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News, Analysis, and Opinion on Microsoft Digital Media Technologies (and TGB News!)
November 2007 - Posts
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Ricavision has finally come out to play with new SideShow
remotes. First off they have a brand new
design in their VAVE100. Not only does
it have SideShow built-in, but it is now a universal learning remote too. Everyone’s dream of Media Center control is
about to happen when this thing ships.
The VAVE100
Universal Remote Control with Windows Vista SideShow Technology is the new top
of the line SideShow-based remote. Features
include…
- Control 20 different entertainment devices from a distance
of over 50 feet via IR
- 2.4 Inch QVGA LCD Display with a resolution of 240x320
- IR+Class 1 Bluetooth with Audio streaming
- Learning feature and Macro support (Built-in 1500 brands via
LCD display setup)
- One touch of the Windows Media Center
- Let the SideShow Begin!
Built in SideShow support
- Rechargeable Lithium Polymer Ion battery
- Includes docking station with RC6 receiver, Bluetooth transceiver
and a power charger
Check it out on pre-order
for only $274.00. Ships
in February 29, 2008.
Next up is the non-SideShow VAVE50 Windows Vista Universal
Remote Control. This is more of a
Harmony replacement than anything else, but it looks more Media Center friendly
then any Harmoy remote on the market.
Features for this guy include…
- Controls 15 different devices
- LCD screen to identify your device
- LCD screen allows for user defined keys and favorite
channels
- Media Center ready
No word on price or availability yet, but you can assume it
will be less expensive then the VAVE100.
Also, Ricavision has setup their PLIX Gadgets Bank, which
allows you to download gadgets specially designed Gadgets for Ricavision’s
SideShow remotes. Currently listed are PLIX
Photo Gadget, PLIX Radio Gadget, PLIX Movie Gadget, and PLIX Weather Gadget. Standard Sidebar Gadgets should also work
too.
One sad bit of news, their Fridge Magnet/Scribbler
Device, eBook Reader,
and eChatter are now said
to be prototypes still in development. I
wouldn’t expect them to ship soon because of that, which is too bad because they
are great ideas that I would love to get my heads on.
Digg
it! Update: Sideshow will support control of Extender sessions.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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Following the delay of
v2 Media Center Extenders, SageTV has released some information
and photos of
their upcoming Media Extender and the reaction has been superb (here,
here,
here,
and here
for just a few examples).
Let’s get right to it, their SageTV HD Media Extender
(STX-HD100) will be $199. Hey, they
listened to customer feedback and choose a good price point. Sure, I’ve said in the past that $150 is the
perfect price but considering this is coming from a small company, they sure
nailed the price. Linksys and D-Link,
who have both delayed their release of v2 Extenders, failed to
intro products at price points that I consider reasonable.
SageTV HD Media Extender
(STX-HD100)
v2 Extenders are now likely to show at retail after the new
year, killing the “Holiday 2007” timeframe completely. Great to have them unveiled at DigitalLife in
October and then delayed into the next year after announcing that they would be
available this year. On the other side
of things, Sage is expecting theirs to be ready to go in two weeks (12/10) just
beating the holiday sales window.
It isn’t all good though.
Looking though the threads some people have some dislikes, albeit minor. There appears to be no learning remote included,
no CD/DVD drive option, local USB ports not active, no wireless option, and
some other small things. To me, the case
isn’t that attractive (kinda cheap lookin) and that is something that most
people seem to complain about that with other products.
With all that said, most major details haven’t really been
released. Brent
Evans outlined the few confirmed features: HDMI (also S-Video, Composite
and Component), SPDIF, 10/100 Mbps Ethernet, and 1080p output. H.264 is also on the list, but other than
that not much is known about file format or container support.
I have high hopes for container and file format
support. To me, Sage understands exactly
what their customers are looking for in this device. They have had a makeshift solution for a
while with the MediaMVP, but to me they have no reason to put out a device that
doesn’t do what their userbase is looking to do. The same can’t be said Media Center Extenders
in most cases.
