MyMovies for Windows Update Now Required
Last Updated on Tuesday, 15 May 2012 06:46 Written by Alan Friday, 18 May 2012 07:00
MyMovies is one of the most popular plug-ins for Windows Media Center, but it’s also available for Windows Home Server and there is a Collection Management tool available for Windows Vista and Windows 7. MyMovies can replace the built-in Media Center Movies app with a much improved interface and a lot of options for customization.
Now the maker, Binnerup, will be requiring current users to upgrade to the latest version of all of the apps in order to be compatible with the latest security changes. Failure to upgrade (it’s free) will result in users losing access to meta-data from the online service. In a post to their web site earlier this week Binnerup explains the requirements in some detail.
“Due to security changes in communication with our online service, our users is requested to update their user clients before June 1′st 2012. The software will continue to operate after this date, but will after this date no longer be able to load meta-data from our online service.
Users running My Movies for Windows Media Center or My Movies Collection Management 4.00 or 4.01 for Windows 7 is required to upgrade to version 4.02 or later.
Users running My Movies for Windows Media Center or My Movies Collection Management 3 for Windows Vista is required to upgrade to version 3.25 or later.
Users running My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011 is required to upgrade to version 2.10 or later.
Users running My Movies for Windows Home Server V1 is only required to upgrade if client PC’s are upgraded to a version that requires a later version on their Home Server.
Users running My Movies 2 for Windows Media Center 2005 will for now not be required an update. However, we strongly recommend getting these systems upgraded to Windows 7.
Users running systems installed by a licensed professional My Movies installer will also not be required to update unless they are also signed into a user account, which is optional on these installations.
If you are in any way have problems with upgrading, or is unsure how to do this, please contact support@mymovies.dk where we are able to help you.”
If you haven’t checked out MyMovies then head over to the web site. It’s one of our most recommended apps, especially for those running an HTPC with Windows Media Center.
Media Center Web Browser Kylo Goes Open Source
Last Updated on Tuesday, 15 May 2012 06:20 Written by Alan Tuesday, 15 May 2012 06:20
Kylo, the web browser specifically built to run in Windows Media Center, has been around a couple of years, but has seen very little in the way of feature updates or changes of any kind. Perhaps that’s why today, maker Hillcrest Labs, announced they are turning the app over to the open source community. To be fair, Kylo was created more as a demonstration than a real product. Hillcrest Labs concentrates mostly on motion control technology and Kylo was a way of showing that off.
In a press release issued earlier today vice president Steve Scheirey stated “Releasing Kylo to the open source community is a natural progression for the TV browser. Kylo has always been a distinct initiative apart from our core Freespace business. By releasing Kylo’s source code, we expect to see new innovations and product enhancements from a much broader development community”.
This should be good news for users since it means more innovation will be coming to Kylo in the future. The browser plugs into Media Center and works seamlessly, allowing users to easily browse a large amount of video sources from one central location. If you haven’t used it before then you can download the browser from kylo.tv.
Microsoft Clarifies Media Center in Windows 8
Last Updated on Thursday, 3 May 2012 08:34 Written by Alan Thursday, 3 May 2012 08:34
Over the past few months Media Center has proven to be one of the greatest controversies for Windows 8 and today Microsoft attempted to clarify exactly what is going on. Early on many users worried that Media Center would not be part of the next operating system, but then Microsoft assured everyone it would be and to prove their point, they included it in the Consumer Preview version of Windows 8, which was released on February 29th. Then rumors began to circulate that it would only be in the Pro Version and, even with that, it would be an extra that users would need to purchase.
Today, on the Building Windows 8 blog, Microsoft decided to “share more details about our plan and the motivations behind it” regarding Media Center and their future OS. First they covered some information on audio and video formats, specifically for the new Metro apps which be part of the new Start screen.
“Metro style apps can use any of the decoders included in Windows. These decoders are optimized for system reliability, battery life, and performance, and cover all key playback scenarios for mainstream content such as YouTube video, Netflix video, Amazon audio/video, H.264 web browsing/streaming, Hulu video, MP4 video, AVCHD video from camcorders, Ultraviolet video, and the HTML5 video tag. Metro style apps can also include additional decoders (such as FLAC, MKV, OGG, etc.) in their apps package for use within the apps.”
Microsoft goes on to point out the steady decline of viewers for physical DVD’s, including Blu-Ray, and for broadcast TV. This has lead to a decision that, while Windows Media Player will be included in all versions of Windows 8, it will no longer be capable of playing DVD media. That will save the company considerable cost in codec licensing. Users who want simple DVD playback can use one of the many third-party apps available, such as WinDVD or Cyberlink PowerDVD.
For users who still want Media Center, which will still include all of it’s past features like DVD playback and live TV, there will be two choices. One is to purchase Windows 8 Pro and then purchase the Media Center Pack. The other is to upgrade Windows 8 to the Pro version by purchasing the Pro Pack. There was no mention of feature addition or changes from the Windows 7 version of MC.
Prices for the OS and add-on packs will be released later. Windows 8 is expected in late 2012, although a “Release Preview” is coming in June. Now we have some clear answers about what is truly going on with Media Center and the new OS, but what will the enthusiasts think of this? Are you satisfied with this solution? Let us know in the comments below.
