Listen Here

This week Pete Stagman Windows Media Center MVP talks about how to stream DVDs to Extenders from a Media Center System. Pete worked on the project with a group of Media Center MVPs and they have put together a guide on how to setup your system for DVD streaming.  For some people this is the Holy Grail of a Media Center setup!

I also have your email and news items. Please keep the email coming show [at] theDigitallifestyle.com

Direct Download Link - Subscribe via iTunes - Subscribe via RSS - Vote for the show on Podcast Alley - Join The Media Center Show Group on Facebook - Catch me on Twitter

Show Times:

00:50 Coming up this week
01:35 Email - What graphics card should I get
03:22 Email - Questions on HP's MediaSmart Connect - see my unboxing video
05:25 How Microsoft can rescue Windows Media Center
07:20 Ten Reasons Why Vista Isn't That Bad – Gizmodo
08:36 Looking for a new Media Center PC
10:00 Media Center University: Optimizing for Entertainment & Networking – Part 3
10:40 Follow my blog, twitter and friendfeed
11:26 Facebook on Windows Media Center
12:19 Watch a replay of the HP Webinar on the MediaSmart Connect
13:19 Welcome to Pete Stagman
13:48 Pete's users group
18:30 Linking WHS and Media Center
19:23 DVD Streaming project
21:57 How to get started and get the downloads
23:50 What Extenders does it work on?
24:05 Getting it working
29:37 Playlists
33:45 Scripts
38:42 WMV format
46:38 Users reactions
52:45 Try the forums and wiki

Music by Ian Dixon

Technorati tags: Windows Media Center, podcasts

Listen Here 

This week I am talking to Jason Leonardelli from Life|Ware talking about the Innoventions Dream Home at Disneyland. The project is a home of the future featuring Windows Media Center, Home Automation, Microsoft Surface and many other technologies. Jason explains the background of the project and some of the tech featured. I also have your email and a round up of news items

Direct Download Link - Subscribe via iTunes - Subscribe via RSS - Vote for the show on Podcast Alley - Join The Media Center Show Group on Facebook - Catch me on Twitter

Thanks to the show sponsor Techradar.com

Show Times:

00:50 Coming up this week
02:20 Email: Tech questions
05:40 Email: Buying a new system
07:50 Twitter Question: Hulo on Media Center?
08:50 Email: Extenders and XP, syncing Recorded TV with Windows Home Server
11:07 Video: Media Center University: Optimizing for Entertainment & Networking – Part 1
11:33 mPanel Preview Videos - Embedded Automation
12:20 June 2008 Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista
12:28 Consumer Electronics Installer Blog : CGMS-A and Windows Media Center
12:30 Windows Live for TV Beta shutting down on 9/24
13:50 Windows Media Center expands features in Japan
14:26 Origami Experience 2.0 Released
15:04 Join me on one of HP’s Webinar on the new HP MediaSmart Connect
16:35 Interview Jason Leonardelli  - New Innoventions Dream Home Presents Tomorrow’s Connected Lifestyle at Disneyland Resort
18:33 The reason for the project
19:44 What is in it?
23:36 Distributed Media
25:31 Planning the project
27:09 What tech is in the home?
29:05 Magic mirrors
29:00 Microsoft Surface
32:00 Thanks to Jason, keep the emails coming!

Music by Ian Dixon

Technorati tags: Windows Media Center, podcasts

Listen Here
This week I am talking to Michael Toscano from Autonomic Home a company developing some interesting solution for Windows Media Center including control software for UMPCs and laptops. They also have a very interesting solution for whole home audio, using a 7.1 sound card to deliver 4 channels of stereo audio around the home.  I also have your email and news items, please keep the email coming!

Direct Download Link - Subscribe via iTunes - Subscribe via RSS - Vote for the show on Podcast Alley - Join The Media Center Show Group on Facebook - Catch me on Twitter

Thanks to the show sponsor Techradar.com

Show Times

00:50 Coming up this week
01:41 Email - ATI and Plasma drivers problem
04:04 Email - Extenders
07:32 Email - HP MediaSmart TV Link
08:58 Tell me how you use Home Automation
09:20 Would you like to see a Media Center Development book?
12:19 How do you take your media with you?
14:27 Follow me on Twitter
25:24 The Forums
15:41 A message from One Voice - download a free trial
16:57 Welcome to Michael Toscano
17:54 Company background
19:38 Windows Media Center Controller
23:34 Mirage for UMPC and Web Tablets
32:47 version 2.0
33:00 iTunes integration
37:37 Whole Home Audio with a PC sound card
42:00 on10 video
50:30 Download a trial
51:32 My Blog, Catch me on Twitter

Music by Ian Dixon

Technorati tags: Windows Media Center, podcasts

Listen Here
Continuing on from last weeks conversation about Extenders, Hakan Olsson from Microsoft returns to the show to talk about HP's entry into the market and the other Extenders available. I also have an interview with the winner of the HP HDX Dragon Entertainment PC, Paul was very please to win the unit so I called him up to find out his plans for it. As ever I have your email and news items.

