It hasn’t been long since XBMC, named for Xbox Media Center, released their beta 1 of the Eden update.  Now, fast forward about three weeks, and we have arrived at Beta 2 of the home theater computer software.  XBMC is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Apple TV, as well as via a “live disc”.  It’s probably the best competitor to Microsoft’s Media Center software, which comes as part of Windows.  XBMC allows users to access and play pictures, music, and movies from any computer on your network.

Now with the release of Beta 2, very quickly on the heels of Beta 1, XBMC claims, “Since Beta 1, unencrypted bluray, dvd player, startup problems in OSX, airplay, subtitle issues, unofficial addon repository installations, and the frustrating TMDB scraper problems that have made it difficult for everyone to scrape new movies have all seen fixes.”  That’s a lot of fixes rushed out in a very short period of time.

XBMC claims that the Beta 2 of Eden is very stable, but still gives the same warning that any beta software comes with.  “The same warnings from beta1 still apply. Eden is quite stable already, but don’t forget that it is in beta. Builds for all platforms except XBMCBuntu are uploaded and ready to go.”  You can get the latest XBMC build for your home theater computer by visiting XBMC Download.

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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The market for home theater PC’s has largely been driven by user-built devices, with a few very pricey OEM boxes from hardware makers like Vidabox and Moneual.  The home theater PC, generally referred to as an HTPC, usually runs Windows with Media Center enabled upon start-up and comes as a non-tower case which is designed to fit in a cabinet in your living room.  Lately though, there has been a small but growing number of small form-factor boxes being used in living rooms.

Zotac is one of those small boxes that has been making inroads with the Media Center user base.  Today at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas Zotac announced three new models of their Zbox mini PC’s.  The Zbox ID80, ID81 and AD04 were all unveiled and all will likely prove to be popular with the HTPC enthusiasts.  All three feature an external Wi-Fi antenna, integrated Bluetooth 3.0, and a bundled media remote with a USB IR receiver for Windows Media Center.  These are all second-generation computers that are based, according to Zotac, on user-submitted feedback.

All three of the new Zotac boxes pack the same 2 GB of DDR3 RAM, USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports, S/PDIF audio out, Gigabit ethernet, and 6-in-1 card reader, and a 320 GB HDD, but vary in processor speed and graphics.  All three boxes also come in a bare-bones model that allows the user to add their own RAM and HDD, and (if the previous model holds true) an OS.

Prices and availability dates aren’t yet know. However, Zotac devices usually range in the $200-400 area but, as of this writing we don’t have dates for the new boxes.  You can visit them at ZotacUSA.

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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Remote Potato is a server for Windows Media Center and just recently they got a brand new Android app, well a new version anyway.  Remote Media Center is currently the only Android app that works with Remote Potato and it’s capable of streaming all of the files on your Media Center PC to any Android device.  Pictures, Music, Videos, Movies, even recorded TV are all available at your fingertips.  Remote Media Center also allows Android users to change server options and browse the recording schedule.

Before you get started you will need to first install and set up Remote Potato on your Windows 7 Media center computer.  Remote Potato is also compatible with Windows Vista and Windows XP, but if you want to use Remote Media Center for Android then you will need to be running Windows 7 on your home theater PC.  Once you have Remote Potato installed and configured then you can access it from any web browser, but it’s not very practical for mobile devices since it requires Silverlight and most mobile operating systems aren’t Silverlight compatible.

Remote Media Center eliminates that restriction and also provides a simple user interface to all of your Media Center files.  Just install the app, provide the your log-in details (IP address, port number and logon details) and you’re all set.  All you need to access your media collection, plus configure your TV recordings, is included in the app, optimized for your device’s touch-screen interface.

Remote Potato and Remote Media Center for Android are both free to download and use.  There is also an official iOS app, but it will set you back $6.99.   To get started visit Remote Potato, to download and install it.  Then, once that is set up, head over to the Remote Media Center download, or look for it it in the Android Market.

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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Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge Windows Media Center fan.  This Microsoft app for Windows, that comes pre-installed, is still one of the top living room applications for home theater enthusiasts.  Despite the fact that Media Center is being surpassed by the latest Xbox update, it’s still a top pick for anyone building an HTPC.  You can customize the Media Center experience in many ways, but MyMovies is one of the most popular apps the Media Center enthusiasts install when they set up their system.

