CEDIA 2009 Hidden Gems
CEDIA 2009: Things I Want for my Own Home
Fun made its way back to CEDIA Expo 2009 after a sobering 2008.
Bob Archer rounds up the 15 best products at CEDIA Expo 2009.
The latest TVs, Blu-ray players and receivers offering Netflix, Vudu, YouTube, Pandora…
Envive Adds TheaterStation Multi-Zone Media Management
Media Center
Friday, August 15, 2008
Media Center TV Pack – Vendors Jockey for Position Pre-CEDIA
The day after we published news from Fluid Digital about incorporating Microsoft's TV Pack into the next generation of Media Center, we got a reminder from S1Digital that they were first, and a press release from Cannon PC announcing its implementation of TV Pack.
Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008, formerly known as "Fiji," enables advanced TV functionality for Windows Media Center, most notably the integration of ClearQAM (unencrypted digital cable) content within the Media Center ecosystem.
The official word on TV Pack will come at CEDIA Expo 2008, but PC vendors are already jockeying for position.
S1Digital's Paul Heitlinger says, "We just started shipping systems with TV Pack this week."
Cannon PC says it will begin shipping systems with TV Pack beginning in early September.
Read more
Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008, formerly known as "Fiji," enables advanced TV functionality for Windows Media Center, most notably the integration of ClearQAM (unencrypted digital cable) content within the Media Center ecosystem.
The official word on TV Pack will come at CEDIA Expo 2008, but PC vendors are already jockeying for position.
S1Digital's Paul Heitlinger says, "We just started shipping systems with TV Pack this week."
Cannon PC says it will begin shipping systems with TV Pack beginning in early September.
Read more
Posted by Julie Jacobson on 08/15 at 06:06 AM
News, Product News, Media Center, CEDIA, (0) Comments, Permalink
News, Product News, Media Center, CEDIA, (0) Comments, Permalink
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Inteset Media Centers Support Blu-ray
Inteset, maker of high-performance Media Center products, is adding Blu-ray support to its products, and enhancing its proprietary "Movie Collection" application for managing DVD content.
For all of its content-management capabilities, Windows Media Center doesn't do so well when it comes to building movie libraries, not least because it does not attach metadata to ripped DVDs.
For years, Inteset has overcome this deficiency with the Movie Collection module available free of charge with all of its servers. The software enables users to store, search, and play back movies seamlessly within the Windows Media Center interface.
Now Movie Collection can incorporate Blu-ray content.
In addition, movie profile lookups are simpler than ever, according to Inteset. The system will scan the inserted DVD or Blu-ray disc to identify it, and then retrieve full profile information from Inteset’s updated movie database.
Lookups can also be performed based on UPC code and movie title.
…
Read more
For all of its content-management capabilities, Windows Media Center doesn't do so well when it comes to building movie libraries, not least because it does not attach metadata to ripped DVDs.
For years, Inteset has overcome this deficiency with the Movie Collection module available free of charge with all of its servers. The software enables users to store, search, and play back movies seamlessly within the Windows Media Center interface.
Now Movie Collection can incorporate Blu-ray content.
In addition, movie profile lookups are simpler than ever, according to Inteset. The system will scan the inserted DVD or Blu-ray disc to identify it, and then retrieve full profile information from Inteset’s updated movie database.
Lookups can also be performed based on UPC code and movie title.
…
Posted by Julie Jacobson on 08/13 at 07:22 AM
News, Product News, Media Center, CEDIA, Blu-ray, Exclusive, (4) Comments, Permalink
News, Product News, Media Center, CEDIA, Blu-ray, Exclusive, (4) Comments, Permalink
Media Center TV Pack Gets Buzz Before CEDIA Debut
Get ready for the next generation of Windows Vista Media Center, originally known as "Fiji" and now officially dubbed "Media Center TV Pack."
Microsoft is expected to tell all during CEDIA Expo 2008, but for now, even the savviest Microsoft followers are scratching their heads.
Microsoft released TV Pack to OEMs on July 17, and PC makers are beginning to talk about their products – first S1Digital at The Green Button, and now Fluid Digital.
