Jim Clark recently put together an excellent series of articles describing some of the steps that Microsoft could take to educate the Average Joe about Windows Media Center and expand the market for WMC. Obviously, those of us spending our days perusing sites like We Got Served would not be the target of such an effort, but our lives are full of these Average Joes. Over the next several weeks I am going to be sharing my experiences as I essentially build a network from the ground up, tailored to implementing Windows Home Server and Windows Media Center together.

My ultimate goal in sharing my experiences with you is to provide insight into how you can maximize Windows Media Center and Windows Home Server in an environment of novice users. There should be points of interest along the way for users of all backgrounds though. Being a bit of nerd, I will be building or retrofitting all of the systems myself and sharing tips on what kind of hardware to select, but will also be providing tips on what to look for in retail systems for those WGS readers not interested in building their own systems. I will be detailing some of the specific software and hardware accessories that I recommend for maximizing ease-of-use and family life integration. I will also be extensively exploring how to use WMC in a home theater PC, or HTPC, and the pros and cons of dedicating a PC to the living room versus using Media Center Extenders throughout the house. Finally, I will be discussing some of the considerations that go into using Windows Media Center in a multi-PC environment and how to integrate multiple WMC machines, extenders, and WHS in a cohesive way that will remain transparent and user-friendly for even the least savvy of computer users.

The Ad-hoc Network

The issues involved in deploying Windows Media Center for novice users are nothing new for me, but I want to give some background into why I am going to explore this topic with you, the reader, through the lens of an entire network deployment. After all, I do not expect that most readers will be interested in undertaking quite such an extensive action simply to roll out WMC or WHS. However, if the following situation sounds familiar, you might just change your mind.

My family’s first Media Center PC was an HTPC that I put together shortly after MCE 2005 became available. It was such a success that it quickly supplanted our cable company’s DVR. This HTPC remained the centerpiece of our entertainment center for more than a year. It wasn’t always an easy arrangement. Being the only Media Center system in the house, it was also my experimental testing grounds for new plug-ins, registry hacks, and all around tech tinkering. While I learned a lot from this experimentation, the resulting instabilities, incompatibilities, and the occasional borked system tried my wife’s patience.

After more than a year of this arrangement, our home network went through an unparalleled round of expansion. We went from having two PCs, the family PC and the HTPC, to having four PCs, an Xbox 360, a laptop, and a NAS over the course of a year. PCs got shuffled from room to room as I attempted to give each family member their own PC, began migrating to Windows Vista, and switched to using the Media Center Extender in the Xbox 360 instead of dedicating a PC for use as an HTPC. The result of all this movement has been a situation that I am sure many WGS readers have encountered at one point or another: a disorganized mess of a network with inconsistent network setups, out of synch OS installations, and no coherent backup and monitoring strategy.

The plan is to reboot the network. I will start with the networking equipment. My router is failing and I want to make the jump to gigabit to take advantage of the Cat 6 cable I ran through the house a couple of years ago. It is overkill, but that never stopped me before. Next up comes the WHS machine to replace the NAS. I have been meaning to build a WHS since it came out, but have found one reason or another to put it off. Joining the team here at WGS and the recent release of Power Pack 1 means I have no excuses left. Tune in next time to learn more about how I went about building this server, prepped the new network, and prepared the existing machines for the new network.

• Salutations!
• Integrating Windows Home Server with Windows Media Center
• Wanted: Windows Media Center & Digital Media News Writers
• Media Center Integration With Windows Home Server - Your Ideas?
• Hello from Across The Pond

The WL3 add in for Windows Home Server allows you to access and monitor your HAI home automation system from any web browser-enabled device, be it a computer on your network or on the go with your friendly smartphone of choice.  You can then control the lights anywhere in your house, control your HAI HI-FI whole home audio system, turn your home alarm on and off, or record and view surveillance video using any of the 60 compatible IP camera models.  Interestingly, the WL3 software also allows you to access public IP cameras, such as traffic and weather camera.

WL3 also gives the user a range of monitoring options.  WL3 will record surveillance based on specified event triggers and will send e-mail and text messages to inform you of the event.  Recorded surveillance can then be viewed locally or remotely.