A lot of these differences in understanding boil down to the
perceived market. Linksys/D-Link are
making devices for “everyone”, not the Media Center enthusiast. SageTV on the other hand is taking the smart
route and is making the device for the enthusiast. The “everyone’s” of the world reap the
benefits. You develop for enthusiasts in
these products to a large extent, and it is my belief that Sage understands
this and Microsoft (along with their partners) don’t.
SageTV has key support for some features that Media Center doesn’t,
noticeably native QAM support for several tuners. However, one thing that SageTV doesn’t have
and likely will never is CableCARD support.
Evil DRM aside, I’ve been a proponent of CableCARD (and DIRECTV) support
because it is needed for mass adoption into the home. For anyone who doesn’t care about that angle
of things and wants to live DRM free forever, I can’t help but suggest watching SageTV’s next move. Oh, did I mention that SageTV also has their
own version of Softsled
(SageTV Placeshifter) and they also have a Windows Home Server support?
Microsoft and their partners need to take a long look at
what SageTV is doing, much of it should have been part of Media Center
for a while now. Congratulations to
SageTV on a job well done thus far, and we all are looking forward to see what is delivered
in the final product.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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Word from a poster on The Green Button
is that the D-Link DSM-750 Extender has been delayed. From a D-Link CSR, “Hello ,and thank you for
your inquiry. The DSM-750 has been
delayed, it is now expected to be released at the end of Dec/early Jan.”
Update: PCalchemy
now reports December 7th as the expected date for their inventory for the
Linksys Extenders. Thanks gstone!
Update: Ed Bott confirms Linksys delayed too. Also, I’ve been considering buying a Mac for a while
now. I’ve used OS X on several
occupations and enjoy it, I hear about how great it is from my girlfriend who
works in front of one all day, and now that they can run Windows XP/Vista it
has been on the top of my list for when I upgrade my PC.
However, now I’ve run into a problem with that concept. TigerDirect doesn’t sell Mac’s. Why is this important? Because I’ve got a $500 gift certificate for
TigerDirect (yeah, not my first choice either but it was free). That screws up me getting a Mac right
now. I just can’t pass up only needing
to drop $100-$200 for a new PC.
I order my parts yesterday, an C2D E6750, 2GB RAM, GeForce
8500, and 500GB HDD which would all be covered under the gift certificate. Motherboard choice is still up in the air, but
will most likely be a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L LGA.
I’m also going to pick up a semi-cheap Antec case to bring it all
together.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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Hanover MA, November 20, 2007, Inteset, LLC has announced
that its Denzel DTCD30-Si media server now supports four (4) internal CableCARD
tuners. In addition, units sold with this configuration contain an Intel®
Quad-Core processor needed to support simultaneous usage of the tuners. The server can now record up to four high-definition premium
cable broadcasts at once. In addition, the new unit responds to the needs of
Inteset dealers that have requested interoperability with the HDMI, 1080p
capable XBox 360 as well as the new 2nd generation Media Center Extender units
(MCX) coming on the market this holiday season which include those by Linksys
and D-Link. Up to five (5) additional MCX zones can be added. Four of those
zones can access Live TV simultaneously. Protected recordings are stored on the
server and can be streamed to any MCX box on the network. Furthermore, Inteset
has enhanced its multi-zone music entertainment module to work with the MCX
units generating more value add. "We've given our dealers the flexibility they've been
looking for," says David Hirsh, Director of Inteset Business Development.
"Dealers can now offer the low cost but powerful MCX platform to their
customers to distribute media, including protected premium HD cable content
around the house. Individuals can continue to use Inteset's Vana media extender
to stream DVD movies and watch live or recorded premium cable content
locally," continues Hirsh. For detailed specification and dealer pricing information,
visit http://www.inteset.com. Or, contact Inteset sales at
781-826-1560 ext: 215.
