Chris Lanier's Blog : Home Server

Going Beyond The Enthusiast Market

chrisl — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 01:59:00 GMT

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 of “It's possible, but highly unlikely at this point.”

I had previously come to this conclusion, but to me the real question is “will Microsoft attempt to develop for the enthusiast market?” Lucky for me, Charlie replied to my comment with exactly what I was expecting

Charlie: “No. That's because they have never done so. The enthusiast market is always a subset of the overall market any product targets. Put another way: Where the goal is making a profit you wouldn't sacrifice a broad market opportunity of 100 for the narrow enthusiast market of 10. Making a Microsoft-sized profit is different than making a profit if you were a much smaller company.”

In other words the future for Media Center is one or two options. Option 1: Microsoft stops development of Media Center (very unlikely). Option 2: Microsoft transitions Media Center to a market which has the possibility to create a “Microsoft-sized profit.” (Hint: TV on your PC) Re-quoting myself from early this year, the days of Media Center being billed as the do-it-all center of your home are over.

My opinion continues to be that Microsoft will focus more and more on the Xbox 360 as the center of the home. The benefits of the Xbox 360 over Media Center are almost endless from a business perspective. The massive amount of end users (an unquestionable 30 million, with 20 million of them being Xbox Live subscribers) means content providers are going to flock to the platform. Microsoft can sit back and rake in yearly recurring revenue from these 20 million Xbox Live subscribers along with the massive amounts of licensing accessories and the Xbox 360 brand. Media Center on the other hard makes Microsoft absolutely no money as it is a part of the standard Windows SKU (eg. No one except members of The Green Button ever purchased a Windows license just to get Media Center).

There are still people holding out hope for Media Center to become a platform for the home. The recent announcement that Dish Network will not be shipping their tuner anytime soon didn’t surprise me one bit. Why would Dish bother to continue with Media Center when it is pretty clear Microsoft is moving away from the consumer they thought they were buying into? This same concept is at play with Media Center Extender’s. There is still some hope that Toshiba will be releasing an Extender, but I think the concept that most people miss is that whether it gets released or not means little in the grand scheme of things. If Microsoft’s heart is not in providing a platform for the home, you can really know going into your purchase that you’re going to end up disappointed at some point.

The biggest question mark might be Windows Home Server. For years I have said the concept of including Media Center in Windows Home Server is pointless and does nothing to expand the current market. If HP ditched Extender’s and CableCARD due to poor sales, why exactly would they have the least bit of interest in shipping a Media Center+Home Server box? If OEMs are not interested, why is Microsoft going to develop it?

Most people underestimate the OEMs when talking about Media Center. OEMs are really responsible for Media Center from start to finish from a customer’s perspective. HP and Dell have shown they have little interest in Media Center by either discounting CableCARD PCs, killing off Extender’s, and even in HPs case killing off their HT-styled z-series Media Centers. Dish Network and DIRECTV are just as important and have shown that they are increasing less interested.

Microsoft’s latest attempt to make a market for Media Center has been the custom integrator channel, and some have big expectations for what Microsoft might have in store. Sadly most of the possibilities have already been proven false, and based on what I’ve been told from those in the industry interest in Media Center in the custom channel is dropping fast. I’m interest to see how much longer Microsoft attempts to push into the market. With their partner OEMs such as HP, Linksys, Dish Network pulling out these leaves the custom OEMs like Niveus Media and Life|ware to pick up the slack. Unfortunately there is only such much they can do. If Microsoft’s commitment in the channel falls it might be the end of the custom market experiment.

So once again the question is what’s next. Recently there have been some great new bloggers show up in the Media Center community with some great suggestions. I’m done with suggestions. Microsoft knows exactly what we want, let’s not pretend they don’t. The issue is it is no longer in their best interest to pursue most of it. What’s next? Who knows. All I want at this point is for Microsoft to publicly provide a roadmap for what Media Center is to become.

Does Home Server & Media Center Mean a Connected Future?

chrisl — Sun, 24 May 2009 21:07:00 GMT

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 that they listen to all requests, and that’s true, they do. What they don’t do is make any sort of business decision (translation, features) based on my ramblings, The Green Button, Engadget, or anyone else. They don’t make Media Center for “us”, and before anyone can start to understand the points I try and make about Windows Home Server you have to realize this. You also have to understand that Media Center has not taken the market by storm, and that six years into it the vision simply isn’t working to achieve the goal Microsoft originally set out achieve (hints shift in marketing). Knowing this, please continue.

Note: I don’t work for Microsoft, this post reflects my personal opinion.

Ben Drawbaugh has an excellent post on what he perceives to be the future of Windows Media Center, and that’s its integration with Windows Home Server. Ben’s post is excellent, running down a logical path of what Microsoft should do with the assets they currently have. You take Windows Media Center and integrate it with Windows Home Server, sell it for $500 and users can add tuners later. Add in Live Mesh, Zune HD syncing, and really connect the dots for a truly logical integrated product.

Now, maybe it is because I’ve been following Media Center a bit longer than Ben, but why all the sudden is Microsoft going to “get it” and integrate everything in the logical manor it should be? Why does the introduction of Windows Home Server mean everything will “just work?”

