Revision3, the popular video podcast website that boasts such shows as Tekzilla, HDNation, Diggnation, and GeekBeat.tv, has released their own Windows Media Center plugin.  To the best of my knowledge, Rev3 is the first major online video site to release a Media Center plugin, and hopefully it will be the beginning of a trend.

Before this there was only Netflix, which was added in conjunction with Microsoft and delivered through a Windows Update.  Microsoft’s own lean, but decent, Internet TV also came in the same Windows Update as Netflix.

The Rev3 plugin comes in 32 bit as well as 64 bit AMD and Intel versions.  They give excellent instructions on their web site about how to download and install the plugin.

The app provides streaming viewing of all of the Rev3 shows.  Since it’s streaming there’s no way to resume a show later if you exit the app, but there is a fast forward.  The fast forward actually works surprisingly quick, considering this is streaming and now downloaded.  I assume there may be some sort of advanced caching going on in the background.

It has a great picture, good media center integration, and good controls to bring you all of their content right on your HTPC.  No more watching Revision3 on the PC.  Now you can kick back on your sofa and enjoy.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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Today I thought I’d cover some of the good video podcasts that I have recently been watching.  So, here are three that you may not have heard of, but really should give a watch for various reasons that I will state below.  If you’d like to watch these and others though your HTPC with Media Center then you can check out our recent How-to on that subject.

This Old Nerd

This Old Nerd is a pretty recent show launched by Iyaz Akhtar.  It’s a great tech-take on the This Old House series that shows ways of installing modern technology into you home.  Things like adding wired networking, setting up a home media server, and cutting cable TV.

Hack5

Hak5 is a show for the real geeks, and I say that in the best way, since I am one.  This is a show about PC security, hacking, modding, and a host of other things, some of which you probably never knew you could even do.  Like a lot of video podcasts, you can subscribe to it through Zune, iTunes, RSS, or watch episodes on their site or at YouTube.

HubbleCast

Hubblecast is a short, weekly show produced by The European Space Agency on semi-regular basis.  By semi-regular I mean that it comes out rather sporadically – sometimes once a month, sometimes twice and occasionally less.  The production quality, though, is stunning.  Spectacular pictures from Hubble added to fast-paced, information-packed episodes that are made to play on a big screen.  You may sometimes wait too long between shows, but they make it worth while.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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I know I spend my time here writing about Windows in all its iterations.  But today I’d like to take the time to write about something that has nothing to do with an OS.

If you are a geek/podcast fan/techie then you know Leo Laporte and you probably know Jason Calacanis.  Jason has appeared many times on Leo’s This Week in Tech podcast and has never failed to be insightful and knowledgeable and nothing short of a great panelist.

Leo has built his TWiT Network from the ground up over the past few years and added great shows which he has painstakingly vetted.  He readily admits that he does not own the “This Week in” name and that prior art prevents him from claiming it in the future.  So, When Jason asked to use the “This Week in” phrase for a show Leo readily agreed.

Most people would understand this as a favor from a friend and be grateful for it.  And for a while it seemed Mr. Calacanis would handle it in just that way.  Then, however, he began to add more shows which all began with “This Week in” and even went so far as start and/or purchase the website thisweekin.com (I will not link it here).  He claims he offered Leo Laporte the chance to purchase the domain, and I don’t doubt that he did.  But, really?  Why would anyone given an inch by a friend jump on it and take a mile?  Clearly he has to know that his new network is riding on the coattails of TWiT?  That most of his traffic is coming from people searching for TWiT?  It really amounts to nothing more than domain-parking.  No better than someone registering micrsoft.com for a link farm.  He is building a network off of the confusion.  Maybe his content is good.  I wouldn’t know and don’t plan to find out.

Really, Jason?  You made your money already.  Was this really worth it for a few more dollars in your pocket?

UPDATE:

Jason responded to me via Twitter: “Jason

@alanbuckingham I agree I was wrong.

And I commend him for it.  I know he is a good guy and I have appreciated his contributions online.  I hope he rectifies this situation.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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