Chris Lanier's Blog

Ricavision Debuts New SideShow Remotes!

Ricavision has finally come out to play with new SideShow remotes.  First off they have a brand new design in their VAVE100.  Not only does it have SideShow built-in, but it is now a universal learning remote too.  Everyone’s dream of Media Center control is about to happen when this thing ships.

The VAVE100 Universal Remote Control with Windows Vista SideShow Technology is the new top of the line SideShow-based remote.  Features include…

• Control 20 different entertainment devices from a distance of over 50 feet via IR
• 2.4 Inch QVGA LCD Display with a resolution of 240x320
• IR+Class 1 Bluetooth with Audio streaming
• Learning feature and Macro support (Built-in 1500 brands via LCD display setup)
• One touch of the Windows Media Center
• Let the SideShow Begin!  Built in SideShow support
• Rechargeable Lithium Polymer Ion battery
• Includes docking station with RC6 receiver, Bluetooth transceiver and a power charger

Check it out on pre-order for only $274.00.  Ships in February 29, 2008.

Next up is the non-SideShow VAVE50 Windows Vista Universal Remote Control.  This is more of a Harmony replacement than anything else, but it looks more Media Center friendly then any Harmoy remote on the market.  Features for this guy include…

• Controls 15 different devices
• LCD screen to identify your device
• LCD screen allows for user defined keys and favorite channels
• Media Center ready

No word on price or availability yet, but you can assume it will be less expensive then the VAVE100.

Also, Ricavision has setup their PLIX Gadgets Bank, which allows you to download gadgets specially designed Gadgets for Ricavision’s SideShow remotes.  Currently listed are PLIX Photo Gadget, PLIX Radio Gadget, PLIX Movie Gadget, and PLIX Weather Gadget.  Standard Sidebar Gadgets should also work too.

One sad bit of news, their Fridge Magnet/Scribbler Device, eBook Reader, and eChatter are now said to be prototypes still in development.  I wouldn’t expect them to ship soon because of that, which is too bad because they are great ideas that I would love to get my heads on.

Digg it!

Update: Sideshow will support control of Extender sessions. 

Xbox 360 Gets DivX Support; Extender Doesn’t

The new Xbox 360 Dashboard gets MPEG-4 ASP support (DviX/Xvid), but yet again the Extender portion of the Xbox 360 gets nothing.  People don’t seem to be too happy about this, yet again.  Microsoft didn’t take any hint from my advice, but that’s really nothing new.

Other Dashboard additions are playback of AC3 audio and support for AVI files (so DivX with 5.1 Dolby Digital should work).  There are also tons of fixed for video playback of various other formats.

DWAnderson also talked about the lack of support.

SageTV Excels As Microsoft Fails

Following the delay of v2 Media Center Extenders, SageTV has released some information and photos of their upcoming Media Extender and the reaction has been superb (here, here, here, and here for just a few examples).

Let’s get right to it, their SageTV HD Media Extender (STX-HD100) will be $199.  Hey, they listened to customer feedback and choose a good price point.  Sure, I’ve said in the past that $150 is the perfect price but considering this is coming from a small company, they sure nailed the price.  Linksys and D-Link, who have both delayed their release of v2 Extenders, failed to intro products at price points that I consider reasonable.

v2 Extenders are now likely to show at retail after the new year, killing the “Holiday 2007” timeframe completely.  Great to have them unveiled at DigitalLife in October and then delayed into the next year after announcing that they would be available this year.  On the other side of things, Sage is expecting theirs to be ready to go in two weeks (12/10) just beating the holiday sales window.

It isn’t all good though.  Looking though the threads some people have some dislikes, albeit minor.  There appears to be no learning remote included, no CD/DVD drive option, local USB ports not active, no wireless option, and some other small things.  To me, the case isn’t that attractive (kinda cheap lookin) and that is something that most people seem to complain about that with other products.

With all that said, most major details haven’t really been released.  Brent Evans outlined the few confirmed features: HDMI (also S-Video, Composite and Component), SPDIF, 10/100 Mbps Ethernet, and 1080p output.  H.264 is also on the list, but other than that not much is known about file format or container support.

