The Digital Lifestyle.com: Windows Media Center news, podcasts, videos, forums and wikis

Episode 36-Derek Flickinger

Athursby — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:36:00 GMT

This week we’re joined by one Derek Flickinger. You might know DrFlick from The Custom Integrator Show over at The Digital Lifestyle. He has some great insight into how to use Media Center for whole home solutions and he was nice enough to share them with us this week. It was great having Derek on and he’s welcome back anytime!

As well, we’re announcing our first contest this week! It’s our first opportunity to provide a prize to our listeners and we’re pretty excited about it. From now until 12:00 noon on Wednesday the 8th of July, simply answer the following question by using our contact form: What year was Interactive Homes Inc. incorporated? You can only get the answer by listening to the show so head down a bit and hit that download link. Or better yet, use one of the subscribe buttons further down and listen every week!

When you send us the answer by using the contact form, be sure and include your name and email address so we can contact you for shipping information. The winner will be decided by random draw during next week’s show. Pretty simple: The names go in a hat and the one pulled is the winner. Tune in next week to see if you’ve won!

What are you entering for you ask? This week we’re giving away a Hava Platinum HD. Adam reviewed this tuner awhile back and Hava has been gracious enough to let us give it to one of our listeners. Follow the links above to get all the details.

Click here to download this week’s show!

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The Home Server Show 47 - MVP, Smartphones, and Fire!

homeservershow — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:45:00 GMT

Today I am joined by Jim and John and we talk about everything under the sun. We might even mention a home server here and there! We mostly cover the ioSafe Solo video that was posted on July 1st as well as the new MVP's, and some smartphone discussions.

Here are the links to items discussed on show 47.

Windows 7 Pre-Order Announcement. Order yours today before July 11, 2009.

WGS Windows 7 Options and Details

MSWHS Nod32 Antivirus

iPhone Client for WHS

Fantastic deal on the ioSafe Solo 500 gig drive at Provantage.com

Microsoft Smartphone???

Leave me a voicemail with Skype! Click me to call HomeServerShow.com

Follow the Podcast on Twitter!

Don't forget to vote for the Home Server Show at Podcast Alley.

My Blog at thedigitallifestyle.com

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Podcast: The Custom Integrator Show Installment 013

Ian Dixon — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:10:00 GMT

This weeks edition of The Custom Integrator Show is live, this week we finish talking about about the core UPnP Technologies and talk about what is a Internet Gateway Device and why it may not be a Router. We also talk about now DLNA could be used to connect the home where Extenders may have failed

The Custom Integrator Show Installment 013 is live. This Podcast finishes up our discussion of the core functionality of UPnP Technologies and takes us into the services within and Internet Gateway Device (IGD). We discuss the differences between the common term "router" and the more appropriate term IGD, especially for the perspective of the UPnP services included within the device. We refer to the diagrams of an IGD posted in the blog for Installment 012 previously (http://thedigitallifestyle.com/cs/blogs/custom/archive/2009/06/26/the-custom-integrator-show-installment-012.aspx). We also talk a bit about testing the IGD's configuration, especially when it comes to some of the new services available in Windows Home Server and Windows 7.

The Custom Integrator Show Installment 013

DrFlick — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:00:00 GMT

The Custom Integrator Show Installment 013 is live. This Podcast finishes up our discussion of the core functionality of UPnP Technologies and takes us into the services within and Internet Gateway Device (IGD). We discuss the differences between the common term "router" and the more appropriate term IGD, especially for the perspective of the UPnP services included within the device. We refer to the diagrams of an IGD posted in the blog for Installment 012 previously (http://thedigitallifestyle.com/cs/blogs/custom/archive/2009/06/26/the-custom-integrator-show-installment-012.aspx). We also talk a bit about testing the IGD's configuration, especially when it comes to some of the new services available in Windows Home Server and Windows 7.

