TPN :: The Media Center Show

The Media Center Show v2.06 - Sonos

Mike — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 15:44:10 +0000

Great call this week, as Mike Wolf of ABI Research talks to Tom Cullen, the VP of Sales and Marketing for Sonos. Sonos is a manufacturer of wireless multi-room audio systems, and Tom tells us about how Sonos went through an intense period of useability testing - as they tap the expertise of the woman who helped with useability for Philips’ Streamium products - to put useability “in the bones of the device”.
Some interesting info Tom reveals about the typical Sonos user:

-typically male

-have thousands of tracks

-typical income is over $100 thousand

-users are generally not in their 20s, but typically 30-45

-Average of 3 rooms supported per customer, up from 2 rooms just a couple years ago

-The average user say their music listening has doubled since buying their Sonos system.

Take a listen:

The Media Center Show v2.05 - BitTorrent President Ashwin Navin

Mike — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 16:25:27 +0000

Fascinating call this week as Mike Wolf of ABI Research talks to Ashwin Navin, the President and cofounder of BitTorrent. Ashwin gives some of the background on the founding of the company with Bram Cohen and goes on to talk about some of the company’s initiatives with its BitTorrent DNA, efforts to put the BitTorrent client in consumer electronics devices, as well as talking about the company’s efforts to work with media companies to overcome the long-held perception that P2P is a dirty word.

Take a listen:

The Media Center Show V2.04 - Archos COO Larry Smith

Mike — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 13:26:41 +0000

For those of you interested in networked entertainment - specifically portable networked entertainment - this is a show you can’t miss. We spend some time with the Chief Operating Officer of Archos, Larry Smith. Archos is a pioneering portable media player vendor, being one of the first to deliver Wi-Fi connected portable media players. My discussion with Larry is pretty wide ranging, as we talk about how the new Generation 5 of Archos media players differs from previous generations, what Archos can do against the Apple freight train, and the likelihood of mobile broadband in the next generation of Archos PMPs.

Some interesting take-aways:

-55% of those who bought Archos PMPs in the U.S. last year bought the DVR Station add-on, effectively allowing themselves to make their portable media device a PVR

-25% of those who buy a PMP from Archos buy software add-on modules from Archos for new functionality. Archos is looking to take a more modular approach going forward as it allows them to reduce cost for their overall customer base while giving options to those who want to buy the modules

-They are looking at adding 3G connectivity such as WiMax in the sixth generation devices, as well as VOIP. My feeling is that the 3G is a potential, but that it may slip to later generations.

Anyway, lots of great info in this one as as Mike Wolf of ABI Research talks to Larry about the future of connected portable entertainment.
Take a listen :

Media Center Show V2.03 - Ronen Mizrahi of TVersity

Mike — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 22:21:34 +0000

Welcome back from (in the U.S, at least) a holiday week. This week’s show features an interview with Ronen Mizrahi, the founder of TVersity. TVersity is a media server, content management and entertainment guide application that can be downloaded for free at Tversity.com.

Ronen founded the company in 2004 and the company’s application has been available in beta since 2005. The product features a number of interesting capabilities, including a DLNA server, on the fly transcoding of a number of different media formats as well as a entertainment guide. The app works with all three consoles and can also be used with Nokia’s 770/N800 web tablets.

Mike Wolf of ABI Research talks to Ronen about his reason for founding the company and discussing the various iterations as TVersity marches towards release 1.0.

Its a good show, so take a listen!

Media Center Show V2.02 - Ian McCarthy of Orb Networks

Mike — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 13:23:07 +0000

We have a great show with Ian McCarthy of Orb Networks. Ian and I chat about all things iPhone, as well as look at how Orb is doing now that it has been launched for all three of the big game consoles. Ian touches on the new Realplayer as well as his own digital home set up.

Enjoy the show!

Show Outline
2:00 – Show structure and format
2:30 – Digital Media Happenings
10:10 – Hello to Ian
11:30 – Three game consoles and Orb adoption
15:15 – Wii vs. 360 vs. PS3 as network extenders
21:20 – the Apple iPhone
23:15 – Apple positioning of iPhone
27:15 – openness of iPhone platform
29:00 - YouTube on iPhone
30:30 – Apple vs. Sony
32:21 – Apple TV and Media Center Extenders
35:45 – PSP phone and Walkman phone
40:01 – DRM on iPod
41:35 – new Real Player
46: 02 – remote vs. local storage of media and should you download media?
49:20 – renting vs. owning music
53:05 – Archos Wi-Fi players
58:20 – Ian’s digital home setup
1:00:01 – Ian’s final thoughts
1:02:44 – Goodbye

Media Center Show 2.01 - Joe Belfiore

Mike — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 13:07:36 +0000

Welcome Back.

The first show back and its a great one. Joe Belfiore is our guest and gives us a great update on all things media center. We talk about CableCard, the launch of Media Center in Vista and the online features of Media Center in Vista.

Take a listen.