About Inteset, LLC
Inteset, LLC has been creating high-end home entertainment
products since 2003. Inteset offers three categories of products based on
the Windows Media Center platform: media servers, media extenders, and
exclusive software for its systems. The near silent media servers come with up
to 8TB of internal, protected storage with the ability to expand
externally. The advanced media extenders are independent systems as well
as A/V distribution clients. All systems are shipped with an enriched
Windows Media Center interface that includes a movie management module and a
multi-zone music module among other exclusive software offerings. These
systems appeal to A/V dealers and integrators for their high-integrity
construction, reliability, ease-of-use, unique entertainment modules and
services, price point, and interoperability with advanced control systems.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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Study this image for about two seconds, and you should see
something interesting. This image was possibly made
for (or by) John Eldridge, a LIVE Evangelist at Microsoft and shown as a part
of a presentation titled “Creating
Innovative Business Applications Using Microsoft Emerging Technologies” (late 2006, early 2007). So, at least one person sees the “Media Center Vision”
including Softsled. Wonder what the hold
up is with eHome understanding and addressing it? LIVE doesn’t seem to have a huge problem with
it, it is just too bad they don't make Media Center.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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I was just
reading one of the Zune threads over at The Green Button and a user
commented that licensing might be the reason why the Zune doesn’t syncing HD recordings. The idea being if they didn’t license a Dolby
Digital decoder, then they couldn’t convert the audio. My train of thought went….
Damn, probably right.
Another feature lost to licensing Wait, doesn’t Vista Home Premium and Ultimate include Dolby
Digital decoders? Yeah, but then you would have to limit syncing of HD content
to Home Premium and Ultimate. Stupid footnotes
no one ever reads. Oh, but Media Center is only included in Home Premium and Ultimate. Dang, why doesn’t Zune support syncing HD recordings then?
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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If you didn’t hear, the new Zunes were released yesterday
along with updated firmware and software
for v1 Zunes. Ian Dixon posted his
thoughts on the new
Zune Software, along with his results on syncing
recorded TV to the Zune. Long Zheng posted the best advertisement
that I have ever seen for the Zune.
If Microsoft is smart, this style of ad is what will help make the Zune. The print
ads also excite me and are very well done.
No doubt, these ads and concepts are much better then the
first new one, which sucks at best. If Microsoft can keep this up, the Zune
will be more of a iPod competitor. Still some big issues with Zune though. Doesn’t sync HD content (ATSC), of course
doesn’t sync CableCARD content at all, no Smart Playlists (as the ratings
changed), some
album art issues, they removed the EQ apparently, and I’m sure there is
more. Big one for me, as I've been talking about Media Center integration is not really so when you compare it to other players. Media Center integration just means that the Zune Software imports analog recordings. Walt
Mossberg says it is still no iPod. CNET gave it a 8.3 out of 10. More on Gizmodo
and Engadget.
This Zune is what the first should have been, and I’m
actually looking forward to the v3 Zune.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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With Intel processing,
Pro Audio and advanced functionality, Niveus’ 2008 product offers the highest
fidelity entertainment experience.
Long Beach, CA – EHX
Fall 2007 – November 6-9th – Niveus Media, the leader in high-end digital
entertainment solutions for the connected home, introduces the 2008 line of
Media Server products. Now boasting Pro Audio and powerful Intel processing,
Niveus has optimized their Media Servers to provide pristine audio and video
performance for superior home theater production and remarkable whole-home
entertainment.
As part of the 2008 focus to develop the most refined
devices for exceptional digital entertainment throughout the home, Niveus has
beefed up their entire Media Server offering including the passively cooled
Summit Series Rainier and Denali Editions and the Pro Series n4, n7, and n9
Editions. Advancements to all servers include new Seagate® DB35 Series™ hard
drives for video streaming performance, acoustics & reliability and
Nvidia’s GeForce Series 8 graphics featuring PureVideo™ HD technology for high
quality video scaling up to and beyond 1080p.