Fluid Digital, based in The Woodlands, Texas, announced this morning its new Media Center with TV Pack.
Even with all of the controversy surrounding Microsoft and Media Center in the past, it seems that Fiji has generated more angst and ire than other Microsoft initiatives.
TV Pack is still shrouded in secrecy. OEMs still are not allowed to talk about its innate features and…
Read more
Microsoft is expected to tell all during CEDIA Expo 2008, but for now, even the savviest Microsoft followers are scratching their heads.
Microsoft released TV Pack to OEMs on July 17, and PC makers are beginning to talk about their products – first S1Digital at The Green Button, and now Fluid Digital.
Fluid Digital, based in The Woodlands, Texas, announced this morning its new Media Center with TV Pack.
What is TV Pack?
Even with all of the controversy surrounding Microsoft and Media Center in the past, it seems that Fiji has generated more angst and ire than other Microsoft initiatives.
TV Pack is still shrouded in secrecy. OEMs still are not allowed to talk about its innate features and…
Posted by Julie Jacobson on 08/13 at 06:11 AM
News, Product News, Media Center, CEDIA, (0) Comments, Permalink
News, Product News, Media Center, CEDIA, (0) Comments, Permalink
Friday, August 01, 2008
LAST DAY: Enter Your Media Center Project - Win Lots of Stuff
Today is the last day to enter your Media Center installation in Microsoft's Windows Media Center Ultimate Install contest.
If you're the lucky winner, you get a free ride to CEDIA 2008 and a press party thrown in your honor (Saturday, Sept. 6).
Last year's winner, Imperium Smart Systems, was lavished with free press, and this year's champ has even more to gain: flight and accommodations for CEDIA 2008, a trip for two to Microsoft, $1,000 in cash, a professional photo shoot of the job, and a bunch of goodies for the accommodating homeowners – Xbox360 Elite, games, a couple of Zunes and more.
Todd Rutherford of Microsoft's eHome group says the company has received a variety of entries. He reminds dealers that the contest is not just about home control, but about "the entire Media Center experience."
He says, "None of our criteria is centered on using…
Read more
If you're the lucky winner, you get a free ride to CEDIA 2008 and a press party thrown in your honor (Saturday, Sept. 6).
Last year's winner, Imperium Smart Systems, was lavished with free press, and this year's champ has even more to gain: flight and accommodations for CEDIA 2008, a trip for two to Microsoft, $1,000 in cash, a professional photo shoot of the job, and a bunch of goodies for the accommodating homeowners – Xbox360 Elite, games, a couple of Zunes and more.
Todd Rutherford of Microsoft's eHome group says the company has received a variety of entries. He reminds dealers that the contest is not just about home control, but about "the entire Media Center experience."
He says, "None of our criteria is centered on using…
Posted by Julie Jacobson on 08/01 at 07:39 AM
News, Events, CEDIA, Media Center, (0) Comments, Permalink
News, Events, CEDIA, Media Center, (0) Comments, Permalink
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Inteset’s 15 TB NAS Optimized for Home Media Storage, Sharing
Inteset, developer of high-performance Media Center servers, clients, storage devices and software for whole-house media and control, is introducing a mega-storage system, the XV-NAS.
The latest in its TeraRAID line, the new 15-terabyte networked attached storage server (NAS) is a 5U solution that is only 18 inches deep. According to Inteset, the form factor makes it the "only high-capacity NAS unit on the market uniquely designed for an A/V rack."
Traditional enterprise NAS devices -- often used by integrators for the home market -- can be 25- or 28-inches thick and noisy.
Furthermore, the server is preconfigured to work with Inteset's Media Library application for movie, music, picture, and recorded TV content.
"Typical NAS systems when purchased have no volume, folder structure, shares, or permissions configured," says Inteset's Jeff Lloyd. "Inteset preconfigures this before shipping so that it will work out-of-the-box with our media servers (no complicated, time-consuming configuration needed)."
Read more
The latest in its TeraRAID line, the new 15-terabyte networked attached storage server (NAS) is a 5U solution that is only 18 inches deep. According to Inteset, the form factor makes it the "only high-capacity NAS unit on the market uniquely designed for an A/V rack."