WL3 will retail for $329 and requires an HAI home control system.

HAI also produces a home automation plug in for Windows Media Center.  Hopefully, we will soon hear word of an update to this product to take advantage of the monitoring and control functions enabled by WL3 for WHS.

• Add-In: WL3 for Windows Home Server
• Add-In: Windows Home Server Event Monitor
• Add-in: Remote Notification
• mControl for Windows Home Server - Automate Your Home
• E-mail Made Easy - VPOP3 for Windows Home Server (Beta)

New features are as follows:

Support for the Hauppauge HD PVR (Official on Windows, Experimental on Linux)
Automatic STVI Generation in the SageTV Studio
EXIF metadata/thumbnail support for JPEGs
new file system & network browser
H.264 videos from YouTube
High definition photo display on the STX-HD100
File transfers to/from Placeshifter clients
Editing of aspect ratios on the fly for the STX-HD100
Lots of bugs fixes & performance enhancements

Those of you running SageTV, how do you like it? How well does it compare to Windows Media Center?

More Info: Download | Release Notes | Discussion

• SageTV for Windows Home Server v6.4.2 Beta Released
• Add-in: Sage TV 6.26 Release Candidate for Windows Home Server
• Add-In Update: TiVo Publisher 1.3
• PerfectDisk 2008 to Include 10 Client Home Site License
• Data Corruption Bug - HP Guidance for MediaSmart Server Customers

We are holding a FREE All Day training event at the Microsoft office in Waltham, Ma in partnership with Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard.

The event is called “The Connected Home Day”. It’s a full day training for novice computer users who want to learn how to build and secure a home network, use Microsoft Media Center to it’s full potential and use Windows Home Server to store and backup their important documents and precious Digital Photos and Videos. We will also be covering the Analog to Digital conversion in Feb 2009 and what it means to the average person.

It sounds like it would be a nice event to go to and learn a thing or 2.  Being that it is sponsored in part by Microsoft, I would not be surprised if they had free copy of something for the attendees.  I wonder if my company needs anyone in that area in mid-September…

• Join Microsoft and HP Online to Hear About the HP MediaSmart Server
• Join Me on June 25th For An Add-Ins Webinar With HP and Microsoft
• Windows Home Server Session at TechEd 2007
• Budding Photographers - Learn How to Integrate Windows Home Server Into Your Workflow
• Add-in: Digital ArchHound for Windows Home Server

Microsoft has posted a press release about this plug-in for Vista Media Center, and all the other Olympic coverage options as noted below: 

For Release 7 a.m. PDT

Aug. 7, 2008

Visit NBCOlympics.com on MSN and Watch the Summer Games You Want, When You Want

Watch more than 3,500 hours of live and on-demand video powered by Microsoft Silverlight technology.

REDMOND, Wash. — Aug. 7, 2008

Who:               NBCOlympics.com on MSN is the exclusive U.S. online destination for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. A number of Microsoft Corp. teams have worked together to create a rich and immersive experience for Olympic fans that enables them to watch the summer games they want, when they want. MSN, Silverlight, Windows Media Center, Zune and Xbox all provide unique options that let viewers experience the Olympics in a way they never have before.

 

What:             Check out NBCOlympics.com on MSN and watch more than 3,500 hours of live and on-demand video that will let you experience the Games like never before. Now, you can conveniently watch the games you want, when you want whether you are at home, at work or on the go.

 

·         MSN. NBCOlympics.com on MSN is the best destination to catch all the action with a 24×7 Olympics module on the MSN home page, complete with the latest news, live medal counts, statistics and videos that will make catching up on your favorite event or athlete quick and easy. Now, sports fans can keep the adrenaline pumping with non-stop action, news and videos on MSN.

 

·         Silverlight. Silverlight 2 enables NBC to provide online viewers with Olympics content in a rich, interactive viewing experience that includes some of the highest-quality video on the Web today. Users can view up to four events at the same time with picture-in-picture controls, and customize the player to capture their favorite events. In addition, dynamic overlays will provide expert commentary, and users also will be able to access statistics, play-by-play captioning, and athlete profiles through Silverlight as they watch their favorite event.

