Media @ Home

The Windows SideShow Team has announced that the final version of the Windows Media Center Gadgets for Windows SideShow is now available for download on Windows Live Gallery!

Windows Media Center Gadgets for Windows SideShow includes four gadgets—TV, Music, Pictures and Video, and Now Playing—that you can use to control most Media Center functions from a SideShow-compatible device.

I wrote about these cool gadgets a while back. And now you can get the official release. Yeay! If you are a lucky owner of SideShow-ready device and you have Media Center, it’s a must have download. (more…)

Exceptional Innovation LLC today stroke a deal with AVAD on exclusive distribution of its Life|ware software through 37 AVAD branches nationwide. Each branch will provide training and demo facilities for dealers.

Life|ware is a software for controlling home automation devices such as: Lighting, Thermostats, Security alarms, Cameras, Window Shades, Audio Devices. Life|ware is seamlessly integrated into a Windows Media Center PC, converging home control with digital entertainment via a simple remote control interface.

AVAD is one of the largest US distributors for custom installation industry. They have tried other Media Center based solutions in the past, namely Niveus products, “but few of the boxes were sold and the two companies parted ways”. (more…)

Just 3 days after its release the i.TV becomes #1 in the App Store! And rightfully so — i.TV is one of the most beautiful, well thought through and feature rich applications I’ve seen in the App Store. And on top of it — it’s free, yes, FREE!

So, what is i.TV? (more…)

Niveus Software Labs today released a new free Beta software called Niveus Search for limited testing by general public. Niveus Search is a plug-in for Windows Vista Media Center application that allows you to search across all your local media (including Music, Photo, Video, Recorded TV and even TV Guide) as well as few on-line sources such as Flickr, NetFlix and Live365.com.

The distribution consists of two components - the Niveus Control Server that allows remote access to Media Center and the actual Niveus Search plug-in, which after installation will show up in the main Media Center strip alongside TV+Movies, Sports, Music, etc.

The search process is very simple - select New Search from Niveus Search strip and type a few characters on your remote control or select keypad button to show “a-la iPhone” on-screen keypad (it has specific “.com” and “@” buttons, though I’m not quite sure why would you need them for searching your media files).

The Niveus Search strip also provides a Resent menu for quick access to your previous searches.

All in all Niveus Search could be a very useful little gadget especially for people with large media libraries.

The Niveus Search is available for 60 day trial download from Niveus Software Labs Forum. Free registration on the forum is required to download the file.

See the gallery for screen shots after the jump.
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 The Windows SideShow Team has announced the availability of 4 BETA Windows SideShow Gadgets that let you control Windows Media Center from a Windows Sideshow device. You can sign-up via Microsoft Connect to gain access to Beta Test these new Windows SideShow Gadgets.

Sign-up

I believe this link works 1 time per Windows Live ID (You must sign-in with your Windows Live ID to access Beta Programs on Microsoft Connect). You can submit feedback to the team working on these Gadgets on Microsoft Connect.

Here is the breakdown of the 4 Windows Media Center BETA Windows SideShow Gadgets and what they do:

• Now Playing: View what is currently playing in Windows Media Center (includes playback controls)
• Pictures + Video: Browse your Photos and Videos folders
• Music: Browse your Music folder and play any song
• TV: Look at what is on TV via the Windows Media Center Guide, Schedule Recordings, and View Recordings (in a Thumbnail view)

I downloaded and installed the Windows Media Center BETA Windows SideShow Gadgets on my Dell XPS 420 which has a built in Windows SideShow device on the top front of the system (the XPS MiniView). It’s pretty slick to be able to control Windows Media Center from a Windows SideShow device. I’m quite fond of the Now Playing Gadget myself and the TV Gadget. I utilize Windows Media Center as my primary DVR for recording TV. If you have a Windows SideShow device - definitely give these Windows SideShow Gadgets a try!

NOTE: These 4 Windows Media Center Windows SideShow Gadgets *are* currently in BETA.

Source: http://windowsvistablog.com

Niveus is now giving away a free version of its Media Center Companion, which allows users to access certain Media Center functions from third-party devices such as Ultra Mobile PCs (UMPCs).The version, called Companion Basic, works with any Media Center PC. Previously, Niveus made the software available only for use with its own media servers.Companion Basic has limited functionality compared to the full-blown version. The lightweight Companion only supports three tabs: My Music, My Pictures, and My Remote. The full version, on the other hand, enables access to virtually all Media Center functions, and allows users to control remote TVs connected to Media Center Extenders.Companion Basic does not support Extenders.

Late last year, Niveus revamped its Companion software, adding support for DVD changers and Extenders, among other new features.

Companion Basic can be downloaded free of charge by registered users at Niveusmedia.com.

Niveus is accepting user’s input on the software and new features, so go register at the forums, download the software, try it out and join the conversation with developers. 

Source: CE Pro
More Info: Niveus Media Center Companion

UPDATE (9/26): updated links to new Niveus sites.

MCEDev.com has recently announced a new Beta 4 release of TV Toolbox for Windows Vista. This beta includes bug fixes and functional changes that address issues reported by customers who used the first 3 beta versions. 

TV Toolbox allows you to edit recordings (as in remove commercials), convert recordings and define rules to automatically convert just recorded TV shows to a specific format (WMV) to save some HDD space.

Check out the screenshots and application itself at MCEDev.com

WebGuide LLC today announced a release of their WebGuide product for Windows Home Server platform.

WebGuide for Windows Home Server enables you to remotely access, listen, watch and stream your music, photos and videos stored on your home server while away from home.

• Integrates with Windows Home Server remote website via homepage link and single-signon.
• Access your photos with thumbnails, “zoom” and exif-data.
• Browse your music library and listen to it via the web.
• Stream your videos/movies at multiple resolutions and bitrates.
• Mobile access to your music and videos from Windows Mobile devices.

WebGuide LLC struck a deal with Microsoft in September of 2007 to make WebGuide available to users for free. 

For more information and FREE download click here.