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Thursday, July 03, 2008 5:52 PM

Microsoft Takes Over The Green Button

Today is a big day for the Media Center community, and as speculated upon way too much The Green Button has become an official Microsoft web property ! So what does this mean? A few things, starting with increased Microsoft interaction that nearly everyone...
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Wednesday, July 02, 2008 7:46 PM

Microsoft Starts Media Center SideShow Gadget Beta

Microsoft has finally unwrapped a beta of the long rumored Vista Media Center SideShow control gadget. First spotted by Stuart , you can apply for the beta on Microsoft Connect and get started starting, but so far it looks pretty much like basic in terms...
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Wednesday, July 02, 2008 7:29 AM

HP MediaSmart Connect Review Part 3: Extender & Conclusion

Given the high price of the MediaSmart Connect I’m assuming that most reading this review will want to see some improvements in the Media Center Extender function—and I think HP delivered pretty well on that. While the Extender UI is a bit...
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Tuesday, July 01, 2008 7:27 AM

HP MediaSmart Connect Review Part 2: MediaSmart UI

MediaSmart Connect UI/Dashboard On the first boot-up of the Connect you get basic setup options including language, resolution (720p or 1080i only), and more. After this simple process you are greeted with the MediaSmart UI/Dashboard which includes options...
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Tuesday, July 01, 2008 7:24 AM

Short Bits: MKV, Media Center U

Tons of DivX Certified devices are out on the market, in fact that HP MediaSmart Connect that I’m reviewing now is DivX Certified, but the biggest problem with all of these devices is that they don’t support MKV. That will all change with...
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Monday, June 30, 2008 7:15 AM

HP MediaSmart Connect Review Part 1: Overview

The HP MediaSmart Connect x280n (formerly MediaSmart Receiver) is HPs latest entry into the Media Center Extender/Adaptor market. Building on the success of their MediaSmart HDTV lineup, the MediaSmart Connect brings the same experience you get on the...
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Friday, June 27, 2008 8:58 AM

Any HP MediaSmart Connect Questions?

Yesterday I received my HP MediaSmart Connect x280n review unit and will be taking a look at it this weekend. I will likely mirror my review of the Linksys DMA series Extender minus all of the general Media Center setup content. If anyone has questions...
Posted by chrisl | 8 comment(s)
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Friday, June 27, 2008 8:49 AM

mControl 2.1 Goes Final

Embedded Automation has released the final build of mControl 2.1 for download. The build is actually the same as the previous RCGOLD2 release, and as there were no significant issues reported Embedded Automation has now shifted their focus to the next...
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Wednesday, June 25, 2008 7:08 AM

Microsoft Updates Extenders, Set-top Box Support in Media Center

Microsoft has just released two updates for Vista Media Center, fixing up STBs and Extenders. KB950124 adds and fixes support for newer STBs connected to Media Center, and KB950125 which adds a few Extender issues including 50Hz output fixes for those...
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Tuesday, June 24, 2008 9:46 AM

Has Media Center Been a “Miss” for Microsoft?

Dennis Morgan pointed to a recent MSNBC article on Bill Gates hits and misses during his time at Microsoft. One of the first products in the miss category is Media Center , what do you think? Based on the author’s semi-outdated understanding of Media...
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Monday, June 23, 2008 7:59 PM

Media Center Nabs More Online Content: Olympics & Fight Network

NBC has teamed up with TVTonic to provide online coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympics via Media Center. Be sure to watch the ‘Explore’ section of Media Center for more, as well as TVTonic (requires install). More information at TVTonic . In addition the...
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Sunday, June 22, 2008 10:21 AM

More on Cannon PCs Six CableCARD PC

On Friday Cannon PC demoed a system recording from six CableCARDs all at once , while playing back a recording and the system didn’t skip a beat. This was demoed in the YouTube video , but I got some higher resolution screenshots of Media Center showing...
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Sunday, June 22, 2008 9:51 AM

mControl Adds Support for CentraLite JetStream

Embedded Automation has just added CentraLite JetStream to their growing list of supported home control systems. CentraLite JetStream is a new standard for home control based on Zigbee, and as you will learn in the embedded video it was actually the first...
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Friday, June 20, 2008 7:30 AM

Cannon PC Demos Media Center with 6 CableCARDs

June 18, 2008 - Cannon PC, LP demonstrated a capability of their Media Centers to accommodate 6 Digital Cable Cards and simultaneously record 6 different HD Digital Cable Channels. Cannon PC, the award winning Media Center specialty company, demonstrated...
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Friday, June 20, 2008 7:27 AM

Short Bits: Extenders, Dream Home

The Windows Experience Blog took a look at the HP MediaSmart Connect . At some point I’ll also have a review of the unit and compare it directly to the Linksys Extenders (and D-Link which is pretty much the same). Speaking of Extenders, Ben at Engadget...
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Friday, June 20, 2008 7:19 AM

HP MediaSmart Connect Makes It Easy to Enjoy Digital Media from Any HDTV‏

PALO ALTO, Calif., June 17, 2008 – HP today announced that HP MediaSmart Connect, a sleek digital media receiver that brings digital media from around the home or Internet to any HDTV, is now available for pre-order. First announced as part of the HP...
Posted by chrisl | 6 comment(s)
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Monday, June 16, 2008 7:36 AM

Making Dreams a Reality: The Innoventions Dream Home

The latest attraction at Disneyland takes visitors through a home of the future featuring technologies of tomorrow inspired by some of today’s cutting-edge consumer offerings from Microsoft and other technology industry leaders. ANAHEIM, Calif., June...
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Sunday, June 15, 2008 6:59 PM

Short Bits: HP, TouchSmart, Webinar, Live for TV

Ian Dixon had a ton of good stuff this past week at HP’s Connecting your World event in Germany . Among the top announcements was HPs new TouchSmart PC which features a 22-inch display . Best of all, this thing is cheap! It smarts at only $1,300, nearly...
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Sunday, June 15, 2008 3:59 PM

mPanel Preview Videos, Price Point, and More

No doubt Embedded Automation's mPanel has been high on my list , and over the past week Ted has posted up some great videos on the company’s website and YouTube page . Check out the mPanel overview , mPanel installation , mPanel Media Center control...
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Saturday, June 14, 2008 7:41 PM

Microsoft Quietly Plans “Windows Media Center TV Pack”

Microsoft made plans public on Friday in Japan (late Thursday in US) for the release of a product called “Windows Media Center TV Pack” as a part of their increased TV signal support in the country. (Image via Masaru Kamikura's tumblr ) What is the...
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