(Note: having trouble with this post in Wordpress - will repost showtimes hopefully later today or tomorrow…)

Microsoft Debuts Mediaroom

Mike — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 21:55:04 +0000

I was a little confused by the name of the product, which half-sounded like a virtual press area (they were announcing it from a trade show after all) and also somewhat Media-Center-ish. The new platform is really just the next iteration of their Microsoft IPTV software, and the new features include the ability to share home photos, video and content on your PC with your IPTV set top box. Sound familiar? Details are scant at this point, but I am curious if there are any of the same underlying pieces of code powering media center extender with the new Mediaroom. I have a feeling there is. I’ll try and get a Microsoft TV person on the show sometime soon.

Will the New Real Player Actually Make Me Use It Again?

Mike — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 17:46:03 +0000

I imagine that many of you gave up on Real Player quite a while ago, and I can’t blame you. I have a copy one of my machines, but I hardly use it anymore, except for the not-so-common chance I come across a site streaming in Real format. But with the new Real Player 11, I have a feeling after talking to Real today that I (and a few others) might give it a look.

The reason for this is its the easiest way I’ve seen to download web video. There are, of course, tools out there to download web video today, but none in such an easy way across formats (Real Player 11 supports Flash, Windows Media, Real and Quicktime). And while you can’t use the forthcoming version to send the content to another device (that feature is coming), you can do it in Windows Media Center as well as through the normal Windows of Mac file system.

Another interesting feature is the ability to burn DVDs. Now I probably wouldn’t pay the $30 they want for the ability to burn the videos onto a DVD since I already have good DVD burning software, but I imagine some who want an all in one solution would.

Another thing that turned me and many others off of Real Player a while ago was the annoying upsell to Real services like Rhapsody and others. They told me they’ve stripped the new player of this, and if what they say is true, this is another reason to give Real Player another try.

I’m curious - is anyone else looking to give the new Real Player a try?

Wi-Fi on SD Card: How Compelling is Instant Photo Transfer?

Mike — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 18:08:04 +0000

A new company called Eye-Fi has developed an SD card with Wi-Fi to allow legacy digicams to transfer photos. I know the likes of Canon, Nikon (especially Nikon) and others have pushed out integrated Wi-Fi cameras, but this company would argue that there are tens of millions of cameras out there that need Wi-Fi. The card combines the memory with Wi-Fi (most cameras only have one SD slot).

My question to you, the Media Center community, is how appealing is Wi-Fi connected cameras? I think being able to replace the USB cable is great, but I actually usually just pop my SD card into my PC to transfer. Am I like everyone else, or are you looking to use the network for photo uploading and display?

Windows Home Server Hits RC1

Mike — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 21:09:16 +0000

Just got the email about Windows Home Server going RC1.

I think the list of features sounds pretty solid. Overall, I think the majority of those who use it will be using their for backup and restore functions, which is the main reason I would use it in the long term, though things like using it as a file server would be pretty cool. Ars Technica has a pretty good run down on the move to RC1 and when gold code should come out.
I’m sure many more of you will get this as well. The details are as follows:

The RC (Release Candidate) release is a feature complete build of Windows Home Server.

Here are the details:

Install options

As we stated in a mail earlier in May, we are only supporting one installation option with this RC release: New Installation. Server Reinstallation is not supported. Server Reinstallation will be supported from RC to RTM.

The New Installation option will wipe out all drives including drives where your backups and shares reside. Please be sure to backup any critical data off of your Windows Home Server installations prior to installing the RC build.

Enable Customer Feedback

We ask that you enable providing customer feedback information to Microsoft when you go through setup (or enable it later in Server Settings). We received VERY valuable data from Beta 2 and CTP via this mechanism and it is extremely important that any crash or failure you encounter get reported to us. For privacy reasons we cannot enable this feature by default now that we are this far along in our release schedule.

Things we want you to test:

Run every app you can think of on your client machines accessing files on the server via SMB.
Copy stuff on, copy stuff off, delete stuff, move stuff.
Run lots of backups.
Do single file/folder restores.
Restore full PCs.
Remote Access configuration
Password policy
Password reset
OOBE from a home PC (the OEM experience)
Full system restore of a home PC (test on a spare box)
Adding and removing hard drives through the Windows Home Server Console

Again, we thank you for all the great testing and feedback you’ve given us so far, and look forward to you helping us insure this RC is really ready for release!

(Note - Let me know what features you plan on or have been using most, as well as how your experience with Windows Home Server beta has been going, and I’ll read them on the show. I can be reached at mediacentershow (at) gmail.com )

Apple Now Doing Rental, Competing with Video Marketplace

Mike — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 16:21:04 +0000

I’ve long believe it was only a matter of time before Apple moved to offer rental of movies on iTunes (up until now its only been purchase), and looks like they’re going to soon. In this respect, it gives the Video Marketplace as well as other rental servies available through Media Center’s online partners competition, but I think the market is growing enough that everyone will benefit at this point from Apple’s moves.
I had a few comments on this at my day-job’s blog (more about my day-job to come with first podcast).