[mp3]http://blip.tv/file/get/IanDixon-TheCustomIntegratorShow013269.mp3[/mp3]

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To summarize some of the associated terminology, I have decided to include a glossary of terms associated with UPnP Technologies. These will come in handy if you decide to dig in deeper as part of understanding how the protocols interoperate between devices. I encourage you to visit the UPnP Forum's web site at http://www.upnp.org/. A really good document to check out is the UPnP Device Architecture at http://www.upnp.org/resources/documents.asp. You will notice that there are several updates to it. There is a link for downloading all of the published documents as a single file at the top of the list (http://www.upnp.org/resources/upnpresources.zip). That is the easiest way to get all of the specs at one time. There is quite a list of DCPs for all of the services associated with an IGD at http://www.upnp.org/standardizeddcps/igd.asp. It is interesting to note that most of them were ratified in 2001, and indicator of how long these technologies have been out in the industry. Keep in mind, also, that there still is a lot of work being accomplished by the Working Committee on the IGD Version 2 specifications.

BASIC UPnP GLOSSARY

action

An action represents a command that a client issues to perform a specific function. It takes zero or more arguments.

argument

An argument is a parameter to an action.

control point

A control point is a controller (such as an application) that retrieves device and service descriptions, sends actions to services, queries service state variables and receives events from services. Applications that allow a user to use or run a device, such as a CD player device, are considered control points.

device

A device is a container of other services or devices. A device may contain other logical devices.

device description

A device description is a list of the generic properties of all the devices in a physical device, including the services, the device's hierarchy, and its properties.

device type

A standard device type is denoted by urn:schemas-upnp-org:device: followed by a unique name assigned by a UPnP forum working committee.

There is a one-to-one relationship between UPnP device templates and device types. UPnP vendors may specify additional device types; these are denoted by urn:domain-name:device: followed by a unique name assigned by the vendor, where domain-name is a domain name registered to the vendor.

event

An event is a notification of one or more changes in state variables exposed by a service.

evented variable

An evented variable is a state variable for a service that, when changed, triggers an event. Any control points that are subscribed to a variable's event source then receives notification of the change. A non-evented state variable is never included in an event notification.

property

See state variable.

root device

A root device is the top-most device in a device tree. For example, if you are accessing a VCR/TV combination device called a viewing station, there are three devices: the viewing station, the VCR, and the TV. The viewing station is considered the root device.

service

A service is a logical functional unit. Services expose actions and model some or all of the states of a physical device using state variables.

service description

A service description is a list of the actions a service provides, and the state variables associated with the actions.

service object

A service object is the UPnP Control Point API representation of a service. A service object implements the IUPnPService interface.

service type

A service type is a URN that identifies a service. There is a one-to-one relationship between a UPnP service template and a service type. Several standard service types are defined by the UPnP Forum working committees. The service types are in the form urn:schemas-upnp-org:service:serviceType:version. For example, a scanner service type could be urn:schemas-upnp-org:service:scanner:1.

UPnP vendors may specify additional services. Such services are denoted by urn:domain-name:service:serviceType:version where domain-name is a domain name that is registered to the vendor.

state variable

A state variable is a piece of data that describes some part of a service's state.

UDN

Stands for unique device name. A UDN uniquely identifies a device; it is based on the UUID (universal unique ID).

In our next installment, we start diving into the fun stuph - the A/V side of the UPnP Technologies, DLNA, and how devices communicate and handshake across the network. Many integrators really do not need to know the underlying protocols at this level, but I firmly believe that, if you take the time to understand how it works, it makes configuration and troubleshooting a lot easier in the long run.

=D-

The Media Center Show #213 – Ed Bott

Ian Dixon — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:00:00 GMT

One of my favourite guests returns to the show this week. Ed Bott returns to talk Windows 7 and how its progressed from beta to RTM and how its different from the Vista development. Ed also talks about the product editions and which one is best for Media Center users.

