REDMOND, Wash. — Sept. 3, 2008 — Imagine if friends and families had the ability to instantly watch movies from Netflix, live out their musical fantasies through “Rock Band 2” (Harmonix/MTV Games) and “Lips” (iNiS Corp./Microsoft Game Studios), star in their own Hollywood classics with “You’re in the Movies,” or have the power to never miss the latest episode of “Heroes” — all from one device, starting at $199.¹ That device is Xbox 360, and Microsoft Corp. today announced it will offer the gaming and entertainment console, which offers the leading Xbox LIVE service, at a new low price in the United States. Beginning Sept. 5, Xbox 360 Arcade will retail for the estimated retail price of $199.99, the Xbox 360 console for $299.99 and Xbox 360 Elite for $399.99.

“We are thrilled to be the first next-generation console on the market to reach $199, a price that invites everyone to enjoy Xbox 360,” said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “Xbox 360 delivers amazing performance at an extraordinary value with the leading online service and best lineup of games, downloadable movies and TV shows available from a console. The majority of consumers make the decision to buy consoles once the price falls to this mark, making this an important milestone for consumers and the industry.”

History shows that more than 75 percent of all console sales happen after the price falls below the $200 mark. For millions of consumers who have been waiting for the perfect time to buy an Xbox 360 console, their moment has finally arrived. At $199, Xbox 360 is the most affordable next-generation console on the market, offering something for everyone with the most dynamic, interactive entertainment experiences available.

Xbox 360 Arcade plus a 12-month Xbox LIVE Gold Membership and a Netflix subscription costs $100 less than 12 months of digital cable. Xbox 360 invites everyone into a limitless world where the best games, movies and TV shows can be enjoyed live side-by-side with your personal pictures and music library.

No matter what kind of game makes your heart race, Xbox 360 has something for everyone. Music lovers can play new games such as “Lips” (iNiS/Microsoft Game Studios), the only singing game that offers wireless motion-sensitive microphones and the ability to sing along to your own music collection; ² “Guitar Hero®World Tour” (Activision/RedOctane); and “Rock Band 2” (Harmonix/MTV Games), the next evolution of the franchise exclusively launching on Xbox 360 that allows players to virtually step into the shoes of their favorite bands. Players can enjoy family-friendly games such as the big-screen movie-maker “You’re in the Movies” (Codemasters Software Company Ltd./Microsoft) and blockbusters such as “Gears of War 2,” the biggest entertainment event of this holiday season. Plus, with Xbox LIVE Arcade, downloadable games are available that the entire family can enjoy — with titles such as “Braid,” “Castle Crashers,” “Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2,” “PAC-MAN Championship Edition” and “Uno.”³

Whether you want access to streaming movies and TV shows or a library of high-definition content, you will find it on Xbox 360. Starting this fall, Xbox 360 is the only game console to offer instant streaming of more than 12,000 feature films and television shows from Netflix.⁴ In addition, the Xbox LIVE Video store has more than twice as many hours of high-definition (HD) movies and TV shows than the nearest competitor.⁵ Download your favorite TV shows such as “30 Rock,” “The Office” and “House,” and even get a little old school with “The A-Team.” If it’s movies you want, check out the latest blockbusters and the best in family films, cult classics, horror and much more, all available through Xbox LIVE and Xbox 360.

About Xbox 360

Xbox 360 is a premier video game and entertainment system. It is home to the best and broadest games plus more standard and high-definition movies and TV shows on demand than any other device connected to the TV. The digital center of the living room, Xbox 360 blends unbeatable content, including personal pictures and music, with a unified online social network to create a limitless entertainment experience that can be shared at home or across the globe. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.

About Xbox LIVE

Xbox LIVE connects more than 12 million members across 26 countries to the entertainment they love. Home of more content from one remote than can be found from any device connected to the television, Xbox LIVE is also a unified online social network bringing friends together, no matter where they are — in the living room or across the world. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/en-us/live.

About Microsoft

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

¹ Games and content sold separately. Netflix requires Xbox LIVE Gold Membership and Netflix unlimited plan, both sold separately.

² The functionality of songs played from personal music collections will vary.

³ Games sold separately. Xbox LIVE Gold Membership required for online multiplayer gameplay.

⁴ Netflix requires Xbox LIVE Gold Membership and a Netflix unlimited subscription plan, both sold separately.

⁵ Hard drive required for optimal Xbox LIVE experience and to download movies and TV shows; hard drive not included with Xbox 360 Arcade.