 

·         Windows Media Center. Olympic enthusiasts can take NBC’s coverage of Olympic events wherever they go with “NBC Olympics on the Go,” powered by Wavexpress’ TVTonic Internet video, a free service that allows sports fans to download NBC Olympics video of their favorite sports to their laptops in up-to-high-definition quality. Fans who are looking for the highlights from Beijing will be able to download these videos through “NBC Direct.”

 

·         Xbox. During the Olympics, users will have access to a daily wrap-up of the day’s events from NBC Sports. Wrap-up content will be priced at $1.99 under the NBC Network, with a complete Olympic wrap-up available at the end of the Games.

 

·         Zune. On Aug. 8, Zune Marketplace will kick off a series of daily 2008 Olympic Games videos from NBC Sports, giving viewers special on-the-go access to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. For approximately 99 cents–$1.99 per episode (with post-Games content TBD), footage will include memorable highlights from the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, “best of” compilations, “best match” replays and a post-Games wrap-up feature. Users will be able to download each episode onto their Zune device for viewing whenever and wherever they go.

 

·         Live Search. Live Search will provide an xRank of Olympic athletes showing which athletes are being searched for the most on Live Search, who is on the rise and who is declining in search popularity. It will also provide detailed “instant answers” on Olympics-specific search queries performed at Live.com or via Web search on NBCOlympics.com on MSN. Queries to try include an athlete’s name or:

­        “Olympic medals”

­   Medals for <country> and/or <sport> e.g., “Medals for USA” or “USA medals for swimming”

 

When:             The Olympic Games begin on 08/08/08.

 

Where:           Go to MSN.com to check out the Olympic events you want, when you want.

 

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

Getting back to the TVTonic software: to install the software, start Windows Media Center and scroll to the Online Media menu. You’ll see an NBC Olympics graphic.

From there, it is simply a matter of clicking through the install process.

I have Vista x64, so I had to browse to the 64-bit version.

I chose the Run option and in a matter of a few minutes, I came to the actual software install.

I accepted the default options and let it do its thing.

Once installed, TVTonic places an icon in the tray.  Clicking on it brings up the Control Panel where you can change various options.

I will let you peruse the options and set them as desired.  One item of note that you will definitely want to change is to go to the Download Options tab and limit the bandwidth TVTonic uses.  I did not notice this at first, and it took me awhile to figure out why my Internet connection had become abysmal.

From there, just go back to Media Center, locate, and click on the NBC Olympics logo.  You must “activate” the software as seen below.

The opening screens displays several opening scenes of the Olympics.  It is in this screen that you can choose which content to download so that you can view at any time (notice the icons in the top right corner).  Be forewarned that it does take a bit of time to download content, especially if you decide to download all of the available content.

Once downloaded, sit back, relax, and enjoy at your leisure!  As can be seen below, the graphics are phenomenal!

• NBC Olympics Coverage on Windows Media Center
• Microsoft Announce New Features for Xbox 360 at the E3 Media and Business Summit
• Add-In: Xbox Community Feeds for Windows Home Server
• Online Media…. Or Lack Thereof (In Europe)
• Online Video or Vodcasts in Windows Media Center

Before diving into the content, I’ll say that I know that HP have spent a lot of time testing a wide range of upgrade paths with various server configurations along with Microsoft over the past two weeks to try to understand and mitigate the slow server response users are experiencing when PP1, PVConnect and McAfee are installed at the same time.

However, the fact that they’ve had to publish this advisory tells me the following (and I’ve made these points variously to Microsoft and HP directly):

1. The recommended hardware specification for Windows Home Server must be raised.

The current minimum and recommended memory specification for Windows Home Server is 512Mb. When these specs were created, I’m sure that everyone underestimated the explosion of community and commercial add-ins, and users’ desire to extend the WHS platform. Many home servers out there are underpowered for use with multiple add-ins, and whilst I think it’s fine for Microsoft to retain a minimum specification for Windows Home Server with 512Mb, (for a vanilla home server acting as a closed box “appliance”) the recommended memory specification needs to move up to 1Gb – any lower and you really don’t get the true home server platform experience…. and that’s just with the v1 product. For v2, Microsoft may really shoot themselves in the foot if WHS isn’t positioned as a strong, extensible platform matched with the right level of performance to satisfy a more compelling, extended experience than that provided out of the box.

