HP, Linksys, and D-Link won’t be the only ones with standalone Media Center Extenders anymore. Samsung has announced that their upcoming MediaLive adapter will be coming out in August for an estimated price of around $200 dollars. Like other Extenders for Windows Media Centers, MediaLive connects to PC’s running Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate and delivers the familiar Windows Media Center interface on a large screen TV set. 

MediaLive will support the streaming of the following forms of content:

• For online content, it will be Media Center online content providers such as Vongo, MovieLink, Showtime TV, XM Radio, and Fox Sports
• For audio, it will be WMA, MP3, and AC3
• For video, it will be WMV, MPEG2, MPEG4, H.264
• For pictures, it will be JPEG

MediaLive supports both USB 2.0 Slave and USB 2.0 Host specs and has an HDMI CEC port as well as an Ethernet port. The unit measures 270 x 48 x 155 mm and weighs around 1.8kg. The MediaLive will be available in August for an estimated price of $200 dollars.

It’s also important to note that the MediaLive adapter is cheaper than the upcoming HP MediaSmart Connect Extender. Also note - the MediaLive picture is from Gizmodo.

Technorati Tags: Samsung MediaLive, Extender for Windows Media Center

Want to know more about Windows Media Center programming? You might be interested in checking out Steven Harding’s new book that he’s working on called “Programming with Media Center.”  The book isn’t finished yet so you can download the PDF and check it out in  your leisure. Of course, if you find it useful or if it helps you in your MCE development projects, do consider providing a donation. It’s great to see books come out for Windows Media Center - especially on the development side. The more developers, the richer the content we’ll see for this wonderful platform.

[Check it out via Ian Dixon's Blog]

Technorati Tags: Programming with Media Center, Windows Media Center, Steven Harding

Do you want the capabilities of the Roku Netflix Player on your TV set yet don’t want to shell out $99 bucks for the player itself? Well this posting on Lifehacker shows how you COULD get a similar experience IF you have an Xbox 360 and a Windows PC lying about on a home network. The key to making this work is a combination of an add-in called the vmcNetFlix add-in, Extender for Windows Media Center, and the Netflix Watch-Instantly component. The vmcNetFlix add-in software can be downloaded here and make sure to read the notes on the webpage.

I tried out the software last night and while I saw the plugin on my Extender screen, I failed to get video playback working. Truth be told - I didn’t spend too much time on it so I’ll look into it more tonight. Now, keep in mind folks - this is a cool alternative to the Roku Netflix Player IF you have all the components already. If you don’t have an Xbox 360 and you don’t play video games, then it probably makes very little sense to go and buy an Xbox 360 strictly for Netflix content. You’re better off getting the Roku player itself.  Having said that, there are also rumors that Microsoft and Netflix are closing in on a deal that would have Netflix’s Watch Now service available for the Xbox console. All good news for Netflix and of course the Microsoft Xbox 360 console.

[Check it out via News.com]

Technorati Tags: Netflix, Microsoft, Watch Now, Windows Media Center, vmcNetflix Add-in

Do you have a need to record A LOT of content? You might be interested in this video clip by Cannon PC that shows off a Windows Media Center PC recording from six CableCard-enabled HD tuners. The video clip is of course a bit promotional because it shows one of their own systems handling the recording of six HD channels simultaneously while also playing back a high definition video clip. Keep in mind of course - this is NOT an incredibly hard task to accomplish. The video clip shows that the system is built around a quad core processor - that’s plenty of horsepower for Windows Media Center.

But what about the six HD tuners recording at the same time you say? Well one would assume that the six HD tuners had hardware based encoders thus relieving the CPU of any encoding duties. So.. the only left to do is to have a wickedly fast storage system which means you’ll want a nice RAID storage array with lots of fast disks. Finally.. playing back HD - well again - you’ll want a nice graphics card with hardware based decoding.

Now what is cool is how these guys have managed to get six tuners working under Windows Media Center. If you poke around on Google, you’ll figure out ways to get Media Center to see more than the normal 2 analog and 2 digital tuner limitation (hint - check out MCE Tuner Extender as an easy way to get this working).

While it’s certainly plausible for you to create a system like the demoed Cannon system - there won’t be an easy way for you to get a hold of six CableCard capable tuners. In fact, CableCard tuner cards are not sold directly to the consumer - you’ll have to buy it as part of a new system unfortunately. In any case, kudos to Cannon PC for pushing the envelope on MCE systems.

[Check it out via Ian Dixon's Blog and eHomeUpgrade]

Technorati Tags: Cannon PC, Windows Media Center, HTPC, CableCard TV tuner HD Tuner

HP has announced that their upcoming HP MediaSmart Connect device is now available for pre-order at various retailers including Amazon.com and Newegg for a suggested retail price of $349. The MediaSmart Connect was introduced at CES 2008 as a way to bring HP MediaSmart TV technology to non-HP HDTV sets. With the MediaSmart Connect connected to your HDTV and your home network, you’ll be able to stream digital content from your computers straight to your HDTV set. In addition, MediaSmart Connect features Extender for Windows Media Center technology which allows you to access Windows Media Center enabled PCs remotely over the network.

