Mike's Digital Home

S1DIGITAL INTRODUCES FIRST BLU-RAY DISC CHANGER FULLY INTEGRATED WITH MEDIA CENTER

PRESS RELEASE Contact: Caster Communications, Inc. at 401.792.7080 S1DIGITAL INTRODUCES FIRST BLU-RAY DISC CHANGER FULLY INTEGRATED WITH MEDIA CENTER S1Digital continues to grow its digital entertainment ecosystem with the introduction of a Blu-ray Disc...

Published Thu, Feb 04 2010 8:59 AM by mabrown

ATI Digital Cable Tuners back in stock at Cannon PC

These have been in pretty short supply lately, if you've been looking to pick one up go grab one before they're sold out again! Just ARRIVED!!!!! Cannon PC recently received a shipment of internal and external versions of the ATI Digital Cable Tuners...

Published Tue, Dec 22 2009 10:32 AM by mabrown

Another chance to win a VidaBox vCase3

If you didn't win my review unit VidaBox is giving away one this month also. Just follow the banner below for your chance to win.

Published Tue, Dec 08 2009 8:35 AM by mabrown

And the Winners are…

The VidaBox Premium Wireless Keyboard goes to Supervette5885 (thegreenbutton.com) and the vCase3 Chassis goes to digitalreader (thedigitallifestyle.com). Congrats guys! Thanks to everyone who entered!

Published Sun, Dec 06 2009 5:16 PM by mabrown

Contest: Win my VidaBox Review Gear

The good folks over at VidaBox are letting me give away the Vcase3 chassis and Premium Wireless Keyboard that I reviewed over the past couple of months. To enter simply leave a comment below, comment as much as you like but I’ll only be counting...

Published Tue, Dec 01 2009 10:17 PM by mabrown

VidaBox Black Friday Coupons

Black Friday is usually a good day to score some new gear and if you were thinking about some new HTPC gear VidaBox has you covered. The new vCase3 is $100 off on Friday with the code BFvCase3-TGB and their new Premium Wireless Keyboard is $15 off with...

Published Wed, Nov 25 2009 11:53 AM by mabrown

VidaBox vCase3 price reduction

Some of you voiced your opinions of the MSRP on the vCase3 and it looks like VidaBox listened. The new MSRP is $249.00, the $50 off coupon code (thegreenbutton) is still valid so for under $200 you could score this sweet case.

Published Tue, Nov 24 2009 1:01 PM by mabrown

$50 off VidaBox vCase3

Vidabox is currently offering $50 off their new vCase3 chassis, during checkout enter "thegreenbutton" (without the quotes) to take advantage of deal. When purchasing the chassis, you can also get a discount on their wireless keyboard and the Anyware...

Published Sat, Nov 21 2009 5:16 PM by mabrown

VidaBox vCase3 Review

Earlier in the week I did an unboxing of this chassis, my initial impressions were high and after having built out a HTPC using the vCase3 my initial impressions were pretty much dead on. Anyone who has ever built a HTPC using other chassis such as ones...

Published Sat, Nov 21 2009 12:52 AM by mabrown

VidaBox vCase3 Premium Chassis unboxing

In the coming weeks VidaBox will be releasing their new vCase Premium chassis for the DIY crowd. This half height chassis was designed from the ground up with HTPC users in mind. VidaBox took a little different approach to their case design then most...

Published Fri, Nov 13 2009 11:15 PM by mabrown

Win a VidaBox Premium Wireless Keyboard!

VidaBox is giving away one of their Premium Wireless Keyboards that I reviewed recently. For the rules and details check out this forum post . Clubhouse Tags: clubhouse , media center , story , contest , vidabox , wireless keyboard

Published Tue, Oct 06 2009 2:44 PM by mabrown

VidaBox Premium Wireless Keyboard Review

Over the past few weeks I’ve been evaluating VidaBox’s new Premium Wireless Keyboard . The keyboard arrived nicely packaged, and comes with a nice soft case for storing it away while not in use. The keyboard features all the media keys along...

Published Sat, Sep 26 2009 11:42 AM by mabrown

Microsoft CEDIA CableCard news

Today Microsoft announced a few new CableCard features that will be available in Windows 7 Media Center. The biggest (in my opinion anyway) is that Microsoft and CableLabs have come to a new agreement around how end users can get access to the technology...