2. HP (and other OEMs) really need to provide customers with a supported memory upgrade path that does not invalidate their warranty.

Currently those users (like me) who have upgraded their HP MediaSmart Server’s memory have done so at the risk of invalidating our warranty. Much like a consumer electronics device, opening up the MediaSmart Server invalidates the warranty as upgrading components in the home server is more tricky than you’d find on a desktop machine. Whilst I get the logic from a business point of view (and HP aren’t the only OEM to make this restriction), we’re now at the stage where the product is showing it’s resource limitations (albeit temporarily on this particular occasion) which is impacting user experience. The problems highlighted are easily resolved with a memory upgrade, but at the moment, I’m sure many users will not take the risk of opening up their boxes in fear of bricking their systems and then not receiving support. As more add-ins come on to the market, and HP themselves continue to add features to the HP MediaSmart Server (for which they have to be commended), this situation in untenable. Guys, we need you to step up here.

3. I really hope HP manage to sort out a beta testing programme soon.

This particular issue is mostly due to the decision to align the PP1 and HP Update releases – a decision due, in part, to problems experienced by users who tried to upgrade their home servers with the previous release of the MediaSmart Server update.

These current issues, plus the original issues experienced by users could have been spotted early and possibly resolved by HP pre-release if they had a public/private beta testing programme in place  - there’s a whole community of users out there who’d love nothing more than supporting beta tests. I’m sure setting this kind of thing up is not trivial, and there’s a huge amount of logistical, legal and technical detail to work through – but I hope they work through it soon.

Okay, stepping down from the soapbox, let’s take a look at the document. The full text is attached for reference below, but the headlines are as follows:

1. Running the PowerPack 1 update whilst the PVConnect and McAfee add-ins are also running will use up a lot of the available resources on the HP MediaSmart Server, which impacts server response times. Having additional add-ins running on top of these will further impact response times during the update.
2. Once all updates have been completed, the MediaSmart Server will return to normal operation, although the time required for this depends on the number of files you have on your home server (although this is mitigated somewhat if you have mutiple hard-drives). PowerPack 1 requires storage to be rebalanced due to included changes in Drive Extender technology.
3. If you want 64-bit support on  the HP MediaSmart Server, you do have to install both PowerPack 1 updates and the latest HP Update.

HP offer advice based on three user scenarios:

1. You have an HP MediaSmart Server, and you have installed WHS PowerPack 1, but have yet to install HP’s Software Update

Advice here is to wait until PP1 has installed (leave it overnight is my personal advice) then install the HP Software Update. If you want to run both PVConnect and McAfee Anti-Virus add-ins, install PVConnect first, let it complete its database creation (1-4 hours depending on your number of files) then install McAfee anti-virus, which will take around 1 hour to make its initial file scan.

2. If you have a MediaSmart Server, and you have installed HP’s Software Update, including the McAfee Add-in

HP are advising that you ininstall McAfee anti-virus before running the PowerPack 1 update. Given that PP1 is about to come down the line to you today via Automatic Updates, then you should go uninstall McAfee now if you have WHS set to download and install updates automatically.

Once the update is complete, you can go ahead and reinstall McAfee.

3. If you have a brand new HP MediaSmart Server

The HP update will be installed as part of the initial server setup. The add-ins will be waiting for you, but make sure you install PP1 first before adding any media to your home server, and then installing the add-ins you want. As above, install PVConnect first, and then McAfee anti-virus.

Good Luck – and let us know how you get on.