One of the most distinguished upgrades sure to resonate
loudly in the audiophile market is the addition of a “Pro Audio” chipset in the
Pro Series n7 & n9 and the Summit Series Denali Edition and Denali Limited
Edition. The dedicated sound card provides the cleanest and highest resolution
audio from all channels (up to 7.1), and features digital-to-analog converters
from Burr-Brown, chosen in top professional or consumer audio equipments around
the world.
Niveus’ Pro Audio features an impressive signal-to-noise
ratio (SNR) of 118 db for both audio in and out and is able to deliver 118 db
quality audio for 7.1 channel sound. Incorporating multiple technologies from
Dolby and DTS (Dolby Digital Live, Dolby Virtual Speaker, DolbyPro Logic®IIx,
DTS Interactive, and more!), Niveus’ Media Servers deliver outstanding,
unmatched audio reproduction.
As part of their testament to providing rich audio and video
production with powerful processing, the rack mountable Pro Series Media
Servers, including the n7, n9, and the new n4, have all been upgraded to
feature the Intel® Core™ 2 Quad processor, which provides four independent
cores with dedicated threads, to efficiently off-load tasks and more readily
serve up media including HD video to multiple rooms of the home.
All Niveus Media’s Windows Vista Ultimate-based Media
Servers are capable of storing, managing, and playing TV, music, movies, and
photos while offering the highest level of Media Center performance. Niveus’
2008 line of product is available now.
For more information on Niveus Media, Inc., please visit www.niveusmedia.com.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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The first Windows Media Center Extender designed for the
custom install channel, EDGE is ISF certified and available in time for the
Holidays!
Long Beach, CA – EHX Fall 2007 – November 6-9th –
Shortly after the unveiling at CEDIA Expo 2007, Niveus Media, the leader in
high-end digital entertainment for the connected home, formally introduces the
Niveus Media Extender – EDGE. A hardware device that gives users the ability to
enjoy the Niveus Media Center experience throughout the whole home, EDGE has
become the first Windows Media Center Extender to receive the prestigious
Imaging Science Foundation (ISF) Video Quality Certification.
By connecting the Niveus Media Extender to any TV throughout
the home, users are granted access to live and recorded TV, digital photos,
digital music, home video, and exclusive online multi-media content, including
downloadable music and local weather – all accessed through and stored on the
Niveus Media Server. The Niveus Media Extender offers users a full fidelity
experience, uncompromised 1080p video, digital audio, and the same amazing 3D
user interface found on the award-winning Niveus Media Center.
In addition to the intuitive on-screen experience, the
Niveus Media Extender features the proprietary Niveus Glacier™ Passive Cooling
system for cool and quiet performance and a sleek and stylish A/V form-factor,
designed to blend seamlessly into any zone of the home and flexible enough to
be installed into a rack-mount solution application.
“We’re excited to formally introduce the Niveus Media
Extender – EDGE,”states Tim Cutting, CEO, Niveus Media. “EDGE represents the
final building block of the Niveus Entertainment Experience, a complete
end-to-end server/client product architecture that allows high definition
entertainment to be accessed from any room of the house. No other vendor can
offer this complete solution based on the Microsoft Media Center platform.
This, along with our recent ISF certification of EDGE, is a huge advantage over
competing solutions.”
Through the introductions of EDGE and the robust storage and
control solutions (Niveus Storage Server and Niveus Control Server/Niveus
Companion), Niveus now offers a supremely sophisticated Media Center
eco-system, properly dubbed The Niveus Entertainment Experience.
Niveus Media’s whole-home entertainment system enables
independent content control which makes it possible for a person in a Niveus
Media Extender zone to access one digital entertainment feature while someone
at the Media Server or separate Extender zone accesses another. Niveus
currently offers Extender support for up to five zones.
