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Microsoft bringing Internet TV feature to Windows Media Center
During our chat with Microsoft today, we got wind of a brand new feature coming to Windows Media Center, and it's slated to hit just as D-Link and Linksys get official with their Media Center Extenders. Reportedly, Microsoft plans on unleashing Internet TV on or around September 27th, which will enable Media Center users to watch a variety of on-demand, ad-supported content free of charge. While details were kept slim, we do know that content will fall into Sports, Entertainment, News, Top Picks, Music and Movies categories. Additionally, the videos will reportedly be "better than SD quality, but not HD," although HD programs could certainly emerge in the future. Best of all, this feature will simply be delivered as a normal software update, and while it seems that we'll have to wait until Digital Life before we know any more, feel free to peep the gallery below for a few shots of the Internet TV beta in action.%Gallery-7127%
Hands-on with Alienware's Hangar18:HD media server
The only notable machine from Alienware that made the trip to Denver was the Hangar18:HD, and yes, this thing looks just as swank in person as it does in the press shots. Of course, you may have to reinforce your AV cabinet before plopping this hefty machine down, but hey, at least you know its built to last. EngadgetHD has the closeups.
Alienware's CEDIA booth tour
Alienware was just barely at CEDIA, but it did a respectable job with the ridiculously small amount of square footage it was granted. So if you're craving a look at the firm's Hangar18 (and the Hangar18:HD), hit up the gallery right over here.
Sony's CEDIA booth tour
Wouldn't you know it -- Sony had the premier spot on the CEDIA show floor, and we couldn't help but make our way around the admittedly large setup. The highlights included Sony's newest Blu-ray players and ginormous projectors, an entire wall of BD films, and enough Bravia flat-panels to stock a Best Buy. Check out the walkthrough over on EngadgetHD.
Microsoft's Media Center to support four CableCARDs
Hot on the heels of finding out who Microsoft chose to buddy up with for its Extenders for Windows Media Center comes word that the software itself will support up to four CableCARDs in a single configuration. If you'll recall, Media Center previously supported just a pair of CableCARDs, but word on the street has Niveus Media and Exceptional Innovation as the first two HTPC vendors to offer up systems that take full advantage of the new functionality. Reportedly, Exceptional Innovation's Model 754 LifeMedia Server will have four CableCARD slots built-in right into its chassis, while Niveus is opting for four external tuners, and while hard pricing details don't look to be available just yet, go on and tell yourself that it won't be cheap.
FUZE Media Systems' CEDIA booth tour
Looks like that elusive FUZE whole-home media system is veiled no more, as our early-bird trip to CEDIA 2007 landed us smack dab in front of FUZE's booth. Of course, the whole shebang wasn't powered on just yet, and there were no representatives there to talk us through it, but that's why pictures are worth a thousand words, right? We kept it short and sweet, but on display was the FuzeTunes Controller, FuzeBox HTPC (built by Velocity Micro), a couple of FuzeMini thin clients, and a pair of FuzeTouch touchscreens to boot. Check out the gallery over at EngadgetHD.
CEDIA 2007: the pre-game show
Yep, even on a chilly, rainy night here in the Mile High city, we buttoned up our poncho (we kid, we kid) and headed over to the Colorado Convention Center to see whatever we could from the outside. Turns out, that forbidding glass wasn't as menacing as it initially appeared, and in we went to the pre-game show at CEDIA 2007. Granted, most setups were behind locked doors, but we were able to snag some sneak peeks at a few devices, booths, and tantalizing banners. And only time will tell what's underneath that off-site HD DVD tarp. Go on, check out the gallery to whet your appetite, and look for lots more where this came from when the show floor opens in the morning.%Gallery-6965%
Fujitsu launches FMV-TEO HTPC with Blu-ray recorder
If you'll recall, Fujitsu's unsightly TEO HTPC was first seen way back in January, and while the newest iteration most certainly steps it up in the hardware department, the aesthetics are still sorely lacking. Nevertheless, the TEO90X/D sports a 1.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5500 processor, 2GB of RAM, a half terabyte of HDD space, integrated multicard reader (SD / Memory Stick / xD support), WiFi, FireWire, gigabit Ethernet, audio in / out, and of course, a Blu-ray writer. Furthermore, you'll find an optical digital audio output, HDCP-compliant HDMI / DVI connectors, an ATI Radeon Xpress 1250 graphics set (um, weak?), digital TV tuner, and Vista Home Premium runnin' the show. Slated to hit Japan here shortly, the TEO90X/D is priced at ¥265,000 ($2,282).[Via AkihabaraNews]
S1Digital's CableCARD-equipped Media Centers now shipping
They may have taken a bit longer than the company initially claimed, but S1Digital's new CableCARD-enabled Media Centers are apparently now finally shipping. That desirable option is available on the company's ProLine Quad Server and FX Editions, and its Home Series Platinum Edition, each of which boast a pair of CableCARD slots to let you watch and record two channels at the same time. It looks like you'll also be able to keep plenty of those recordings on deck, with up to 3.75 terabytes of storage on the Server Edition and 2.25 terabytes on the Platinum Edition. Otherwise, you can expect Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Quad processors depending on the model, along with optional HD DVD or Blu-ray drives, and NVIDIA PureVideo HD video processors, with Windows Vista running the show. From the looks of it, S1Digital is only selling the Home Series Media Center directly to customers, with the higher-end options reserved for dealers and custom installers.