I also have email and a round up the weeks news

[mp3]http://blip.tv/file/get/IanDixon-TheMediaCenterShow213110.mp3[/mp3]

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Show Times:

00:23 Coming up this week
00:57 Email: How many tuners in Windows 7?
02:40 Email: STB integration
05:31 Freeview HD starting in the UK December 2nd
05:34 Streaming content from Windows Media Center with an G1 Android phone
06:52 Media Browser to go commercial?
07:37 Video Library 2.0 alpha
08:08 Mobile Media Center for Windows Mobile
09:03 Welcome back to Ed Bott
09:35 How Windows 7 has progressed
11:09 XP’s life cycle
13:53 Should XP SP2 been a new OS?
16:27 XP Mode
19:13 Windows 7 SKUs
23:56 Why get Windows 7 Professional
26:33 Why not get Ultimate :)
26:54 What is Anytime Upgrade
30:08 XP will not die!
33:01 Upgrades
35:55 Pricing – SEE ED’S POST
39:22 Download options
41:20 RTM
45:33 Crapware
51:54 Are Extenders dead?
54:52 Xbox 360 as an Extender
58:12 Zune and the Xbox 360
1:00:00 The Media Center team at Microsoft
1:04:00 Where next for Windows Media Center?
1:07:00 The DTV transition
1:10:00 See you next week

Music by Ian Dixon

Technorati tags: Windows Media Center, podcasts

Clubhouse tags: clubhouse, media center, windows media center, how-to

The Media Center Show #213 – Ed Bott

Ian Dixon — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:50:00 GMT

I also have email and a round up the weeks news

[mp3]http://blip.tv/file/get/IanDixon-TheMediaCenterShow213110.mp3[/mp3]

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Vote for the show on podcast Alley - Join The Media Center Show Group on Facebook - Join the Windows Live Group - Follow me on Twitter

Show Times:

Music by Ian Dixon

Technorati tags: Windows Media Center, podcasts

Clubhouse tags: clubhouse, media center, windows media center, how-to

Microsoft to offer Family Pack for Windows 7 Home Premium?

Ian Dixon — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:04:25 GMT

Guest on this weeks The Media Center Show (posted later today) Ed Bott has been doing digging in the Windows 7 license and has found that Microsoft may be offering Family licences packs for Windows 7 Home Premium. Read Ed’s post for the details but if he is correct and its priced correctly it would be ideal for Media Center enthusiasts to upgrade their homes to Windows 7. With Homegroup being such a usefully feature of Windows 7 it makes sense to get all your machines upgraded and if a family pack if offered at the right price then I think Microsoft could be on to a winner. The question is what is the right price?

Extenders are dead, long live DLNA?

Ian Dixon — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:52:34 GMT

While I was recording this weeks instalments of The Custom Integrator Show (out Friday) we were talking about UPNP, DLNA and Play To and this got be thinking about the future of digital media in the home and Extenders. First let me say that I love the concept of Windows Media Center extenders, I have an Xbox 360 connected up to my TV and audio equipment, I also have a HP Extender that I use in other rooms around the house. While I am happy with the Xbox 360 I know lots of people can’t put up with the noise and want a simpler device than a games console, the 3rd party Extenders like the Linksys and HP are under powered and don’t deliver the same experience plus they have been over priced. All the extender manufactures seem to have bailed out on the Extender model, at CES Toshiba promised to an Extneder but its not been seen yet. I would love to see TVs and Bluray players with Extender functionality built in but due to the small number active Media Center users there isn’t the demand for this. So my solution is to use the DLNA platform, because DLNA is a self describing protocol and is designed for different vendors and equipment to talk to each other there is no need for manufactures to code for Media Center specifically they can implement DLNA. So my Sony TV could consume Recorded TV from my Media Center box by using my home network and I could use my phone as a remote control, my hifi can play music from my Windows Home Server and the manufactures don’t have to know about each others system as long as the systems talk using standards. While most of this is in place now there are some things missing like scheduling recordings and this is where a Mesh Webguide come be used. I know the overall experiences would not be as good as Extenders, I can’t see the manufactures coming up with as elegant UI as Media Center but at least its achievable. I can see Windows doing all the transcoding and serving the media, recording scheduling and then lightweight DLNA clients around the home.

It isn’t the grand vision of Windows Media Center and Extenders but at least its achievable, Microsoft do seem to be investing in the transcodling / Play To features of Windows where as manufactures don’t seem interested in Extenders and maybe Microsoft isn’t either?

Is a Consumer targeted Microsoft Phone on the way?

