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Is Microsoft relying on DRM cracks and piracy to sell media centers?
Microsoft has its sights set on your living room with the release of Vista, the latest version of Windows. High definition programming is the wave of the future, and Vista’s media center offers support for the next generation of DVDs, HD-DVDs and Blu-ray discs, and cable high defintion channels through CableCard. In order to ensure […]
Continue reading...Windows Media Center SportsLounge heading in the right direction
21. January 2007
Home theater computers and media centers are beginning to scrape the surface of their potential, beyond just storing digital media. HTPCs have the ability to merge sports statistics and live TV, a simple yet revolutionary idea. Fantasy football could be a driving force in the adoption of media centers and home theater computers (HTPCs). Most […]
Continue reading...Can Microsoft’s Windows Home Server and Digital Cable Tuners coexist?
16. January 2007
Windows Home Server is an upcoming operating system from Microsoft, and appears to be an important cog in Redmond’s attempt to dominate your living room. With features aimed at the home user, WHS could be an interesting addition to the “digital” home. From Microsoft’s Press release: Delivered on hardware from leading partners, Windows Home Server […]
Continue reading...Snapstream updating Beyond TV for Vista compatibility
13. January 2007
Snapstream is currently working on updating BeyondTV (which is a program that lets you watch HDTV on your computer) to be fully Vista compatible with Beyond TV 4.6, testing. Currently in beta, the updates will extend beyond just Vista comptability with bug fixes of FSGUI cpu spikes, static/video distortion/audio distortion at the beginning of recordings, […]
Continue reading...Auzentech to support OpenAL in Microsoft’s Vista
8. January 2007
Unlike Windows XP, Microsoft’s Vista will not include DirectSound hardware acceleration. DirectSound and DirectSound3D will still function; however, they will no longer use hardware acceleration. Vista’s audio stack completely removes support for hardware accelerated audio. Microsoft intended to include extensions capability to the Vista audio stack that would allow manufacturers to provide support for hardware […]
Continue reading...Alienware: Dell’s media center store?
4. January 2007
Alienware, purchased by Dell in 2006, is known for its distinctive computer design for the gaming crowd. In October 2006, the company announced a unique intepretation of the media center PC, called the DHS A. This latest offering to Alienware’s media center line-up is stylish and is sure to attract lots of attention at this […]
Continue reading...TVease.net expands media center offerings to high-end systems
27. December 2006
My ideal media center is an open source system, without any remnance of digital rights management. I try and keep aware of the latest open source options, even if I am currently not using such a system. I have been meaning to build my own Ubuntu system but other things just keep eating all of […]
Continue reading...8 features to make media centers mainstream
19. December 2006
Media centers have yet to make it into the mainstream consciousness and seriously into the living room. Tivo and DVRs have certainly made an impact, showing the potential of a media center. With music, photos, and movies becoming digital, media center PCs, also known as HTPCs, are on the cusp of being a prominent part […]
Continue reading...Windows Vista Premium is the choice for HTPCs
9. December 2006
Lots of websites have been talking about Extremetech’s breakdown of the 25 versions of Microsoft’s Vista. So which version is right for the HTPC community? It appears that Home Premium will be the version of choice for most home media centers. For $239, Windows Vista Home Premium offers most needed tools for HTPCs, primarily Windows […]
Continue reading...HD DVD Managed Copy is key to Vista’s Media Center
2. December 2006
Microsoft’s Vista is an important step in the evolution of the media center and the home theater computer since it will support CableCARD and HD DVD’s ‘Managed Copy.’ I have discussed Vista’s CableCARD implementation alot on this site but have not talked at all about HD DVD support. So exactly what is ‘Managed Copy?’ Currently, […]
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29. January 2007
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