more important had it been done back when SideShow had a chance of being viable, but now that the technology is all but forgotten, we aren't too sure that many of you will be able to take advantage. At any rate, those still looking for more ways to utilize those SideShow-enabled wares can download the Windows Media Center Gadgets for Windows SideShow application today, which is conveniently available in both 32- and 64-bit versions. Media Center users can tap into a SideShow-enabled remote, for example, to browse the TV program guide (as well as schedule recordings and the like), sift through your playlists, browse pictures / play slideshows and get a glimpse of what's currently playing in Media Center. Hit the read link and give it a go -- if any of you out there even have the hardware to take advantage.

[Via On10, thanks Ian]

Niveus Search brings unified searches to Vista Media Center

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 28th 2008 at 12:37AM


Niveus Media is introducing quite the application today, and unlike the vast majority of its other downloads, this one isn't restricted to Niveus-branded machines. Niveus Search is an app suitable for use on any Vista Media Center PC which delivers a simple search tool for scanning local / connected media as well as internet sources. The tool promises visual results of your EPG, recorded TV list, music, photos, videos, web-based content and sources such as Netflix / Flickr / Live365. Best of all, it's available gratis in beta form right now for all Vista Media Center users to enjoy, though we'd highly suggest you grab it soon if you're interested -- who knows if this will stay machine agnostic forever. Full release after the fold.

Continue reading Niveus Search brings unified searches to Vista Media Center

XBMC Atlantis beta released: Linux / OS X users invited

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 19th 2008 at 5:03PM


Hooray! The chains of platform discrimination have been cast away in the latest iteration of XMBC. The dev crew has announced the very first cross-platform Beta version of XBMC media center for Linux, Mac OS X (Leopard and Tiger), Windows, and Xbox in preparation for the upcoming stable release of XBMC (which is code named Atlantis). A few notable additions to this version include XMBC Live -- a "bootable CD which gives users the opportunity to try XBMC on their computer, without touching their hard drive" -- and initial support for integrating iTunes and iPhoto media into XBMC... for Mac users, anyway. The final release is currently on track for an October launch, and if you'd like that to remain true, we'd recommend giving the beta a whirl and submitting any bugs to the gurus behind the scenes. So, what exactly are you waiting for again?

Read - Atlantis Beta 1
Read - iPhoto / iTunes integration




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