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Ian's digital lifestyle and Windows Media Center Blog
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I have been looking forward to seeing a Media Center Sideshow gadget that will run on my Windows Mobile device since I first saw Sideshow in the first Vista beta and it looks like finally Microsoft have one in development. Eagle eyed Stuart Thailand spotted download on Microsoft's beta download site and has posted details on how it works, the features and some screen shots. I bet somebody at Microsoft is embarrassed about this leaking out without any PR :) The gadget looks very cool, it looks like you can you can control TV, music and pictures. I think I am going to give this a try as its certainly a cheaper option that getting a Ricavision Sideshow remote if you already have a Windows Mobile device. You can download a beta here (this link does not seem to be available for everyone and requires a Connect account and I wouldn't be surprised to see it pulled) and read more about it on Stuart's blog UPDATE: the Microsoft developer behind the project has a blog
Features: TV - Browse TV and schedule recordings. Browse the TV program guide, view metadata on upcoming or current shows, and pick shows to watch and record (single showing or series), without interrupting the TV viewing experience.
- Recorded TV. Select a previously recorded program to play back, without interrupting the viewing experience on the TV.
Music - Play Music. Browse the media library, control music playback on the PC by using the remote control device instead of the primary display, such as a TV.
- Play radio presets. Browse your radio presets and playback that station through your Media Center.
Pictures + Videos - Browse the picture and video libraries. Make a selection on the remote and that picture or video will be displayed on the TV.
Now Playing - Provide "now playing" information. The remote control device shows information about the currently playing medium, such as the track title or the time elapsed.
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On WeGotServed.co.uk they have details of a new plug in designed for Windows Home Server and Windows Media Center. The application called TV Manager is an addin or Windows Home Server that copies recordings from Media Center to Windows Home Server for storage and management . According to the post the application comes in two parts, one on the home server and one on Vista Media Center. So far I have only used my WHS for shared files, backup and remote access and have not got Recorded TV stored on the server. Download Beta 1 Details from WeGotServed.co.uk: Features: - Moves the recordings to your WHS for storage, management, and later viewing.
- Allows you to watch the recordings in Media Center as if they were on that PC’s library.
- You can delete recordings via Media Center or the Console.
- You can even watch the recordings in other media programs (that support dvr-ms format) via ‘C:\Users\Public\Windows Home Server\’
- It is and always will be Freeware.
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Steven Harding has made available for download his Media Center development book, while the book is not complete (call it a beta) if you interested in Media Center development its well worth a look. There is over 150 pages of detailed Vista Media Center developer information available for free or if you would like a printable version donate via paypal and Steven will send you a watermark free printable copy. OK - I've put an incomplete version of the book online at the Push-A-Button website - http://push-a-button.com/products/books/index.php You are welcome to download it and have a read. If you like it or find it valuable, PLEASE consider donating, since it takes quite a bit of time to write up a document like this. It's 150 pages long and goes into much more detail than the blog here. It covers most of the same topics, but in a slightly different way. I've only started on the "Building a Real Life Application" section.