Source: Microsoft Presspass

• Microsoft Announce New Features for Xbox 360 at the E3 Media and Business Summit
• Add-In: Xbox Community Feeds for Windows Home Server
• Samsung Attempt to Discover World’s Smallest Niche With the MediaLive Extender
• Streaming21 and WNC Debut WiFi Media Frame Connected to Microsoft Windows Home Server at CES
• Building the Ultimate Media Center (Part 1)

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.

Source: Microsoft Presspass

• S1Digital to Launch WHS500 Home Server To the Custom Installer Channel
• Integrating Windows Home Server with Windows Media Center
• Niveus Cargo: 16 Terabytes of Windows Home Server
• How Do You Integrate Windows Home Server and Windows Media Center in Your Home Setup?
• Windows Home Server and Windows Media Center Share the Stage at CEDIA

When I opened the door it was as I feared, it was WHS box which was making the infernal racket. I immediately disconnected the plug for fear of overheating my components. After opening up my WHS box I soon discovered my processor was to blame. It’s simply fried and beyond repair. After some careful consideration I’ve decided to upgrade my WHS box since it cannot be salvaged. Luckily my WHS was just an old pentium 4 pc gathering dust.

I’ve decided to go with AMD for a change and buy a cheap but sturdy WHS box. I haven’t settled for anything yet but I’m thinking of building something with the 690V chipset and a cheap dual core processor. Let me know your recommendations.

I’ll keep you guys posted as this project continues.

On to the next part in our online media series: Yougle

Yougle is an add-in which extends your Media Center so it can play online video/audio from sources such as Youtube, live365.com and some others. Their source list isn’t very extensive but they’ve got Shoutcast and Youtube which makes up for a lot.

Unfortunately for us x64 users there are still some problems with playing back flash content. According to the Yougle Website this has to do with the FLVSplitter not being 64-bit.

Which raises another question. I’ve been using Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit for the past year or so, ever since I made the step to 4 Gigabytes of RAM memory, and I haven’t run into any serious problems, except with Media Center.

I think Microsoft should make an effort to support it’s own products better in 64-bit as well. Especially now that x64 is on the rise according to CNet.

If you’re a x64 Media Center user have you run into any problems?

• Podcasts in Vista Media Center?
• Online Media…. Or Lack Thereof (In Europe)
• WMC Plugin: MediaControl 5.3
• Online Video or Vodcasts in Windows Media Center
• Windows Media Center and Windows Home Server - Better Together

Steve sent through a few mobile video clips on his Motorola Q for everyone to check out, commenting, “I just got back from Disneyland and I got to say the Innoventions exhibit was pretty amazing.I decided to check it out after a post you had awhile back.

At the core of the house network was Windows Vista,  HP and Life-Ware computers. I didn’t see the home server, but I’m sure it was there. Everything in the house was controllable from many different control monitors positioned through-out the house. This all includes your TV, Music, Lighting, Security cameras, windows shades, you name it. They also showcased other HP boxes, Zune Xbox and Games for Windows.”

Here are links to the clips:

http://qik.com/video/258424

http://qik.com/video/258435

http://qik.com/video/258442

http://qik.com/video/258458

http://qik.com/video/258469

http://qik.com/video/258476

Sounds like a great exhibit that I really must check out when I’m next in LA. If you’ve visited, what did you think? Thanks Steve!

More Info: Disney

• Add-In: WL3 for Windows Home Server
• HAI Now Shipping WL3 Home Automation Software
• mControl for Windows Home Server - Automate Your Home
• Innoventions Dream Home Opens at Disneyland, California Featuring Windows Home Server
• D-Link DSM-750 Extender for Media Center Firmware Upgrade Now Available

First out the door for Windows Media Center is Exceptional Innovation, developers of the Life|ware software packages that integrates advanced digital media management and home automation into Windows Media Center.  Exceptional Innovation stepped into the hardware ring last year with their Life|media media servers based on Vista WMC.  Life|media and Life|ware products have always been geared toward the professional CE installation market and so it is no surprise that Exceptional Innovation has chosen to use CEDIA Expo 2008 as the venue to announce their their new LSM-170 series of Life|media servers. 

The LSM-170 series is an entry-level product that seems to be particularly positioned for single room installations.  LSM-170 series machines will incorporate a 5.1 surround sound amplifier and decoding, a step down from the 7.1 amp in previous Life|media servers, but will be the first to include built-in support for the ZigBee home automation mesh-networking protocol.  With the LSM-170 series not set to ship until the first quarter of 2009, Exceptional Innovation is leaving the door open to possibly adding support for other control protocols

At launch, Exceptional Innovation plans to have two models available:

The LMS-175, which will include support for dual CableCards. It should sell for less than $4,000.

