Chris Lanier's Blog

MSN Video Downloads Launch

Microsoft Launches Online Video Service for Windows Mobile-Based Devices | Microsoft Corp. today announced the launch of MSN Video Downloads, which will provide daily television programming, including video content from MSNBC.com, Food Network, FOX Sports and IFILM Corp., for download to Windows Mobile-based devices such as Portable Media Centers and select Smartphones and Pocket PCs.

The following programming will be available on MSN Video Downloads:

• MSNBC.com. News and business headlines updated throughout the day, as well as segments from "Today"
• BreakTV. Behind-the-scenes footage and exclusive interviews with television's hottest celebrities
• COOKIE JAR Entertainment Inc., a global producer and marketer of children's entertainment, offering children's programs such as "Paddington Bear," "Animal Crackers" and many other popular kids' television series
• DIY Network. Videos about home improvement, crafts, hobbies, indoor-outdoor living, and kitchen and bath remodeling
• FINE LIVING TV Network. Inspiring programs featuring travel destinations, mind and body enrichment, ideas for entertaining and home design as well as videos for automobile enthusiasts
• FOX Sports. In-depth news, analysis and unparalleled national and regional coverage of the National Football League, Major League Baseball, NASCAR, the National Basketball Association, and select college basketball and football highlights, as well as FOX Sports Net original programming including "The Best Damn Sports Show Period" and "Beyond the Glory"
• Food Network. Fun and interesting videos featuring grilling tips, ideas for entertaining, healthy eating, quick-and-easy recipes and pop-culture food specials
• Fun Little Movies. Specializing in original, live-action comedy content; new "Fun Funny Phone Films" including the following series: humorous headlines in "Comedy USA," sci-fi parody "Spacey Movie," and the "Mini-Bikers," where little people on little motorcycles fight crime, a little at a time
• Headliners Entertainment Group Inc. (OTCBB:HLEG), the operator of Rascals Comedy Clubs, presenting a selection of comedy clips from Rascals Comedy Classics, including performances from popular stars such as Tim Allen, Rosie O'Donnell, Drew Carey and Ray Romano; only Rascals can bring viewers comedy superstars, before they were stars, and the breaking stars of tomorrow, today
• Home & Garden Television (HGTV). Selected programs featuring remodeling, home-building, design and decorating, kitchen and bath to enhance a home's curb appeal
• IFILM. Movie trailers, viral videos, short films and other IFILM-exclusive content
• TotalVid. Deep selection of action sports clips including surfing, snowboarding, skiing, windsurfing, street racing, kiteboarding, skateboarding, climbing, kayaking, off-road, Moto X, mountain biking, inline skating, BMX and more
• Want Media. Music videos, live concerts, Broadway shows, extreme sports and motor sports programs, full-length films from independent filmmakers and underground cinema

More New MCE Machines

ABS Ultimate E2 Media Center PC

HP New Media Center and Desktop PC

Orb Goes Free!

Orb Networks | Orb Networks is now offering their streaming solutions for free!  I would like to thank Orb for trying this new strategy very much.  I have used Orb during their trial and loved it, the problem is the amount I use it doesn't really warrant my paying the subscription fee for it.  I just didn't use it enough to talk myself into paying for it.  Not because it not a good idea, I just always within a limited distance of my PC and/or I have my media synced to my Portable Media Center.  What I would really like it my PMC to support connecting to a wireless network and getting the stream from Orb directly.  Good job Orb!

Related: Review of Orb Networks for Windows Media Center (The F-Stop Blues)

How TiVo and Microsoft Ought Best to Fast Forward the DVR Revolution

Thomas Hawk |  Blogging With JupiterResearch and How TiVo and Microsoft Ought Best to Fast Forward the DVR Revolution | I just had a chance to skim the post, this is one to read for sure!  I hope to get a better chance to read the whole thing later today, until then I suggest everyone take a look for yourself.

DVR-MS to MPEG2 For $200!

BeCapture | This has to be the worst company I have never seen.  They put out the worst products known to man and clearly need some help from someone who speaks English as their first language.  From what I can tell they want to charge $200 for all the applications they offer, with that $200 you get support for 4 months.  What a deal!  They have also created a nice “AlwaysOnTop” plug-in for WMP 10.  That would be great, if WMP 10 didn't already have the feature built in!  They have some good ideas, but the worst business model/plan/whatever that I have ever seen in my life.

TIP: View Albums By List In MCE 2005

Update for Windows XP (KB886716)

Update for Windows XP (KB886716) | When you try to convert your video production in Adobe Premiere Pro to an MPEG-2 (Moving Pictures Experts Group 2) format, the .mp2 file is not converted, and either Adobe Premiere Pro or your Microsoft Windows XP-based computer may stop responding.

Quick Info
File Name: WindowsXP-KB886716-v2-x86-ENU.exe

Download Size: 917 KB

Date Published: 3/25/2005

Version: 886716

Overview
When you try to convert your video production in Adobe Premiere Pro to an MPEG-2 (Moving Pictures Experts Group 2) format, the .mp2 file is not converted, and either Adobe Premiere Pro or your Microsoft Windows XP-based computer may stop responding.

System Requirements

• Supported Operating Systems: Windows XP Home Edition , Windows XP Media Center Edition, Windows XP Professional Edition , Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition

Windows Media Player FAQ Gets RSS

Windows Media Player FAQ

Upcoming Media Center PC’s

More Details on the Upcoming Shuttle Media Center PC

Another New Media Center PC -- Velocity Micro CineMagix S95

Empire Series Media Center PC with Fully Integrated 1000W Amplifier

Loads Of MCE Plug-ins On The Way!

MCE Customizer 2005 Beta 2.1 - Get It!

MyTV ToGo

mceAuction - eBay plug-in

Mediasync

Media Center Communicator

Hauppauge Tweak Tool

My Web News

Automated DVR-MS to MPG Conversion Utility

Related: Media Center Plug-Ins and Applications (Current List) 60+ MCE Plug-ins, Applications, and Tools!

The Media Center Show #2

The Windows Media Show | This week I (Ian Dixon) talked to Gary Whittaker about the Media Center news, good fun it was too!  We talked about the announcement that there will be no 2006 edition of MCE, MyTVtoGo a new product for Media Center, the roll out of Media Center to more countries and new Portable Media Centers. We also talked about the market for 3rd party developments.

Microsoft Monitor’s PlaysForSure Testing

I've never had a chance to get around to reading all of these, but Joe Wilcox did some PlaysForSure/Napster testing with Windows Media Player 10.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4