Cheaper Media Center Extenders (Read Xbox 360) Coming Soon?

Mike — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 16:14:33 +0000

Looks like despite all the speculation about an impending price drop on the Xbox 360, it may not be happening soon. I suspect it is still very likely before Christmas (Halo 3 combined with a price drop = Sony-Killer). That being said, Microsoft is keeping things close to the vest.

With the Xbox 360 being the only Pika Media Center Extenders out there, I imagine there’s some pent up demand among those looking to distribute media around the home. However - I’ve had some good discussions with Microsoft folks in the last week or so, and despite the lack of Pika based MCX’s today, they all but assure me they’ll be out by Christmas.

Just a Quick Hello

Mike — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 16:48:36 +0000

Hey folks, its Mike Wolf, the new host of the Media Center Show here at TPN. I’m just moving in and unpacking my boxes right now, getting some guests lined up (we’ve got some great ones coming!). I’ll start posting here occasionally and increasing the frequency as we get closer to the first show (with me, that is).

And as for my first guest, it’s a good one! I’ll let you in on who it is in about a week. Stay tuned!

Feel free to drop me a line at mediacentershow (at) gmail.com

Announcement: Media Center Show Host Auditions Now Open!

Administrator — Thu, 10 May 2007 02:34:17 +0000

DOWNLOAD

The Media Center Show #96 - Doug Berrett - Webguide 4.0

Ian Dixon — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 13:42:27 +0000

The Media Center Show #96 (MP3 - 19.5mb- 56mins 46secs)
by Ian Dixon

This week on the show is Doug Berrett author of Webguide the remote scheduler application for media center, well I say remote scheduler but it does a lot more that that. Doug will be joining me to talk about version 4.0

I have Email and news plus another mcePhone + Pamela bundle winner

Go to the Media Center Show Community site there are a whole range of forums, blogs and other resources

The Media Center Show with Orb Networks

Send your email to Ian @ thedigitallifestyle.com

Show Times

00:34 Coming up this week
01:10 Mpeg 4 in DVB-T
01:30 Problem with DVB-S channel scanning in MCE2005 (forum post)
04:22 Windows Media Center Tips
04:54 Tip of the week and the winner of Pamela + mcePhone
05:29 Problem with HP Pavilion M7775 and Media Center Extenders
06:40 Webguide Sidebar Gadget for Windows Media Center
07:13 Windows Home Server Beta and it working well for me
08:30 Windows Live for TV
09:47 The pros and cons of upgrading to Vista from MCE2005
11:11 A Message from Onevoice
11:53 Welcome to Doug Berrett
13:00 What is Webguide
16:00 Getting integrated
18:00 Features
22:00 Sporting Events in Media Center
23:10 Search
24:30 Internationalization
26:50 New features of 4.0
30:17 Streaming
31:19 Live TV
37:33 Mobile devices
42:44 Recommendation Service
47:00 Installing Webguide 4.0
49:20 Vista support
51:15 Download link
52:00 New Vista Media Center books
See you on TheDigitalLifestyle.com

Technorati tags: Windows Media Center, Podcast, Webguide

The Media Center Show #95 Rathe Hollingum (Microsoft European Development Center)

Ian Dixon — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 08:18:39 +0000

The Media Center Show #95 (MP3 - 18.4mb- 53mins 36secs)
by Ian Dixon

This week on the show I am taking to Rathe Hollingum a Microsoft developer from the European development center in Ireland. We are going to be talking about the center and what they are adding to Media Center to make it a more global product. I have email, a winner of forum post of the week and details of a new competition

Checkout the new Media Center Show Community site there are a whole range of forums, blogs and other resources

Watch The Media Center Show Extra with 4 shows from CES (the show now has its own RSS feed)

The Media Center Show with Orb Networks

Send your email to Ian @ thedigitallifestyle.com

Show Times

00:32 Coming up this week
01:02 Questions regarding Show #94
03:13 Winner of Forum thread of the week
03:48 Next weeks winner gets Pamaela Pro + mcePhone Bundle
04:10 New Forums, The Lounge, Video Cards and Tips and Tricks
05:29 Windows Home Server Beta 2 - register for the beta
06:40 Aufero -BitTorrent client use with Windows Vista Media Center
07:28 Where are the Media Center Sidebar gadgets?
09:00 Links to my blog and TheDigitallifestyle.com
09:40 A message from Onevoice
10:07 Welcome to Rathe Hollingum
10:30 What is Microsoft’s European Development Center
13:00 Tuning changes in Vista
14:40 Telex improvement
15:21 Digital Text is coming to Media Center!
17:40 Subtitles in DVB
18:12 European Standards
20:10 DVB-S cards in Media Center
22:06 Guide data in the DVB-T signal
29:10 Working with Microsoft Redmond
31:00 TV differences around Europe
33:33 New counties joining Europe
35:00 Cable support
36:00 Australian Support
38:58 Future developments
44:50 Extender support
46:22 Don’t forget the new email , forums and blogs

How to get your Scheduled / Series Recordings from one PC to another

Technorati tags: Windows Media Center, Podcast

First Windows Media Center Tip - How to transfer Series recording from one PC to another

Ian Dixon — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 08:21:43 +0000

To kick of the tips forum I have posted details on how to use mceBackup 2.0 to transfer Media Center TV series recording from one PC to another. This is the method I used when reinstalling my main Media Center PC with Windows Vista a couple of weeks ago.