Now, MyMovies for Media Center has moved to version 4.02.  According to the folks at Missing Remote, “None of these updates are final releases, but they all come with a couple of new and updated features as well as a host of bug fixes. Be sure to check the changelogs if you want to see everything in the updates and do keep in mind that this is beta software.”  Brian Binnerup, who created MyMovies, listed the following changes to this version of MyMovies:

Added: Option to mark a disc as being a bonus disc. This is to be used for TV Series mapping instructions and for future option of displaying bonus discs in Windows Media Center.

Change: DVD Profiler import changed to new online import option. This deprecates the option to import just data.

You can install MyMovies on your Media center computer or Windows Home Server by visiting MyMovies.dk.

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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One thing I love is wireless keyboards.  Being a Media Center user I have a need for an easy way to connect with my HTPC.  There are countless wireless keyboard and mouse combos on the market, but Media Center users aren’t looking for your average sized keyboard and mouse.  We want compact  hardware that fits in a coffee table drawer and fits in the hand almost as well as a remote.

Currently we are using a Vidabox keyboard in our home, but are always on the lookout for better and smaller alternatives.  Recently, just such a keyboard was released by SMK-Link.  It’s called the Ultra Mini Touchpad Keyboard, and it appears to be everything that a Media Center user is looking for.  It’s small, the mouse and keyboard are rolled into one by adding a touchpad to the keyboard.

Sure, every Media Center user wants to use only a remote control, but most know that this idea just isn’t practical, sometimes you just need a keyboard.  The SMK-Link Ultra Mini Touchpad Keyboard  retails for $69.99 from Interlink Electronics, and is available for immediate shipping.  They describe it as follows:

“The Wireless Ultra-Mini Touchpad Keyboard is the ideal companion for text entry across the room. The game controller-like shape is easy to hold and instantly familiar in the hand. Typing is as easy as text messaging. The integrated touchpad provides accurate and quick navigation with the shoulder buttons providing left and right mouse buttons. RF wireless works up to 33 feet away and doesn’t require line-of-sight, making the VP6364 perfect for a home theater, living room, boardroom or classroom. Includes a USB dongle which requires no drivers.”

I will try my best to get one for review and have high hopes that it will top the Vidabox keyboard that we currently use in my home.  Stay tuned.

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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One of the most popular alternatives to Windows Media Center is the Linux-based MythTV.  It’s also one of the most complicated HTPC operating systems to set up, which prevents many Windows users from taking the plunge.  Now, if your are Windows person, but want to give MythTV a try, but are afraid of Linux, you are in luck.  Well, you are sort of in luck.  You see, MythTV can now be run on a Windows computer, but it’s still not exactly a project for beginners.

Here is how Tim, at Missing Remote, described the new MythTV for windows project:

“Most recently, a handful of real MythTV developers have taken it upon themselves to get the native MythTV frontend application working under Windows.  There have been a number of challenges along the way; not all of the features are functional yet and there are still some bugs to work out but it is now possible to run the MythTV frontend application natively in Windows.”

If you are wondering why you would want to use MythTV instead of Media Center, which is already a part of Windows and works with pretty much a single mouse-click, then consider that MythTV is open source software, making it much more enticing to developers and leading to better customization and more available add-ons.  It can do pretty much anything Windows Media Center can do, plus you can add features that simply aren’t available in Media Center.

Rather than doing a long, in-depth tutorial on getting MythTV up and running on a Windows PC, we’ll leave that in the very capable hands of Missing Remote.  You can read their post, MythTV on Windows?!, which explains what you will need to download and do to accomplish this project.  For basic information on the OS, visit the MythTV website.  Get ready for a long, but satisfying, weekend project.

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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There have been some recent problem’s with XBMC’s weather app.  If you don’t know, XBMC (which stands for Xbox Media Center) is a great alternative to Windows Media Center that has a devote following of hardcore users.  Like many media center software programs, XBMC has more than just the typical movies, TV, and music applications.  Weather is also a popular app for any HTPC user.  But recently XBMC made some changes that caused their built-in weather app to stop working.

“As many of you are aware, recent API changes have forced XBMC and most XBMC-based software offshoots to change the way they handle their weather app. We have refrained from commenting until now, because the Team wanted to internally discuss what the best step forward would be.” said XBMC rep Nate Thomas.”

The direction that XBMC have chosen is to pull weather out of the core and create an add-on.  They are currenty working on “creating an easily replaceable and updateable Weather Addon.”  They also claim that this will not effect development of Eden and also will not affect any of the current skins.

XBMC is compatible with Windows, Linux, OSX, and Apple TV, as well as having the ability to run from a Live CD.  It’s an open source program that relies on the help of many volunteer developers.  You can find out more by visiting XBMC.org.