The LMS-172, which has dual NTSC/ATSC tuners but no CableCard.  It is expected to be “substantially cheaper” than the LSM-175.

Finally, it should be noted that the LSM-170 will support the Media Center TV Pack.  Exceptional Innovation has not committed to offering the TV Pack on their other Life|media servers.

via CEPro

• Life|ware Announce WHS-based Life|storage Home Server
• Microsoft Showcases Windows Media Center Momentum at CEDIA EXPO 2008
• Windows Home Server and Windows Media Center Share the Stage at CEDIA
• Microsoft Announce General Availability of Windows Home Server - New Hardware, Software Partners
• mControl for Windows Home Server - Automate Your Home

I decided to build a dedicated Media Center PC to sit under the TV as I wanted to cut back on the number of devices running just so I could watch live TV. I had to have my desktop PC and my Xbox 360 on, and as everyone knows the 360 is not a quiet beast. I was also redecorating the lounge, so I decided to bury the video/aerial/satellite cables under the carpet and after the carpet was down they wouldn’t reach the desktop PC anymore. I started by making a list of all the things I wanted this new HTPC to do, and design it around that. Here goes:

• Silent (or as quiet as possible)
• Look good under the TV
• Play some games using Xbox 360 controller
• Playback Blu-Ray & HD-DVD movies
• Playback archived DVD’s
• Watch FTA HD (BBC HD to be precise)
• Connect to TV with HDMI & HDCP
• Use one remote control for PC, V & Sony 5.1 amp

Would this all be possible..? Time to find out!

Hardware

I decided to search for the case first as it would be living in my lounge and it needs to look like it belongs there. I came across the mCubed Classic first. This is a beautifully designed case, and also completely silent as it uses heat pipes for the CPU and graphics card connected to the massive heat sinks on the side of the case. Unfortunately the case is very very expensive! Its almost £500 if you add all the parts required for silent running. I then came across the Antec Fusion 430. My desktop PC is built with an Antec P180, which is a great case and very quiet (although a little large). I read a few reviews of the Fusion and it seemed to have everything I wanted so I decided to go with that.

Next on the list is the CPU cooler. I have a Scythe Ninja in my desktop PC and this is wonderfully quiet, so went for the Mini Ninja for the new HTPC case.

Graphics were the next consideration. As this was primarily a Media Center PC, the graphics card didn’t need to be super quick, but did have to be TV friendly. I went with an MSI Nvidia 8500. This isn’t the current generation of video cards but it did have the advantage of being passively cooled and has a HDMI port with HDCP on it.

For the HD drive I went with the LG HD-DVD/Blu-Ray combo. Although HD-DVD is now officially dead, I still have a couple of HD-DVD’s and our online film rental still rents HD-DVD discs.

Lastly we have the TV tuners. I’m a fan of Hauppauge, and I wanted both Freeview, and FTA satellite so went with two Nova-DVB-S2 cards and a Nova 500 Dual Freeview card.

That’s it for part one, in part 2 I’ll be putting all the hardware together.

• New Xbox Media Hub On the Way?
• Acer Announces 3 New Small Form Factor Media Centers
• Media Center University Expands Again
• New HP Form Factors
• Sony Releases Two New Well-Rounded Media Centers

The Ad-hoc Network Restored to Glory

Last week, I described my network as a disorganized mess of a network with inconsistent network setups, out of synch OS installations, and no coherent backup and monitoring strategy.  I had finally decided to add a Windows Home Server and had come to the uncomfortable conclusion that I was beyond the point of rehabilitating my network.  My first task was to reboot this network and prep the network for the introduction of Windows Home Server.  It began with the router.

I put together my first home network in 1997 so that I could practice for the MSCE exams.  My house has not been without one since.  In 2001, I hired electricians to brave the desert summer heat and my tiny crawlspace of an attic to install a wired network.  In those days, hiring electricians to run several hundred feet of Cat 5 cable resulted in a network that was 10X faster than a wireless network, available in every room of the house without dropping a connection, and only about 3/4 the price.  A couple of years ago my friend, Jose, helped me replace that cabling with Cat 6 in exchange for assisting him wire his house.  A wired network might still be capable of operating 10X faster than a wireless network, but you won’t necessarily see a difference in connectivity or bandwidth and, even doing all the wiring yourself, you probably won’t save any money.  In fact, you will probably have a hard time finding a decent router that does not come with all the wireless capability that most people need.