The HP MediaSmart Connect is able to connect to other UPnP and DLNA compliant devices as well as products from their MediaSmart product line including the HP Media Vault and the HP MediaSmart Server.

The technical specs are as follows:

• Supports 720p/1080i
• HDMI out, Component out, Stereo analog out, Digital audio out, 2 USB ports
• HP Pocket Media Drive Bay
• Wi-Fi - 802.11 a/b/g/n
• 10/100 Ethernet
• Photo - JPEG, BMP, GIF, PNG
• Music - MP2, MP3, WMA, WMA-Pro, AAC(m4a)
• Video - MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MP@ML, MPEG-2 MP@HL, MPEG-4 ASP, DivX, WMV, WMV-HD, DVR-MS, H.264 (MP4)
• DivX certified
• Supports Snapfish, CinemaNow, Live365, YouTube(coming soon)
• Supports Windows Media Player 11, UPnP, and DLNA compliant systems
• Piano Black finish
• Gloss with Zen pattern
• Includes HDMI cable
• 5 device universal remote
• Measures 8.5 x 8.5 x 1.8 inches and weighs 3.5 lbs

The MediaSmart Connect can be preordered starting today for $349 at Amazon.com, BestBuy, CircuitCity, and Newegg.com. The device includes an HDMI cable, a learning remote control and a $20 dollar CinemaNow movie certificate.

It’s a shame that the MediaSmart Connect only supports 720p/1080i and not 1080p. Also - at $349 - it’s a bit expensive for a Windows Media Center Extender - especially without a built-in DVD drive.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: HP, MediaSmart Connect, Extender for Windows Media Center

About a month ago, I posted a little commentary about a project I wanted to embark on at home. The goal was to turn my Apple Mac mini into a full fledged Windows Vista system for the sole purpose of running Windows Media Center. Why embark on this project? Reason 1: It was about time I upgraded my original home theater PC which I built back in 2005 and was starting to creak under Windows Vista (it’s still great for XP!). Reason 2: I wanted to move to a small form factor than my previous system. Although the previous HTPC looked great within my A/V rack, it was huge, heavy, and somewhat loud due to aging ball bearing fans (which I was too lazy to upgrade).  Yes, it was time to downsize to a smaller form factor.

It’s actually funny that I even considered this route. I felt like I was tracing back to my earlier roots with this project. When I first got into constructing Home Theater PC (HTPC) systems years ago, I toyed with several Shuttle XPC based small form factor systems. In the end, I opted for a larger box since it looked so darn sexy in my home theater rack and had plenty of room for expansion. After a few years with a large box, I was finally ready to go small again. The question was - how small did I want to get?

Now, I could have gone the Shuttle route again (and I still might - more on that later) or I could have purchased something like the HP Pavilion Slimline PC. Ultimately, I chose the Apple Mac mini primarily because I had one handy and I wanted to see what it was like transforming it into a Vista based Media Center HTPC. Would it work well under Vista? Would I be able to do all the things I envisioned?  Hopefully I’ll be able to answer these questions and then some in this writeup. The purpose of this writeup is to cover all the steps that I took to build my Apple Mac mini home theater system utilizing Windows Vista and the Windows Media Center application. Is it my final setup? Probably not but it proves it indeed is a viable, solid, and reliable solution.

Finally, I apologize ahead of time if some of you think I might have “bastardized” the Mac mini by installing Vista. I also want to give credit where credit is due - primarily to two blog postings I read before starting this prokect - one over at markwilson.it and one over at Mauricio Freitas’s website here. Let’s get started shall we?

(more…)

Technorati Tags: Apple Mac mini, Windows Vista, Windows Media Center, Xbox 360 Media Center Extender, Converting Apple Mac mini to Windows Media Center

PC Magazine has a review up of the HP Pavilion Slimline s3330f desktop system here on their website. The s3330f is on the high end of HP’s Slimline series and caters towards the HD video enthusiasts who require Blu-ray/HD DVD playback support as well as HDTV tuner capabilities. I’m a huge fan of the HP Slimline series primarily because I’m a happy owner of an HP Pavilion Slimline s3200n desktop (which is no longer available for purchase) myself. The Slimline desktops are well designed, fairly quiet, small and compact, and look pretty sweet too. About the only major complaint I had with my s3200n was the HP bloatware (which apparently is still there with the latest s3330f).

