The Digital Lifestyle Community Blog

Post your pictures of your Media Center Setup and win an Xbox 360 Elite

Ian Dixon — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:30:16 GMT

I know I have posted this on my blog but I wanted to test time based publishing so I am reposting it here

Don't forget to post your Media Center setup pictures and enter the The Ultimate Media Center Enthusiast Setup competition. The Flickr group has over 80 pictures posted now with some fantastic setups ranging from large to small (check out the picture with 5 servers!)

I think the pictures could inspire new users to create their own Media Center systems so please keep them coming.

You can win:

An Xbox 360 Elite
4 Xbox Wireless Controllers
3 Xbox 360 games

1 Red Zune (belonging to Steve Lindsey!)
mControl from Embedded Automation
Voice Tunes from One Voice
Big Screen Photos 2

Post pictures here and more details on the competition are here

The Media Center Show Awards 2007 are go!

Ian Dixon — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 11:30:13 GMT

For the last three years I have run the Media Center Show Awards. The aim of the awards is to highlight the great work performed by the Media Center community. The awards are spilt into categories that represent enthusiast developers, professional developers and community websites.

This year the Media Center developer community has grasped the challenging but rewarding Media Center Markup Language and they have produced an amazing range of applications.

So let’s start off by looking at the best free Utility applications. There were two standout applications this year, MSDVR Toolbox and Recorded TV Broker both from Andrew Van Till. MSDVRToolbox is an application for managing and transforming recorded TV Files. With the utility you can instruct it to automatically transcode and moves files around your network, so it could automatically remove any commercials shrink the file and copy it to a network location. RecordingBroker is an application that detects recording conflicts and submits recording requests to other brokers configured in the application. If you have more than one Media Center system you can get the systems to talk to each other to schedule the recordings.

Moving on to 10 foot Media Center applications this year we were spoiled for choice, the developers really embraced Vista Media Center and produced some great looking applications, so for best free application we have:

TV Library by Andrew Cherry expands on Media Center’s library functions by providing customizable views of recorded TV. In TV Library you can navigate around your content by genre, series or any way that works for you. For example Doctor who could be split in to Classic and “New Who” then that could be further split by series.

A personal favourite Media Center application is Webguide, this is an interesting addin that enables you to view your Media Center guide data over your local network or the Internet. So if you forget to setup that vital recording you can do it from any web device, including mobile phones. Just fire up a web browser and browse the guide and setup the recording. It has streaming functions in it too. Webguide has long been my essential addon for Windows Media Center and was pleased when Microsoft announced that its developer Doug Berrett had joined Microsoft and that they would be offering Webguide for free. What the future holds for Webguide we will have to wait and see.

Big screen Headlines comes from Australian developed Niall Ginsburg, its a RSS reader for Vista

Media Center that enables you to read web feeds, listen to podcast and watch videos all from the 10 foot interface. It's a great looking application and a great way of getting the web on to the TV. Also from Niall is Big Screen photos 2 a flickr photo viewer for Vista Media Center.

TV toolbox is an editor for Recorded TV files. What is particularly nice about this application is its use of the visual effect in Windows Media Center to make editing a TV show easy and intuitive. This comes from German developer Olcay Buyan.

EMUCenter from another Aussi developer Steven Harding is a 10 foot application for launching classic arcade games using MAME emulators. You can play the classic arcade games of the past all from the sofa. Steven Harding also has Yougle Vista nominated, this is an addin for watching Youtube and Google videos from Media Center.

MyMovies is a movie collection management and playback tool. With My Movies you are able to index your movies with automatically downloaded data from the internet, and then browse movies, actors, directors and much more. You can share your movie database to multiple clients, and configure each client to its own parental control limitation.

The commercial applications were represented by mControl from Embedded Automation, Media Center Communicator from One Voice and mceTunes. mControl is an home automation package for Vista Media Center, XP Media Center and Windows Home Server. Media Center Communicator is a voice control system for Media Center and mceTunes is a way of enabling access to protected iTunes content from Media Center, something that is not possible out of the box.

Media Center owes much of its success to the great community that has built up around it, and to recognise this there is a award for the best community site and Best Media Center Blog details of the nominations can be found on the Vote page

Whilst settings up the vote page I took the opportunity to ask voters what components they added to their Media Center system such as Xbox 360, Windows Home Server, Zune and iPods. The reason I asked this question is that I am interested to see what integration issues people are coming across.

