Media Computer News

Screenshots of a successful weekend project -- a fully functional Media PC | TechRepublic Photo Gallery

2007-05-29T10:09:00.000+01:00

One of the more popular, geek-friendly weekend projects available is the building of a functional Media PC. TechRepublic Senior Software Engineer Bryan Peabody recently spent a weekend creating a Media PC using Microsoft Windows Media Center as its operating system. Here are a few of his observations and some screenshots of the process and his new Media PC in action.

More info @ : Screenshots of a successful weekend project -- a fully functional Media PC | TechRepublic Photo Gallery

LinuxMCE

2007-05-23T15:49:00.000+01:00

LinuxMCE Version 1.1 for Kubuntu Feisty represents a significant change over 1.0. The code in LinuxMCE 1.0 was already quite stable, however, many users reported installation issues, too many scripts inherited from Pluto that took over the conf files, a kludgey integration with Ubuntu, and incomplete integration with MythTV. All these are addressed in the new 1.1."

More info available @ : LinuxMCE

April 2007 Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista

2007-04-25T19:29:00.000+01:00

Microsoft has released the April 2007 Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista. This update contains several improvements, and it resolves several issues. This cumulative update is intended for computers that are running Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate.

More info @ : April 2007 Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista

LG launches first foray into dual-format HD arena | Reg Hardware

2007-04-19T18:06:00.000+01:00

Yesterday in London LG announced the UK launch of its dual-format, high-definition player.

In addition to this, LG also showed off its first dual Blu-ray rewriter and HD DVD-ROM, optical storage drive - the GGW-H10N, also known as the Super Multi Blue.

More info @ : LG launches first foray into dual-format HD arena | Reg Hardware

The Official 100% HDCP ready video card list. - [H]ard|Forum

2007-04-13T11:52:00.000+01:00

There are actually several video cards out right now that are fully HDCP compliant and ready and I thought it would be a good idea to get a list going for those who are looking for a new video card that are also hoping to play protected HD content on their PC.

More info @ : The Official 100% HDCP ready video card list. - [H]ard|Forum

AMD 690G integrated chipset review

2007-04-09T18:17:00.000+01:00

Review AMD's new 690 chipset comes in two varieties. There's the vanilla 690V with an integrated ATI Radeon X1200 graphics core that only supports a VGA connection, but the one that interests us is the 690G with Radeon X1250 graphics. This core supports both analogue and digital connections, and that gives the motherboard manufacturers a huge range of options.

More info @ : AMD 690G integrated chipset | Channel Register

AMD launches ATI RS690 chipset at long last | Channel Register

2007-03-01T14:46:00.000Z

AMD today introduced its first chipset products to be released only under its own brand rather than ATI's: the integrated 690G and 690V.

The 690G incorporates two independent display controllers and ingratea signalling for DVI, HDMI, TV, CRT and LCD monitors. It also has HDCP support built in. The 690V drops the integrated DVI and HDMI signalling, and features a lower-clocked graphics core.

More info @ : AMD launches ATI RS690 chipset at long last | Channel Register

HDMI pitches for PC vendor mind share | Channel Register

2007-02-14T12:39:00.000Z

The battle to determine which PC display interconnect will dominate the market has begun in earnest. Yesterday, the organisation that licenses the HDMI port claimed more than 50 desktops, notebooks, motherboards, graphics cards and monitors are now shipping with its technology on board.

More info @ : HDMI pitches for PC vendor mind share | Channel Register

Netgear HDX101 200Mbps powerline Ethernet adaptor | Reg Hardware

2007-01-23T11:14:00.000Z

Review It's a neat trick being able to transmit data around your home or office via the mains power wiring. You get a more stable, less interference-prone connection than Wi-Fi and a potentially faster link too. The downside is that there's no roaming, at least not beyond the reach of an RJ-45 cable and however many powerline adaptors you've got dotted around your house.

Just as Wi-Fi is due to get a major speed bump, with 802.11n, so too is powerline Ethernet. The difference: the 200Mbps powerline is here now, while the 380Mbps 802.11n isn't going to be ratified until later this year, though we're likely to start seeing a raft of standard... almost products come in the next few months.

More info @ : Netgear HDX101 200Mbps powerline Ethernet adaptor | Reg Hardware

Hitachi hails 'industry first' 1TB desktop hard drive | Reg Hardware

2007-01-08T15:06:00.000Z

Hitachi has announced what it claims is the world's first 1TB desktop hard drive, pledging to ship the beast later this quarter, with enterprise- and consumer electronics-oriented versions to follow in Q2

More info @ : Hitachi hails 'industry first' 1TB desktop hard drive | Reg Hardware:

Sneak peek at Microsoft's Windows Vista MCE remote - Engadget

2006-10-18T15:36:00.000+01:00

The Vista MCE remote was out and on display at this year's Digital Life expo.

More info @ : Sneak peek at Microsoft's Windows Vista MCE remote - Engadget

Sapphire adds DVI output to integrated-graphics PCs | Channel Register

2006-09-28T15:40:00.000+01:00

Sapphire has announced an ADD2 card to add DVI out to a 915G 945G or 965G equipped motherboard.