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If you didn't get chance to catch the webinar I participated in a replay has been posted online. The session was introducing HP's new MediaSmart Connect a Media Center Extender and digital media adapter and was hosted Brian Burch, Director Marketing at HP and also included Microsoft's Ben Reed . There were some great questions submitted during the session and Brian does a good job in explaining the features of the Connect. Don't forget there are two more sessions next week (sign up here) and you can watch the replay here Replay Link
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If you a Facebook user and want to get all that social content on to
the TV then Martin Thornalley may have the answer for you. He is
developing a new application for Vista Media Center called Photato that
brings Facebook to the 10 foot interface. The project is in the early
stages at the moment and a beta should be starting later in July. From
looking at the screen shots the application has got very nice and
unique design, it's interesting to see that Martin has gone his own way
on the UI and not follow other developers that are keeping their apps
looking like the rest of Media Center and I think in this case Martin
is on the right track. More details from Martin when his website launches (the site is not up yet)   
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Tonight at 8:30PM UK / 12:30PM PST I will hosting a live Q&A and chat session. Joining me will be Microsoft Steve Lindsay and Automated Home’s Mark McCall. I want to talk about extenders and how they can be used in the home. You can watch the session on Yahoo Live and feel free to send in your questions as a comment on this post or via Twitter
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The 3rd and final part of the Media Center University Video has been posted on Microsoft CE installer blog. This video covers Extender setup, network tuning and Windows Home Server. Topics covered include: - Setting Up a Media Center Extender
- The 3 Server Solution
- Display Connected or Headless
- MCX Design Best Practices
- HTPC Design Best Practices
- Simplifying the Experience
 Format: wmv
Duration: --:--
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My main Media Center PC developed a power supply problem a few weeks ago and I have been on a lower spec backup PC and while it’s working it’s underpowered for driving 5 Extenders so I am on the market for a new Media Center PC. Over the last couple of years or so the role of the my system has changed from being a family PC to a Media Center server so my requirements have changed. The new PC will not be used for games or office stuff it will be a Media Center server recording TV and serving it back out to Media Center Extenders. It will also be where my pictures and music are stored and synced with my Zune. So my news system will need plenty of disk space, with a minimum 3GB of RAM to get the best performance out of Windows Vista and as it’s going to be at the back of my living room needs to be quiet. A few years ago I would have just got a nice looking case and built it myself but this time I am going to look at an off the shelf unit. I don’t need a HTPC case as its going to go in a cupboard (when I find the right one) so do you have any recommendations?
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I haven’t done a live show for a while so next Tuesday 8:30pm UK / 12:30pm PST I am going to hook up the webcam and do a live Q & A session. I am open for questions on any digital lifestyle or Media Center topic but I especially want to take the opportunity to talk about HP’s MediaSmart Connect as it will be connected up and we can try anything out on the device, lets see if we can break it (just don’t tell HP) lets see if we dive in to the feature set :)
I want to take your calls so you can call in via Skype or a landline (I will give the number out on Tuesday), or I can call you if you send me your number.
I will be using Yahoo Live to stream the session and if you have any question you want to send over before hand drop me an email (Ian at the digitallifestyle.com) or via Twitter 
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Over the last year Windows Vista has come in for a tremendous amount of criticism, some of justified but most of it not and lots made by people that had never used the OS but I get the feeling that the perception is slowly starting to swing back Microsoft’s way. It seems to be fashionable to bash Vista and lots of tech sites picked up on the trend but I sense this is changing, as more and more sites post that Vista isn’t that bad and as more people are using new machines with Vista pre-installed they are getting a better experience . Hopefully the myth of Vista problems will replaced with reality which is Vista is better than XP but like any OS still has issues and could be improved on. Gizmodo have published 10 reasons why Vista isn’t that bad and it’s nice to see Media Center as a DVR at number 4 4. Vista Media Center is a fantastic DVR. Microsoft integrates their fantastic Windows Media Center Edition into Home Premium and Ultimate, and it's pretty much the best DVR you can get outside of getting a TiVo. Combine it with various Media Center Extenders, of which there are lots (such as the Xbox 360), you can get HDTV streamed to anywhere in your house from one computer in your office. Our only complaint is still that Cable Labs doesn't allow you to stick a CableCARD tuner onto just any appropriately spec'd Vista PC—you actually have to buy a machine pre-made for CableCARD.