Ian Dixon — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:06:38 GMT

There have been rumours for years about Microsoft bringing out their own mobile phone (as opposed to the current strategy of Windows Mobile on OEM hardware) which has been denied by Microsoft but according to Microsoft watcher Mary Jo Foley an ad agency has been picked to handle “Pink Project”.

Microsoft has been keeping close to the vest details about Pink. I’ve heard from my tipsters that there will be one Pink phone manufacturer. Some are saying it’s Motorola or possibly Sharp, both of which have manufactured Danger-based phones. Pink’s “user experience”/user interface, which is codenamed “Purple,” is meant to appeal to an audience not so different from the traditional Sidekick audience.

I think it makes sense for Microsoft to offer some kind of lifestyle phone with the Zune software built in that is aimed at consumers and leave the OEMs to target businesses, it must be killing Microsoft to see the rise of Android, Palm and the continued success of the iPhone and the incredibly slow pace of WinMo development. I am sure I am not the only one abandoning WinMo in favour of a more up to date OS and I would love to be surprised by a cool new Windows Mobile 7 based device, lets hope they get it out before things get terminal for WinMo

Mobile Media Center for Windows Mobile

Ian Dixon — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:44:01 GMT

Just as I move away from Windows Mobile to Google Android along comes an application for Windows Mobile that I would like. Mobile Media Center for Windows Mobile enables you to listen to music , watch pictures, play videos and keep up with RSS feeds/podcasts/vodcasts. With the media capabilities been limited in Windows Mobile this makes a good addition to the OS but I don’t think its enough to move me back.

It would be good if the developer could add some syncing integration with Windows Media Center oh and you may recognise the look of the application, it looks familiar to me!

Features, instructions and the free download are on the developers web site

(via mce-community.de)

Tranquil’s little T3N

Ian Dixon — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:31:00 GMT

Just spotted a very neat little Atom N270 based system on Tranquil’s web site. You may know Tranquil as the makers of Windows Home Server boxes and this little box could be used as a Home Server or a nettop type device. It comes in three colours and can take up to 2GB of ram and up to 2TB hard disk. The starting price is £199 £119(ex VAT) and there are configurable hard disk options, I wonder if the N270 has the power to me a Media Center system? It would make a nice little project to put Windows 7 on the box and see how it handles Media Center

More details on Tranquil’s site

Video Library 2.0 alpha

Ian Dixon — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:41:55 GMT

JackLuminous in TGB forums has posted details of of Videolibrary 2.0. As you can see from from the screen shots the app is very impressive and adds to the list of great designed Windows Media Center application. Here are some of the changes for the new version (taken from the forum post):

Custom archived tv expressions no longer supported. Too much confusion about xml and formatting.
The plugin does not scan for folders at all. It simply queries the database. This database is populated by a hidden console app that is launched when the plug in runs. If the console app, VideoLibraryService.exe, is already running then it will not be run again. This exe scans the watched folders every 5 mins (default setting) and does file watching.
Spanned-folders no longer used or supported.
Uses mencoder to transcode dvds when playing on extenders. The transcoder is also used by the dvd library (Vista) and Movie Library (Windows 7). There is an annoying problem on extenders where playback abruptly stops after 30 mins - 1 hour. The file is always transcoded completely but on Windows 7 (not sure about Vista) playback just stops --I don't know why.
Context menu allows all files in a gallery to be played in current viewing order. Also allows playing all randomly.
Metadata xml schema changes
When downloading movie metadata, the plugin will look for dvdid.xml files and use the id to get the info from the dvd info cache. If no dvdid.xml files are present the n the app will use themoviedb.org.
Supports a playback playlist that can contain episodes or movies
Supports advancing forward/backward through the current playlist
Supports adding to the playlist using the context menu or the details page
Detailed logging can be turned on by setting "EnableDebugging" to "true"
Press play on a video to play it
Press play on a series to play the whole series in episode order
Press play on a season to play the whole season in episode order
Click on a series to go directly into it. If you want to see the series details then you have to use the context menu.

You can download the alpha version (at your own risk!) and read all the details on the TGB post

Media Browser to go commercial?