Here’s the deal. It is clear to me that Microsoft’s shift in customer marketing means the concept of a whole home connected device with Media Center as its core isn’t working. Why else would Microsoft shift to pushing “TV on your PC?” It just doesn’t make sense to me that Microsoft would shift the culture and marketing of Media Center, and then turn around and integrate everything the way it should be. You can see the shift in their marketing as well.

2007/early 2008: "Windows Media Center turns the home PC into the ultimate connected entertainment hub and is available in every copy of Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate."
Today: "...builds on Microsoft’s goal to create a consistent experience on the PC for consumers to easily enjoy the entertainment of greatest interest to them."

I’ve said for years that I don’t see the market value in Home Server mixed with Media Center. I consistently get crap for this, but that’s because everyone reading this wants exactly what I say doesn’t make sense to produce, or rather what will not help Media Center in the marketplace. How many people here are not using Media Center sticky because it requires them to run two separate PCs in their home? How many sales are lost because of the current infrastructure? How many sales do you gain by integrating the two? Have you opened up a significantly new market by doing so? I can’t come up with any answers that benefit Media Center from these questions.

If Microsoft is having trouble pushing Media Center in homes for whole home connected entertainment, the solution is not to integrate it with a product that even fewer people understand (a “Home Server”). The solution is actually to change paths and try something completely different. Sometimes redefining a product is needed to keep it alive.

So does this mean I don’t think Microsoft will integrate Media Center with Home Server? No, I think the opposite. Last year I got a tip that something is coming as a “headless” device, and I haven’t heard anything to say that has gone away. It would be perfectly fine to suggest anything “headless” that comes out of Microsoft would be based on Home Server.

So I’ve established that I think a Home Server with Media Center integration will happen, and at the same time that the product will not have a significant amount of mass market value over that of the current model. Microsoft’s future for connected platforms does include exactly what they say it will. The “3 screens,” which spans the PC, the phone, and the TV. The way I see it PC = Windows 7, Phone = Windows Phone (aka Windows Mobile), TV = Xbox 360. I don’t see any need for Media Center as a whole home device in their grand vision, which is why I’m questioning the concept of Microsoft getting things right just by the inclusion of Media Center into Home Server.

Maybe I’m right, maybe I’m wrong. I’m hoping I’m wrong, but given the way things have been going, especially with Extenders (which in the case of a headless device are key), I don’t see such a product making any impact in the marketplace. More so, I don’t see Microsoft investing the time to use Media Center as the core for the home. Media Center isn’t dying, it isn’t coming out of Windows, but I continue to think the focus will shift. Microsoft will still work with partners on Extenders (I’ve been assured of this), but they will still release products and features that forget these Extender’s even existed. They will connect your life, but they will not connect your life using Media Center.

What is your opinion?

Can DISH Network One-Up DIRECTV?

chrisl — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 03:16:00 GMT

Now that we are fairly certain that DIRECTV will not ship with Windows 7, the big question remains to be will DISH Network? Around the time the TV Pack started beta testing, I did hear that some testers had been contacted about testing DISH Network Tuners, and that talk has popped back up in the past few weeks.

Going under my theory that Microsoft has all the plumbing in-place for DIRECTV support, there is no reason that same framework can’t work for DISH Network. If DISH Network wants to make a Media Center tuner, they can using this framework, and they might have already.

Looking around, their are some other hints about the possible DISH Network Tuner. Ben's photos of the eHome Lab show Windows 7 running with a branded Start Menu saying “TV with DISH Network.” In addition to that, several people, including Dave Zatz have brought up the possibility that the unmarked white box in the photo below is a DISH Network tuner. Of course, the tuner being in Microsoft’s Lab means nothing as Microsoft as evidenced by the suspended DIRECTV HDPC-20 tuners also present.

(Photos via Engadget HD)

Back to the framework which I believe is complete to ship with Windows 7, here is something Microsoft showed at WinHEC. That is premium Pay-Per-View TV being ordered via Media Center. We know that’s not from a CableCARD as tru2way tuners don’t have any specs from CableLabs yet. It chould be DIRECTV, but considering that Channel 510 happens to fall in the range of DISH Networks PPV and most PPV content on DISH Network happens to be $4.99, there is a good possibility you are looking at working PPV via a native DISH Network Tuner.

So, should you jump and switch to DISH Network because of this? I wouldn’t suggest it. Should you keep checking back to see when we get more details? I'd suggest it. I’m a DIRECTV customer, so even if this DISH Network tuner is real I likely wouldn’t be testing it. That said, I’m looking forward to see what happen with this. Given DISH Networks TurboHD package for $24.99 has every channel I’d ever watch, and the fact I can get ATSC HD using an antenna in Media Center saving me from having to add HD Locals to the package, DISH Network does look like a good deal if I could get a native Media Center tuner.

Microsoft.com Forgets About Media Center

chrisl — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 00:45:00 GMT

Long Zheng just posted about a recently updated version of Microsoft.com, so I went to check out the changes and realized a few things. First, I think it has been well over a year since I actually felt the need to checkout Microsoft’s homepage. Second, I realized that Media Center is nowhere to be found on Microsoft’s homepage. About the closest you get is Windows Media Player or Media Center Peripherals which apparently is another wording for “mouse and keyboard.”

Short Bits: Zune Mobile, Home Servers, TV Pack, More

chrisl — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 21:15:00 GMT

Remember when I said you would hear more about Zune on mobile phones before the years end? Well, now you have. “Zune software will also be ported to and be more important not just with the hardware but on the PC, on Windows Mobile devices, etc.," said Steve Ballmer.