Technorati tags: Windows Media Center, Windows Vista, Tips

Share you top Windows Media Center tips

Ian Dixon — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 07:42:57 +0000

As there are going to be lots people using Media Center for the first time when they get Windows Vista I thought it would be a good idea to share our top tips with the new users.

It could be anything, from how to share recorded TV to picture settings. Anything that you find useful others will find it useful too.
So get posting and the tip of the week will win some free software

Post the tips on the Tips Forum over my my TheDigitalLifestyle.com site

Technorati tags: Windows Media Center, Windows Vista, Tips

The Media Center Show #94 - Mark Pendergrast on Extenders

Ian Dixon — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 16:57:30 +0000

The Media Center Show #94 (MP3 - 21.7mb- 1hour 03mins 19secs)
by Ian Dixon

This week on the show I talk Media Center Extenders with Mark Pendergrast from Microsoft, we talk about the progress from the V1 extenders and what is coming in the future. Mark also has some great tips on getting the most out of your Xbox 360 Extender.

Checkout The Media Center Show Extra and see my CES videos Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4
The Media Center Show with Orb Networks

Send your email to ian @ thedigitallifestyle.com
Don’t forget your to check out Media Center Show Gear

Checkout the new Media Center Show Community site

Show Times:
00:30 Coming up this week
01:02 Email on Codecs
02:37 New Email address
03:09 When will we see v2 Extenders and noise levels of the Xbox 360
04:36 My new book on the Vista version Windows Media Center (pre-order now!)
06:00 Onevoice Communicator controls Media Center Extender sessions
06:47 Windows Home Server Forums
07:49 Upgrading a laptop from XP to Vista
10:03 The forums
10:25 A Message from Onevoice
11:28 Welcome to Mark
12:56 Mark’s roll at Microsoft
16:50 Features and how they get implemented
19:00 Cablecard
22:20 What was the success of V1 Extenders
26:31 Getting the Extender in to the Xbox 360 project
30:08 Challenges in developing the Extender
35:00 Why can’t we have Divx on Extenders?
38:00 Transcode 360
40:10 What is new in Vista for Extenders?
49:01 V2 Extenders
51:10 Media Center Extender Tips and Tricks
58:46 Thanks to Mark

The Media Center Show Extra # 9 CES Part 4

The Media Center Show Extra #9 CES Part 4

Ian Dixon — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 08:59:02 +0000

Over on The Media Center Show Extra site I have posted Show #9.

This is the final Extra show from CES 2007, and on this show I talked to Jonathan Sass from Simplifi Digital. We look at their Media Center Expander card that enables you to have AV devices going directly in to Media Center and one of there USB audio amplifiers.

Please subscribe to the RSS feed and if you have any suggestions for future shows got to the forums and have your say

Details on my new Vista Media Center Book

Ian Dixon — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 20:08:55 +0000

For a while now I have been working on a Vista Media Center book with Tony Campbell co-author of Using Windows XP Media Center 2005. The writing process is going well and I am really enjoying doing it, its amazing the hidden features you learn!

You can now pre-order the book on Amazon, it’s a fantastic feeling to see you name on Amazon.

Checkout the link

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Using-Microsoft-Center-Babani-Computer/dp/0859345823/sr=1-71/qid=1170617545/ref=sr_1_71/202-0069664-0789410?ie=UTF8&s=books

I am not sure when I will start the world book tour ;)

The Windows Home Server Forums open

Ian Dixon — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 10:00:12 +0000

I am really excited about Windows Home Server, I think its going to be a great product for people like me with multiple PCs in the home. I am going to be talking about it on The Media Center Show in the future and have opened a new set of forums to discuss Home Server.

There is a forum for general discussion and a forum for developers to discuss developing for Windows Home Server.

To start things off I have posted a set of useful links about Windows Home Server and if you have any suggestions for additional links please use this thread. I have also created a thread for posting questions to ask on the show about Home Server.

There is also a Poll on whether you will be buying or building a Home Server

So please take a look and get posting, I will be adding more content as more details come out.