The Niveus Media Extender – EDGE will be available in
December 2007. Niveus Media’s 2008 line of Windows Vista Ultimate-based media
centers including the Summit Series Rainier and Denali Editions, and Pro Series
n4, n7 and n9, are capable of storing, managing, and playing TV, music, movies,
and photos while offering the highest level of media center performance.
For more information on Niveus Media, Inc., please visit www.niveusmedia.com.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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Looks
like a few proposed features and top user request for Windows 7 has been compiled
by Microsoft, and now has been leaked. These
are supposed to apply to Windows 7, the follow-up to Windows Vista.
Looking
at stuff Media Center related, it sure looks like Microsoft is starting to
listen. I don’t see DVD streaming on the list, but here are some notable
Media Center features that are said to be “top requests.”
- Media Center Television
Programming Builder
- PIP Functionality to Media
Center
- MCE and Screensaver/Monitor
shutdown settings
- Provide more extensive sound
mixer in Media Center
- Media Center – Start
recording from Live TV Buffer
- Allow Windows PCs to act as
Media Center Extenders
- Built-in Codec Manger
Media Center Extenders should
be able to play DivX and Xvid files - Rapid RW and FWD cases TV
playback to lose frames
Of course, new Extenders already support DivX and Xvid, but
other than that this list is a great start for stuff the Media Center team
should be looking at. Not sure what Media Center Television
Programming Builder is, but something everyone would love to see is that Softsled has officially made it on a list within Microsoft.
I'm also sure this is not a comprehensive list, nor
is it likely that all of them will make it all the way to Windows 7. So, I wouldn’t get too excited, and also note that
Windows 7 isn’t expected by most until ~2010 (and I think we all hope after Vista that Microsoft doesn't rush it).
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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Microsoft partners with 18 renowned artists to fuse high
style with portable entertainment.
REDMOND, Wash. — Nov. 12, 2007 — Tomorrow, consumers
ready for a richer, more connected and more personal entertainment experience
will have the first opportunity to get their hands on sleek new Zune players,
redesigned Zune software, and new online services including the Zune Marketplace
and Zune Social, an online music community. The players — along with dozens of
accessories — will be available at retailers across the United States, while
the new Zune software will be available for free download at http://www.zune.net.
For the first time, consumers also will have the option to
customize their Zune player with laser-engraved designs and personal text
through a new Web store called Zune Originals. Customers will be able to
purchase a Zune player directly from Microsoft at http://www.zuneoriginals.net and
choose from a collection of laser-engraved artwork designed exclusively for
Zune by 18 internationally recognized artists.
“We’re bringing the entire category to the next level by
empowering consumers to play a role in redefining the digital music
experience,” said J Allard, corporate vice president for Zune. “Zune brings
music discovery and acquisition into one simple, end-to-end solution, and the
addition of unique customization options puts the originality back into
portable entertainment.”
Zune Originals Gives Consumers a New Canvas
Consumers no longer need to settle for the same portable
media player as everybody else. The new Zune Originals online store will let
people make a unique statement by customizing their Zune with laser-engraved
art or personal text. Zune worked with 18 accomplished artists from all over
the world to create a collection of 27 different designs, called the Artist
Series, which will be available exclusively through Zune Originals. In addition
to the Artist Series, a separate Tattoo Series will feature 20 graphics that
consumers can have laser-engraved on their Zune with up to three lines of text.
Alternatively, people can choose to engrave up to five lines of text in place
of a design. On the Zune Originals Web site, customers can choose their Zune
(Zune 80GB, Zune 8GB or Zune 4GB), pick a color and then select a design and
their desired text.
The Zune Originals Artist Series will launch with designs
from artists Colletivo Studios, Catalina Estrada, Laurent Fetis, Sam Flores,
Klaus Haapaniemi, Pierre Marie, Kenzo Minami, Parskid, Mike Perry, Phunk
Studios, Chisato Shinya, Skwak, Iosefatu Sua, Tado, Nobumasa Takahashi, Ramiro
Torres, Darvin Vida and Steve Wilson.