Traditional enterprise NAS devices -- often used by integrators for the home market -- can be 25- or 28-inches thick and noisy.
Furthermore, the server is preconfigured to work with Inteset's Media Library application for movie, music, picture, and recorded TV content.
"Typical NAS systems when purchased have no volume, folder structure, shares, or permissions configured," says Inteset's Jeff Lloyd. "Inteset preconfigures this before shipping so that it will work out-of-the-box with our media servers (no complicated, time-consuming configuration needed)."
Posted by Julie Jacobson on 07/08 at 07:11 AM
News, Product News, Media Center, Networking, Media Servers, (0) Comments, Permalink
News, Product News, Media Center, Networking, Media Servers, (0) Comments, Permalink
Niveus Offers 2 Media Server Training Courses
Niveus Media is offering two training courses at CEDIA Expo to train attendees on the latest trends in media server design, installation and setup techniques.
The courses are free and are each worth .375 CEU credits.
Both courses will be offered on September 4 at the Hyatt Regency Denver (directly across from the Colorado Convention Center) in room Capitol 6.
Niveus System Design and Integration (10-11:30 a.m.)
There will be demonstrations on how to design a scalable whole-home entertainment system using Niveus' line of media and storage servers and extender solutions.
Topics: integrating a high-performance, high-fidelity ISF-Certified Windows Media Center solution; protecting customer's valuable media with network storage; and multiroom A/V and home control integration.
Niveus Installation and Set-up (12-1:30 p.m.)
This course will offer tips on how to install and configure a Niveus Media Server, including integration with the Niveus Storage Server, the Niveus Digital Cable Receiver, and…
Read more
The courses are free and are each worth .375 CEU credits.
Both courses will be offered on September 4 at the Hyatt Regency Denver (directly across from the Colorado Convention Center) in room Capitol 6.
Niveus System Design and Integration (10-11:30 a.m.)
There will be demonstrations on how to design a scalable whole-home entertainment system using Niveus' line of media and storage servers and extender solutions.
Topics: integrating a high-performance, high-fidelity ISF-Certified Windows Media Center solution; protecting customer's valuable media with network storage; and multiroom A/V and home control integration.
Niveus Installation and Set-up (12-1:30 p.m.)
This course will offer tips on how to install and configure a Niveus Media Server, including integration with the Niveus Storage Server, the Niveus Digital Cable Receiver, and…
Posted by Steve Crowe on 07/08 at 06:57 AM
News, Media Center, Training, CEDIA, Digital Media, Media Servers, (0) Comments, Permalink
News, Media Center, Training, CEDIA, Digital Media, Media Servers, (0) Comments, Permalink
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Microsoft to Train Installers on Windows Media Center
Microsoft plans on unveiling new technologies for Windows Media Center (WMC) at CEDIA Expo 2008.
The WMC team will be located at booth 410 to showcase the new hardware and updates and train installers about the WMC as a whole-home entertainment solution.
Microsoft will instruct installers on everything from the basics of WMC installations to the setup and configuration of Windows Home Server. (See chart).
The company will also be announce the winner of the 2008 Windows Media Center Ultimate Install Contest, Microsoft's competition for custom installers.
Entries for the contest close August 1. The winning entry will be announced September 6.
Click here to enter.
Microsoft CEDIA Training
Read more
The WMC team will be located at booth 410 to showcase the new hardware and updates and train installers about the WMC as a whole-home entertainment solution.
Microsoft will instruct installers on everything from the basics of WMC installations to the setup and configuration of Windows Home Server. (See chart).
The company will also be announce the winner of the 2008 Windows Media Center Ultimate Install Contest, Microsoft's competition for custom installers.
Entries for the contest close August 1. The winning entry will be announced September 6.
Click here to enter.
Microsoft CEDIA Training
Posted by Steve Crowe on 07/03 at 10:44 AM
News, Media Center, Training, CEDIA, (0) Comments, Permalink Thursday, September 20, 2007Control a Lifeware Automation System via Thermostat and Philips Remote
Exceptional Innovation is giving users more ways to control the company's Lifeware home automation system. Last year, EI introduced an Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) interface for Lifeware. More recently, the company announced that an inexpensive audio keypad from NuVo could be used to operate the automation system.