This is a testament to how rapidly wireless networking has developed and matured.  If you have already wired your domicile, then I would encourage you to make use of it.  Streaming media to multiple rooms can task any network and can be doubly tasking when you start throwing HD into the mix, but it probably is not worthwhile to wire the average house anymore.  In my case, I already had the wiring and needed to replace an ailing router, so I chose my new router accordingly.  If you are looking for a new router, or running an 802.11b-only wireless network, in which case you should be looking for a new router, then it is time to go for 802.11n.  802.11n allows for the range, the bandwidth, and the backward compatibility that every good home network will need for several years.  I know, the box says it is still a draft specification.  At this point, Draft N has become so commonplace and so closely aligned with what we will probably see when the 802.11n spec does get finalized, that it is meaningless to worry about it. 

If you are running on 802.11g, it might be better to hold off on a hardware upgrade until you have reached the point where you are regularly saturating your bandwidth, but I do have some advice for anyone contemplating following my lead with a network reboot: reset your router to factory spec and check with your manufacturer for firmware upgrades.  If you are rebooting your network, you are going to end up resetting the networking info on all of your computers anyway and you might be surprised by the features and security settings that your router provides that you did not notice or know how to use the first time around.  Like anything else related to computers, the more you play with networked devices, the better you will become at planning, deploying, and securing your network.

I selected the D-Link DIR 655 for my new router.  It received a thumbs-up in the WGS forums for auto-configuring with WHS, offered 802.11n and gigabit switching, and recently received a firmware upgrade from D-Link that allows the user to set the wireless radio to shut down during unattended periods to help conserve electricity.  It won’t save the world, but I am sucker for “green” computing.  I wanted to spring for one of the newer dual-band routers that operate at both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz because I have so many wireless networks in my area and it would have been nice to avoid the spectrum congestion.  Consider carefully before going with a dual band router that has to be switched between frequencies manually.  You can spend a pretty penny outfitting your entire network with 5 GHz adapters and you will be giving up one of the big advantages of 802.11n: automatic backward compatibility with 802.11b/g devices.  There are a few new routers that can broadcast in both bands simultaneously, but I ultimately could not justify the exorbitant price tag of these dual band routers and the adapters to take advantage of the 5GHz spectrum. 

Whether starting with a new router or resetting an existing router, there are several suggestions I would make in setting up your router for an effective and easy to troubleshoot home network.   First, change the default password on the administration interface so that no one can access your router’s configuration.  Leaving your wi-fi connection as an open access point is a purely personal choice, but there is no reason for anyone to muck around with your router settings.  What’s more, you can lock down your signal any way you want, if someone can dial in the default IP address of your router and walk right into the configuration, there is no security on your network. 

Next, learn how to establish or reserve a static IP address.  Every modern router will use DHCP to assign IP addresses automatically to your network devices, but sometimes it is important to bypass DHCP and make sure that your device’s IP never changes.  WHS is an example of one such device.  Some firewall software can also get cranky when networked computers change IP addresses, though this is not as much of an issue as it once was.  I personally like to assign static IP addresses to all of my desktops and networked devices.  It is rather old school and largely unnecessary with a modern OS and router, but is a choice that can make monitoring your network easier.  Many routers only record the IP and MAC address of connected computers and some devices do not provide a name for routers, so knowing exactly what device was at which IP address at a given time can make troubleshooting easier.

Finally, create a naming and description plan before you start deploying computers on the network.  Again, this is a personal management issue, but a consistent naming scheme will help you monitor the health of your network and troubleshoot the devices on your network.  It will also help make your network less threatening to your family and help them understand and appreciate the network in a profound way.  For instance, I once set up a home network using Harry Potter references.  The network was named Hogwarts; the parents’ computer was Dumbledore; the eldest boy’s computer was Potter; the eldest daughter’s computer was Hermione; the ratty old laptop that kept crashing was Snape.  It is cheesy, but there was never any question for that family about which computer was doing what or where to find a shared folder and I know from follow-up conversations that family, which was not at all computer literate, had a personal understanding of how their network was set up and could talk about their network in a comfortable manner.