Ian Dixon — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:15:00 GMT

One of the most popular Media Center addons at the moment Media Browser could be going commercial. I saw on Twitter that Sam could be taking the application “for profit” but the code will remain GPL. Media Browser is a great application and it will be good to see the team get some reward for their efforts but making profit from Media Center applications can be difficult with only a small number of users prepared to pay for application.

I haven’t see official details from Sam yet but good luck to the Media Browser team if it is true

UPDATE: Sam has posted his thoughts on his blog where he talks about the dilemma of creating free software. It looks like Sam is going take a break from MB, head over to his blog and let him know your thoughts

TDL Post Roundup

Ian Dixon — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:33:00 GMT

Not much Media Center news about this week but there were plenty posts on the site. I posted three videos this week, a look at an Air Mouse GO for controlling a HTPC, a quick look at HP’s DV2 slim notebook and a video looking at controlling Windows Media Center with an Andriod phone. On The Media Center Show I talked Play To and web streaming with Microsoft and on The Custom Integrator Show we talked UPNP and DLNA

Episode 35: Media Browser

Athursby — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:07:00 GMT

If you usually join us for our live show each week you’ll have noticed already that there wasn’t one. Luckily we have a really good reason for that! Josh and I had the opportunity to speak with Jas Manghera and Sam Saffron of Media Browser this week. We had to bump the show a day or two due to time zone restrictions but it was completely worth it. Sam and Jas share some of their insight into where Media Browser has come from and where it’s headed. Thanks to both of them for giving us the time to share it with you! We should be back next week for the live show. You can join us on Wednesday night by using the Entertainment 2.0 page here on The DMZ. We’re still working on which streaming service will provide listeners the best experience but we encourage you to join us if you can. Also, don’t forget we want to hear from you! If you have questions or something to share, you can leave us a voicemail at 1-877-856-4933. As long as it’s related to the show and family friendly, we’ll get you on the show. If you have pictures or would rather post a comment about your setup, you can use the Entertainment 2.0 drop to share those things as well.

It should be noted that we had a few Skype issues during this week’s call. While there were some sections that didn’t come out quite right, we believe you’ll still get all the great information about Media Browser that Sam and Jas shared with us. There’s also a “bad” edit in there but we just didn’t want to lose some of the information they shared. This is also the point that Sam joined us.

Click here to download Episode 35.

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Video: Streaming content from Windows Media Center with an G1 Android phone

Ian Dixon — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 07:00:00 GMT

One great new feature of Windows 7 is “Play To” and DLNA support, Windows Media Player can operate as a media player, server and controller and the Xbox 360 Media Center extender sessions can be controlled via DLNA. Because WMP is using DLNA you can use it in conjunction with other DLNA devices and not just Microsoft devices, so when I got my new G1 phone (based on Google’s Android OS) I searched for a DLNA app. The application I found is called AndroMote which works as a media player and controller, from the app you can select music, videos or photos on a media server and then choose to play the content on the phone or another DLNA device. I used AndroMote to stream music from my Windows Media Center PC to a notebook and to an Xbox 360 extender session, you can create playlists and control volume on the remote device.

I found the app worked well most of the time but was a little quirky, it worked best with music and pictures and there is a limit of 5 items in the playlist on the free version the full version is 2.9u euros and I have a video of it in action. The video was recorded with a FlipHD and its a little blurred but you will get the idea

Download WMV – Download M4V

Streaming content from Windows Media Center with an G1 Android phone

Ian Dixon — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Download WMV – Download M4V

Freeview HD starting in the UK December 2nd

Ian Dixon — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 07:34:38 GMT

Freeview HD is to start broadcasting in the UK on December 2nd with the transmitter that I use Winter Hill (Granada region) going first. As of yet there is no hardware to take advantage of the new DVB-T2 signal but Media Center should be in a position to receive it when the new hardware arrives (see this post for details). Next month I will be interviewing Microsoft about the new format so all we need now are some announcements TV card makers

Via Endadget HD

The Custom Integrator Show Installment 012

DrFlick — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Installment 012 of The Custom Integrator Show is live. We continue our discussions on UPnP Technologies and the whole DLNA platform built into Windows 7. We actually spend much of this Podcast reviewing the ADDCEP architectural model we introduced in Installment 011 (http://thedigitallifestyle.com/cs/blogs/custom/archive/2009/06/16/the-custom-integrator-show-installment-011.aspx), so the text in that blog post covers the topics discussed in this Installment. We complete the ADDCEP layers by covering the Control, Eventing, and Presentation services, but leave out most of the examples because they are more applicable to the A/V features of the DLNA platform, which we will be discussing in more detail in our upcoming Installments.