The Media Center Show #93 - The Awards Show

Ian Dixon — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 09:16:04 +0000

The Media Center Show #92 (MP3 - 24.5mb- 1hour 11mins 21secs)
by Ian Dixon

Welcome to The Media Center Show Awards. Joining me to talk about the results is Windows expert Ed Bott, we also catch up with a few of the winners.
There is a major new competition coming to the show the My Movies Contribution Competition 2007. This is a great competition that My Movies is running where you get rewarded for your contribution to the My Movies database, it has some great prizes and I will be drawing winners on future shows, so check that out in the show.

Thanks to everybody that voted I couldn’t do the award show without you!

Checkout The Media Center Show Extra, and see my CES videos Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3

The Media Center Show with Orb Networks

Send your questions and feedback to isdixon at gmail dot com
Don’t forget your to check out Media Center Show Gear

Checkout the new Media Center Show Community site

Show Times:
00:39 Coming this week
01:00 Windows Vista is here, find out how I got on upgrading
01:30 My Movies Contribution Competition 2007
05:07 Welcome to Ed Bott
05:50 Windows Vista
10:17 Best Commercial Application 3rd - mceTunes, - 2nd Orb, 1st - mControl
11:27 Ted Singh from Embedded Automation talks about mControl
16:57 Best Communication Tool - 3rd Onevoice ,2nd Skype, 1st Windows Messenger
19:50 Extender Usage
22:30 Best Community Resource - 3rd mce-community.de, 2nd xpMediacenter.com.au, 1st The Green Button
23:34 Best Enthusiast Media Center Blog - 3rd Big Screen Blog, 2nd Ed Bott’s Media Center Blog, 1st Chris Lanier
28:32 A Message from Onevoice
29:11 TV Card stats
31:24 CableCard
36:32 Best non commercial application 3rd - mceWeather, 2nd Webguide 4.0, 1st - MyMovies
39:06 Brian Binnerup talks about MyMovies
48:41 Should developers have access to the look and feel of Media Center?
51:49 Best Online Spotlight Application - mceWeather
55:21 Best Hardware Manufacturer 3rd Cannon, 2nd Niveus, 1st Shuttle
58:50 Best Media Center Utility - 3rd MyRemoteMouse, 2nd DVD-WMV, 1st DVR-MS Toolbox
1:00:00 Best Microsoft Blog, 3rd Matt Goyer (ex Microsoft), 2nd - Charlie Owen, 1st - Aaron Stebner
1:05:00 Best Vista Media Center Application - Big Screen Headlines
1:06:00 Stats on Vista upgrades
1:09:00 Onevoice winner
1:10:00 Go to The Media Center Show community site

Win Pamela Pro and mcePhone with The Media Center Show Community Forums

Ian Dixon — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 16:03:11 +0000

I have a new give away on The Media Center Show community forums. Each week I will be giving away a copy of Pamaela Pro + mcePhone Bundle worth €29,95

I will be awarding the software to the post of the week. It could be for helping someone out or posting info of a your TV card config. So get posting!

Pamela for Skype adds some nice features to Skype: Call Recording,Video Recording,Answering Machine, Skype Podcasting (see for HERE more details)

mcePhone for Skype allows you to seamlessly integrate Skype and Pamela in Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005.
Once mcePhone is installed, you will be able to navigate and use Skype and Pamela seamlessly within the Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 environment.

The Media Center Show Extra #8 - CES Part 3

Ian Dixon — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 12:57:44 +0000

This week on the Extra show I continue my CES coverage. First is a look at the Gyration Remote Control that was on show at CES which is a great motion controlled remote control, it was the first chance I had to play with one and I must say I am impressed.
Then Ted Singh from Embedded Automation showed me around his booth at the show, including a demo of the Vista version of mControl, the home automation software for Windows Media Center.
I have one more CES show planned. If you have an suggestions for items I should feature on the show please head over to the community forum and let me know.

Watch on Youtube
Watch on MSN Soapbox
Watch via WMV in HD

The Extra show has its own RSS feed and site now, so don’t forget to subscribe

The Media Center Show #92 - CES Part 3

Ian Dixon — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 12:42:31 +0000

The Media Center Show #92 (MP3 - 11.5mb- 33mins 27secs)
by Ian Dixon

The Media Center Show Extra #7

This is my final set of interviews from CES. This week on the show I interview Steven Cheung from Vidabox talking HD-DVD. Christoph Buenger author of mceWeather explains what he was doing at CES, Ted Singh from Embedded Automation talks home automation and about the winner of their Digital Home contest and finally Jonathan Sass from Simplifi Digital talks about their digital audio solutions.