Because I wanted to reboot my network in as pristine a state as possible, I did several things before rolling it out.  I mapped out where I would need switches and upgraded to gigabit switches where necessary.  I again chose D-Link for the switches, blindly following their “green” marketing pitch.  I then backed up all of the data on the network.  I happened to have a 1Tb Western Digital World Book drive to use as a data dump, but in times past I have simply designated a particular system.  I then picked the desktop that I was going to configure the router with and would be assigning the first static IP to.  I chose to completely wipe the system and reinstall Vista.  Indeed, I would eventually wipe and reinstall every system in the house before attaching it to the network.  This is an extreme measure and I imagine most people will not follow in my path.  I chose this path because I was determined to start my life with WHS with as well-organized a network and data set as possible, right down to the backup images of the individual systems.  If you do not want to go this path, I would still suggest starting with only one system connected to the router.  Before you add each system to the network, completely erase all of your old network settings.  There is nothing worse than rolling out a network and meticulously crafting a naming scheme and setting permissions, only find some of your systems connecting with old network settings that have default priority.

With my first desktop restored to pristine condition and the router set up to my personal satisfaction, I started adding computers one at a time.  Because I wanted to assign static IPs to my desktops, I added those first.  Most routers will assign IP addresses sequentially and for management purposes I wanted my static IPs blocked together.  Though you can usually assign any IP address you want, I did not want any randomly assigned IP addresses to get in the way of establishing my block.  With the desktops out of the way, it was time to start adding the devices that I wanted to give static IPs to.  In my case, this was only my Xbox 360 and Zunes, but your mileage may vary.  With the static IPs assigned, I added the laptops to the network.

I had reconstituted my network.  I had made it faster, more reliable, more secure, and more consistent.  Choosing to reset the OS on every system meant that I knew every system was set up just right for a stable starting configuration and was ripe for an image backup.  My network had a consistent naming and addressing scheme and was thoroughly secured to my satisfaction.  The last device I had to add was my new Windows Home Server.  This was to be my first personal experience installing and setting up WHS, and I will detail my experiences next time.

• Linksys WRT610N Dual Band Router Coming to Europe
• FAQ: Windows Home Server and Port Forwarding
• Add-in: DHCP for Windows Home Server
• How To: Improve Wireless Security With Windows Home Server
• Where is Your Home Server?

According to Alex Springer’s website, “MY PERSONAL TV DIGITAL permits the creation of personal TV channels on the basis of conventional TV programs and internet video offerings.”  The Internet TV Beta that is available currently for VMC is rather anemic and I have found the quality rather lacking.  While this addin sounds interesting, the announcement is long on hyperbole and short on substance.  Just the mention of TV Pack in the announcement kind of leaves me wondering what this addin will really do for current VMC users.  And I really wonder what is meant by “conventional TV programs”.  I guess we will have to wait until November to learn more.

But hope springs eternal.  Perhaps this addin will bring much needed new content options to users of VMC.  Like the rest of you, I am looking for better quality (i.e., HD picture and 5.1 sound) and more programming variety.  If neither of these become available through VMC, the great shining star of VMC will become a little more tarnished.

For those of you who are interested in the announcement, the following comes directly from Alex’s website.

Berlin, August 28, 2008 – MY PERSONAL TV DIGITAL, the intelligent Personal TV service from Axel Springer and APRICO, a technology venture of Philips, will be available starting November 2008 for free downloading from the Online Media of the Microsoft Windows Vista Media Center. Microsoft indicates that the Windows Vista operating system has been sold worldwide more than 100 million times since January 2008.

MY PERSONAL TV DIGITAL permits the creation of personal TV channels on the basis of conventional TV programs and internet video offerings. The intelligent and self learning service uses the software-based recommendation technology from APRICO, as well as the program guide technology and program information services of Axel Springer Digital TV Guide. Axel Springer and APRICO plan to introduce this innovation in the sector of digital and interactive program navigation progressively throughout the global digital media market by the end of 2008.

“We are delighted to have secured Microsoft as our partner: one of the most innovative firms in the world. Microsoft Windows Vista enables MY PERSONAL TV DIGITAL to achieve the greatest possible reach internationally“, says Stephan Zech, Managing Director of Axel Springer Digital TV Guide. “At IFA we are showing new features of our TV Pack as well as several new solutions from partners for Windows Vista Media Center“, says Isabell Scheuber, Director Windows Client, Microsoft Germany.