[mp3]http://blip.tv/file/get/IanDixon-TheCustomIntegratorShow012104.mp3[/mp3]

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However, I do want to include the diagrams we will be referencing in our next installment as we move into how UPnP Technologies apply to Internet Gateway Devices (IGDs). One physical IGD actually contains several services inside of it, each addressable and controllable individually. The following diagram shows that there technically can be multiple WAN connections in addition to multiple LAN connections within a single device, although most vendors only incorporate one of each. This also depicts a rather basic implementation. There are several other services that can be included in an IGD for handling features like Remote Access, Management, QoS, etc. You can see that, although there usually is a single check box within an IGD's (commonly referred to as a broadband router's) configuration and management user interface for enabling UPnP Technologies, there are several individual UPnP Services within the device as we start to peel away the onion. We will discuss how these pieces fit together and the protocols involved when communicating with them in Installment 013.

THE INTERNET GATEWAY DEVICE OVERVIEW

THE IGD’S UPnP SERVICES IN MORE DETAIL

The above diagram will be tough to describe in the Podcast, so please use it as a reference as we dive into the individual pieces for the next Installment. These services and how they are controlled and managed are key “ease of use factors” as we look at some of the new features included in Windows Home Server and Windows 7. As always, look for the Windows Logo on these devices to ensure the right "special sauce" is built in.

=D-

Podcast: The Custom Integrator Show Installment 012

Ian Dixon — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:24:36 GMT

Derek has just posted this weeks edition of The Custom Integrator Show, this week we continue on UPnP Technologies the DLNA platform built into Windows 7. If you like the show don’t forget to subscribe!

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Installment 012 of The Custom Integrator Show is live. We continue our discussions on UPnP Technologies and the whole DLNA platform built into Windows 7. We actually spend much of this Podcast reviewing the ADDCEP architectural model we introduced in Installment 011 (http://thedigitallifestyle.com/cs/blogs/custom/archive/2009/06/16/the-custom-integrator-show-installment-011.aspx), so the text in that blog post covers the topics discussed in this Installment. We complete the ADDCEP layers by covering the Control, Eventing, and Presentation services, but leave out most of the examples because they are more applicable to the A/V features of the DLNA platform, which we will be discussing in more detail in our upcoming Installments.

The Custom Integrator Show Installment 012

A Clarification to Installment 008 of The Custom Integrator Show

DrFlick — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:38:00 GMT

I would like to post a clarification to Installment 008 (http://thedigitallifestyle.com/cs/blogs/custom/archive/2009/03/27/the-custom-integrator-show-installment-008.aspx) regarding the architecture for the Digital Cable Tuners. In the section labeled THE ARCHITECTURE, the process for determining if the customer is subscribed to a certain channel is not quite right (just below the DRI on USB diagram). The following clarification explains it more appropriately:

DCT/CableCARD Operation

1. When a CableCARD is present, the Virtual Channel Table (VCT) gets downloaded into the DCT through the separate OOB/FDC tuner. The VCT contains a lookup of Virtual Channel Numbers (VCNs) and actual frequencies used by the associated channels.

2. When the CableCARD is present, the tuner no longer tunes by frequencies passed in via the tune request. Instead, Windows Media Center passes a Virtual Channel Number to the tuner, which then gets mapped to a frequency, modulation, and program ID based on information in the VCT.

3. The CableCARD then determines if the service is included in customer’s subscription based upon the additional information provided by the Entitlement Control Messages (ECMs) and Entitlement Management Messages (EMMs) sent down from the head-end. If the channel is Subscribed, the CableCARD decryption is enabled for the selected program identified in the Transport Stream (TS).