Missing Remote has had a few great articles over the past few weeks including a Battle of the Windows Home Server Systems and a letter to Microsoft about what is going on with Media Center. The article ends with a note to Microsoft asking for them to “go back to the drawing board and re-think the Media Center product: its future as a product, the viability of the strategy of having it tossed into random Windows versions, and goals for the technologies that make up Windows Media Center.”

Last month Ed Bott wrote the best article ever on the Media Center platform. He covered several issues but mainly focused on the TV Pack and all of the issues that happened behind the scenes. I didn’t get to post about it when he first published it, but I have to get it out there because Ed really did a fantastic job with the article.

PC Mag has an “unofficial” Guide to the TV Pack including installation instructions just in case you happen to find it online somewhere.

I’ll be a guest on The Media Center Show before year’s end, but that shouldn’t stop you from waiting until then to listen to Ian’s other weekly podcasts. Hear about Open Media Library (OML) from David Shulitz and CEA Mark Of Excellence Awards with Roland Graham.

Microsoft Taking Media Center to Headless Appliances’

chrisl — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:16:00 GMT

I’ve just gotten a tip from a very reliable source that Microsoft is looking to take Media Center off the desktop and turn it into a CE appliance. The only information that I have is that it is planned to be a headless device of some sort. Other details are very scarce at this point with no timeline to speak of, but I’ve been assured that Microsoft is actively working on such a project.

Is the Home Server “Media Center UI integration” that I just said wouldn’t happen the start of this project? Does it even have anything to do with Windows Home Server? Might Softsled be making an appearance in this all? Maybe that technology they got from WebGuide? I have no idea, because clearly such a product would go against everything I’ve ever said about Media Center.

So, I’m a bit shocked that Microsoft is looking to do anything like this. For years I have been saying that such a device would fail in the market due to its un-doubtable high cost in comparison to other CE devices like TiVo’s and the $10/month cable/satellite DVR.

Media Center’s number one problem has been failing to define itself in the market. Enthusiasts and power users want features not currently provided by Media Center, most of which Microsoft has shown little interest in actually implementing, and they want it at the smallest price possible. The high-end custom install channel wants the same things, but are willing to pay as much as they need to in order to get the features. Then the rest of the world doesn’t know that Media Center exists, and even if they did they want it at a price lower than what enthusiasts and power users are willing to spend.

Thoughts and opinions? I’m not going to ask what you would pay for such a device, rather what do you think your Mom would pay? I’ve established in the past that enthusiasts and power users want such a device and therefore might be willing to pay for it, but what about your Mom or other “average” users? Keep in mind that if this is a headless device, you have to factor in Extenders for each room you actually want to watch content in.

Looking at this from the outside with no information on what it planned, I still say such a product would fail to reach the mass market. Now for the enthusiasts, power user, and custom-install channel this could be a great move. That brings up another question, is Microsoft shifting their focus for Media Center from developing for the “mass market” to developing for enthusiasts, power users, and the custom install channel (Remember their presence at CEDIA)?

Windows Home Server v2 Media Center Integration? Not So Fast

chrisl — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 01:35:00 GMT

Long Zheng spotted a good one last week, finding a job posting that implies several things about Windows Home Server v2 including “Time Machine compete UI for backup and restore, Windows Media Center integration UI, Live Mesh integration UI etc..”

Windows Media Center integration UI is clearly the part of it that I’m going to focus on, however I think this might end up being the opposite of what most people think (and want) it to be. Mainly, “Windows Media Center integration UI” doesn’t have to mean “Windows Media Center UI integration.” The placement of UI in the sentence makes a huge different.

For example “Windows Media Center integration UI” sounds like a wizard from within Home Server to integrate sharing and backup of Media Center content such as Recorded TV. “Windows Media Center UI integration” on the other hand would imply Media Center functionality being built into Home Server.

The wording used by Microsoft is “Windows Media Center integration UI” leading me to believe that Microsoft’s focus is not on integrating Media Center directly into Home Server.

I’ve (poorly) argued in the past that while an integrated Home Server+Media Center would be the killer scenario for hardcore Media Center users and geeks, it would do nothing to give Media Center the push it needs in the marketplace. I also question the backup functionality of Home Server when more and more roles keep getting delegated to it. Put Media Center functionality in and mix it with backup and remote access and it is almost time for a Home Server to backup my Home Server.

I’m I overanalyzing the "Windows Media Center integration UI" wording? You still holding out for your Home Sever with Media Center/Extender functionality?

Microsoft Showcases Windows Media Center Momentum at CEDIA EXPO 2008

chrisl — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:19:00 GMT

From distributed HD entertainment to automation and control, Windows Media Center is at the center of an ever-expanding ecosystem within the custom installation channel.

DENVER — Sept. 4, 2008 — At CEDIA EXPO 2008, Microsoft Corp. announced expansive growth of the Windows Media Center ecosystem, the formation of an exciting new industry alliance composed of some of the custom channel’s top brands, the winner of the 2008 Windows Media Center Ultimate Install Contest, and numerous partner innovations supporting the Windows Media Center in the custom installation channel. CEDIA EXPO 2008 is an annual show for the residential electronic systems industry put on by the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association.