“I’m always interested in the way art can merge with
technology to create a new dialogue,” Estrada said. “My work has been shown in
different venues all over the world, but Zune represents a brand-new canvas for
me to display my ideas.”
Read
Full Press Release
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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Acquisition of
Musiwave would build on Microsoft’s commitment to deliver Connected
Entertainment vision to consumers.
REDMOND, Wash. — Nov.
12, 2007 — Microsoft Corp. today announced it has entered into an
exclusivity agreement around its intention to acquire Musiwave SA, an Openwave
company and a leading provider of mobile music entertainment services to
operators and media companies. The acquisition would bring Musiwave’s
relationships with music labels, device makers and mobile operators that
deliver digital entertainment to consumers, together with Microsoft’s Connected
Entertainment technologies and services, including Windows Mobile, Zune, MSN
and Windows Live. Should the transaction proceed, Musiwave would continue to
operate out of its current headquarters in Paris.
“Microsoft and Musiwave share the same philosophy in working
with hardware and mobile operator partners to deliver great experiences for
mobile device users,” said Pieter Knook, senior vice president of the Mobile
Communications Business at Microsoft. “Bringing Musiwave on board would provide
an opportunity for Microsoft to explore new areas in the mobile space
previously untapped, and to showcase the power of software plus services. This
contemplated acquisition reflects Microsoft’s recognition of the software and technology
expertise in Europe.”
“Musiwave would bring key assets to us as we continue to
bring our vision of Connected Entertainment to life,” said J Allard, corporate
vice president in charge of music at Microsoft. “Its software expertise and
extensive relationships with operators and music companies would help us take
our products and services to the next level, giving people access to whatever
entertainment content they want, whenever and however they want it.”
Today, Microsoft mobile technology runs on a variety of
mobile platforms, featured on more than 140 mobile phones made by 50
handset-makers, sold by more than 160 mobile operators around the world.
Demand for Mobile Music Services Drives Innovation
Today, the mobile music device market is growing at a rapid
rate. According to technology research firm Ovum, 1,106 million mobile music
phones will be shipped worldwide in 2010. Mobile operators are continually
looking for ways to deliver digital entertainment to their customers, and have
looked to companies such as Musiwave to deliver music services that help
provide the necessary infrastructure. As a provider of white-label music
solutions to mobile operators in Europe, Musiwave has helped to bring a rich
selection of millions of ringtones, full-track downloads and music videos to
consumers.
Musiwave also has a rich history of working with a wide
variety of device-makers, across a diverse group of software platforms that
produce music and data-capable mobile devices. Today, software developed by
Musiwave can be found on most handsets available in Europe.
About Musiwave
Musiwave, an Openwave company (Openwave Systems Inc. NASDAQ:
OPWV), is a leading provider of mobile music entertainment solutions, including
software, marketing and content management, to operators and media companies
worldwide. For more information, please visit www.musiwave.net.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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In another case of Microsoft not understanding how to
integrate products, it seems the Zune’s
will use a brand new rating system outside of what Windows Media Player/Media
Center use. The new system doesn’t
even work on a 5-star principle, instead a like it-don’t like it system will be
used. I don’t understand what is so hard
to get about your products working together.
Thanks Matthew!
CostCentral is
apparently expecting
their stock of the Linksys DMA2200 Extender on 11/14. I don’t know about other retailers, but I
would expect retailers getting theirs in very soon. Thanks
Michael!
Update: PCAlchemy
has them listed now. Linksys
DMA 2200 at $319 expected Thursday 15 and Linksys
DMA 2100 at $269 also expected on the 15th.
Every Media Center beta I bug the fact that the stupid Buy
Music link has never gone to a Media Center formatted website. Whoever suggested that Buy Music should be
there and linked to a 2-foot view of MSN Music should be fired. Oh well, I just noticed that the webpage that
was there has now been replaced by an odd black and green image. It just screams “Buy Music”, doesn’t it?
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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