Comments on: Three days with Vista Media Center http://bjdraw.com/2008/04/06/vmc-hacking-day-three/ How good can it be, if it isn't HD? Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:04:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: » A cheap and easy fix to HDHomeRun network issues » Ben Drawbaugh http://bjdraw.com/2008/04/06/vmc-hacking-day-three/comment-page-1/#comment-1284 » A cheap and easy fix to HDHomeRun network issues » Ben Drawbaugh Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:59:54 +0000 http://bjdraw.com/2008/04/06/vmc-hacking-day-three/#comment-1284 [...] HDHomeRun for as long as the product has been on the market, but never really used it heavily until I switched to Media Center about a year ago. Well ever since, from time to time I’ve experienced network issues that [...] [...] HDHomeRun for as long as the product has been on the market, but never really used it heavily until I switched to Media Center about a year ago. Well ever since, from time to time I’ve experienced network issues that [...]

]]> By: » There is no place for a computer in my home theater » Ben Drawbaugh http://bjdraw.com/2008/04/06/vmc-hacking-day-three/comment-page-1/#comment-1039 » There is no place for a computer in my home theater » Ben Drawbaugh Tue, 27 Jan 2009 02:43:47 +0000 http://bjdraw.com/2008/04/06/vmc-hacking-day-three/#comment-1039 [...] been about 10 months since I switched from TiVo to Vista Media Center and I’m happy to say I don’t regret my decision, but have learned alot and the biggest [...] [...] been about 10 months since I switched from TiVo to Vista Media Center and I’m happy to say I don’t regret my decision, but have learned alot and the biggest [...]

]]> By: links for 2008-04-06 | MyHTPC.TV http://bjdraw.com/2008/04/06/vmc-hacking-day-three/comment-page-1/#comment-594 links for 2008-04-06 | MyHTPC.TV Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:32:22 +0000 http://bjdraw.com/2008/04/06/vmc-hacking-day-three/#comment-594 [...] VMC hacking, day three - Ben Drawbaugh (tags: Windows Vista MediaCenter HTPC HDTV) [...] [...] VMC hacking, day three – Ben Drawbaugh (tags: Windows Vista MediaCenter HTPC HDTV) [...]

]]> By: links for 2008-04-06 | MyHTPC.TV http://bjdraw.com/2008/04/06/vmc-hacking-day-three/comment-page-1/#comment-595 links for 2008-04-06 | MyHTPC.TV Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:32:22 +0000 http://bjdraw.com/2008/04/06/vmc-hacking-day-three/#comment-595 [...] VMC hacking, day three - Ben Drawbaugh (tags: Windows Vista MediaCenter HTPC HDTV) [...] [...] VMC hacking, day three – Ben Drawbaugh (tags: Windows Vista MediaCenter HTPC HDTV) [...]

]]> By: Ben Drawbaugh http://bjdraw.com/2008/04/06/vmc-hacking-day-three/comment-page-1/#comment-591 Ben Drawbaugh Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:58:37 +0000 http://bjdraw.com/2008/04/06/vmc-hacking-day-three/#comment-591 Ivan, Thanks for the tips! <br> I have perfect 1080p mkv playback with ffdshow, what will this codec pack get me? Keep in mind that I only watch HD, so I really don't have a need for Xvid or Divx, since most of the sources I get HD files from are mkv. Speaking of which doesn't ffdshow do Xvid and Divx too? Ivan,
Thanks for the tips!

I have perfect 1080p mkv playback with ffdshow, what will this codec pack get me? Keep in mind that I only watch HD, so I really don’t have a need for Xvid or Divx, since most of the sources I get HD files from are mkv. Speaking of which doesn’t ffdshow do Xvid and Divx too?

]]> By: Ivan Y http://bjdraw.com/2008/04/06/vmc-hacking-day-three/comment-page-1/#comment-590 Ivan Y Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:49:55 +0000 http://bjdraw.com/2008/04/06/vmc-hacking-day-three/#comment-590 @ Ben: - For perfect media playback (even 1080P MKVs), I use CCCP (the only codec pack one should ever install) and CoreAVC decoder. Works surpisingly well even on my HTPC (1.66 Ghz Core 2 Duo laptop processor). - I got DiNovo Mini a couple of weeks ago and it is worth it if you are going to be doing something on the HDTV other than just watching files (e.g. browsing, using regular Vista interface outside VMC). The touchpad is not good enough to play games or anything like that, but it's good enough that I don't even feel like installing Logitech's software and tweaking settings. - I use LogMeIn too (to check on the downloads from work, etc.) and it's cool. If it's too slow, try reducing colors (although, you probably tried this already). @ Dave: If you want to try a compact HTPC without need for tuners, look at AOpen Mini PC line up (takes notebook processors). I built my HTPC a year ago around top 945 model (currently, 965 is the best) and I've had zero issues running Vista Ultimate with CCCP+CoreAVC (which makes me a rarity judging by the amount of all the Vista-hating going on). For my 2nd HTPC, it's either going to be another Mini PC (whenever Intel releases new notebook chips this summer and AOpen releases model with Blu-Ray drive) or one of Omaura's chassis (slick, slick, slick). Maingear actually sells Omaura-based HTPC but I am not keen on getting AMD at the moment. @ Ben:
- For perfect media playback (even 1080P MKVs), I use CCCP (the only codec pack one should ever install) and CoreAVC decoder. Works surpisingly well even on my HTPC (1.66 Ghz Core 2 Duo laptop processor).
- I got DiNovo Mini a couple of weeks ago and it is worth it if you are going to be doing something on the HDTV other than just watching files (e.g. browsing, using regular Vista interface outside VMC). The touchpad is not good enough to play games or anything like that, but it’s good enough that I don’t even feel like installing Logitech’s software and tweaking settings.
- I use LogMeIn too (to check on the downloads from work, etc.) and it’s cool. If it’s too slow, try reducing colors (although, you probably tried this already).

