We Got Served

Ever heard of Windows SideShow? No? You’re not alone. I’ve been using Vista since it was first released to the public and I never even noticed that it was in the Control Panel. Perhaps because Microsoft has let it take a backseat in the Vista world and there has been very little hardware released to support it.

So, what is SideShow?

Using a Windows SideShow-compatible device, you can access information stored on your computer. An older, but still pertinent, explanation of SideShow can be found here and Microsoft has some more current information on SideShow.

So what does all this have to do with Media Center? Well, wouldn’t it be nice to be able to use your PDA or Mobile Phone to control your Media Center? Schedule recordings, browse your picture library, and select music without interrupting your main Media Center TV experience? A remote with an interactive display. The ultimate Remote Control Device! Microsoft is finally ramping up their SideShow programming team to allow you to do just that.

Microsoft has written a set SideShow gadgets, currently in Beta, to do just that. These Media Center SideShow gadgets, according to Ian Dixon’s Blog over at The Digital Lifestyle, can perform the following Media Center tasks for you.

TV

• Browse TV and schedule recordings. Browse the TV program guide, view metadata on upcoming or current shows, and pick shows to watch and record (single showing or series), without interrupting the TV viewing experience.
• Recorded TV. Select a previously recorded program to play back, without interrupting the viewing experience on the TV.

Music

• Play Music. Browse the media library, control music playback on the PC by using the remote control device instead of the primary display, such as a TV.
• Play radio presets. Browse your radio presets and playback that station through your Media Center.

Pictures + Videos

• Browse the picture and video libraries.  Make a selection on the remote and that picture or video will be displayed on the TV.

Now Playing

• Provide “now playing” information. The remote control device shows information about the currently playing medium, such as the track title or the time elapsed.

An even more detailed write-up, complete with pictures of the setup process, is over at Stuart Thailand’s Blog.

If you would like to try out the software, you must have a Connect account and sign up for participation in this Beta. Once that is done, you can download the gadget installer.

You will need some associated software to use these gadgets. You will need the SideShow runtime files. The gadget simulator software (if you do not have supported hardware) can be obtained here. If you do have a mobile device to try it on, go here.

Finally, Instructions on running the simulator software can be found at here.

Please be aware, or perhaps forewarned, that this is a 1st release Beta gadget. Of course, here at WGS, we are used to installing Beta software. WHS users are a brave lot!

More Infomation: Stuart Thailand’s Blog | Ian Dixon’s Blog | Discuss (WGS Forums)