“In the wake of Microsoft’s increased engagement with the custom installation channel, a broader ecosystem has developed based on Windows Media Center,” said Kevin Collins, director of the Custom Installer Channel in the Connected TV Business, Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. “We are thrilled with the level of innovation on the Windows Media Center platform that hardware and software companies are showcasing at CEDIA EXPO.”

Hardware Expansion

The merit of Windows Media Center as a custom installation solution is stronger than ever, as illustrated through announcements from multiple channel partners highlighting support for up to eight CableCARD tuners and up to 10 Extender for Windows Media Center devices. This increased capacity allows Windows Media Center technologies to address the demands of more sophisticated projects. With the wide range of products and custom configurations that use standard interfaces, integrators can delight their customers with unique installations while using familiar components and subsystems. Adding to the growing demand for centralized home storage, multiple OEMs are previewing new hardware based on Windows Home Server that provides integrators with a solid whole-house solution to store and access their clients’ music, photos and videos from either an entertainment server running Windows Media Center or Extender for Windows Media Center devices.

“Our channel partners are driving compelling new entertainment and control solutions to maximize the success of custom integrators,” Collins said. “The collaboration of some of the most forward-thinking companies in the consumer electronics category and their implementations of media center technologies are fulfilling the long-standing vision of the connected home.”

Among this week’s significant partner announcements are the following:

Autonomic Controls Inc. will introduce new control modules enabling two-way integration of Windows Media Center and iTunes into Remote Technologies Inc. T4 and K4 remote controls.
Fluid Digital will promote the integration of Microsoft’s Windows Media Center TV Pack to enable an enhanced TV viewing experience, native support for four digital cable tuners, an enhanced electronic program guide, and the ability to share nonprotected digital cable content across Microsoft PlayReady technology-enabled PCs and portable media devices.
Exceptional Innovation will preview its new High Density TV initiative that introduces exciting new ways to distribute entertainment and control around the home. The new Life|media 810 digital entertainment server features eight TV tuners and supports 10 extenders while providing 12 terabytes of hard disk storage to deliver consumers a robust solution for storing, managing and viewing high-definition (HD) content throughout their home. Exceptional Innovation will preview the new Life|ware Digital Media Manager for simple, seamless content sharing from one media center device to another. Exceptional Innovation will also announce support for the Windows Media Center TV Pack in several Life|media media servers; on-board digital amplification through Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) in the new LMS-170 series; and Blu-ray support on multiple LMS units.
NiveusMedia will unveil the Niveus Storage Server – Cargo Edition. Based on the Windows Home Server platform, it offers up to 16 terabytes of scalable storage. In addition, Niveus will announce support for up to 10 Extender for Windows Media Center devices and eight CableCARDs when using the most powerful Niveus media server, the Pro Series n9. Niveus will also introduce upgrades to both the Niveus media server line and the Niveus Movie Library movie management tool.
S1Digital LLC plans to launch its new P500 Media Centers, which include advanced features such as up to four digital cable tuners (for use with CableCARD) and a QAM/ATSC tuner to give customers the capability of watching and recording up to five simultaneous cable TV channels including HDTV and premium content, Blu-ray playback with Profile 2 capabilities, and up to 3 terabytes of internal storage. All S1Digital media center solutions include the Windows Media Center TV Pack to provide customers with an enhanced entertainment experience. S1Digital also plans to launch the WHS500, a one-rack Windows Home Server, designed specifically for the custom installation channel. The WHS500 is a powerful network storage device with 4-terabyte capacity for storing movies, music, photos, home videos and other media, providing centralized access of content.
Inteset LLC will unveil its new TeraRAID XV-NAS, which will offer 15 terabytes of enterprise-level, A/V-style storage and automatically replicate the Inteset Media Library across multiple homes with access from the Web. Inteset will also be demonstrating the addition of full Blu-ray to its popular, proprietary Movie Collection, which has the ability to store, search and play back movies seamlessly within the Windows Media Center interface. The system will scan the inserted DVD or Blu-ray disc to identify and retrieve full profile information from Inteset’s all-new movie database.
Samsung Electronics America Inc. will showcase the new Samsung MediaLive Extender for Windows Media Center, which delivers digital entertainment including HD content, photos, music, feature films, home movies, and live and recorded TV, from any hardware running Windows Media Center to the big screen of a Samsung HDTV via a wireless or wired home network. With distribution that includes the custom installation channel, MediaLive is a powerful solution in the offerings for Extender for Windows Media Center devices.
Cannon PC announced that it will begin shipping the Windows Media Center TV Pack, which adds native support for up to four TV tuners (including digital cable tuners), ClearQAM (unencrypted digital cable) tuners, sharing of unprotected digital content via Microsoft PlayReady technology-enabled PCs and more, with its line of Media Center PCs beginning in early September. Cannon PC also announced that it will offer integrators two form factors of the popular Windows Home Server to provide homeowners with a new solution for centralized storage, remote access and much more.

2008 Windows Media Center Ultimate Install Contest

Microsoft will announce the 2008 Windows Media Center Ultimate Install Contest winner at a special event on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008, at 5:30 p.m. MDT. This year’s contest saw a significant increase in the number of submissions as well as the design quality and level of integration delivered through the Windows Media Center platform. Now in its second year, the Windows Media Center Ultimate Install Contest encourages integrators to show off their talents by presenting their most unique and creative installations that leverage Windows Media Center technologies. More information on the winning install will be available at http://www.microsoft.com/ultimateinstall.