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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The HTPC, or home theater PC, while popular with a loyal group of followers, doesn’t get the mainstream attention it deserves.  We are huge HTPC lovers here at MWE, but it’s a small and loyal following that we are a part of.  However, when a new version of an HTPC software app comes out we want to give it some love and attention.  While Windows Media Center remains king-of-the-hill, there are many alternatives available.  One of those is XBMC, and now it has a lightweight fork known as OpenELEC.

This week OpenELEC finally shipped version 1.0 of their HTPC software.  XBMC began life, and gained it’s name, from Xbox and (Windows) Media Center.  It’s relationship to Microsoft ends there though.  XBMC is Linux, not Windows.  It’s based on Ubuntu Linux, which is perhaps the most popular version of the open-source operating system.  I will let XBMC rep Nate Thomas explain it.

“OpenELEC, for those who don’t know, is somewhat similar to XBMC Live. The basic concept is that the user interacts with XBMC without once having to visit a non-XBMC screen. The similarities between XBMC Live and OpenELEC end there though. Live is based on a modified and stripped down release of Ubuntu. OpenELEC has been built from scratch specifically to act as a media center. Live is based on minimal Ubuntu, thus you can easily install all services and applications that are available on Ubuntu repositories, and as a pre-requisite, Live includes all the system files necessary for the Ubuntu ecosystem.  Essentially, the user who is looking for an XBMC-optimized customization of the standard Ubuntu OS would likely prefer XBMC Live. The user who would like XBMC stripped down to the very most basic essentials for ultimate boot time would likely prefer OpenELEC.”

While OpenELEC may be based on XBMC, it’s really separate in a lot of ways.  It boots much faster and has a different set of available add-ons.  There is live TV, GUI configuration, self-updating, media downloading, and much more.

For a great how-to on setting up OpenELEC you can visit LifeHacker.  If you are a Windows Media Center fan, but want some alternatives then stay tuned because we will be looking at a few of our favorites in the near future.  If you want to know more about putting OpenELEC on your HTPC the you can visit their website.  Once you add a computer to your home theater you will never go back.

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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With Windows 8 Developer Preview now being widely used, reviewed and dissected across the world, many users have begun to get anxious for the beta edition.  Previously, the concensus opinion was that Windows 8 Beta would be unveiled and become available during the upcoming CES in January 2012.  Now, we have received reports that a beta release may be coming sooner than that.

The source for this new information claims to be using a copy of Windows 8 Beta build 8141 and there are some changes that have been made since the Developer Preview.  Those changes include Metro apps zooming, changeable metro background color, and more.  The big change though, which will make a small but vocal group of users happy, is that Media Center is now included.  Many users were horrified to find Media Center not included in the Developer Preview and were worried that Microsoft may have been cutting the application, which is loved by HTPC enthusiasts.  However, Microsoft’s Steven Sinofsky laid those fears to rest by assuring everyone that the next edition of the app just hadn’t been ready in time, but would appear in a later build.

Build 8141 appears to have been compiled on October 21, 2011.  Since that was only a few days ago it seems unlikely that the beta will be hitting the Microsoft download channel too soon.  However it does lend credence to an earlier than CES release.  There are two screenshots posted below.  We can’t verify them, of course, but they at least have the look of something legitimate.  Perhaps a Windows 8 beta will be here before we know it.

Source: MDL Forums

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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Microsoft’s goal has always been to get the Xbox into everyone’s living room.  That goal to dominate home entertainment may have begun with Media Center, but it has clearly shifted to Xbox in recent years.  They recently announced new streaming TV coming soon.  Of course, DVR functionality still requires a Media Center computer that serves as the front-end for live TV watching and recording.

Now it’s possible that Microsoft is taking a step forward in getting that Media Center TV capability into the Xbox 360.  In the first baby-step, today they announced a new media hard drive for the Xbox.  They will be releasing a 320 GB external drive that works with the 360 for media storage.  The HDD will be available later this month and will include a free download code for Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars.

Of course, this in no way means that DVR or live TV capability is on the way to the Xbox 360.  As of now, it is simply storage for your Xbox files.  However, a lot more can be read into this move, if one chooses to do so.  Media Center has a small, but loyal following, and had been called the best DVR operating system available.  Xbox 360 has quite a large following, and is adding media functionality at an ever-faster rate.  It’s seems the two are on a collision course that will meld them into one, hopefully, cohesive entity in the coming months and years.

The 320 GB media hard drive will be available this month (October) for $129.99.

Source: WinRumors

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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