Direct Download Link - Subscribe via iTunes - Subscribe via RSS - Vote for the show on Podcast Alley - Join The Media Center Show Group on Facebook - Catch me on Twitter

Thanks to the show sponsor Techradar.com

Show Times:

00:50 Coming up this week
01:55 Email - Using IR and home automation , Girder, usbuirt.com
05:15 Email - Using Wake On Lan
07:12 Email - Media Center of dreams
09:05 Email - Webguide on WHS
10:00 Email - Windows Home Server and home automation
14:10 Email - Update on tuner quality (http://exdeus.home.comcast.net/~exdeus/ati-hd2x00/)
15:32 Forum Post - Media Center slowing down copying on Vista
17:00 VidaBox TOUCHCLIENT12
17:21 Hauppauge Releases QAM Plug-in for Vista Media Center
18:05 MyNetflix developer heads to Netflix
18:51 Fixing Windows Vista, Part 4: Get smart about services
19:27 We have a winner!
23:50 A message from One Voice - download a free trial
24:49 Welcome back to Hakkan
27:30 HP join the Extender party
30:00 Consumers
31:56 Updating
33:24 HP MediaSmart DMR
34:50 Linksys Extenders
36:02 Samsung Extender
40:00 My Blog, Catch me on Twitter

Music by Ian Dixon

Technorati tags: Windows Media Center, podcasts

Listen Here
This week I am talking Home Automation with Lagotek, they have an interesting software based approached to home automation and home entertainment. You can even control your home from mobile devices like an iPhone. I have a sneak preview on how to win the HP HDX Dragon Entertainment PC and software bundle worth around $5000 as part of the 31 Days of the Dragon (you can see me unboxing the laptop)
Plus I have news items and Email.

Direct Download Link - Subscribe via iTunes - Subscribe via RSS - Vote for the show on Podcast Alley - Join The Media Center Show Group on Facebook - Catch me on Twitter

Thanks to the show sponsor Techradar.com

Show Times:

00:50 Coming up this week
01:52 Email - controlling devices with IR Blaster
03:27 Email - Sideshow devices
04:49 Email - LCD touch screens
07:30 Get a free trial of Big Screen Headlines
07:51 New addin: mcShoutCast
08:13 My Movies to open up back-end systems
09:10 What Power Settings do you use on your Media Center system
10:00 Zune gets an update
11:54 First Impressions of the HP Dragon & Video: Unboxing a HP HDX Dragon Entertainment PC
15:30 Catch me on Twitter
15:45 A message from One Voice - download a free trial
16:49 Welcome to Lagotek
17:14 Company details
18:22 Home Automation control
20:20 Touch screens
22:00 Mobile Phone integration
25:04 Home Automation
28:04 Distributed software
30:00 Simplicity
32:00 Connecting the devices together
35:30 Platforms
39:52 Media Center UI
41:00 Modes for your home
44:05 Audio distribution
49:29 Availability
50:00 Adding to existing installations
51:16 Find out more information
56:05 See you next week

Music by Ian Dixon

Technorati tags: Windows Media Center, podcasts

On my blog I have just posted details on how to win a fantastic HP HDX Dragon Entertainment Notebook, a prize bundle worth $4500. TheDigitallifestyle.com is one of 31 sites giving away 31 Dragon notebooks.

See my blog for details and a list of the other 30 sites, you will need to be keeping up with the site to win and I will be giving a hint in the podcast too

Listen Here
Back after a week off and this week talking to Melloware about Intelliremote. Intelliremote is a great application for expanding the use of a Media Center remote so you can control applications like iTunes and take advantage of scripting functions.
Plus I have a catchup of news items and Email.

Direct Download Link - Subscribe via iTunes - Subscribe via RSS - Vote for the show on Podcast Alley - Join The Media Center Show Group on Facebook - Catch me on Twitter

Enter the Ultimate Media Center Enthusiast Setup and win an Xbox 360 Elite!

Thanks to the show sponsor Techradar.com

Show Times:

00:50 Coming up this week
01:45 Email - Extender and universal remotes
03:48 Email - Using Tag & Rename (http://www.softpointer.com/tr.htm)
06:00 Email - converting files for Media Center and portable players
09:02 Email - Divx on Media Center - ffdshow
11:16 Video: Setting up a HP MediaSmart Windows Home Server
12:17 GBM Video Review of the HP Tx2051
14:24 Media Center Gets First Taste of Interactive Advertising - Chris Lanier's Blog
15:20 HP launch the Media Center update for the MediaSmart TV
16:06 What is broken in your digital home?
17:00 Windows XP Service Pack 3 Released to Manufacturing - TechNet Forums
17:35 Ed Bott on Crapware and driver problems that disrupt the Windows Vista experience
19:55 Missing Remote Giveaway
20:00 Post your pictures of your Media Center Setup and win an Xbox 360 Elite
20:58 VMC Schedule DeDuper
22:23 Twitter
22:43 A message from One Voice - download a free trial
23:50 melloware.com
27:00 Intelliremote background
29:44 Programs you can control
31:48 iTunes
37:49 Scripts
38:33 How to download
39:15 Editions
42:20 See you next week, keep your email coming