Media Center Integrator Alliance

Announced yesterday, Microsoft has joined Intel Corporation, HP, Life|ware, NiveusMedia, AMD and Crestron Electronics Inc. in the foundation of the Media Center Integrator Alliance (MCIA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to driving the adoption and awareness of the media center ecosystem in the custom installation channel. MCIA members will share best practices, establish standards, and develop education and certification tools for technologies using Windows Media Center. The new alliance hopes to attract the interest, acceptance and participation of many more companies to contribute to a unified industry-based voice within the ecosystem.

“We’re excited to see how channel awareness has grown and the implementation of Windows Media Center technologies in product offerings has expanded over the past 12 months,” Collins said. “We expect the momentum to continue to drive adoption of the ecosystem and build a network of enthused, satisfied consumers.”

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Introducing The Niveus Storage Server – Cargo Edition, Powered By Windows Home Server

chrisl — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:00:00 GMT

Store and protect unlimited HD content with up to 16TB of scalable storage, remote accessibility, and seamless integration with the Niveus Movie Library.

Denver, CO – CEDIA Expo 2008 – September 4-7 – Booth #850 – Niveus Media introduces the Niveus Storage Server – Cargo Edition, a powerful storage device based on the Microsoft Windows Home Server platform, designed for the custom install channel. Featuring up to 16TB of scalable storage, Cargo provides a seamlessly integrated and flexible storage solution for the perpetually growing HD digital content market.

As Niveus continues to enhance movie integration with the increasing functionality of the Niveus Movie Library movie management interface and availability of VideoGiants Collections premium movie packages, it has become essential to offer a robust storage solution that can house a user’s expansive HD movie collection. Cargo is the ultimate add-on to the Niveus Movie Library, enabling secure storage of thousands of movies, complete with expanded metadata and high-resolution cover art.

“To support the massive amounts of content that the Niveus Entertainment System accommodates, we needed to develop a larger storage device,” states Tim Cutting, CEO and Co-Founder, Niveus Media. “With Cargo, our customers will be able to store large collections of their favorite movies, television, music, and photos. Additionally, with the host of data protection features built into the Windows Home Server platform, these collections are now protected from data corruption and personal loss.”

“At CES in 2002 I ran into this startup company off in the corner named Niveus. After chatting with them, it was clear to me that before long they’d be more than a startup,” said Charlie Kindel, General Manager of Windows Home Server at Microsoft Corp. “They have proven me right with their success, and I’m extremely happy they are now coming to market with a home server based on Windows Home Server.”

Cargo is housed in a custom-designed, 3U rack-mountable chassis, measuring 18.5” in depth and representing the most compact storage server in the custom electronics industry. Featuring a unique hinge-based front panel that enables easy serviceability and storage upgrades without removing the device from the rack, Cargo provides impressive scalability, allowing users to expand their storage capacity from 4TB, to 8TB, to 16TB. If 16TB is simply not enough, additional Cargo storage servers can be added, enabling a modular upgrade path for limitless storage and straightforward management of all content residing on the network.

Presenting improved remote capabilities, Cargo allows users to easily access and monitor the server and stored content from virtually anywhere (vacation home, office, relative’s home, etc.) through any Internet-enabled computer, using a personalized web address.

Seamlessly working behind the scenes to protect valued digital assets, Cargo provides an image-based, scheduled backup of the media server (and other computers on the network, if desired), ensuring that files and folders are duplicated across multiple hard drives. In the event that one hard drive fails, data is easily recovered. With Cargo harnessing the bulk of the storage, the Niveus media server remains optimized to deliver superior audio and video performance throughout the home.

The high-capacity and superior performance of Cargo required a hard drive that could provide reliable quality high-definition video and near silent operation. To deliver on these expectations, Niveus has selected the Seagate Pipeline HD™ hard drive as the storage solution of choice due to its optimum HD performance and exceptionally well-rated acoustics. The Windows Vista certified Seagate Pipeline HD™ hard drive is designed for the HD video Niveus customers will enjoy.

“Seagate has designed the Pipeline HD product specifically for the type of scenarios in which Niveus is using our drives. Seagate’s Pipeline HD drives deliver the reliability, capacity and performance that customers of media servers insist upon,” said Pat King, senior vice president of Seagate’s Consumer Solutions Division. “Optimized for HD video and superior acoustics, Seagate’s Pipeline HD drives are a good match for Niveus’ demands for quiet and robust digital media solutions. Seagate is proud to be Niveus primary hard drive supplier.”

Cargo can be easily integrated into any home network using Universal Plug and Play for playback with any UPnP-compliant devices (audio systems, TVs, etc).

Cargo will be available in Q4 2008.

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

Niveus Media @ CEDIA: Movie Library, 8 CableCARD, 10 Extenders, Home Server

chrisl — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:00:00 GMT

Niveus Movie Library Goes Primetime!

Version 1.5 is enriched to offer high-res cover art (including Blu-ray) and support for a wider catalogue of movie sources, such as disc-in-drive… and more!