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When MSNBC called Windows Media Center PCs a miss earlier this week I wrote my reply but I thought I would save the post for my first post on TechRadar.com's Digital Home Blog. My thoughts were this: Windows Media Center is a service and not a product. The Media Center software should be server based powering Extenders (hardware and software) and not a desktop PC connected to a TV as the MSNBC article describes Windows Media Center. Here is a quote from my post: A PC connected directly to a TV will always be a niche product but I also think that Windows Media Center has a big part to in the digital home by being a service and not a product. I see it as a Digital Media Server, where you have a TV card installed (either CableCARD, DVB-T, Sky etc) and then Extenders around the home, which could be devices like the Xbox 360 and the new generation of Extenders or smaller devices like ROKU Sound Bridge. It could also perform the role of home automation server, security system and many other services. Obviously there is huge crossover of functionality with Windows Home Server and an ideal future product could combine the best of both products. So while I see the product described in the MSNBC article as a miss Windows Media Center should have a great future powering the home, read my post and let me know what you think. EDIT I want to say the title was Techradar.com's editors idea, my title was Media Center is a service not a product
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An interesting development from Google, they have launched Google Media Server a UPnP gadget for Google desktop. It will use Google Desktop Search to locate media files and server them to UPnP clients like the Xbox 360 and HP's MediaSmart connect. I guess it would be useful if you have your media files scattered all over your hard disk but I am happy with the sharing in Windows Media Player and I don't to install Google Desktop. 
via Jeremy Jones
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Tonight I will be the guest along with Brian Burch, Director of Marketing for HP's Connected Entertainment group on HP’s Webinar talking about the new MediaSmart Connect. This is the new Media Center Extender for HP. The session is very interactive so it would be great to get your questions, you can ask anything from supported media formats to the type of connections so sign up for the session (which is at 1pm PST / 9pm UK) and get involved.
Sign up here EDIT 1pm PST!!
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The BBC have launched a beta of the iPlayer 2.0 which they say has a more “cinematic” experience, great for slacking off work and watching TV but there is still no official Media Center version. If I miss a BBC show I want to watch it on my LCD TV along with the rest of my TV and not on my laptop, so there should be a Windows Media Center version of it (seeing as there is a version for the Wii and iPhone). I should be able to browse BBC shows and stream then via my Xbox 360 and Windows Media Center. At the moment I use the download tool to download the BBC shows to the video folder on my Media Center PC and then I can watch it via Media Center which works fine but it means I have to go to my PC and select the show via the browser and I am trying not to touch my PC as its becomes a server. There is a plug in created by Martin Millmore which is great but there should be an official version. Read more about the 2.0 beta on TechRadar and try iPlayer MCE
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Fun story of the week, apparently Fiji (the country) are upset with Microsoft over the use of the Fiji name. According to the post on Australia’s ABC radio news “Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum told Fijilive his country wants an amicable resolution about the use of the name for Microsoft's commercial gain.” and then goes on to say: “Microsoft has revealed the next version of its Windows Media Center will be known as Windows Fiji.
It's not clear how Microsoft came up with the name” I am not sure how Microsoft can make a “commercial gain” from using fiji, someone needs to tell them is just code word and not the name of a product. They should know that Microsoft wouldn’t use a cool sounding product name and prefer long titles e.g. Microsoft Windows Internet Explorer 7.0 for Windows Vista
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Sony have released two new TP1 models. The TP1 is the circle shaped PC that would make a nice Media Center machine, according to EngadgetHD there are two models out one of which is in white with a 2.1GHZ Core 2 Duo, 2GB RAM, GeForce 8400M GT graphics card and a 320GB drive. The other model is in black and adds a 500GB and Blu-ray. Both are out in a couple of weeks in Japan 
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I loved HP’s TouchSmart that was shown off a the HP event in Berlin ( see this video) and according to engadget HP are shipping the unit now via the US store but nothing on the UK store yet. 