All the nominations were suggested by listeners and readers so head over to the vote page and have your say, the vote will be open all of December and the winners will be announced on a future Media Center Show

There is also a prize draw with a winner drawn at random, for details of the prize see the website next week

Vote Now

Vote page http://awards.thedigitallifestyle.com/

Technorati tags: The Media Center Show Awards

The Media Center Show Awards 2007

Ian Dixon — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 13:24:23 GMT

The Media Center Show awards page will be opened for voting on Monday 26th November. You can preview the nominations now and if you have any comments or suggestions drop me an email ian [at] Thedigitallifestyle.com

All the sites and services have been nominated by readers and listeners, if anything is missing it is because it wasn't nominated :) but feel free to let me know if there is something you want adding (before Monday)

vote.thedigitallifestyle.com

Technorati tags: The Media Center Show Awards

Tech.co.uk - new sponsors of TheDigitalLifestyle.com

Ian Dixon — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 14:12:12 GMT

I am please to be able to welcome Tech.co.uk as sponsors of TheDigitalLifestyle.com and The Media Center Show.

Tech.co.uk is a great source for tech related reviews, blogs and news. They focus on computing,home entertainment and gadgets and I hope to be able to add some Media Center options over there too.

So a big thanks to them for joining the show and along with the other sponsors in helping keeping the site up and running so do me a favor and check out their site.

Vacancy for Podcaster still open

Ian Dixon — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 08:45:34 GMT

As I mentioned last month I am looking to add another podcast to TheDigitalLifestyle.com to compliment The Media Center Show. It could be a show on Home Theater, or mobile devices. Anything that your passionate about.

So if your interested send me an email Ian [at] TheDigitalLifestyle.com and we can talk about the options.

Technorati tags: Podcasting

New feature on the show "Ask Charlie Owen"

Ian Dixon — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 19:49:10 GMT

A new feature on The Media Center Show is a feature called "Ask Charlie Owen" where you can ask Microsoft's Charlie Owen your burning Media Center questions. Charlie has recently started answering Windows Media Center questions on his blog and we will be running an audio version of this.

Send your questions in to AskCharie@thedigitalifestyle.com I will pass them on to Charlie and he will recorded an answer to play on the show

The kind of question that Charlie has been answering has been things like "Can you clarify the relationship between Windows Home Server and Windows Media Center?" and Mailbag: When and where can we buy a CableCARD equipped Media Center PC?

Technorati tags: Windows Media Center

New Server for TheDigitalLifestyle.com

Ian Dixon — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 11:10:26 GMT

As you may have seen from my blog, I had some problems with the server yesterday and have been running on a backup server for the last 24 hours, but I am please to say thanks to some great work by Tony the site it back up and running on a new server. So in the run up to show #100 the server response will be better than ever.

I took the opportunity to clean up some of the old pages on the site and moved to 100% Community server. The Music page is missing but I plan to put up some of my music soon

Technorati tags: Community Server, TheDigitalLifestyle.com, The Media Center Show

Server Problems and if it isn't broke don't try and fix it

Ian Dixon — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 14:50:11 GMT

I did an update to the server this morning and it didn't come back on as it should, so TheDigitalLifestyle.com is now running on my backup machine. It seems to be working ok and I have a nice upgraded machine building at the moment, so once that is up and running I can switch site back over.

So if you get any performance issues on the site you know what it is, I guess I should have followed the the rule if it isn't broke don't try and fix it!

New Vista Blog on TheDigitalLifestyle.com

Ian Dixon — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 15:16:31 GMT

I want to welcome Tony Campbell to TheDigitalLifestyle.com, Tony will be manning the Windows Vista Blog, a new blog that is looking at all aspects of Vista not just Windows Media Center.

Tony is an author, author, journalist and consultant and also is co-author of our new book Using Windows Vista Media Center (and also author of Windows Vista: Beyond the Manual)

His first post is about Movie Making in Vista

Tony is asking for feedback, so checkout his blog and let him know what you want him look at in the blog

Technorati tags: Windows Vista, Blogging

New Windows Media Center Development blog, and Gadget Blog

Ian Dixon — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 09:50:51 GMT

As part of the update for TheDigitalLifestyle.com there are two new blogs I wanted to highlight.

