Archive | Vista Media Center RSS feed for this section
Windows Vista Premium is the choice for HTPCs
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, […]
Continue reading...How CableLabs will certify Vista’s Media Center for HDTV
19. November 2006
To watch HDTV from you cable company with a Mircosoft Vista Media Center box, you will be stuck with a CableCard. The lure of using a CableCard is HDTV from your local cable company fed right into your media center. In order to to use a CableCard in Microsoft’s Vista Media Center, CableLabs will have […]
Continue reading...Will DRM cripple Vista’s bid to be a Tivo replacement?
17. November 2006
I am excited about the potential Vista has to offer as a media center and ultimately a Tivo replacement, especially with the addition of CableCARD support. The one thing that could derail Microsoft is the extensive digital rights management integrated in Vista to view high definition television. Computerworld has a good editorial on the DRM […]
Continue reading...Multi-stream CableCARD available in time for Microsoft’s Vista
15. November 2006
Multi-stream CableCARDs are expected to be available this January. This is a small step towards a viable HDTV media center. Hopefully this is a sign that the Cable industry is warming towards the use of CableCARDs. Multi-stream CableCards will allow users to receive and decode two digital television signals simultaneously, in other words, they allow […]
Continue reading...With XBox 360 offering high definition downloads of TV shows and movies, is Vista next?
12. November 2006
From Microsoft’s press release about high definition movies and shows for the Xbox 360, Microsoft Corp. today announced agreements with CBS, MTV Networks, Paramount Pictures, Turner Broadcasting System Inc. (TBS Inc.), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment to bring an initial lineup of over 1,000 hours of hit TV shows and movies […]
Continue reading...ReplayTV stumbles onto the PC platform
10. November 2006
ReplayTV used to be the darling of the digital video recorder world. But on December 19th, 2005, after several lawsuits, Digital Networks North America announced that it was exiting the hardware business as soon as current inventory is sold out. ReplayTV is now concentrating on PC software sales of its DVR technology in a partnership […]
Continue reading...Is Microsoft’s Vista gambling too much on CableCARD?
26. October 2006
Lack of cable and satellite HDTV support is the biggest flaw in Windows MCE 2005. Hopefully, Vista will change that as CableCARD support is the major feature upgrade offered in the next version of Media Center.
Continue reading...Will you upgrade to Microsoft’s Vista media center?
17. October 2006
This is the question asked by Chris Lanier on his blog. The responses were all over the place. I am thinking about it when Vista comes out. I think the real reason to upgrade is CableCard support, and I am curious to see how well Microsoft implements that support. How will I be able to […]
Continue reading...7 reasons why Apple will lose the living room war to Microsoft
12. October 2006
The way we watch TV is going to change dramatically over the next 5 years, with Microsoft and Apple vying for real estate in your living room. Apple has not done a good job to date leveraging their lead with the iPod and the company is finding itself trailing behind Microsoft, which has been really […]
Continue reading...
9. December 2006
1 Comment