Checkout The Media Center Show Extra, and see my CES videos Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3

The Media Center Show with Orb Networks

Send your questions and feedback to isdixon at gmail dot com
Don’t forget your to check out Media Center Show Gear

Checkout the new Media Center Show Community site

Show Times:
00:36 Coming up this week
01:21 Email - How to fix up your tags - Album Art fixer
02:44 Email - GPRocks.Net
04:02 List of TV Cards that work well or not so well with XP and Vista
05:20 The Media Center Show Extra CES Part 1, 2, and 3 , leave suggestion here
05:45 Vidabox Cablecard
06:07 A Message from Onevoice
07:02 A Chat with Steven Cheung from Vidabox
10:00 HD-DVD and upscaling
10:50 Christoph Buenger author of mceWeather
14:29 Ted Singh from Embedded Automation
15:00 mCentral
18:00 Vista version of mControl
21:40 Jonathan Sass from Simplifi Digital
22:20 AV Expander card
24:00 Media Center amplifier
25:57 Ted Singh returns to talk about the Digital Home contest
29:11 Visit the community site http://iandixon.co.uk/cs
29:28 Music by Ian Dixon

List of TV Cards building up

Ian Dixon — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 12:07:58 +0000

As I mentioned on the blog last week I am trying to build a list of TV cards that work or don’t work well with Media Center. I have done this by creating a forum on the Media Center Show community site and I am asking readers / listeners to post your experiences with TV cards. Rather than going off manufactures specs I want real world experiences so if you haven’t posted details of your TV card please head over to the forums and post your comments.

TV Card Forum

The Media Center Shoe Extra #7 CES Part 2

Ian Dixon — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 11:19:14 +0000

This Extra show looks at Vidabox’s HD-DVD Media Center Server with Steven Cheung, its the first time I have seen HD-DVD close us and I was impressed. Then in the 2nd part of the show I look at the new Vista version of TVTonic with Michael Sprague, it really makes good use of the new development platform of Vista Media Center. More from CES soon

Note the new RSS feed for The Media Center Show Extra

Links from the show

The Media Center Show #91 CES Part 2 (Home Server and TVTonic)

Ian Dixon — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 09:33:02 +0000

The Media Center Show #91(MP3 - 10.2mb- 20mins 52secs)
by Ian Dixon

As you may have seen Microsoft are launching a new product called Windows Home Server and while at CES I got chance to interview Todd Headrick Product Planner from the Windows Home Server team. We chat about what Windows Home Server and what it can do for you, its especially interesting for anybody with more than one PC at home. I also interviewed Michael Sprague from TVTonic talking about the new Vista version of TVTonic.
Oh an I need your help with the a community list of hardware that works well with Media Center, starting with TV cards

Checkout The Media Center Show Extra, and see my CES videos Part 1 and Part 2 (coming soon)

The Media Center Show with Orb Networks

Send your questions and feedback to isdixon at gmail dot com
Don’t forget your to check out Media Center Show Gear

Checkout the new Media Center Show Community site

Checkout the newShow Times:

00:40 Coming up this week
01:40 See CES in the Media Center Show Extra , HP Touchsmart, HD-DVD, Sideshow
02:50 Community list of TV card hardware, I need your help
04:58 Big Screen Headlines update
05:20 New build of mceBackup 2.0
05:56 A message from Onevoice
06:46 Todd Headrick on Windows Home Server
07:51 What is Windows Home Server
10:00 Hardware designs
10:56 Free domain names
12:42 What you need at home
14:28 Backup and Restores
16:05 Pooled storage and folder duplication
17:45 Windows Media Connect
20:00 What is it based on?
22:10 Developer story
23:00 Time Frame
23:20 Michael Sprague from TVTonic
24:00 Streaming v downloading
24:51 Expected Content
25:10 Adding new feeds and the guide
25:38 Availability
25:57 Visit the community site http://iandixon.co.uk/cs

http://iandixon.co.uk/cs/forums/26/ShowForum.aspx

Lets build up a list of devices that play well with Media Center

Ian Dixon — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 13:10:55 +0000

As you may have seen on my post “What TV Card should I get” I have been searching for a new TV card as my current config is not support on Vista, and the number of email I get asking “What card should I get” has prompted me in to creating a directory of hardware for Media Center.

First setup I have done is a section for TV cards. I want people to post there experiences good or bad in the TV Card Forums.

I would like you to post what model of TV card you have and whether it works well for you or not. Also what the install experience was like and if you know of any Vista compatibility issues.

That way when someone is searching for a new TV card they can go through the forum and look at real world experiences of the cards, which is going to be so helpful given a lot of people will be in my situation and looking for a Vista supported card.

I have posted my thoughts on the Blackgold DVB-T card I use please post your experience, and tell others. Let build up a useful resource!

The Media Center Show Extra #6 CES Part 1

Ian Dixon — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 16:51:26 +0000

Over on The Media Center Show Extra blog I have posted the first CES video, please Subscribe to the new RSS feed for the Extra show

The Media Center Show Extra #6 CES Part 1

This is my first video from CES. Tim Cutting from Niveus and I walked around the Microsoft and Intel booths with the video camera. We saw HP’s new touch screen PC “HP TouchSmart” with a Media Center photo application, we looked at HD-DVD on a Niveus Media Center Server and the played with the new Sideshow devices including remote controls and a phone.