First photos of Fujitsu-Siemens' Scaleo Home Server
Fujitsu-Siemens is supposed to debut the Scaleo, its first entry in the Windows Home Server market, later this week at IFA, but this press shot -- the first non-renders we've seen -- have surfaced a bit early, along with some more specs. The Scaleo will feature 4 internal drive bays, four USB 2 ports, two eSATA ports, "always-available" operation as opposed to being always-on, and silent operation. No word on that rumored two-drive RAID array or that 50W power consumption, but we'll know more when we get our hands on one at the conference.
Okoro Media Systems shipping CableCARD-equipped rigs
Hot on the heels of Dell and HP launching (or in the case of the latter, relaunching) CableCARD-equipped machines of their own, along comes Okoro Media Systems to give you yet another option to consider. Truth be told, you've now got five more alternatives to ponder, as the firm's OMS-TH540, OMS-TH550, OMS-BX300, OMS-GX100, and OMS-GX300 all come with CableCARD availability. Christopher Curry, VP of Sales and Operations, even stated that CableCARDs should "soon be available in [the outfit's] entry-level systems," too. Price wise, the ATI TV Wonder Digital CableCARD Tuner (or two, if you so choose) will run you $250 (apiece) above the price of the standard "OTA HDTV and Analog SDTV Recording" option.[Via MSMVPS]
HP MediaSmart servers get priced?
Not a lot to go on here, but it looks like a couple sites leaked tentative pricing information for HP's first Windows Home Server machine, the MediaSmart Home Server. OnSale.com, PC Mall and Best Buy all listed the 1TB EX475 at $749, while the 500GB EX470 appears to be set at $599. Amazon also listed both models today sans pricing, so it looks like we'll have these in our hot little hands soon.Read - PC Mall cacheRead - Onsale.com cache[Via We Got Served]
Toshiba's Qosmio G40 and F40 play extra nice with your REGZA TV
Toshiba just launched a pair of updated Qosmio media laptops in Japan. A new G40/97D configuration sports a 17-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) display; 2GHz, T7300 Core 2 Duo proc; 256MB of NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics, 2GB (up to 4GB supported) memory, 320GB of disk (2x 160GB); Gigabit Ethernet; HDMI out; a 2 megapixel webcam; and an HD DVD-R drive. It also brings plenty of expansion with 5x USB, Firewire, multiple memory card support, and a PCMCIA and ExpressCard/54 slot. Pretty much what we've seen before. Now, however, we're looking at a pair of digital tuners so that you can record and watch that sweet, sweet TeeVee at the same time. It's also pre-loaded with CyberLink SoftDMA allowing it to pull your HD recordings off your VARDIA series of recorders wrapped in a DRM-ladden, DTCP-IP hard candy shell. Want more Tosh integration? Great, 'cause it also supports HDMI-CEC allowing the G40 to control your new HDMI connected REGZA series of TVs. All that for ¥400,000 or about $3,470. Too much? Then check the new Qosmio F40 which does much the same only on a 15.4-inch screen for about $850 less.[Via Impress]
DABODA HMC-1 media PC heads for Korea
HIDVAN's DABODA HMC-1 most certainly isn't the most attractive HTPC we've seen, but it should do the trick for South Koreans looking to spruce up their AV center with a hint of PC. Interestingly, this media center is reportedly also an NDAS, which enables users to easily share their media over a local network. Furthermore, you'll find 5.1-channel surround sound outputs, DVI, Ethernet, component / composite / S-Video, USB 2.0 ports, and a SIGMA 8621 chipset for decoding. Not a lot of details beyond that just yet, but feel free to click on for a few more shots of this September-bound machine.
Ask Engadget: Can you turn my clunker laptop into a media center?