More Info: HP Install Recommendations (MS Word Doc)

• HP Respond to Criticism on MediaSmart Server Performance Issues
• HP Respond to MediaSmart Update Installation Issues
• HP MediaSmart Server Update Arrives, With New Media Streaming, Anti-Virus Capabilities
• Exclusive: Avast Anti-Virus for Windows Home Server - Preliminary Details
• HP MediaSmart Server Update Now Available

All home servers set to automatically download and install updates from Microsoft, which aren’t already running Power Pack 1 will download and install the new version of the software.

As many of you will know, Power Pack 1 brings critical bug fixes and a a number of great new features, meaning it is a must have update for every home server owner.

If you don’t currently have Automatic Updates switched on, it’s a great idea to do so as you automatically get all critical security updates installed on your home server as soon as they’re available.

If you’ve been running a beta version of Power Pack 1, get ready for the final release by uninstalling your beta version via Add/Remove programs in the home server’s Control Panel.

You’ll know when the update has installed, as you’ll be prompted to upgrade the Windows Home Server Connector on each of your home computers. Installation should be without issue, but let us know via the WGS forums if you have any problems.

• Windows Home Server Power Pack 1 In Depth: WHS Connector Installation Walkthrough
• Windows Home Server Power Pack 1 Released to Manufacturing
• Windows Home Server Power Pack 1 Released in German, French and Spanish
• Is Windows Home Server Power Pack 1 Ready for Release?
• Time to Get Ready for Windows Home Server Power Pack 1

Native QAM support is a very nice feature to see, but I am beginning to understand why there are rumors regarding Microsoft’s possible release only to OEM’s.  Do you really want to reinstall Vista to get these new Media Center features?

Originally spotted over at Ian Dixon’s Blog.  The original endgadgetHD report is here.

• Windows Media Center TV Pack Already Released
• Is It Now Official, TV Pack for OEMs Only?
• Fiji x 2 for Media Center? Just for DirecTV?
• DirecTV Missing the Flight to Fiji?
• Windows Home Server Power Pack 1 RC Publically Available

Still waiting to trial of Windows Home Server? - well here’s your chance.

Microsoft has always offered a 120 day evaluation of WHS - but for some countries the costs to ship the evaluation kit internationally were a little on the high side - but the good news is that at the moment there is no shipping charge on order including international shipping. 

So maybe it’s time to place your order and start assembling the hardware to give it a try.

What will you receive:
Windows Home Server Installation DVD
Windows Home Server Connector CD
Home Computer Restore CD

Order the free Windows Home Server 120-Day Evaluation Kit here.

Please note that this kit does not include Power Pack 1 so once you’ve installed WHS, visit this page to download it.

• Windows Home Server 120-day Evaluation Kit Now Shipping
• Windows Home Server 120 Day Evaluation Kit Available Soon
• WHS: Beta 2 - What’s in the Package?
• Windows Home Server Beta 2 Self-Destructs in 365 Days
• Known Issue: Windows Home Server 120 Day Evaluation Version Expires Without Warning

The 2008 Summer Olympics takes place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24. With a free download service¹ called NBC Olympics On The Go,² you can catch up on TV coverage from NBC Sports. Select your favorite sports and NBC Olympics On The Go will automatically download the right events to your Windows Media Center-based PC. You can watch your selected events in up to HD quality, even when offline, and you can pause, rewind, or fast-forward the video.

Download NBC Olympics On The Go

To get NBC Olympics On The Go, start Windows Media Center and scroll to the Online Media menu. You’ll see an NBC Olympics graphic.

 

Select the graphic and follow the instructions to install the service on to your computer.

Launch NBC Olympics On The Go and read the User Tips to get started.

What you’ll get

• An easy-to-use service that lets you watch your favorite Olympic sports

• 200+ hours of catch-up TV programming over the 17 days of the Olympics

• Coverage of approximately 24 sports, the full opening ceremony, and a closing ceremony montage

• Up to HD quality video

• NBC Olympics Coverage on Media Center, Zune and Xbox
• New Downloads Category for Windows Media Center Plugins
• Podcasts in Vista Media Center?
• Add-In: TV Manager Beta 3
• Samsung Attempt to Discover World’s Smallest Niche With the MediaLive Extender