“With MY PERSONAL TV DIGITAL from Axel Springer and APRICO users will have an even larger choice of attractive and interesting multimedia applications.“

Alongside Microsoft as sales partner MY PERSONAL TV DIGITAL has already secured the first marketing partner and premium brand as an advertising customer: Mercedes-Benz will have its own TV channel on MY PERSONAL TV DIGITAL offering new content in the genres of lifestyle, motor and sports, as well as the history and innovation of this leading automobile brand.

About MY PERSONAL TV DIGITAL

The Personal TV offering has been proven on the basis of long-term studies and research over the course of two years among test households concerning the current and future requirements of television viewers. MY PERSONAL TV DIGITAL enables viewers to add to their existing program offering a range of “virtual” personal television channels. These personal channels are created automatically and are continuously updated, and reflect individual television preferences and viewing behavior. In this manner the viewer has a personally-tailored TV channel, which can be easily accessed thanks to its intelligent and „self-learning“ program profile.

About Axel Springer Digital TV Guide GmbH

Axel Springer Digital TV Guide GmbH (ASDTVG GmbH) provides CE producers and network operators with access to the premium editorial content of Axel Springer. It offers technological solutions – in particular electronic program guides (EPGs) – for extended navigation and insertion of targeted, personalized advertising through digital content on digital receivers, personal video recorders (PVRs), game consoles, PCs, mobile phones and other terminals and platforms. The company is a 100-percent subsidiary of Axel Springer AG (XETRA: SPR.DE) and cooperates closely with the editorial offices of the Axel Springer program guides and other global publications. For more information visit: http://www.as-guides.com

About APRICO

APRICO solutions help people to enjoy the wealth of content available through broadcast networks and on the internet in a personalized television experience. The company’s recommendation technology finds, filters and delivers content from different media directly to the viewer’s TV screen.  This solution is a perfect platform for the use of customers all over the TV, multimedia and advertising markets to fulfill one mission - provide pure personalized TV entertainment and advertising to the end user. Founded in 2008, APRICO delivers its solutions across the globe. Corporate headquarter of APRICO is based in Eindhoven. APRICO is a technology venture of Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI). For more information, please visit http://www.aprico.tv

• Windows Home Server Launches in Japan Tomorrow
• CES 2008: Zyxel HomePlug AV Digital Media Adapter
• Microsoft Showcases Windows Media Center Momentum at CEDIA EXPO 2008
• Microsoft, Chenbro, Gigabyte, Streaming 21, WNC, Sampo Establish the Digital Home Alliance
• Streaming21 and WNC Debut WiFi Media Frame Connected to Microsoft Windows Home Server at CES

Now generally, I’m not a big fan of desktop replacement laptops – they’re big, heavy, ugly, noisy things that I think everyone, with the exception of students, could do without.

This one is different.

Yep, you still wouldn’t want to take one out on a date, but the G50 comes with a new Gesture Control technology, which allows you to control the computer (including Media Center) simply by waving your fist in the air – the gestures you make are picked up by the G50’s integrated webcam.

You may never use it in anger if you own one of these laptops, but it scores big on the show-off scale. That said, if you are using one, be careful not to get angry in front of the TV - who knows the fist-shaking carnage you could cause!

The video reveals all:

More Info: Toshiba

• How To… Integrate Windows Update Services v3 (WSUS) into Windows Home Server
• Add-In: MSS Fan Control
• Controlling Media Center From Your Windows Mobile Device
• Microsoft Considering OEM Home Server Release, New Beta On the Way
• Backing Up Windows Home Server With Power Pack 1

I have two of the original Squeezebox units attached to my home network (in the kitchen and the main bedroom), and you’ll remember that we also featured a review of the Squeezebox Duet earlier in the year.

Here at IFA in Berlin, Logitech have announced the Squeezebox Boom, a newcomer to the range with new file formats available for playback, and most importantly, the added convenience of integrated 30W speakers.

As everything is in one box, there’s no need to buy and attach separate speakers with the requisite cable mess - you can simply plug it in, find your home network wirelessly or via Ethernet and go.

It’s a great looking device that works seamlessly with Windows Home Server - if you enjoy your music and want an easy way to distribute and play it around the home, the Squeezebox Boom looks like a winner.

Features are as follows:

• HP MediaSmart Server Update - PVConnect Doesn’t Play Nicely With SlimServer
• Review: Logitech SqueezeBox Duet and SqueezeServer
• Weekend Home Server Maintenance - MediaSmart Server and Squeezebox Upgrades
• HP MediaSmart Connect X280N Now Available to Pre-Order at $349.99
• D-Link DSM-750 Extender for Media Center Firmware Upgrade Now Available