Published Wed, Sep 09 2009 11:18 PM by mabrown

Networking your Digital Home, a new option

So with the release of Windows 7 on horizon and it's new features such as Play to, homegroup, and even Media Center extenders (what's left of them anyway) good network connectivity between all the machines in your home is just one of the must haves in...

Published Thu, Aug 06 2009 10:43 AM by mabrown

maTest

here's my test post...

Published Mon, Jul 20 2009 10:31 PM by mabrown

Aftermarket Xbox 360 Case

With the demise of the HP and Linksys extenders we're pretty much back to having the Xbox 360 as our only extender solution, D-link hasn't killed theirs yet but I fully expect that they will. The issue with this is mostly noise. I'm having to use mine...

Published Thu, Jun 04 2009 11:17 AM by mabrown

Preview of new Media Browser Features

For those that need a great looking and functioning addon to manage your TV Series archives, Home Videos, Movies and just about any other video collections Media Browser is the product to look at. I just can't tell you how much easier this addon has made...

Published Fri, May 08 2009 8:24 AM by mabrown

Okoro Media Systems Releases New Media Servers

Okoro Media Systems, manufacturer of digital entertainment systems for the high end audio video market, is pleased to announce the availability of the 2009 RK Digital Entertainment Servers . This new line of rack mounted servers feature the latest technology...

Published Tue, Apr 21 2009 1:31 PM by mabrown

Cyberlink PowerDVD 9 Ultra - Initial Impressions

I installed PowerDVD 9 Ultra on my Windows 7 test box last night to see how well it integrates with Media Center and I have to say I was pretty blown away. I've haven't used PowerDVD since version 7 because I switched to Total Media Theatre for its Media...

Published Thu, Apr 09 2009 10:57 AM by mabrown

PacketVideo announces upgrade to award-winning TownkyMedia Manager Software

Newest Version Supports More Popular Online Services; Enhanced Functionality Makes it Easier Than Ever to Drag and Drop Media to Multiple Devices Throughout the Home SAN DIEGO, CA (April 7, 2009)-PacketVideo (PV) announced today that a new version of...

Published Tue, Apr 07 2009 9:58 PM by mabrown

Calling all Media Center Hardware Vendors

Ian Dixon and myself have started a new hardware video review show on The Digital Lifestyle and it also appears on my blog at The Green Button , the first installment is located here . I'm looking for some hardware to test out for the show. If you are...

Published Fri, Apr 03 2009 2:26 PM by mabrown

I'm now a Media Center MVP!

I was awarded MVP status for Media Center from Microsoft yesterday. I'm incredibly honored and stoked to be a part of this group. I just wanted to give a big thanks to Richard Miller and Ian Dixon who I know had something to do with my nomination. Also...

Published Thu, Apr 02 2009 2:50 AM by mabrown

The Digital Lifestyle Hardware - ATI Digital Cable Tuners

Ian had an idea about starting a hardware podcast and I wanted to be involved so I contacted him and in the end we decided a video show (video podcast if you will) reviewing hardware would probably work out better. So to kick things off Ian asked if I...

Published Tue, Mar 31 2009 11:27 AM by mabrown

Filed under: Video, Windows Media Center, CableCARD

DMA 2200 Extender $95 at Newegg

Just thought I'd pass this deal along, can't beat $95 for a DMA-2200. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124282&CMP Clubhouse Tags: clubhouse , story , media center Extender , media center

Published Thu, Mar 26 2009 9:21 PM by mabrown

DMA-2200 $99 from Dell

Dell Home is running a $100 off special on the DMA-2200's which brings the total down to $99. If you've been sitting on the fence now's the time to jump in I don't see these devices getting any cheaper! http://tinyurl.com/c5bo9t

Published Tue, Mar 17 2009 3:33 PM by mabrown

Configuring Media Center with 1 or 2 set-top boxes

In my last post we covered how to get a tuner installed and hooked up to basic cable. Going to a set-top box allows you to get more channels also it allows you to use Media Center with other signal types, like DirectTV, Dish Network, or U-verse...

Published Fri, Mar 13 2009 12:18 AM by mabrown

Do you have Windows Media Center on your PC?

