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Sat, Sep 12 2009 17:42

CableCARD Opens Up, but Does the Marketplace?

The news at CEDIA that CableCARD will now be open to all has got everyone worked up about Microsoft getting things right and that the platform is back where it needs to be. However, while the news of CableCARD getting unlocked from OEM only machines is...
Posted by chrisl | 38 comment(s)
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Thu, Sep 10 2009 7:14

Microsoft Enhances the Digital Cable Experience and Names 2009 Windows Media Center Ultimate Install Winner

Customers get new capabilities, more options, and a better digital cable experience in Windows Media Center. ATLANTA, Sept. 9 -- Today at CEDIA EXPO 2009, Microsoft Corp. discussed key Windows Media Center features for Windows 7 and announced a series...
Posted by chrisl | 8 comment(s)
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Thu, Sep 3 2009 9:07

OCURs Finally Approved for Tuning Adaptor Support

While I still haven’t seen specs updated to confirm how I believe CableLabs would handle Tuning Adaptor’s with OCURs , I can confirm that the next firmware release (in theory 1.19) will support Tuning Adaptors as CableLabs has officially approved...
Posted by chrisl | 10 comment(s)
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Sat, Aug 22 2009 20:59

Going Beyond The Enthusiast Market

Charlie Owen, a former Media Center team member wrote a post this week about Media Center expanding its marketplace, specifically going from the current enthusiast market to a more mainstream market . Charlie analysis comes to the pretty simple answer...
Posted by chrisl | 14 comment(s)
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Sun, Aug 9 2009 11:50

What Do You Think of Windows 7 Media Center?

This weekend I installed Windows 7 on my Media Center and thought about writing a review. However, I think Ben successfully did that already so rather than try and recreate it I’d rather know what you think. Looking through Ben’s list of new...
Posted by chrisl | 18 comment(s)
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Sun, Jul 26 2009 15:30

Is Hulu Coming to Media Center?

I don't believe that Hulu has a large interest in Media Center, but those very same mockup’s that show Media Center’s “PCTV” marketing also show Hulu as a key experience. My guess is that the material Microsoft provided to...
Posted by chrisl | 3 comment(s)
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Sun, Jul 26 2009 15:25

Media Center Gets "PCTV" Marketing in Microsoft Store Mockups

It has been my theory that Microsoft is slowly ditching the concept of using and promoting Media Center as a whole home entertainment experience and moving to the “TV on your PC” concept which they have been actively promoting over the past...
Posted by chrisl | 14 comment(s)
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Sun, Jun 14 2009 16:51

Microsoft Unprepared for Digital TV Switch

Reports suggest that the Digital TV switch in the US went by with little confusion or problems. Of course, if you rely on Windows Media Center your experience likely wasn’t in line with those reports. Ben said the transition is causing grief for...
Posted by chrisl | 6 comment(s)
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Mon, Jun 1 2009 14:29

Xbox Unveils Entertainment Experiences That Put Everyone Center Stage

Microsoft rewrites the rules on fun with controller-free entertainment, Facebook for your TV, plus instant on 1080p HD streaming video. LOS ANGELES — June 1, 2009 — The future of home entertainment has a new name: Xbox 360. Today, Microsoft...
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Fri, May 29 2009 9:48

Microsoft Connects the Dots with Zune HD, Zune Marketplace, and Xbox

This week Microsoft took the wraps off the next Zune, dubbed Zune HD . It seems to be your basic next-generation touch screen only media player with the common additions of WiFi and an web browser (IE based). There are some other interesting parts such...
Posted by chrisl | 1 comment(s)
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Tue, May 26 2009 22:24

Microsoft Announces the Expansion of the Zune Entertainment Service to New Platform and Markets; Confirms New Zune HD Portable Media Player

Premium Zune digital entertainment service to be available internationally on Xbox LIVE. REDMOND, Wash. — May 26, 2009 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the evolution of Zune, the company’s end-to-end music and entertainment service...
Posted by chrisl | 3 comment(s)
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Sun, May 24 2009 16:07

Does Home Server & Media Center Mean a Connected Future?

Preface: Before you read this please try and get in the right mindset. Microsoft doesn’t care about what anyone reading this blog wants . They don’t care what I want either. It is a hard truth to take, but that’s a fact. They will say...
Posted by chrisl | 41 comment(s)
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Wed, May 20 2009 18:49

The Story Behind Netflix for Windows Media Center

Today Microsoft released their native Netflix application for Windows Media Center to much fanfare. The release comes with a catch, but let’s back up a bit before we get to that. I’ve talked about the need for Microsoft to get Netflix within...
Posted by chrisl | 17 comment(s)
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Wed, May 20 2009 7:14

Microsoft and Netflix Enhance Movie and TV Watching on the PC

Latest content addition offers more than 12,000 choices of movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly on a PC with Windows. REDMOND, Wash. — May 19, 2009 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that more than 12,000 movies and TV episodes...
Posted by chrisl | 13 comment(s)
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Sun, Mar 22 2009 11:10

Microsoft, Media Center Integrator Alliance Announce 2009 Ultimate Install Contest

Co-sponsoring this year’s contest with Media Center Integrator Alliance, Microsoft again seeks best residential project design based on Windows Media Center in custom installation industry. ORLANDO, Fla. — March 12, 2009 — Today at the...
Posted by chrisl | 1 comment(s)
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Sun, Mar 22 2009 11:08

Media Center Gets More Web Marketing

Pete pointed to some excellent new marketing videos that were done for Microsoft and I noticed one thing that just keeps coming back to me. None of them have anything to do with connected home entertainment! What do they have to do with? You guess it...
Posted by chrisl | 4 comment(s)
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Tue, Mar 10 2009 8:03

VidaBox vAutomation adds Powerful, Semi-Automatic LiteTouch Lighting Integration

Westbury, NY - March 11th - VidaBox is proud to announce support for LiteTouch®, an innovator in residential lighting controls, on their vAutomation™ control and integration platform. All of the standard lighting controls can be integrated onto...
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Wed, Mar 4 2009 8:14

VidaBox Launches the Affordable RoomClient:SE Media Server

Westbury, NY - March 4th - VidaBox has launched the new RoomClient:SE system, an entry-level, Vista-based media server. Starting at $2248, the RoomClient:SE stores movies, pictures, music, and more for on-demand access via an on-screen, remote controlled...
Posted by chrisl | 2 comment(s)
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Tue, Mar 3 2009 21:08

Short Bits: DivX, Links, News

You might have noticed I’ve been quiet for the past month, sadly that might continue for another month but I’ll be sure to try and fill the gaps (meanwhile tons of other Media Center blogs covering everything new out there). I’m not...
Posted by chrisl | 1 comment(s)
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Tue, Mar 3 2009 20:50

CableCARD Takes First (Unofficial) Step to DIY PCs

A fair amount of headroom has recently been made for CableCARD support on non-OEM machines. CableLabs regulations have limited only Microsoft approved OEMs to build and sell CableCARD machines using well outlined stipulations including a special BIOS...
Posted by chrisl | 5 comment(s)
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