Media PCs

RFiDJ: the coaster-controlled HTPC switches playlists while you switch drinks (video)

metrocashcarryry — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:22:32 +0000

You know, RFID hasn’t done much for itself in the consumer market. To most average Joes and Janes, the tech is really only around for use in complex supply chains and warehouses that they’d rather block from their minds. Thanks to Roteno Labs, we now have at least one glorious example of just how awesome RFID tags truly are, as the RFiDJ project demonstrates how tagged coasters can be used to instantly switch playlists stored on an HTPC. You simply set a designated coaster on top of the machine, and within seconds a new playlist is activated. We hear that videos actually do speak louder than words, so we’ll just stop here and beg you to hop on past the break for a memorable encounter with splendiferousness.

[Via Hack a Day]

Microsoft emancipates Digital Cable Tuners with second Media Center update today

offegoalofido — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:23:33 +0000

Scant hours after the SDV tuning, DRM-relaxing firmware update for Vista and Windows 7 Digital Cable Tuner users became available, Missing Remote let us know Microsoft has come through on the other half of its CEDIA promise by pushing the Digital Cable Advisor to Media Center Extras galleries everywhere. This half should enable all Windows 7 PCs to work with the CableCard tuners, sans-OEM requirement or inconvenient hacking. Sure we could ask for more from Windows 7 Media Center, but for now Netflix and these two (in less than 100 days) will have to do.

Read – MCE: Digital Cable Advisor Tool Available Now!
Read – ATI DCT Firmware update pops up on Windows Update, DRM-free MCE recordings are a go

XBMC ARM port teased, will manage HD playback from pocket-sized Beagleboard (video)

marykay — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:00:00 +0000

There was a time when the X in XBMC stood for Xbox, but now just look at it. The open source project is showing up on everything from MIDs to Apple TVs and soon will be in the wild running on ARM-powered devices, with the development team posting a teaser video of the software running quite well on a tiny 600MHz Beagleboard. It’s a fraction of the size of most HTPCs and, at $150, a fraction of their cost, too. Right now the software seems to be struggling a bit with what looks to be 480p wide content, but the devs promise proper HD playback in the full release — though they’re not saying when that full release will be.

[Via Hack A Day]

Cisco FlipShareTV streamer outed in FCC documents

amitg — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:17:03 +0000

Flip Video remote, meet your family. One of Cisco’s latest FCC filings happened to keep its user manual outside the seal of confidentiality, giving us a pretty good look at FlipShareTV, a setup for streaming recorded video from the computer’s FlipShare software, out the USB dongle transmitted wirelessly to the receiver connected to the TV… and that’s about it. Nothing too thrilling here, and there’s no indication of price or release date. More pictures below — any Flip enthusiasts actually excited by this?

Gallery: Cisco FlipShareTV

[Via Zatz Not Funny]

Windows 7 Media Center’s upgraded Netflix Watch Instantly interface now available

svendy — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:06:46 +0000

Those already upgraded to Windows 7 ahead of Thursday’s launch events (no, we’re not coming to your party) should find a Netflix button parked under the Movies section in Media Center starting today. Clicking it revealed a slightly smoother install process than the initial Netflix upgrade for Vista users last spring, then it’s off to the refreshed interface we first spotted at CEDIA — extender support or HD streaming is still out. Also updated is the out-of-beta internet TV sliding under the TV tab (new from beta 2: Adobe Flash video support and region locking) with a wide assortment of streaming video available, though the picture quality still leaves something to be desired.

[Thanks, Daren & Craig]

Update: Not seeing it yet? Go to the Tasks –>Settings–>General–>Automatic Download Options and manually start an update there, the new tiles should arrive shortly.

Gallery: Windows Media center 7 with Netflix & internet TV

Gallery: Netflix in Windows 7

GlideTV Navigator puts Media Center controls in the palm of your hand

paolinalucydd — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:53:34 +0000

Otherwise content users of Boxee or Hulu on the big screen in the living room, the tyranny of the keyboard and mouse may finally be over! GlideTV Navigator is a palm-sized remote control that features a trackpad and backlit AV buttons, just the thing to further enable your YouTube addiction beyond the confines of your computer nook. Works with Windows XP or Vista (we’re assuming there’s a Windows 7 version on tap as well), Mac OS X, and the Sony PS3, and the package includes a charging cradle and USB receiver. Sadly, the on-screen keyboard and integrated search apps are Windows only for the time being. Look to spend about $149 — but not before peeping the gallery below.

Gallery: GlideTV Navigator puts Media Center controls in the palm of your hand

Okoro delivers mini Media PCs with a full size price tag

irrannash — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:14:15 +0000

Continuing its streak of questionably high priced media PCs Okoro has announced the new OMS-Q100 and OMS-Q200 Quantum mini Digital Entertainment Systems. Combining an Intel Atom processor and NVIDIA ION in the OMS-Q200 and Mobile Core 2 Duo in the OMS-Q200 with 4GB of RAM with 320GB of hard drive space, 7.1 audio outputs, OTA & QAM recording capability (plus optional digital cable tuner) these tiny, quiet boxes could find a welcoming home theater somewhere, though the starting price of $1,295 may make for a difficult fit. You probably don’t need our help to put together something equivalent or better for less than that, but feel welcome to it.

Video: VIA’s VB8003 Mini-ITX board has dual-HDMI, could rock your HTPC’s world

metrocashcarryry — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:41:53 +0000

Remember when the PlayStation 3 was going to have dual-HDMI ports so that games could pump 1080p video to two displays simultaneously? Ahh, those were good ‘ol days. That configuration obviously didn’t come to pass, but VIA’s looking to deliver dual-HDMI and more in its next integrated Mini-ITX solution, the VB8003, which also packs DVI and VGA ports, as well as an LVDS output, meaning it could control five displays at once (though with only four discrete signals). It uses the Trinity Platform with a 1.6GHz Nano processor, a VX800 Media System Processor, and an integrated S3 GPU, all paired with up to 4GB of memory. 1080p playback is said to be easily handled, with the system supporting resolutions of up to 2560 x 1600, even though such an onslaught of pixels would surely turn your HDTV into a smoldering ruin. There’s no mention of price or availability yet, so you current set can relax — for now.

See more video at our hub!

Live from the Microsoft Windows Media Center event

offegoalofido — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:47:16 +0000

If you can’t wait to see what new announcements Microsoft will have surrounding Windows 7 Media Center, then you should head over to Engadget HD for our live coverage of the event. We made our predictions early, which means you can either look in awe of our genius or laugh as we miss every mark, either way click through to see what’s new in Media Center.

CyberPower serves up water-cooled LAN Mini H2o SFF rig

offegoalofido — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 02:23:17 +0000

If you’re looking for an ultra compact, ultra quiet new machine to act as your resident HTPC, CyberPower might just have an option worth eying. The all new LAN Mini H2o is said to be one of the planet’s tiniest water-cooled desktop gaming rigs, and while it’s equipped with Intel Core 2 Duo / Core 2 Quad CPUs, NVIDIA or ATI graphics and more hard drive space than you’ll initially know what to do with, there’s absolutely nothing stopping you from repurposing this is a media center PC. The box checks in at 11.25- x 8.75- x 7-inches and weighs just ten pounds, and there’s even room for a WiFi adapter, Blu-ray drive and HDMI socket. Feel free to customize yours now, with the Core 2 Quad Q9550-equipped base rig starting at $965.