More info @ : Sapphire adds DVI output to integrated-graphics PCs | Channel Register

October introduction for ATI HDMI-, HDCP-friendly chipset?

2006-09-22T11:19:00.000+01:00

ATI's AMD-oriented integrated North Bridge chip, the RS690, has won the approval of the PCI SIG, which this week certified the part for PCI Express compatibility, paving the way for the part's appearance on the chipset market.

The chipset will also support the HDCP copy-protection system and signalling to allow motherboard makers to equip products with an HDMI port.

More info @ :ATI wins approval for RS690 launch | Channel Register

HDTV and MCE 2005

2006-08-30T14:55:00.000+01:00

John Craske has produced a very informative guide to using HDTV with MCE 2005. We have reproduced the article from AVForums for you.

More info @ : HDTV and MCE 2005

How To: Build A High-Class Media PC, CRN

2006-08-24T11:15:00.000+01:00

Bill O'Brien of Tech Web built a Media Center using Antec's Fusion Media Center Case.

Read about it here : How To: Build A High-Class Media PC, CRN
Order the case here : Media Computers Shop

Intel Core 2 Duo Media Motherboards

2006-08-17T16:06:00.000+01:00

Intel have boosted the ViiV brand by launching two new motherboards aimed squarely at Media Center builders. With mutiple PCI slots for all your tuners instead of multiple PCIe for Crossfire its good to see Intel thinking about how people will use the boards.

More info @ :
Intel® Desktop Board DG965OT Overview
Intel® Desktop Board DG965WH Overview

DVI vs. HDMI vs. Component Video -- Which is Better?

2006-08-16T14:24:00.000+01:00

As DVI and HDMI connections become more and more widely used, we are often asked: which is better, DVI (or HDMI) or component video? The answer, as it happens, is not cut-and-dried.

More info @ : DVI vs. HDMI vs. Component Video -- Which is Better?

Intel® Clear Video Technology

2006-08-16T14:19:00.000+01:00

Today's digital home consumers are demanding high-quality video playback and sharp image quality from their PC. Intel Clear Video Technology is designed to address these needs with advanced processing capabilities to enable a richer entertainment experience. In addition to stutter-free playback and vibrant color controls, this technology delivers crystal clear images without the imperfections and artifacts usually associated with PC-based video content.

More info @ : Intel® Clear Video Technology

Asus unveils Core 2 Duo mobos | Reg Hardware

2006-07-12T15:03:00.000+01:00

Asus has formally announced its first two motherboards to support Intel's upcoming Core 2 Extreme and Core 2 Duo desktop processors aka 'Conroe', though the P965-based boards may also play host to a number of older CPUs, right back to the P4.

More info @: Asus unveils Core 2 Duo mobos | Reg Hardware

AMD Cranks Up The Volume On Digital Entertainment With The AMD LIVE!™ PC

2006-07-04T10:41:00.000+01:00

AMD has announced the next milestone in digital entertainment with the AMD LIVE!™ PC — a full-featured, easy-to-use media center PC, designed to enable consumers to organize, distribute, share, and enjoy their content collection throughout the home and on the go. The AMD LIVE! Entertainment Suite, a collection of services and applications designed to enhance the PC experience, is also available today at www.amdlive.com.

More info @: Press Releases

Run unsupported video formats on MCE Extenders

2006-06-28T09:52:00.000+01:00

Transcode 360 enables the playback of unsupported video over Xbox 360 and Media Center Extender devices. This software is designed to run on Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005.

More info @ : Transcode 360 at runtime360.com

ATi are going to release RS600 on July.

2006-06-23T09:42:00.000+01:00

ASUSTeK Computer Inc. (ASUS), the worldwide leader of motherboards, introduces the P5W DH Deluxe motherboard, which leveraged rich digital home features and supports both Intel's Core™2 Extreme and Core™2 Duo processors and ATI CrossFire graphics to deliver multimedia entertainment, wireless networking, data protection and easy access and management of various functions without being confined by the computer desk.

More info @ : ASUSTeK Computer Inc.

ATI readies RS600 IGP chipset

2006-06-23T09:32:00.000+01:00

ATi are going to release the RS600 integrated graphics chipset in July.
ATi RS600 is the first IGP supporting AVIVO, providing hardware encoding and decoding ability. DVI and HDMI output are also included.

More info @: HKEPC Hardware - IT News

ATI announces Theater™ 650 PRO DTV -on-a-chip solution

2006-06-08T13:50:00.000+01:00

Theater™ 650 Pro takes the Home Theater PC to the high end. This single-chip solution delivers performance rivaling premium home theater solutions at a fraction of the price. Theater™ 650 Pro is the power core for advanced multimedia cards and DTV-on-a-chip solutions, integrating hardware video encoding, digital audio with noise reduction and hardware PVR functions in a single chip.

More info @ Theater™ 650 PRO

MCE Video Encoder Page

2006-05-08T11:58:00.000+01:00

MCE Video Encoder is a Windows application that controls encoding and streaming of all video files, including DivX and XVid.

More info @ MCE Video Encoder Page