@ Dave: If you want to try a compact HTPC without need for tuners, look at AOpen Mini PC line up (takes notebook processors). I built my HTPC a year ago around top 945 model (currently, 965 is the best) and I’ve had zero issues running Vista Ultimate with CCCP+CoreAVC (which makes me a rarity judging by the amount of all the Vista-hating going on).

For my 2nd HTPC, it’s either going to be another Mini PC (whenever Intel releases new notebook chips this summer and AOpen releases model with Blu-Ray drive) or one of Omaura’s chassis (slick, slick, slick). Maingear actually sells Omaura-based HTPC but I am not keen on getting AMD at the moment.

]]> By: simpler http://bjdraw.com/2008/04/06/vmc-hacking-day-three/comment-page-1/#comment-589 simpler Tue, 08 Apr 2008 10:07:43 +0000 http://bjdraw.com/2008/04/06/vmc-hacking-day-three/#comment-589 I found out some interesting things DriveClone has that TrueImage does not: 1. snapshot- DriveClone restores in 55 seconds instead of minutes with TrueImage 2.Universal Restore is included in the $50 value. But if you one day change to a different hardware manufacterer(ex. Toshiba to Intel) then you would have to spend $30 EXTRA to buy acrnois universal restore BOTH driveclone and trueimage: around $50. I think DriveClone might be cheaper. and both supports imaging while Windows is running and will also do incremental imaging. I really urge you to try both trials before you decide to spend your money 30 days free trial http://www.farstone.us/download/driveclone-pro/DriveClone-Pro-5.0.exe I found out some interesting things DriveClone has that TrueImage does not:

1. snapshot- DriveClone restores in 55 seconds instead of minutes with TrueImage

2.Universal Restore is included in the $50 value. But if you one day change to a different hardware manufacterer(ex. Toshiba to Intel) then you would have to spend $30 EXTRA to buy acrnois universal restore

BOTH driveclone and trueimage:
around $50. I think DriveClone might be cheaper. and both supports imaging while Windows is running and will also do incremental imaging.

I really urge you to try both trials before you decide to spend your money
30 days free trial http://www.farstone.us/download/driveclone-pro/DriveClone-Pro-5.0.exe

]]> By: Richard Green http://bjdraw.com/2008/04/06/vmc-hacking-day-three/comment-page-1/#comment-587 Richard Green Mon, 07 Apr 2008 23:53:23 +0000 http://bjdraw.com/2008/04/06/vmc-hacking-day-three/#comment-587 Hey Ben - Haven't talked in a while. I see the Dark Side is calling you... its not a bad place and welcome. If you need any help, be sure to shoot me a message as you know I have been using Vista longer than most people outside Redmond. And the fact I am local doesn't hurt. Hey Ben – Haven’t talked in a while.

I see the Dark Side is calling you… its not a bad place and welcome.

If you need any help, be sure to shoot me a message as you know I have been using Vista longer than most people outside Redmond.

And the fact I am local doesn’t hurt.

]]> By: Ben Drawbaugh http://bjdraw.com/2008/04/06/vmc-hacking-day-three/comment-page-1/#comment-586 Ben Drawbaugh Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:33:34 +0000 http://bjdraw.com/2008/04/06/vmc-hacking-day-three/#comment-586 I don't leave Acronis running in the background, I just launch it when I want to make an image, but it can image my entire 40GB C drive in about 10 minutes and doesn't even require a reboot. <br> It's not cheap, but what good universal remote is? <br> A DVR without a CableCARD (or DirecTV tuner) is worth nothing to me, as I don't want to without premium content and I'm trying to eliminate boxes here, not add them. That being said, as big as the XPS 420 is, it is still smaller than the two Series3s and Blu-ray player it is replacing. I don’t leave Acronis running in the background, I just launch it when I want to make an image, but it can image my entire 40GB C drive in about 10 minutes and doesn’t even require a reboot.

It’s not cheap, but what good universal remote is?

A DVR without a CableCARD (or DirecTV tuner) is worth nothing to me, as I don’t want to without premium content and I’m trying to eliminate boxes here, not add them. That being said, as big as the XPS 420 is, it is still smaller than the two Series3s and Blu-ray player it is replacing.

]]> By: Dave Zatz http://bjdraw.com/2008/04/06/vmc-hacking-day-three/comment-page-1/#comment-585 Dave Zatz Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:28:36 +0000 http://bjdraw.com/2008/04/06/vmc-hacking-day-three/#comment-585 I've been a fan of Acronis for a few years. Not sure how it'll impact performance always running - I just used it to take full system images stored on an external drive. I'm still not sold on the Harmony One. $190 is a deep discount, but still too much for me. I hear you on the bulky CPU issue... Looking at HP and Dell slimlines, or perhaps a Mac mini for basic VMC DVR functionality (no CableCARDs) and web video playback. I’ve been a fan of Acronis for a few years. Not sure how it’ll impact performance always running – I just used it to take full system images stored on an external drive.

I’m still not sold on the Harmony One. $190 is a deep discount, but still too much for me.

I hear you on the bulky CPU issue… Looking at HP and Dell slimlines, or perhaps a Mac mini for basic VMC DVR functionality (no CableCARDs) and web video playback.

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