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Microsoft have put out a couple of updates for Windows Media Center, the first (via Dennis Morgan) is for the Extender functions on the Xbox 360. Issues that are resolved by this update: This update addresses the following issues. These issues occur when you use Media Center on an Xbox 360 console. •This update addresses a picture quality issue that occurs when you use Media Center Extender on an Xbox 360 console that has a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connector to the TV for video and a Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format (S/PDIF) connection to the audio device for audio. •This update addresses an issue in which the Media Center Extender stops responding (hangs) when you play a large non-WMV video over an HTTP session. •This update provides support for 50Hz output together with better quality for HD models. This feature applies primarily to regions that use the PAL video standard. I tested this update and unfortunately if your using the VGA cable on the Xbox 360 you still only get 60hz out of it Update 950125 for Windows Vista, 32-bit versions  Download the update 950125 package now. Update 950125 for Windows Vista, 64-bit versions Download the update 950125 package now. The other update (via Chris Lanier) is an update for “newer TV set-top boxes” pdate 950124 for Windows Vista, 32-bit versions Download the update 950124 package now. Update 950124 for Windows Vista, 64-bit versions Download the update 950124 package now.
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I have been looking for a blogging tool for Windows Mobile for while somthing like Windows Live Writer for Windows Mobile and it looks like I have found one called Diaris 2.1. It supports Community Server,Live Spaces, Das Blog and other MetaWeblog providers. Its simple to use and a handy way to quickly post from Windows Mobile. It supports images and links. More details on Kevin's blog This was written offline and posted from my HP Windows Mobile device
download link
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You may remember the beta of MceFM I talked about back in March, MceFRM is a Last.FM addon for Vista Media Center with features like using the  More option from Media Center to select MceFM and then listen to more artist like the one you selected. Damian Mehers let me know that version 1.0 has been officially launched and I am going to be giving away a full licences of MceFM later this week, but only via Twitter :) Checkout the video on the front page of the site for more details on how it works
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I have been a TVTonic user since the I first got Media Center and it’s great to see that they are partnering with NBC to bring the Olympics to Windows Media Center. The nice thing about TVTonic is that it downloads and caches the content on the local machine so you get a good quality video without the need for massive bandwidth (you do need to download TVTonic first) 
Via Chris Lanier
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HP are launching a new Media Center Extender products called the MediaSmart Connect. It is not just a Media Center Extender it is also a digital media adapter that can stream content from both Vista and XP. One thing I like is from the Connect UI content from multiple devices are pooled together so if you go in to videos you can see videos from your Media Center PC, Home Server and other devices such as laptops. In this video I unbox the pre-production unit, I take a look at setup, Windows Media Center performance and the Connects own user interface which is very slick.
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Don’t forget to register for HP’s Webinar on the new HP MediaSmart connect. The first one is with Ed Bott today at 10am PST and I will be the guest on Thursday 1pm PST (9pm UK) with Mike Garcen and Patrick Norton guest on future Webinars. Here are the official details: This summer, join HP and Microsoft for a series of webinars on HP's sleek, new connected entertainment device: the HP MediaSmart Connect, featuring Extender for Windows Media Center. In this live online event you’ll get to meet the experts and learn why the HP MediaSmart Connect is the ’must have’ device that: -
Displays a single list of all the digital media gathered from all the hard drives on your home network -
Offers a rich Extender for Windows Media Center experience -
Supports Windows XP or Windows Vista-based notebooks and desktops, network storage devices, home servers, USB drives, and HP’s Pocket Media Drives -
Gives you access to great entertainment from Web sites like CinemaNow, Snapfish and Live365 Brian Burch, Director of Marketing for HP's Connected Entertainment group, will lead an interactive demonstration of HP's latest advanced digital media receiver, and discuss other products on the market today. Brian will be joined by these industry experts who will share their impressions of the HP MediaSmart Connect and their thoughts on how this device will transform your living room experience: Representatives from Microsoft will also be on hand to answer your questions about Windows Media Center and Extender technology. REGISTER NOW for one of the upcoming events and take the first step towards taking back control of your digital life! Click on the webinar date to go to the registration page for that session. Tuesday, June 24th
