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MythTV turns 0.25, is actually ten in human years
Perhaps it's to help it keep that start-up vibe but, for whatever reason, on the eve of its tenth birthday MythTV is about to release version 0.25. That's right, it's the two bit anniversary of one of our favorite open source HTPC programs. So, what's new in this edition? A lot. In fact, for full details you'll have to hit up the changelog at the source. But, we can guarantee that the new MythTV Services API will open up a whole new frontier to devs. If you're looking for more, well, don't worry -- the creators have also added support for IPv6, AirPlay, HTTP Live Streaming, and DirectX acceleration. For more details and to download the beta for yourself, hit up the source link.Update: One more major feature added to 0.25 is the support for CableCARD tuners. That capability was added to 0.24 through patches, but this next version supports it out of the proverbial box.
YouTube rebrands TV web portal "YouTube XL"
Whether you call it ten-foot or lean back like Hulu Desktop, putting a TV-ready front end on your website is all the rage nowadays, and after six months of beta, YouTube is relaunching its Wii and PlayStation 3-aimed site as YouTube XL. Now accessible by any browser at www.youtube.com/xl, it's been stripped down to the basics (at the moment, that means no HD, or even HQ viewing option) to make YouTube work on the big screen, plus tweaks allowing control via Bluetooth remotes or some cellphones, like Android devices running Gmote. The HTPC crowd, those living without widgets and other direct access will surely find plenty to love, why not hit up the site right now to try it out?[Via TechCrunch]
ReQuest delivers Hulu to media servers, Netflix coming soon
Now available for download to ReQuest's pricey whole-home media servers is a Hulu front-end that promises to be more TV friendly than the website itself. Usable via a standard IR remote users can click through Hulu's content, fast forward and skip, or add shows to their queue, while video automatically goes full screen when it starts playing. YouTube support was already part of the deal, and a Netflix streaming app is on the way soon. Dollar for dollar wise it doesn't compare to PlayOn, SageTV, boxee or Windows Media Center plugins but if you've already shelled out $2,500+ for a media server and all the fixings, easy access without the DIY flair is a sweet addition.