Every version of Windows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate include Windows Media Center. So what is Media Center you maybe asking yourself, or why do you care that your PC has this application? The short answer is Windows Media Center is a DVR (digital...

Published Sun, Mar 01 2009 3:15 PM by mabrown

The Microsoft "Clubhouse"

A few of us bloggers have been asked to contribute to something Microsoft calls the clubhouse. This post is just a heads up that some of my upcoming posts might seem a little obvious to those of you who normally read my blog. The purpose of...

Published Sun, Mar 01 2009 2:19 PM by mabrown

My connected home, pt. 2

So way back in September I wrote a review on my new S1Digital machine which is the core of my connected home. That machine (which is still awesome!) is directly connected to my living room television (as seen below). Not much with the system has changed...

Published Sun, Feb 22 2009 7:51 AM by mabrown

Add Channel Logos to Windows 7 MC Guide

Thanks to Richard for tweeting about this. A member of the green button community has released a utility for Windows 7 Media Center that many of has been waiting for for quite some time, the ability to have channel logos in the guide as opposed to just...

Published Sat, Feb 07 2009 9:13 PM by mabrown

S1Digital Product Updates

My favorite Media Center OEM has updated their product line and I gotta say they all look awesome! I thought I would share with you some exciting new product announcements and updates. It's been way too cold for us to venture outside here in NJ, so...

Published Tue, Feb 03 2009 1:32 PM by mabrown

Vidabox releases a new single room DVD movie server

What is a RoomClient:SE? Starting at $2249, the RoomClient:SE system is a single box that allows you to: - Store and play DVDs, music, pictures & slideshows, videos, and TV** on-demand, instantly - Archive 150+ DVDs with the standard system, or 230...

Published Mon, Feb 02 2009 5:14 PM by mabrown

S1Digital launches Free Windows 7 Upgrade Program

If you've been putting off that purchase of a new S1Digital Media Center because Windows 7 is coming, then we have some exciting news for you! S1Digital today announced a free upgrade to Microsoft Windows 7 operating system for all customers who purchase...

Published Tue, Jan 20 2009 10:00 AM by mabrown

VidaBox Unveils Touch3.6, vPad8 Touchscreen Tablet

I can't find any info on their site about this but Electronic House has some details on a couple new touchscreen devices from VidaBox . Read the Article here . (on a personal note it's awesome to see dream theater as the artist in the screen shot...

Published Thu, Jan 08 2009 9:48 AM by mabrown

Severely Confused - The state of Media Center

Not sure where to even start with this. Lets go back a few weeks to the PDC when Windows 7 was announced, for lack of a better term. Shortly after Charlie Owen had a great blog post and did a show with Ian on all the new features of Media...

Published Thu, Jan 08 2009 9:05 AM by mabrown

M-Card Tuner coming for Vista Media Center?

Looks like they'll soon be a new player in town for Digital Cable Tuners Ceton Corp. has a product page up claiming they have an M-Card Tuner coming soon for Vista Media Center . I'll be very interested to see how this performs compared to the...

Published Tue, Jan 06 2009 4:58 PM by mabrown

Awesome Video of Media Center Evolution

I usually don't post things other bloggers post, but just in case someone reads my blog and not Ian's (fat chance I know) I thought I'd pass this along. Enjoy!

Published Sun, Jan 04 2009 10:13 PM by mabrown

Top Microsoft Exec Shows Off Media Center-Based Home

Electronic House has a really nice article about a Senior MS Exec and his 11,000 square foot home powered by Media Center and Lifeware. Check it out here: http://www.electronichouse.com/article/top_microsoft_exec_shows_off_media_center_based_home

Published Mon, Dec 29 2008 6:33 PM by mabrown

Slingbox PRO-HD

So I was at a friends house a few weeks ago and he asked me to help him hook up his Slingbox solo to his Tivo. After getting it hooked up, which was extremely easy and extremely cool, it got me to thinking about how I could use one in my current Media...

Published Tue, Dec 09 2008 9:34 AM by mabrown

More information / Video on Live Mesh Homeserver and Media Center Integration

Here's a great video that shows the potential of live mesh to integrate with Windows Home Server and Media Center, I for one can't wait for both of these apps to become available at least in a beta format! http://on10.net/blogs/nic/Windows-Home...

Published Fri, Nov 07 2008 9:47 AM by mabrown

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