I have high hopes for container and file format support.  To me, Sage understands exactly what their customers are looking for in this device.  They have had a makeshift solution for a while with the MediaMVP, but to me they have no reason to put out a device that doesn’t do what their userbase is looking to do.  The same can’t be said Media Center Extenders in most cases.

A lot of these differences in understanding boil down to the perceived market.  Linksys/D-Link are making devices for “everyone”, not the Media Center enthusiast.  SageTV on the other hand is taking the smart route and is making the device for the enthusiast.  The “everyone’s” of the world reap the benefits.  You develop for enthusiasts in these products to a large extent, and it is my belief that Sage understands this and Microsoft (along with their partners) don’t.

SageTV has key support for some features that Media Center doesn’t, noticeably native QAM support for several tuners.  However, one thing that SageTV doesn’t have and likely will never is CableCARD support.  Evil DRM aside, I’ve been a proponent of CableCARD (and DIRECTV) support because it is needed for mass adoption into the home.  For anyone who doesn’t care about that angle of things and wants to live DRM free forever, I can’t help but suggest watching SageTV’s next move.  Oh, did I mention that SageTV also has their own version of Softsled (SageTV Placeshifter) and they also have a Windows Home Server support?

Microsoft and their partners need to take a long look at what SageTV is doing, much of it should have been part of Media Center for a while now.  Congratulations to SageTV on a job well done thus far, and we all are looking forward to see what is delivered in the final product.

Short Bits: D-Link Extender Delay, Not Getting a Mac

Word from a poster on The Green Button is that the D-Link DSM-750 Extender has been delayed.  From a D-Link CSR, “Hello ,and thank you for your inquiry.  The DSM-750 has been delayed, it is now expected to be released at the end of Dec/early Jan.”

Update: PCalchemy now reports December 7th as the expected date for their inventory for the Linksys Extenders.  Thanks gstone!

Update: Ed Bott confirms Linksys delayed too.

Also, I’ve been considering buying a Mac for a while now.  I’ve used OS X on several occupations and enjoy it, I hear about how great it is from my girlfriend who works in front of one all day, and now that they can run Windows XP/Vista it has been on the top of my list for when I upgrade my PC.

However, now I’ve run into a problem with that concept.  TigerDirect doesn’t sell Mac’s.  Why is this important?  Because I’ve got a $500 gift certificate for TigerDirect (yeah, not my first choice either but it was free).  That screws up me getting a Mac right now.  I just can’t pass up only needing to drop $100-$200 for a new PC.

I order my parts yesterday, an C2D E6750, 2GB RAM, GeForce 8500, and 500GB HDD which would all be covered under the gift certificate.  Motherboard choice is still up in the air, but will most likely be a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L LGA.  I’m also going to pick up a semi-cheap Antec case to bring it all together.

Spend An Evening with S1Digital and Media Center

Inteset Serves Quad CableCARD Quad-Core Systems for the MCX Platform

Hanover MA, November 20, 2007, Inteset, LLC has announced that its Denzel DTCD30-Si media server now supports four (4) internal CableCARD tuners. In addition, units sold with this configuration contain an Intel® Quad-Core processor needed to support simultaneous usage of the tuners.

The server can now record up to four high-definition premium cable broadcasts at once. In addition, the new unit responds to the needs of Inteset dealers that have requested interoperability with the HDMI, 1080p capable XBox 360 as well as the new 2nd generation Media Center Extender units (MCX) coming on the market this holiday season which include those by Linksys and D-Link. Up to five (5) additional MCX zones can be added. Four of those zones can access Live TV simultaneously. Protected recordings are stored on the server and can be streamed to any MCX box on the network. Furthermore, Inteset has enhanced its multi-zone music entertainment module to work with the MCX units generating more value add.

"We've given our dealers the flexibility they've been looking for," says David Hirsh, Director of Inteset Business Development. "Dealers can now offer the low cost but powerful MCX platform to their customers to distribute media, including protected premium HD cable content around the house. Individuals can continue to use Inteset's Vana media extender to stream DVD movies and watch live or recorded premium cable content locally," continues Hirsh.

For detailed specification and dealer pricing information, visit http://www.inteset.com. Or, contact Inteset sales at 781-826-1560 ext: 215.