At CEDIA, EI announced additional interfaces for its Media Center-based home control system. First, NuVo competitor Russound has embedded Web Services for Devices (WSD) -- a protocol that is integral to Lifeware -- into its new E-series multiroom audio system.  More Hot News from Microsoft – Sept. 27 |
Posted by Julie Jacobson on 09/20 at 08:56 AM
News, Home Automation and Control, Universal Remotes, HVAC, Media Center, CEDIA, Exclusive, (0) Comments, Permalink
News, Home Automation and Control, Universal Remotes, HVAC, Media Center, CEDIA, Exclusive, (0) Comments, Permalink
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Inteset is Third Media Center Company to Support 4 CableCards
During CEDIA, Microsoft announced that Windows Media Center would now support four CableCard tuners (OpenCable Unidirectional Receiver, or OCUR) -- twice as many as originally allowed.
At that time, only Exceptional Innovation and Niveus got the go-ahead from Microsoft. Now a third company, Inteset, says it will come out with four-tuner support at the end of the month.
"We will be offering four internal OCUR tuners in our Denzel server and two internal/two external on the Maximus at the end of this month," says Inteset president Jeff Lloyd.
We reported yesterday that Inteset updated the chassis of its Denzel Media Center to support four internal OCUR tuners in the future.
During CEDIA, Scott Evans, group manager in the Entertainment and Devices eHome Division at Microsoft, said that four-tuner products would only be available on products…
Read more
At that time, only Exceptional Innovation and Niveus got the go-ahead from Microsoft. Now a third company, Inteset, says it will come out with four-tuner support at the end of the month.
"We will be offering four internal OCUR tuners in our Denzel server and two internal/two external on the Maximus at the end of this month," says Inteset president Jeff Lloyd.
We reported yesterday that Inteset updated the chassis of its Denzel Media Center to support four internal OCUR tuners in the future.
During CEDIA, Scott Evans, group manager in the Entertainment and Devices eHome Division at Microsoft, said that four-tuner products would only be available on products…
Monday, September 17, 2007
Inteset Offers More Audio Zones for Media Center, Upgrades Chassis for Denzel Server
Inteset has been a long-time innovator in the Media Center business, and the company introduced more developments in its Media Center hardware and software during CEDIA.
Multiroom Audio
Inteset was one of the original developers of Media Center PCs that are amenable to multiroom audio. The company's PCs have multiple audio outputs to serve multiple zones, and proprietary software enable control over all of the zones. From any Media Center or controller in the home, you can pick a zone and push songs, albums or playlists to that zone. Volume can be controlled independently for each zone.
Inteset's Maximus Media Center offers four audio zones. The Inteset Denzel has three.
Now you can add more audio zones to your Inteset Media Center setup with the Ella EADS600 audio distribution, which provides an additional six zones of independent audio.
The unit connects to the Maximus or Denzel via USB.
Inteset provides a separate…
Read more
Multiroom Audio
Inteset was one of the original developers of Media Center PCs that are amenable to multiroom audio. The company's PCs have multiple audio outputs to serve multiple zones, and proprietary software enable control over all of the zones. From any Media Center or controller in the home, you can pick a zone and push songs, albums or playlists to that zone. Volume can be controlled independently for each zone.
Inteset's Maximus Media Center offers four audio zones. The Inteset Denzel has three.
Now you can add more audio zones to your Inteset Media Center setup with the Ella EADS600 audio distribution, which provides an additional six zones of independent audio.
The unit connects to the Maximus or Denzel via USB.
Inteset provides a separate…
Posted by Julie Jacobson on 09/17 at 08:26 AM
News, Product News, Press Releases, Media Center, CEDIA, Multiroom Audio, Highlights, (0) Comments, Permalink
News, Product News, Press Releases, Media Center, CEDIA, Multiroom Audio, Highlights, (0) Comments, Permalink
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