Denver, CO – CEDIA Expo 2008 – September 4-7 – Booth #850 – Designed exclusively for Niveus Media customers, the Niveus Movie Library is a robust movie management tool that aggregates an entire movie collection into one distinct and intelligent interface. Upgraded to accommodate a growing number of movie sources, Niveus Movie Library 1.5 now features: disc-in-drive support; a 10’ interface for backing up movies to the Niveus Media Server; and expanded metadata with high resolution cover art (including Blu-ray!).

“Niveus Movie Library 1.5 represents the original vision of this product,” states Tim Cutting, CEO and Co-Founder, Niveus Media. “Coupling our new storage server, Cargo, with the enhanced Niveus Movie Library, our customers can now back up, download, store, and access their entire movie collection through the easy-to-use Niveus interface.”

Read Full Press Release

Niveus Supports Ten Extenders and Eight CableCARDs From One Niveus Media Server

Simultaneous HDTV viewing, recording, and distribution in up to eleven zones!

Denver, CO – CEDIA Expo 2008 – September 4-7 – Booth #850 – Niveus Media is invigorating the whole-home TV viewing experience by announcing that select Niveus media servers will simultaneously support up to eight digital cable (CableCARD) tuners and ten Media Center Extenders. Announcing availability concurrently with the introduction of the 2009 Niveus media server line, boasting impressive enhancements in processing and performance, Niveus now doubles the capabilities of the Niveus Entertainment System.

“Niveus has nurtured the digital cable functionality and compatibility since early 2007 and is proud to be one of the first to support both eight CableCARDS and ten extenders,” states Tim Cutting, Niveus CEO and Co-Founder. “By doubling the performance of the Niveus Media Server, we can now support even the largest installations.”

Read Full Press Release

Niveus Media’s 2009 Media Servers Boast Progressive Processing Power and Enhanced Multi-Zone Capabilities

Featuring HDMI 1.3, next-generation Intel processing, specialized Seagate hard drives, and upgraded cooling solutions for impressive multi-zone performance.

Denver, CO – CEDIA Expo 2008 – September 4-7 – Booth #850 – Niveus Media unveils its 2009 line of media servers, enhanced to provide an incredibly robust entertainment experience in as many as eleven independent zones. All Niveus media servers, including the passively cooled Summit Series’ Rainier and Denali Limited Edition and the rack mountable Pro Series, have been upgraded to incorporate bleeding-edge technologies for the most powerful Media Center performance.

“To accommodate the variety of installation applications and performance demands, we’ve upgraded all of our media servers to offer Niveus Authorized Dealers the preferred range of configurations,” states Brian Paper, Vice President Operations and Co-Founder of Niveus Media. “With a selection of form factors, processing power, audio and video solutions, and storage capacities, Niveus has a superior solution for today’s multi-zone scenarios.”

Read Full Press Release

Introducing The Niveus Storage Server – Cargo Edition, Powered By Windows Home Server

Store and protect unlimited HD content with up to 16TB of scalable storage, remote accessibility, and seamless integration with the Niveus Movie Library.

Read Full Press Release

Microsoft Releases Home Server Power Pack 1

chrisl — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:30:00 GMT

After what seems like an extremely long wait Windows Home Server Power Pack 1 has been released. If you have automatic updates enabled on your server then Power Pack 1 will be downloaded directly, but if you can’t wait for that then the download is up here.

Power Pack 1 includes several new features and fixes, most notable Vista x64 support and a fix to the nasty data corruption bug. Other features include Home Server Shared Folder backup, improved remote access, and power consumption/performance improvements.

Hot on the heels of Power Pack 1, HP has also released their MediaSmart Server Update which adds a few additional features.

Read more on We Got Served and the Windows Home Server Team Blog.

Media Center Nabs More Online Content: Olympics & Fight Network

chrisl — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:59:00 GMT

NBC has teamed up with TVTonic to provide online coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympics via Media Center. Be sure to watch the ‘Explore’ section of Media Center for more, as well as TVTonic (requires install). More information at TVTonic.

In addition the Queensberry Fight Network has launched an online application available now in Media Center to get your fighting/boxing fix 24/7. Considering the downfall that has been network TV, Microsoft needs to make sure they are making every effort to get more online content up and accessible via Media Center. I’m dying for a Hulu plug-in.

Short Bits: HP, TouchSmart, Webinar, Live for TV

chrisl — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 23:59:00 GMT

Ian Dixon had a ton of good stuff this past week at HP’s Connecting your World event in Germany. Among the top announcements was HPs new TouchSmart PC which features a 22-inch display. Best of all, this thing is cheap! It starts at only $1,300, nearly half of their pervious TouchSmart PCs (and much more attractive). Ian also did a special edition of The Media Center Show for the event.

Saying with HP for a minute, they will be holding a series of webinar’s from June 24-July 10. Guests include Ian Dixon, Patrick Norton, Mike Garcen, and Ed Bott. Be sure to register for one of them.

Ian also confirmed that Windows Live for TV is indeed dead and will be shutting down on the 24^th of this month.

Reader Questions: Round 1

chrisl — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:17:00 GMT

Have any questions for me? As a part of Media Center Week I’m trying to answer as many as I can. Post them here.

Q: I've heard that Cox is refusing new HD channels for CableCARD users even though they are not going to SDV until the end of the year. Do you know why and how they are able to do such a thing?