About Inteset, LLC
Inteset, LLC has been creating high-end home entertainment products since 2003.  Inteset offers three categories of products based on the Windows Media Center platform: media servers, media extenders, and exclusive software for its systems. The near silent media servers come with up to 8TB of internal, protected storage with the ability to expand externally.  The advanced media extenders are independent systems as well as A/V distribution clients.  All systems are shipped with an enriched Windows Media Center interface that includes a movie management module and a multi-zone music module among other exclusive software offerings.  These systems appeal to A/V dealers and integrators for their high-integrity construction, reliability, ease-of-use, unique entertainment modules and services, price point, and interoperability with advanced control systems.

Microsoft's Media Center Vision Includes Softsled?

Study this image for about two seconds, and you should see something interesting.  This image was possibly made for (or by) John Eldridge, a LIVE Evangelist at Microsoft and shown as a part of a presentation titled “Creating Innovative Business Applications Using Microsoft Emerging Technologies” (late 2006, early 2007).

So, at least one person sees the “Media Center Vision” including Softsled.  Wonder what the hold up is with eHome understanding and addressing it?  LIVE doesn’t seem to have a huge problem with it, it is just too bad they don't make Media Center.

Short Bits: Get a Mac, Zune, Russound, Omaura

Missing Remote has some good posts, Top Ten Things You Can Do With A Media Center PC and a preview of the case giveaway from Omaura.  Very nice.

Ian Dixon also has some good stuff, Video Show - Zune and Media Center Recorded TV and Russound on the Media Center Show.

This is probably the best Get a Mac ad yet.

Why Doesn’t Zune Support HD Recordings?

I was just reading one of the Zune threads over at The Green Button and a user commented that licensing might be the reason why the Zune doesn’t syncing HD recordings.  The idea being if they didn’t license a Dolby Digital decoder, then they couldn’t convert the audio.  My train of thought went….

Damn, probably right.  Another feature lost to licensing

Wait, doesn’t Vista Home Premium and Ultimate include Dolby Digital decoders?

Yeah, but then you would have to limit syncing of HD content to Home Premium and Ultimate.  Stupid footnotes no one ever reads.

Oh, but Media Center is only included in Home Premium and Ultimate.

Dang, why doesn’t Zune support syncing HD recordings then?

Short Bits: Zune Roundup

If you didn’t hear, the new Zunes were released yesterday along with updated firmware and software for v1 Zunes.  Ian Dixon posted his thoughts on the new Zune Software, along with his results on syncing recorded TV to the Zune.

Long Zheng posted the best advertisement that I have ever seen for the Zune.  If Microsoft is smart, this style of ad is what will help make the Zune.  The print ads also excite me and are very well done.  No doubt, these ads and concepts are much better then the first new one, which sucks at best. If Microsoft can keep this up, the Zune will be more of a iPod competitor.

Still some big issues with Zune though.  Doesn’t sync HD content (ATSC), of course doesn’t sync CableCARD content at all, no Smart Playlists (as the ratings changed), some album art issues, they removed the EQ apparently, and I’m sure there is more.  Big one for me, as I've been talking about Media Center integration is not really so when you compare it to other players.  Media Center integration just means that the Zune Software imports analog recordings.

Walt Mossberg says it is still no iPod.  CNET gave it a 8.3 out of 10.  More on Gizmodo and Engadget.

This Zune is what the first should have been, and I’m actually looking forward to the v3 Zune.

Upgraded Niveus Media Servers Deliver Audiophile Quality Sound

With Intel processing, Pro Audio and advanced functionality, Niveus’ 2008 product offers the highest fidelity entertainment experience.

Long Beach, CA – EHX Fall 2007 – November 6-9th – Niveus Media, the leader in high-end digital entertainment solutions for the connected home, introduces the 2008 line of Media Server products. Now boasting Pro Audio and powerful Intel processing, Niveus has optimized their Media Servers to provide pristine audio and video performance for superior home theater production and remarkable whole-home entertainment.

As part of the 2008 focus to develop the most refined devices for exceptional digital entertainment throughout the home, Niveus has beefed up their entire Media Server offering including the passively cooled Summit Series Rainier and Denali Editions and the Pro Series n4, n7, and n9 Editions. Advancements to all servers include new Seagate® DB35 Series™ hard drives for video streaming performance, acoustics & reliability and Nvidia’s GeForce Series 8 graphics featuring PureVideo™ HD technology for high quality video scaling up to and beyond 1080p.