Music by Ian Dixon

Technorati tags: Windows Media Center, podcasts

Listen Here 
Two interviews this week. First up is Scott Evans from Microsoft talking about the 2008 Ultimate Install Contest for custom AV installers, he will be explaining all about the competition and the prizes on offer. Then I will be talking about AMD Live! with AMD. We will be finding out what it is and how to get it. I have email and news items plus an update on the The Ultimate Media Center Enthusiast Setup

Direct Download Link - Subscribe via iTunes - Subscribe via RSS - Vote for the show on Podcast Alley - Join The Media Center Show Group on Facebook - Catch me on Twitter

Thanks to the show sponsor Techradar.com

Show Times:

00:50 Coming up this week
01:35 Email - Should you learn MCML?
03:13 Email - DVD Streaming
04:40 Big Screen Headlines v2 Launches - RSS reader for Windows Media Center
05:00 Email - Distributing content - Videredo
07:09 Email - Divx problems
08:15 Email - Show music , listen to more here
09:15 Email - Managing your media library
11:46 Autonomic Controls on Channel 10
12:10 Xbox 360 Arcade drops below £149
12:47 D-Link Extender
13:38 Hauppauge HD-PVR Component Video Recorder Delayed
14:07 Installing Vista Service Pack 1 and WMV playback problems
16:10 Don't forget the forums
16:49 Reminder: Post your pictures of your Media Center Setup and win an Xbox 360 Elite
17:31 A message from One Voice - download a free trial
18:42 Scott Evans from Microsoft
19:33 EHX
20:53 The Ultimate Custom Install Competition
24:00 What is being looked at
25:18 Prizes
27:26 Welcome to AMD Live!
27:52 What is AMD live?
30:47 AMD Live Explorer
35:00 AMD Live Fusion
37:13 LogMeIN
38:22 AMD Live communicator
39:51 AMD Live platforms
42:15 Where to go for more info

Music by Ian Dixon

Technorati tags: Windows Media Center, podcasts

Listen Here

I have a great show this week even if your not a Media Center enthusiast. Windows expert Ed Bott joined me for a live show a couple of weeks ago talking about Vista Service Pack 1. We talked about many topics including Service Pack 1 and had some great questions from the chat room. Ed talks a lot of sense and helps puts the record straight on Windows Vista, he made a great statement "One of the things about the blogosphere is that it reduces every argument to one that can be shouted across a wall". I have a couple of emails and an news on a new competition

Don't forget - The Ultimate Media Center Enthusiast Setup - Win an XBox 360 Elite and more!

Direct Download Link - Subscribe via iTunes - Subscribe via RSS - Vote for the show on Podcast Alley - Join The Media Center Show Group on Facebook - Catch me on Twitter

Thanks to the show sponsor Tech.co.uk

Show Times:

00:50 Coming up this week
01:56 Email - Update on DVD library
03:55 Email - Shorter end theme music
04:40 Send in your email for show 150
04:59 Microsoft Announces 2008 Ultimate Install Contest
05:24 The Ultimate Media Center Enthusiast Setup - Win an XBox 360 Elite and more!
06:12 Yougle 0.4.0 - Internet Video on Media Center
06:48 Steve Lindsay's new video - The Top 5 Things YOU didn't know you could do Vista Media Center
07:04 Niveus Adds Movie Gallery Interface to Aggregate Films
07:29 MceFM - Last.fm addin for Windows Media Center
08:04 Follow me on Twitter
08:31 A message from One Voice - download a free trial
09:50 Welcome to Ed Bott and the live audience in the chat room
10:36 Background on Ed
12:40 Blogs taking over
14:58 Perception problems with Vista
18:00 Vista driver issues
22:00 Getting a good Vista experience
25:00 Are OEMs a help or a hindrance?
26:43 Are Microsoft constrained by Anti-trust issues?
28:00 Modular approach for installing Windows
30:56 Windows Server 2008
32:12 Should there be a Windows Server 2008 Workstation?
34:00 X64 versions of Windows Vista
36:58 Should there be an embedded version of Media Center?
41:30 Virtualization
43:50 Application Virtualization
44:30 Vista Service Pack 1
45:00 Why have a service pack?
48:33 Will we see any major changes?
50:20 A great quote from Ed!!!!
50:54 Copying changes
56:08 The servicing stack
57:00 Changes to UAC?
1:06:19 Windows 7
1:10:00 XP issues when it launched
1:11:57 Should you install Service Pack 1?
1:14:00 Availability (it should be on Windows Update about now)
1:15:48 Ed's Blog
1:17:37 Windows Vista Inside Out
1:21:49 Keep in touch and send your pictures in

Music by Ian Dixon

Technorati tags: Windows Media Center, podcasts