First I would like to welcome Steven Harding to TheDigitalLifestyle.com, Steven is the developer of Yougle a Youtube and Google Videos addin for Windows Media Center and has been on the show last year, Steven is writing a Windows Media Center development blog featuring tips, hints and advice.

Steven has introduction himself on his first post and has a great list of the options available to Media Center developers on his second post and his 3rd posts looks at Model-View Separation in MCML.

If your a Media Center developer of want to get started check out his blog

Now to the Gadget blog

This is one for Gadget lovers (aren't we all!) Daniel Woolstencroft and Ashleigh Charlesworth are collaborating to produce the Gadget Blog here is their take on it

Together we aim to provide our takes on the latest gadgets and technology, but can provide the extra perspective that only married life can offer. We're geeks, but we know where to draw the line. We'll not mention the fact that we cross it on a fairly regular basis.
And so, with Media Center in our lounges, and technology in our hearts, we hope to entertain and enlighten.

So welcome to Ashleigh and Daniel

You can find all the site blogs HERE

Technorati tags: Windows Media Center Development, Gadgets, Blogs

The Media Center Show moves to TheDigitalLifestyle.com

Ian Dixon — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 09:10:47 GMT

After two years with The Podcast Network I have decided to move the show to my own site TheDigitalLifestyle.com

To take the show forward and increase its value to the community I wanted to have the Podcast, the video show, the blogs and the forums all together on one site. I have enjoyed my time with The Podcast Network but I feel the time is right to move on.

I want to try and increase the community element of the show and use the Podcast to show how Windows Media Center fits in with the digital lifestyle. I am going to be looking at other technologies that fit in with Windows Media Center such as Windows Home Server. The show is going continue to have interviews with people from all around the Media Center world, plus others guest on topics of relevance to Windows Media Center

There will also be a host of new blogs joining TheDigitalLifestyle.com, we have a developer blog from Steven Harding (developer of Yougle), an Expert blog from Garry Whitiker and a Gadget blog, along with Mike's Digital Home Blog and my own blog.

I will also be updating The Media Center Show Extra to include other Media Center related technologies (and maybe a name change too)

There is a whole range of forums, from Media Center discussion, Windows Home Server, development and gadgets. So please head over to the forums and get posting.

There is a new RSS feed for the show, an RSS feed for the Video show, plus OPML and other RSS resources. You will also be able to listen to the show via direct download, flash player or have it delivered via Email or iTunes.

To celebrate moving the show I have a bumper giveaway of software and hardware, more details on this week show.

So please subscribe to the new RSS feed, join the forums and have your say. its always great to get your feedback.

You can contact me via ian@thedigitallifestyle.com, or PM me on the forums.

From March 1st the show will only be available from TheDigitalLifestyle.com - Windows Media Center and the Digital lifestyle!

Technorati tags: Windows Media Center, The Media Center Show, Podcasts

Share you top Windows Media Center tips

Ian Dixon — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 07:45:18 GMT

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 Windows Home Server Forums open

Ian Dixon — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 09:59:05 GMT

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.

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

Ian Dixon — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 16:02:00 GMT

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.

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

Ian Dixon — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 13:10:22 GMT

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!

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

The Media Center Show Extra #6 CES Part 1

Ian Dixon — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 16:52:26 GMT

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 #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

Download WMV
Watch on YouTube
Watch on MSN Soapbox (link coming soon)

Links from the show

The Media Center Show Extra #6 WMV

New Media Center Blog - Mike's Digital Home

Ian Dixon — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 08:57:38 GMT

The first blogger to join the Media Center Show Community blog is Mike Brown. Mike has a new blog hosted on the Media Center Show Community Blogs and he has got his first post up:

Just wanted to write a quick intro to get this started. My name is Mike Brown and I've been using Media Center for going on 4 years now. My first PVR was the first generation ReplayTV which I thought was the coolest thing until I saw a Media Center. Being a huge music fan and having been working in the IT field for a number of years I naturally feel in love with XP Media Center and it quickly replaced my beloved ReplayTV unit.

More info on Mike's blog, and welcome to the community Mike

Welcome to the new Media Center Show Community

Ian Dixon — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 16:10:19 GMT

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

The Media Center Show Extra

Community forum

Tech Support

General Media Center