Note the new RSS feed for The Media Center Show Extra

Links from the show

The Media Center Show Extra #6 WMV

The Media Center Show #90 CES Part 1

Ian Dixon — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 12:48:48 +0000

The Media Center Show #89(MP3 - 14.3mb- 41mins 39secs)
by Ian Dixon

Well I made it back from CES, and what a week it has been. From seeing all the great Media Center content, to meeting Bill Gates and seeing 107″ 1080p displays
I got plenty of interviews both video and audio. This week on the show are my first thoughts from CES, an interview about the new Sports Lounge in the Vista edition of Media Center and a chat with Tim Cutting from Niveus about their display at CES including their CableCard products.

Have you watched The Media Center Show Extra yet? Its my new video accompaniment to the show, new show about CES coming soon

The Media Center Show with Orb Networks

Send your questions and feedback to isdixon at gmail dot com
Don’t forget your to check out Media Center Show Gear

Checkout the new Media Center Show Community site

Show Times:
00:40 Coming up this week
01:36 Pictures from CES
02:00 What I saw and did at CES (see the updates on my blog)
03:00 Cablecard
04:00 Sideshow
05:00 Phototouch
06:43 Windows Home Server
07:48 Lots of video content, so Media Center Extra Shows cominng out soon
09:00 I met Bill Gates
11:10 Bill Gates CES keynote
12:45 Interview - Sports Lounge
15:10 Interview - Fox Sport Portal
21:28 Interview - Vongo
23:05 A Message from Onevoice
24:13 Interview - Tim Cutting from Niveus on Cablecard
29:53 Pro Exenters
32:47 Next week more interviews including Windows Home Server
33:28 Checkout the new RSS feed for the Media Center Show Extra
34:02 Mike’s Digital Home Blog
34:36 Update on the Media Center Show Awards
35:03 Music by Ian Dixon

Pictures from CES

Ian Dixon — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 15:45:34 +0000

The CES picture gallery is online on the Media Center Show Community site, see Windows Home Server, Cablecard, Sideshow, Bill Gates and lots of Media Center

If you have a Media Center releated CES picture you want hosting, just send it to me.

CES Photo Gallery

Digital Cable Tuners

Ian Dixon — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 21:13:47 +0000

Robert McLaws over on windows-now has posted info on the renaming of the OCUR cable card boxes to Digital Cable Tuners

He got sent a review unit and has a great set of pictures of the new units

I will be getting some interviews on this while at CES, listen to my interview with Tim Cutting from Niveus Media for more details

I Just Met Bill Gates

Ian Dixon — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 19:09:01 +0000

Just met Bill Gates! Yes it true, as part of the Vista labs I am on at CES with Microsoft we whent on a trip to the Microsoft partner paviloin showing partner invovation. While we were there Bill Gates turned up and got to chat with him for a while. There was a wide range of questions from Operating systems to 64bit and Bill was total on the ball with all the off the cuff questions.

It was a great experince and something I have always wanted to do

The Media Center Show #89 - Catch Up

Ian Dixon — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 13:01:07 +0000

The Media Center Show #89(MP3 - 4.83.0mb- 14mins 07secs)
by Ian Dixon

The Media Center Show Extra

This is a short catch up show before I leave for CES in Las Vegas, I round up some of the news items from the Christmas break and talk about the new Media Center Show Communitiy site. There is no interview this week so its nice and short.

Have you watched The Media Center Show Extra yet? Its my new video accompaniment to the show, new show coming soon

The Media Center Show with Orb Networks

Send your questions and feedback to isdixon at gmail dot com
Don’t forget your to check out Media Center Show Gear

Checkout the new Media Center Show Community site

Show Times:
00:34 Coming up this week
01:09 New Media Center Remotes
02:00 Update on mceBackup 2.0 now with ATSC support
02:40 Media Center Show Extra #5, new RSS feed
03:30 The Media Center Show Community
04:30 Do you want your own Media Center Blog
04:38 Mike’s Digital Home Blog
05:34 Software give away
06:00 Microsoft review modal laptop
07:53 Photo’s of the laptop
08:40 See you at CES, back next week
09:01 Music by Ian Dixon

Welcome to the new Media Center Show Community

Ian Dixon — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 16:11:03 +0000

I have updated my forums to the latest version of the Community Server and decided to put some effort in improving the content and the interaction with the community.

So first off is a new RSS feed and blog for The Media Center Show Extra, I will be updating this with new content soon.
The forums have been updated with polls, rss and email support and there is a new download section, starting with mceBackup 2.0

I will be adding more content too and I am looking for anyone interesting in starting there own Media Center Blog, (email me at isdixon at gmail dot com if your interested)

Also checkout the new Technical Support section for the community to help with Media Center related technical problems.

Please head over to the forums, I need the community to support the forums to help them grow and be of benefit to all Media Center users, and by way of encouragement if you register and post I will be giving away a copy of mNewsCenter for the post of the week for the next 4 weeks

Any suggestions or comments, post them on the Community forum

New RSS Feeds:

Community Blog

Community forum

Tech Support

General Media Center

The Media Center Show Extra #5 Music,mceBackup and RSS

Ian Dixon — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 07:06:01 +0000

Welcome to Show #5.