As an FYI, the EMMs ("Hits") are received via the OOB/FDC tuner and tie the ability to view encrypted subscriptions to the Host tuner. The ECM is sent inside of the individual channel's Transport Stream. The ECM itself is the key needed to decrypt the channel, which is rotated every few seconds to eliminate hacking. When the CableCARD attempts to decrypt a channel, it first decrypts the ECM to get the key that allows it to decrypt the MPEG-2 stream. Naturally, this is integrated closely with the headend supplying the streams and the necessary keys.

I apologize for any confusion. I like to make sure the information I provide is accurate.

=D-

Silverlight 3 coming to the Xbox 360 (updated)

Ian Dixon — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:52:00 GMT

As @simonster points out Silverlight is on the 360 already and this is talking about Silverlight 3

Microsoft have announced that Silverlight is coming to the Xbox 360 at the moment its in the context of advertising but I don’t see why it can’t apply to media playback as well. It would be nice to think that Silverlight Media Center apps like the Netflix apps and some of the channels used in TunerFree MCE would work on the Xbox once Silverlight is up and running on it

Microsoft reveals Windows 7 pricing details

Ian Dixon — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:49:23 GMT

Ed Bott has all the details on the Windows 7 Pricing announced today, I guess the headline prices is that if you pre-order Windows 7 Home Premium you can get it for $50 and $100 gets you the Professional upgrade. The offer is open from June 26th in the US and Canada and July 15th in the UK and after the promotion ends the price for Home Premium update is $120 and $200 for the full package. Microsoft also announced details of the Windows 7 Upgrade Options program in which any PC purchased with Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate from June 26th to January 31st is entitled to a free upgrade to the equivalent Windows 7 edition

Read Ed’s post for all the details, what do you think about the prices is $50 about right?

Podcast: The Media Center Show #212 - Play To and Web streaming

Ian Dixon — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:02:00 GMT

This week Simon Many and I chat with Edwin and Gabe, Program Managers in the Windows Experience team at Microsoft talking about “Play To”, DLNA and streaming media over the internet with Windows Media Player. Windows 7 introduces internet content streaming with WMP and you can even stream Recorded TV over the internet

I also have email and a round up the weeks news

In the interview we refer to a list of Play To compatible devices which you can find HERE

[mp3]http://blip.tv/file/get/IanDixon-TheMediaCenterShow212447.mp3[/mp3]

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Vote for the show on podcast Alley - Join The Media Center Show Group on Facebook - Join the Windows Live Group - Follow me on Twitter

Show Times:

00:23 Coming up this week
01:28 Email: Netflix VMC
01:44 Comments from last weeks show
03:12 Email: DVB-T2
05:21 Windows Media Center to get Freeview HD
06:00 Media Browser Beta 2.1.0.0 Released (updated)
06:20 New Xbox for 2010?
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Music by Ian Dixon

Technorati tags: Windows Media Center, podcasts

Clubhouse tags: clubhouse, media center, windows media center, how-to

Neowin interview the Zune HD source

Ian Dixon — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:53:00 GMT

Back in May there were lots of rumours about the Zune HD that really got people talking about the Zune platform, the rumours of a touch screen HD turned out to be true and the Zune HD is due out in September. Neowin have an interview with the Microsoft software engineer that leaked the info and has some interesting comments in the Q&A, read the page for the details but one interesting comment was that the Zune HD is going to be “a center of entertainment" for the whole household” which sounds very interesting. Roll on September!

RR: How much is Zune HD projected to cost?
TK: The prices are not set in stone yet, but the 16GB will be somewhere in the range of $249 -$280
RR: You know what I am most excited about, Tegra, how do you feel about it?
TK: I think it's a great idea ... because Tegra brings to the table a lot of new stuff and I think it was a really smart idea on Microsoft's part to do this with the next-generation Zune.
RR: How has the Zune software changed?
TK: The Zune software has evolved to meet the needs of the Zune HD. it is also going to become much more a "center of entertainment" for the whole household. Microsoft also plans to have Zune interact with a variety of other Microsoft services.