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Can Windows Home Server Stream To Media Center Extenders? - Chris Lanier's Blog

Can Windows Home Server Stream To Media Center Extenders?

EXCLUSIVE: Windows Home Server In Detail (InsideMicrosoft) | Earlier today Engadget posted that Windows Home Server "cannot directly stream media to Media Center Extenders, but it can stream media directly to Windows Media Connect-enabled devices."  Well, InsideMicrosoft has more information on Windows Home Server, including this bit below…

“You will even be able to access your files over the internet (don’t worry, everything is protected), and the killer feature: Home Server streams to the Xbox 360 and other Media Center Extenders.” [Emphasis mine]

According to them, “Every word below, except when [They] editorialize, is 100% confirmed accurate”.  I’m not sure what to think, because just below that they say “Home Server can be used for media streaming, sending music, photos and video to an Xbox 360 console or supported digital media receiver (presumably Media Center Extenders) on your home network.” [Emphasis mine]

I’m not sure what to think.  Microsoft would be crazy to not include access functionality to Media Center Extenders, but I think we all know that Microsoft is good at leaving out features that we all think should be there.

Anyway, stay turned for more.  I’ll have a full write-up on my thoughts later, but anyone interested in what I’m going to write should read Aaron’s comments, which basically outline my problems with the concept (relating to Media Center).

Update: Just a quick rundown of what Microsoft says Windows Home Server can do:

  • Create centralized storage of photos, music, home videos and documents
  • Automatically back up multiple personal computers in the home and completely restore a PC or “rewind” to a time when a PC was working well
  • Remotely access Windows Home Server using a personalized4 Windows Live™ Internet address to upload and download files and to use home PCs and applications
  • Use Xbox 360™ or other Windows Media® Connect-supported devices to enjoy digital media stored on Windows Home Server
  • Centrally monitor the health of their Windows Vista™-based PCs to proactively identify and resolve problems
  • Easily expand storage by adding additional internal or external hard drives of any size
  • Print from any connected PC in the home

Related: My Thoughts on Windows Home Server

Published Mon, Jan 8 2007 18:46 by chrisl
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Comments

# re: Can Windows Home Server Stream To Media Center Extenders?

Chris, my documentation says:

<blockquote>You can selectively turn on “Media Library Sharing” for each of these shared folders so that your music, photos, and/or videos can be accessible from an Xbox 360™ or another supported digital media receiver that is attached to your home network.

...

Similarly, you can store all of your music on your home server so you can access and play it from any of your home computers or any digital music receiver that you have added to your home network.

...

If you turn Media Library Sharing on for a shared folder, any supported digital media player or digital media receiver that can access your home network can access your digital media in that shared folder. </blockquote>

I had assumed that meant Extenders, but I hadn't realized the distinction between Extenders and digital media receivers.  It appears that Home Server uses Windows Media Connect, not Media Center Extender technology.

Monday, January 08, 2007 9:05 PM by Nathan Weinberg

# re: Can Windows Home Server Stream To Media Center Extenders?

I think there is good reason to believe that Media Center extenders will be able to access material on Windows Home Server. See http://thunor.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!71C238B5E0E3724D!152.entry

Tuesday, January 09, 2007 12:48 AM by DWAnderson

# re: Can Windows Home Server Stream To Media Center Extenders?

Let me expand upon something I said in the other thread.  I'm not very concerned about the ability to show Home Server content on an extender, running through another MCE machine.  I can do this with any machine on my network, and I'd be shocked if this isn't possible with Home Server.

More importantly, I believe the Home Server needs to be *running* MCE to be useful (and still in a headless context).  Shouldn't it record my TV?  Why can't it serve my Webguide web application?  In a well designed home with multiple "zones" it should replace the MCE.  It should have tuners, it should record new content, it should manage all other content, and it should serve all of this directly to the extender.  I see no reason why it should be added alongside another MCE machine.  That seems wasteful and poorly implemented.

Despite all the quotes flying around, I don't think it runs MCE.  I have no evidence to back this up other than the fact that it hasn't been publicized.  And I'd think this would be a big selling point if it were true.  Moreover, I'd be more willing to believe that V2 extenders will have Windows Media Connect and receive content without the MCE interface (in addition to being extenders).  

One solution to workaround this apparent limitation could be to virtualize both Home Server and MCE and run them together on the same hardware.  They could both be considered "headless" so graphics isn't much of an issue.  It could be a fairly powerful machine.  Of course given that Home Server is OEM only, it could be difficult to find.  Just an idea.

Tuesday, January 09, 2007 8:54 AM by Aaron

# re: Can Windows Home Server Stream To Media Center Extenders?

You could install WebGuide on it, as long as it will install and run on Server 2003 R2.  There is a video up on On10 where they gave an example of installing your home automation software on it and letting it manage everything.

I'm writing my thoughts now.

Tuesday, January 09, 2007 9:29 AM by chrisl

# re: Can Windows Home Server Stream To Media Center Extenders?

So run Home server as a VPC on the same box as the MCE. I don't see that happening because of the limtis of hardware in the VPC. I don't think it would handle the features like hot swapping drives. Now if MCE could be run as a virtual machine that would be nice but once again I don't think the VPC can access the tv tuners.

Ultimately a home Media Server would be key. If it uses volumes instead of drives that would be nice. Just allocate a chunk to Video, backups, music, user directories. Now put that in a 5U rack case and then get ATI to put their cable card boxes in 1U cases and build away.

Tuesday, January 09, 2007 4:20 PM by Phillip Putzback

# re: Can Windows Home Server Stream To Media Center Extenders?

So...does that mean you'll be able to store the media purchased from the Xbox Live video store and play it back with the 360?

That certainly would solved the 20 GB HDD issue.

Friday, January 12, 2007 11:52 PM by Quasar

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