On this on the all Vista show I will be taking a look at mceBackup 2.0 my backup tool for Media Center, Big Screen Headlines a RSS reader for Vista Media Center and a look at Music in Vista Media Center.

The extra shows are great fun to do and I appreciate your feedback and suggestions.

Media Center Show Extra #5 in Normal (28mb) HD (167mb)
Media Center Show Extra #5 on MSN Soapbox
Media Center Show Extra #5 part 1 and part 2 on Youtube

This week show

Have A Great Christmas and New Year

Ian Dixon — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 11:52:31 +0000

Just wanted to say to all readers of this blog and listeners of the Media Center Center Show have a great Christmas. I have really enjoyed doing the show over the last year and hope to continue and make the show better in 2007. As ever I do appreciate your suggestions and comments so please keep them coming in

There will be no show next week but there will be a new Media Center Show Extra out next Thursday, see you in 2007!

The Media Center Show #88 - Mike Newell (Microsoft)

Ian Dixon — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 09:06:01 +0000

The Media Center Show #87(MP3 - 23.0mb- 67mins 07secs)
by Ian Dixon

This week on the final show of 2006, Mark Newell a Program Manager from the eHome team at Microsoft joins me to talk about the history of Media Center, the new look and feel of Vista Media Center and what happens when you submit an error report in Windows.

The Vote page is up for The Media Center Show Awards, so get voting now and enter the prize draw

Have you watched The Media Center Show Extra yet? Its my new video accompaniment to the show, new show coming soon

The Media Center Show with Orb Networks

Send your questions and feedback to isdixon at gmail dot com
Don’t forget your to check out Media Center Show Gear

The forums are at Iandixon.co.uk/forums

Show Times:

00:34 Coming up this week
01:30 mceBackup 2.0
02:34 Please leave feedback for mceBackup 2.0 here
04:17 Still time to vote in the Media Center Show Awards
04:29 A new Media Center Extra show out soon
04:51 A message from Onevoice
05:45 Welcome to Mark
06:00 Mark’s background
06:32 The Vision of the Media Center
09:09 In the early days
11:40 Features v ease of use
15:20 How the UI has changed
17:50 The new left to right UI of Vista Media Center
25:30 The new Start Menu in Media Center
28:34 My Music in Vista Media Center
33:00 Albums v Singles
35:09 Viewing music by year
38:33 Most used functions in Media Center
44:00 Tags on Photos
50:00 Mark’s favorite feature of Vista
52:18 What happens when you Send an error report
59:09 What is coming now Vista is complete
01:02 Get your questions in to the show
1:03:00 See you in the New Year
Music by Ian Dixon

The Media Center Show #87 - Tim Cutting

Ian Dixon — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 12:01:54 +0000

The Media Center Show #87(MP3 - 23.0mb- 67mins 07secs)
by Ian Dixon

This week on the show Tim Cutting CEO and founder of Niveus Media joins me on the show to talk about Niveus’s latests products including their Cablecard,HD-DVD and rack products. It great to get Tim back on the show they have some great products and Tim has some good information on Cablecard and HD-DVD

The Vote page is up for The Media Center Show Awards, so get voting now and enter the prize draw

Have you watched The Media Center Show Extra yet? Its my new video accompaniment to the show.

The Media Center Show with Orb Networks

Send your questions and feedback to isdixon at gmail dot com
Don’t forget your to check out Media Center Show Gear

The forums are at Iandixon.co.uk/forums

Show Times:
00:41 Coming up this week
01:16 Vista XBOX 360 Extender screen saver problems, see HERE
02:09 Media Center Extender’s and PC spec
03:59 Question on Sky from the forums
05:10 Charlie Owen on Why Our Look & Feel Isn’t Available To Applications 06:30 Big Screen TV- The weekly Nial spot!
07:50 My Movies update
08:15 Vote in the Media Center Show awards
08:40 New Media Center Show Extra out soon
08:45 New Version of mceBackup out soon
10:00 A message from Onevoice
10:50 Welcome back to Tim
11:15 Recap on Niveus
12:40 Media Server not a PC
16:58 Certification
18:00 Connections and back panel
21:55 what is new?
23:00 Rack version
26:00 DVD server
30:25 Managed Copy on HD-DVD
31:40 Info on HD-DVD
36:00 State of the next gen DVD war
38:00 Cablecard
41:00 Cablelab Certification process
44:00 How it works
48:00 No more irblasters!
52:00 Niveus Cablecard Readiness
54:30 Vista
56:30 Companion Software
1:00:00 Thanks to Tim
1:01:00 Words and Music by Ian Dixon

The Media Center Show #86 - Brian Frost

Ian Dixon — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 08:47:27 +0000

The Media Center Show #86(MP3 - 17.1mb- 50mins 00secs)
by Ian Dixon