10:00 am PST - Ed Bott - ZDNet 
Thursday, June 26th
1:00 pm PST - Ian Dixon – The Digital Lifestyle Tuesday, July 8th
10:00 am PST -Patrick Norton - Tekzilla
Thursday, July 10th
1:00 pm PST -Mike Garcen – Missing Remote
More details: http://www.microsoft.com/hpmediasmartconnect
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On Microsoft's consumer electronics blog they have posted part two of the Media Center university video. This is a presentation given by Mike Seamons at EHX Spring 2008 and the video shows optimizing Windows Media Center, connecting with a Zune and removing unnecessary software
Download: iPod | MP3 | WMA | WMV | WMV (high) | Zune
More details on the blog post where you can also download the white paper  Format: wmv
Duration: --:--
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6 Cable Cards on one system! How much TV do you need? I guess the rule is you can never have to many tuners and with 6 cableCARD tuners you will need plenty of disk space (via eHomeUpgrade) Cannon PC, the award winning Media Center specialty company, demonstrated to a select group of people the capability of their Media Centers to manage 6 Digital Card Cards. They have also posted a video on YouTube and on their web site demonstrating this capability. The video shows the actual ATI Digital tuners, the Recorded TV section showing the 6 current recordings, the Performance Monitor showing how little impact the process has on performance and resources and the smooth video playback while all this is taking place
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EngadgetHD takes a look at Extenders available for Windows Media Center, incuding the Xbx 360, D-Link Extender, Linksys and the new HP Extender. I will be testing out HP's Extender on Monday evening Vista Media Center really sets itself apart from any other DVR solution out there, and the single greatest advantage Vista Media Center (VMC) has over the other options -- like the TiVo HD -- is the ability to have multiple Media Center Extenders. There really isn't any better way out there that will allow you to watch premium HD cable in every room of your house while at the same time centralizing all your media in one place. When VMC first hit the streets, there was only one HD extender: the Xbox 360. But the problem, of course, is that the Xbox is noisy and will always be a gaming console first and a Media Center Extender second. Well, things have really heated up in the extender market recently when both Linksys and D-Link released Media Center Extenders and HP upgraded its MediaSmart HDTVs.
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After a few days working away I am back and catching up on news and email. The first item in my in inbox is Automated Home's Top 10 podcast list and I was very pleased to see The Media Center Show make the top 10. What is especially pleasing is company the show is keeping, in the list is some of Leo Laporte's great podcast, Diggnation and Tekzilla. These are shows I listen to regularly and shows like TWIT and Windows Weekly (which infuriates me as well as entertains me some times) have kept me sane while travelling this week. Check out the post for the full top 10 Ian Dixon has been producing his Media Center show for nearly three
years and has a tremendous back catalogue of over 160 shows on all
sorts of topics encompassing the "Digital Lifestyle". Ian's dedication
to the Windows Media Center platform in particular has earned him
recognition from Microsoft in the form of MVP status (Most Valuable
Professional). He also releases video content like his interviews from
the Consumer Electronics show. We recently interviewed Ian Dixon on
our own podcast (Show AH0012).
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Microsoft has bought TV ad company Navic and makes it's self a player in the Cable Ad market. Is this just another attempt to get in to advertising or a sign of a  more cohesive look at advertising and content delivery? With the advertising in place and delivery platforms like Windows Media Center and Xbox Live Microsoft have the potential to offer a comprehensive platform for IPTV. The question is will they be able to make it work? More details
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There is something special about Microsoft Surface and I am not sure I know what it is. At first it looks like just a touch UI but when you play with it (as I did at CES) it has a very different feel from any other PC input device. I am waiting to see how the technology works its way down to consumers but in the mean time checkout the video Rob Bushway from gottabemobile.com has posted. He has some taken some video of Surface showing a couple of very cool application including Live Labs Seadragon running on a Surface. GottaBeMobile - Live Labs Seadragon on Surface
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