Features and specs of the s3330f include the following:

• AMD Athlon64 X2 5400+
• 2GB of RAM
• NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT with 256MB of video RAM
• DVI and HDMI
• 1 PCIe x16 slot
• 500GB 7200RPM HDD
• Blu-ray/HD DVD player and SuperMulti DVD burner
• HD Audio
• 15-in-1 memory card reader
• 6 USB ports
• Measures 13.89 x 4.21 x 10.87 in

PC Magazine’s verdict is as follows:

With the HP Pavilion Slimline s3330f, HP improves its Slimline PC for HD video enthusiasts. At $950 (as tested), it comes with just enough to satisfy a multimedia consumer

Combining a TV tuner, and Blu-ray player into the Slimline series can only mean this desktop series just got a whole lot better.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: HP Pavilion Slimline s3330f, PC Magazine, Review

During CES 2008, HP had announced that their MediaSmart HDTV’s would be upgraded at some point this year to include Media Center Extender technology. Well folks - that day has finally arrived. HP today announced that they are the first company to integrate Media Center Extender technology into an “Internet-connected TV.” This feature will be available on all new HP MediaSmart TVs and will be automatically provided to all owners of second generation MediaSmart TV’s.

What does this mean for current owners of second generation MediaSmart TV owners? Your TV sets will be able to connect to Windows Vista Home Premium and Vista Ultimate PCs and deliver (nearly) the same Media Center experience on the PC but via the TV set - AND you won’t have to physically connect the PC to the TV set.

If you don’t have an HP MediaSmart TV, don’t worry about it. HP is still planning to release a standalone Media Center Extender device in the form of the “MediaSmart Connect”.

As far as MediaSmart TVs are concerned, the sets have three HDMI ports, wired and wireless connectivity, and support for other UPnP and DLNA compliant devices. The update is available via a firmware upgrade which will be accessible via the Internet by the MediaSmart TV. Models SL4278N and SL4778N can be upgraded via the Internet accessible upgrade.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: HP, MediaSmart TV, Media Center Extender, HP, Microsoft, Windows Vista

Shuttle Europe announced their first AMD-based HD-compatible Mini-PC Complete System called the Shuttle XPC G5 6801M capable of playing back both Blu-ray and HD DVD media (Umm.. someone tell Shuttle that HD DVD lost to Blu-ray already! .. though granted Europe accepted HD DVD a bit more handily than Blu-ray). Blu-ray and HD DVD support comes in the form of the included LG GGC-H20L Combo drive.

The G5 6801M provides a home theater PC experience thanks to Windows Media Center within Windows Vista Home Premium. Watch HD flicks, watch and record live television shows, listen to music, view digital images.. you name it.

Specs to the Shuttle XPC G5 6801M include:

• Shuttle XPC Barebone SN68SG2 with the PF27 front panel
• AMD Athlon X2 6000+
• 2GB DDR2-800 of Memory
• 500GB, Serial-ATAII HDD
• ATI HD3450, 256 MB Graphics
• Wireless LAN
• LG GGC-H20L Blu-ray/HD DVD Combo
• DVB-T/Analog Hybrid TV Tuner
• 25-in-1 Card-Reader
• Remote control and multi-functional front display
• Gigabit LAN
• Six USB ports
• eSATA ports
• 8 Channel audio
• Windows Vista Home Premium
• Dimensions: 310(D) x 200(W) x 185(H) mm

The recommended price for the complete system is EUR 1,234.

[Check out the press release via Akihabara News]

[Check out the product page]

Technorati Tags: Shuttle Europe, Shuttle XPC G5 6801M, Blu-ray, HD DVD

Pinnacle Systems announced last week, the next generation versions of their PCTV HD Stick and PCTV HD Pro Stick HDTV Tuners. The new versions now support unencrypted digital cable (a.k.a. ClearQAM) channels and also feature a new tuner/demodulator with more sensitive reception of both analog and digital TV signals (including FM radio for the PCTV HD Pro Stick). Both USB sticks still support free digital HD and SD TV via over-the-air (OTA) ATSC support.

By offering ClearQAM support to the HD Stick and HD Pro Stick, cable TV subscribers will be able to plug their digital cable directly to the USB devices and receive free over-the-air digital channels.

Both models are fully certified for Windows Vista and Windows Media Center. Both tuners also come bundled with Pinnacle’s TVCenter Pro software which provides a fully featured PVR application with support for Time Shifting and recording of television shows.

Features and specs of the PCTV HD Stick include:

• ATSC/NTSC support
• ClearQAM support
• TV Antena input
• MPEG-1/2 and MPEG4 recording formats
• USB 2.0
• Stereo sound for digital TV

Features and specs for the PCTV HD Pro Stick include:

• ATSC/NTSC support
• ClearQAM support
• TV/FM antenna (F-Connector/Coaxial)
• S-Video, Composite Video (RCA), Stereo Audio (1/8 inch)
• MPEG-1/2, DivX, and MPEG4 recording formats
• USB 2.0
• Stereo sound for both digital and analog TV
• Stereo FM radio

Both tuners should be available now with the HD Stick selling for $69.99 and the HD Pro Stick going for $99.99.

[Check it out via Dvice.com]

Technorati Tags: Pinnacle Systems, PCTV HD Stick, PCTV HD Pro Stick, ClearQAM