One of the most distinguished upgrades sure to resonate loudly in the audiophile market is the addition of a “Pro Audio” chipset in the Pro Series n7 & n9 and the Summit Series Denali Edition and Denali Limited Edition. The dedicated sound card provides the cleanest and highest resolution audio from all channels (up to 7.1), and features digital-to-analog converters from Burr-Brown, chosen in top professional or consumer audio equipments around the world.

Niveus’ Pro Audio features an impressive signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 118 db for both audio in and out and is able to deliver 118 db quality audio for 7.1 channel sound. Incorporating multiple technologies from Dolby and DTS (Dolby Digital Live, Dolby Virtual Speaker, DolbyPro Logic®IIx, DTS Interactive, and more!), Niveus’ Media Servers deliver outstanding, unmatched audio reproduction.

As part of their testament to providing rich audio and video production with powerful processing, the rack mountable Pro Series Media Servers, including the n7, n9, and the new n4, have all been upgraded to feature the Intel® Core™ 2 Quad processor, which provides four independent cores with dedicated threads, to efficiently off-load tasks and more readily serve up media including HD video to multiple rooms of the home.

All Niveus Media’s Windows Vista Ultimate-based Media Servers are capable of storing, managing, and playing TV, music, movies, and photos while offering the highest level of Media Center performance. Niveus’ 2008 line of product is available now.

For more information on Niveus Media, Inc., please visit www.niveusmedia.com.

Introducing The Niveus Media Extender – Edge

The first Windows Media Center Extender designed for the custom install channel, EDGE is ISF certified and available in time for the Holidays!

Long Beach, CA – EHX Fall 2007 – November 6-9th – Shortly after the unveiling at CEDIA Expo 2007, Niveus Media, the leader in high-end digital entertainment for the connected home, formally introduces the Niveus Media Extender – EDGE. A hardware device that gives users the ability to enjoy the Niveus Media Center experience throughout the whole home, EDGE has become the first Windows Media Center Extender to receive the prestigious Imaging Science Foundation (ISF) Video Quality Certification.

By connecting the Niveus Media Extender to any TV throughout the home, users are granted access to live and recorded TV, digital photos, digital music, home video, and exclusive online multi-media content, including downloadable music and local weather – all accessed through and stored on the Niveus Media Server. The Niveus Media Extender offers users a full fidelity experience, uncompromised 1080p video, digital audio, and the same amazing 3D user interface found on the award-winning Niveus Media Center.

In addition to the intuitive on-screen experience, the Niveus Media Extender features the proprietary Niveus Glacier™ Passive Cooling system for cool and quiet performance and a sleek and stylish A/V form-factor, designed to blend seamlessly into any zone of the home and flexible enough to be installed into a rack-mount solution application.

“We’re excited to formally introduce the Niveus Media Extender – EDGE,”states Tim Cutting, CEO, Niveus Media. “EDGE represents the final building block of the Niveus Entertainment Experience, a complete end-to-end server/client product architecture that allows high definition entertainment to be accessed from any room of the house. No other vendor can offer this complete solution based on the Microsoft Media Center platform. This, along with our recent ISF certification of EDGE, is a huge advantage over competing solutions.”

Through the introductions of EDGE and the robust storage and control solutions (Niveus Storage Server and Niveus Control Server/Niveus Companion), Niveus now offers a supremely sophisticated Media Center eco-system, properly dubbed The Niveus Entertainment Experience.

Niveus Media’s whole-home entertainment system enables independent content control which makes it possible for a person in a Niveus Media Extender zone to access one digital entertainment feature while someone at the Media Server or separate Extender zone accesses another. Niveus currently offers Extender support for up to five zones.

The Niveus Media Extender – EDGE will be available in December 2007. Niveus Media’s 2008 line of Windows Vista Ultimate-based media centers including the Summit Series Rainier and Denali Editions, and Pro Series n4, n7 and n9, are capable of storing, managing, and playing TV, music, movies, and photos while offering the highest level of media center performance.

For more information on Niveus Media, Inc., please visit www.niveusmedia.com.