We were keeping it simple last week on Ask Engadget, helping in Perry's quest for a stripped-down GPS unit. This time Xtopher Robin is looking to do more with less, with big hopes for his aging laptop. If you'd like your own question answered by the best tech minds ever to click a comment submit button, be sure send it to ask at engadget dawt com for next week's round of fun. And here's Xtopher:"I have a 3 year old laptop (1.89GHz Athlon XP, 1GB of RAM, 64MB Radeon) loaded with all kinds of music, pictures, movies, etc, and I'm looking for a good media center program. I have XP Pro, and want a "MCE-like" experience. I have tried MediaPortal, but I'm less than thrilled with the experience. I'm looking for something that can be controlled via a Bluetooth controller (ie: Salling Clicker through a cell phone, Wiimote, PDA, etc). Any ideas?"Sounds like a tall order for those specs, but perhaps a bit of Linux will give the thing a new lease on life? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
FUZE unveils whole-home media system
If you thought HTIBs were convenient, the FUZE Media System should have you grinning from ear to ear. Similar to the uber-pricey ConnectedLife.Home in a box, this all-in-one solution brings together a FuzeBox HTPC with "multiple CableCARD tuners," FuzeMini HD Media Clients, the Fuze Whole-Home remote, a four-inch wall-mountable touchscreen interface, and a number of on-wall control switches to deliver complete multimedia integration throughout your domicile. According to FUZE, you'll find "all the necessary components for media storage and distribution: a primary media server, video clients, audio clients, and multiple interface options." Interestingly, it even notes that "DRM-friendly whole-home HD video" won't be a problem with this here equipment, and while the firm has yet to talk dollars and dates, we'll hopefully be getting a much closer look at what's involved when it sets up shop at CEDIA.
Mirror Media stuffs PC into multifaceted display
Mirrors that double as surveillance displays or hallway televisions have been common for quite some time, and while Mirror Media's PC-stuffed iteration certainly won't be the first of its breed, it joins a rare bunch nonetheless. The MirrorTV + media PC combination unit comes in 20-, 26-, 30-, and 32-inch flavors and features an Intel processor, up to 512MB of SDRAM, up to 60GB of hard drive space, optional WiFi, and a smorgasbord of ports including USB 2.0, RS-232, FireWire, DVI / VGA, and component / S-Video / composite to boot. Pricing details don't look to be readily available, but if you've got the coin, we're sure these guys and gals can whip up the multifarious mirror of your dreams.[Via ChipChick]
Inteset stuffs HD DVD / Blu-ray combo drive in media PCs
Currently, there's just not a whole lot of options when you're scouting a pre-fabricated rig that does both HD DVD and Blu-ray on a single optical drive, but adding one more to mix certainly helps. Enter Inteset, which has just announced that an HD DVD / Blu-ray combo drive will be an option in the firm's Maximus and Denzel media server systems. The machines will reportedly come loaded with CyberLink's PowerDVD Ultra software, support 7.1-channel surround sound, and sport an array of ports including audio in / out, DVI / VGA / component / S-Video, USB, FireWire, and antenna inputs for the TV tuners. 'Course, since the company recommends that you "contact a dealer for pricing," you should assume that this here HTPC won't run you cheap.
Microsoft's Hungarian offices raided in antitrust probe
Microsoft's squeaky-clean image took quite a beating this week: not only was the company accused of "patent terrorism," its Hungarian offices were raided in an antitrust investigation. Hungarian officials at the state competition authority GVH say Microsoft abused its market position to put the squeeze on local distributors, and that the raid was necessary to find evidence of "a system of conditions or favors with the most significant software distributors" that made it "disadvantageous for them to sell competing products." The investigation is slated to take up to 180 days before authorities have to either file or ask for an extension. Microsoft says it's "cooperating fully," but hasn't issued any further comment -- which is interesting, because you'd think the PR staff would have some stock answers to European antitrust investigations by now.
Sony quietly launches VAIO TP1 Living Room PC
If you can force your brain to remember back to January, you may recall Sony's curiously designed TP1 HTPC. Interestingly enough, it seems that Sony has indeed launched the device and didn't even bother to tell anyone, but that doesn't mean you can't be brought up to speed. Be warned, however, that Living Room PC does not equate to high-end AV center, as this modestly-spec'd machine lacks an HD optical drive and CableCARD option. Internally, you'll find a 1.83GHz Intel Core 2 Duo chip, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, a 300GB 7,200RPM SATA hard drive, dual-layer DVD writer, ATSC / NTSC TV tuner, GMA 950 integrated graphics set, and HDMI / DVI / VGA outputs. Moreover, Sony included a 4-pin FireWire connector, audio in / out, four USB 2.0 ports, Memory Stick / SD slots, 802.11b/g, and Vista Home Premium to run the show. So if you're still intrigued by this ho hum (albeit Viiv-certified!) PC, you can snag it right now starting at $1,599.99.[Via CNET]