I haven’t heard about this specifically, and I’m not sure it would work. The channels either need to be on their existing network, or the SDV network. If they are not on either, you’re talking On Demand/VOD which is generally a separate subject and of course not used for traditional channel delivery. Semi-related, Bright House Cable pulled several HD channels from their lineup in preparation for their move to Switched Digital Video (SDV), but they have since caved and added them back until they rollout SDV. [Engadget HD]

Q: Any codec updates coming to Xbox 360 MCX?

The Xbox 360 Extender will have to support H.264 in order to playback recordings and live content from DIRECTV HD. Given the DIRECTV tuner is a part of the next Media Center release, I’d expect an MCX update for H.264 at the least around the same time. As for other codecs, I’m not sure.

Q: I need a recommendation for a small or slim form factor VMC. I'm not messing with CableCARD, just ATSC and analog cable DVR functionality plus random web video (Netflix, Hulu).

I’m a fan of HPs Pavilion Slimline series myself. Vista Home Premium, Core 2 Duo E4600, 2GB of RAM, GeForce 8500GT, and 500GB hard drive for under $650. The system should be just fine with ATSC and analog cable, just make sure you go with the 8500GT option for smooth HD and you should be golden.

Q: Along the Mac Mini line, is there a way to use the Sony Firewire DVD Jukeboxes on the Mini without booting up windows? Also, do you know if the Hauppauge HD PVR will be supported in OS X?

I haven’t seen any projects that tackled the DVD Changers on platforms other than Windows, and considering they are pretty much dead now I wouldn’t expect to see much action either. HD-PVR on OS X is another big question mark, but Elgato might just have it on their radar.

Short Bits: HD-PVR, Home Server, Online Spotlight

chrisl — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 01:08:00 GMT

Hauppauge put up the pre-order form for their HD-PVR 1212 that I talked about last week. Especially if you are ordering with Media Center in mind know that it will not work out-of-the-box, Media Center can’t support the video format it is pushing out. Hopefully Hauppauge can add support by years end. Price is $250 per device.

Update: SnapStream Blog has photos of it working with Beyond TV.

Looks like the data corruption bug in Windows Home Server is finally set to be fixed with Power Pack 1. (Via Missing Remote)

Mike wrote a great article also on Missing Remote about the Online Spotlight in Vista, or rather the lack thereof. I still don’t know why all MTV Networks properties just disappeared last week, we had talked about it on The Green Button but I haven’t got any more information about it.

Speaking of The Green Button, I know it is down. I’ve e-mailed the Admin so I hope he got that or is reading this.

Also, if anyone else has questions please reply to my Media Center Week post. I’ll post the first batch of replies tomorrow, but keep them coming and I’ll try and answer as many as I can.

Microsoft Introduces $10,000 Digital Home Makeover Contest

chrisl — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 17:51:00 GMT

To celebrate the consumer availability of new Extenders for Windows Media Center, the Windows Media Center team is today unveiling a Digital Home Makeover Contest. For one lucky winner, the makeover team will transform their disconnected digital lifestyle into a home entertainment dream with a prize package totaling up to $10,000.

The Digital Home Makeover Contest is designed to address the real challenges people face when adopting today’s digital lifestyle. Today’s consumers have a wide variety of digital content in their homes—thousands of digital pictures, MP3’s, TV shows and movies— and homes may have dozens of devices which allow people to interact with and enjoy this content. But wouldn’t it be nice if digital media could be seamlessly viewed and accessible across all these devices?

With a prize package that will include a new PC with Windows Media Center, Extenders for Windows Media Center, flat screen television and video-capable wireless home networking, the winner of the Digital Home Makeover Contest will receive what they need to take control of connecting their entertainment options and start enjoying content from room to room, anywhere in the house. Microsoft is accepting entries in the form of two minute videos that illustrate a contestant’s disconnected digital lifestyle and why they need a digital home makeover. Entries will be accepted through April 18 at http://www.windowsmediacenter.com/contest and the winner of the Digital Home Makeover will be announced by April 30, 2008.

“Connected entertainment is all about enjoying high quality digital content both on your PC and on TV sets around the home," said Ron Pessner, general manager for Windows Media Center. “We are excited to bring that vision to life today with the technology behind Windows Media Center and Media Center Extenders.”

More information about the contest and new Extenders for Windows Media Center is available at http://www.windowsmediacenter.com

Short Bits: Omaura, HP MediaSmart

chrisl — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 15:58:00 GMT

Chris Morley let the world know that Omaura cases are finally available online through their new partner Dell. These are by far the best looking HTPC cases around, and competitively priced as well. For more information on Omaura in general, visit their website.

HP is looking for owners of HP MediaSmart Servers to take an online survey about their experience so far. If you own one, let HP know what they can do better and you will get a $20 gift certificate for hpshopping.com. You can find the survey here, and yes it is an official HP survey.

Short Bits: Advertising, MAINGEAR, Ultimate PC

chrisl — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 19:07:00 GMT

Microsoft has started another round of Media Center/Extender online advertising on sites like The Green Button, AVS Forum, and more. It is nice to see Microsoft advertising more, but the point still stands that the people who need to know about these technologies are not being informed. Microsoft needs to wrap up Xbox 360, Zune, Media Center, Extenders, and Vista into a huge advertising campaign directed at people who are not already visiting informed web sources.

I posted last night about MAINGEAR’s new Media Center PC that uses the beautiful Omaura TF8 chassis. What is interesting about this is that it has a very low price (~$1400) while still offering integrated features like Blu-ray. Wallace from MAINGEAR says that CableCARD is coming, so this might be a company to watch out for.

Microsoft launched a new website dedicated to showing off “Ultimate” PC setups with Vista as the center. Derek Flickinger shows off his Ultimate Home Theater Blueprints (Alt) on the new site, showcasing everything from Extenders to a McIntosh MX119.

S1Digital Prepping Windows Home Server & Custom Touchscreen

chrisl — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:22:00 GMT

S1Digital is launching a number of new products for 2008, starting with their newly designed website that looks great. On the hardware side, S1Digital will be launching two Windows Home Server’s and a 17 inch Media Center touchscreen. The new solutions are outlined in their new brochure (PDF) that lays out the S1 vision of the connected home using Media Center as the center piece.

While exact details have not been released on the new hardware, it appears they will have two flavors of S1 branded Windows Home Server’s. The first is a 1U rackmounted server, and the other is a smaller unit that looks to be based on Intel’s WHS platform.

In addition they will have a brand new 17 inch touchscreen with Media Center built in. Dubbed the TX Edition it also has built-in wireless and optional internal CableCARD. Imagine this in your kitchen given you access to HD content without the need for a remote. My mControl setup is begging for one already.

No prices or release dates yet, but it looks like S1 is ready to make a splash in 2008.

Hear more about the above hardware and more on this weeks Media Center Show with Ian Dixon and Paul Heitlinger.

Windows Home Server Breaks Ground on New Features, Expands Into More Homes Worldwide

chrisl — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 14:27:00 GMT

New Power Pack 1 adds support for Windows Vista x64, enhances remote access capabilities, extends data protection and supports the Chinese and Japanese languages.

LAS VEGAS — Jan. 7, 2008 — Attendees of this week’s 2008 International CES will be introduced to Windows Home Server Power Pack 1. The new software delivers a range of enhancements for customers who have embraced Windows Home Server since its launch last November, helping them protect, organize and share their digital photos, music, videos and documents.

Microsoft Corp. is committed to continually enhancing the capabilities and benefits of Windows Home Server for partners and consumers. With Power Pack 1, the Windows Home Server Connector software for home computers is compatible with 64-bit editions of Windows Vista. This update release also provides a new way to protect data, in case of a disaster such as a fire or theft, by enabling the backup of a home server to external storage. In addition, Power Pack 1 improves its remote access features by providing a simple way to upload multiple files, presenting photo thumbnail views and enabling more control of remote user access.

With Power Pack 1, power consumption of Windows Home Server is more efficient, complementing the power management capabilities in Windows Home Server-based hardware products such as the Fujitsu Siemens Computers SCALEO Home Server and Tranquil Home Servers. Power Pack 1 also adds support for the Chinese and Japanese languages, and will be available to customers automatically in spring 2008 through Windows Update. More information about the update is available on the Windows Home Server blog at http://blogs.technet.com/homeserver.

Unveiled by Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates at CES 2007 and launched in November, Windows Home Server represents a new product category embraced by both customers and industry partners. Forrester Research Inc. forecasts that home server adoption will reach 4.56 million households in the next five years.

“Windows Home Server will spearhead the growth of an important new product category,” said J.P. Gownder, principal analyst at Forrester Research, in his December 2007 teleconference, “Forrester’s Windows Home Server Outlook and Forecast.” “The proliferation of consumer digital assets creates a need for the functionality of a home server. And multi-PC households are growing rapidly, along with home networks.”

Delighted Customers

Customer demand for Windows Home Server has been strong; the HP MediaSmart Server, powered by Windows Home Server, sold out on leading retailer Web sites after it launched. Customers in more than 30 countries are now using Windows Home Server to help secure and enjoy their digital content and experiences. For example, in the United States, Brian Driscall used Windows Home Server to quickly restore all of his 9-year-old son’s progress on the “LEGO Star Wars” computer game, after his 4-year-old son had deleted the information.

“I saved the day for my son,” Driscall said. “I love being able to stream music, videos and pictures from my home server, too. We had some friends over recently, and we were able to show them pictures from our Thanksgiving vacation on our TV.”

Brian Irvin is a technical sergeant in the New York Air National Guard, stationed in Antarctica. He posts videos of himself to the server back home, so he can stay connected with his wife and children.*

“The kids really love it. My 5-year-old daughter even talks to the computer while the videos are playing,” Irvin said. “I’m able to read my kids a bedtime story, even though I’m on the other side of the planet.”

Partners Build On the Windows Home Server Platform

More than 15 hardware makers around the world have announced Windows Home Server-based products. Third-party software developers have released or announced approximately 50 Add-in programs to extend Windows Home Server capabilities, including personal blogging, family Web sites, media sharing, home security features, home automation, and protection against viruses and malware.

In its pressroom at CES, Microsoft will demonstrate Windows Home Server working with partner solutions such as the Sonos Digital Music System and CEIVA digital photo frames. In France, the OMSERVER from OMWAVE is a new Windows Home Server-based hardware product with home automation Add-in software. Information about other Windows Home Server-based hardware products and third-party Add-ins is available at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/homeserver.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

* Use of Windows Home Server’s remote access features may require additional services from your broadband provider, such as access to certain “ports” that some providers may block for customers on some service plans. Contact your broadband provider if you have questions about their services or service terms.