What is Windows Home Server?

Xbox Holiday Shopping Guide

Jim McCarthy

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Nov 5, 2011

Santa may be bringing Microsoft’s Xbox console to my house this Christmas season, at least that is my hope! Of course, Santa needs to know exactly what to bring…so I wanted to help Santa out with that process. Read on for details!

Xbox is Microsoft’s entry to the gaming console market. Since my daughter demoed one with Kinect and wiped the floor with opponents in a dancing game, we’ve been thinking about asking Santa to bring one. For starters, we need to decide which console to ask for.

Console Selection

The Xbox comes in two versions: the 4GB storage version and the 250GB storage version. The 250GB version allows me to store game data, demos, videos, etc. locally, so I am interested in that version. If you don’t need that capability, save $100 and go with the 4GB version.

Kinect or No Kinect

To be honest, I do almost all of my gaming on my PS3. I am only interested in getting an Xbox to bring the awesome Kinect experience into the house, especially since my wife and daughter really like playing games with Kinect. Here is what Microsoft says about Kinect:

All You Need is You

Kinect for Xbox 360 is changing the game. Well, it’s changing how you play games. And how you watch TV. And movies. And listen to music. Because with Kinect, there are no controllers. Or remotes. There’s just you. And if you ask us, that’s all you need.

Why Kinect?

Full Body Gaming

Controller-free gaming means full body play. Kinect responds to how you move. So if you have to kick, then kick. If you have to jump, then jump. You already know how to play. All you have to do now is to get off the couch.

Use Your Voice

Kinect uses advanced entertainment technology to respond to the sound of your voice. Just say “Xbox” to reveal a series of voice commands. So you’ll be able to control HD movies with the sound of your voice—no remote required.

It’s All About You

Once you wave your hand to activate the sensor, your Kinect will be able to recognize you and access your Avatar. Then you’ll be able to jump in and out of different games, and show off and share your moves.

Something For Everyone

Whether you’re a gamer or not, anyone can play and have a blast. And with advanced parental controls and movies for the family, Kinect promises a gaming experience that’s safe, secure and fun for everyone.

Voice-controlled Entertainment

Combine Kinect with Xbox LIVE, and you can kick back and enjoy you favorite shows on ESPN, HBO GO, Netflix and Hulu Plus in a whole new way. With Kinect, you can play, pause and rewind the action – all with the sound of your voice. .

Games Are More Amazing

When you are the controller. Literally. Pet a tiger, battle against the dark side, or race supercars from your living room. It’s all part of the fun with Kinect.

I can’t see buying an Xbox without Kinect, but if you don’t want it, save yourself the $100 and buy the console without the Kinect. If you add it later, however, it will cost you $149, so I’d buy it upfront.

Special Edition Bundles

Microsoft currently has three special consoles: a Star Wars Kinect bundle, a Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 bundle, and a Gears of War 3 bundle. All three bundles come with a 320GB hard drive and some goodies.

The Star Wars Kinect bundle costs $449.99 and includes:

Kinect Star Wars game: Enter the Star Wars universe, and use the Force like a Jedi, become a champion Pod Racer, pilot iconic ships and much more.

Xbox 360 Console: Bring the Star Wars characters you know and love into your living room with this custom R2-D2-themed Xbox 360 console with custom sounds.

Kinect Sensor: The bundle includes the first ever custom white sensor. Use the Force and unlock an amazing new world of games and entertainment with Kinect for Xbox 360 where you are the controller. Immerse yourself into the Star Wars universe with full-body gameplay. Watch HD movies and sports on Xbox LIVE* in a whole new way. Say what you want to watch and Xbox 360 with Kinect will find it. Then play, pause, or rewind the action with your voice or a wave of your hand.

Xbox 360 Wireless Controller: The bundle comes with a custom C-3PO-themed Xbox 360 Wireless Controller.

320GB HDD: Store all of your games, movies and multimedia on the largest hard drive available for Xbox 360.

Xbox 360 Wired Headset: Strategize or trade taunts while playing games, and chat with your friends on Xbox LIVE.

Kinect Adventures game: Float in outer space. Experience the thrill of roaring rapids. Tackle mountaintop obstacle courses. And dive into the deep to explore a leaky underwater observatory—all from your living room. With Kinect Adventures, you are the controller as you jump, dodge, and kick your way through exciting adventures set in a variety of exotic locations.

StableBit Scanner 2.0 for Windows Home Server 2011 Beta Updated to 2.0.0.1220

Windows Home Server

Andrew Edney

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Nov 5, 2011

0

StableBit Scanner 2.0 for Windows Home Server 2011 Beta Updated to 2.0.0.1220

StableBit Scanner 2.0 for Windows Home Server 2011 is now available in beta and has been updated to version 2.0.0.1220.

An advanced hard disk surface scanner, monitor and more.

Monitors all your hard drives and ensures that every bit holding your precious data is readable.

2.0.0.1220 ———-

* Fixed version mismatch. Would not start a scan.

* Updated package signature with timestamp.

Download the latest beta version from here

Unlock Your Windows Phone with ChevronWP7 Labs

Microsoft

Andrew Edney

-

Nov 5, 2011

1

Unlock Your Windows Phone with ChevronWP7 Labs

Do you have a Windows Phone and would you like to unlock it? Now you can with ChevronWP7 Labs.

What is ChevronWP7 Labs?

This is what they said:

ChevronWP7 Labs was designed to allow hobbyist developers to install, run, and debug unsigned applications on their personal Windows Phone. You log into the site with your Windows Live ID, pay a small fee, and presto — you’re ready to write and share some homebrew code.

We believe Windows Phone development should be accessible to anyone. We are providing a Windows Phone developer unlocking service to developers across all skill levels and regions for just $9 USD per phone.

Unlock your Windows Phone here

Dell Joins the Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials Party

Andrew Edney

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Nov 5, 2011

0

Dell Joins the Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials Party

Dell have announced that they are adding Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials to its line-up of server solutions.

What Dell said:

What makes this new solution offering from Dell different from others is that PowerEdge servers pre-installed with SBS 2011 Essentials are positioned to be the ideal first server purchase for your small business customers that are running fewer than 25 PC’s.

Well it is certainly nice to see one of the major players pushing SBS, but what about WHS 2011? As I have said many times, I am not convinced we will ever see any WHS 2011 hardware from the major players, especially as more time passes without annoucements.

Why buy my Working with Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials book?

DVBLink MediaCenter channel synchronization test/patch Released

Windows Home Server

Andrew Edney

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Nov 4, 2011

0

DVBLink MediaCenter channel synchronization test/patch Released

DVBLogic have posted a MediaCenter channel synronization test/patch today – which makes three patches this week.

This is what DVBLogic posted in their forums:

This patch should increase stability of channel synchonization in MediaCenter.

Please read and follow the installation instructions carefully:
– Download attached zip file
– Close MediaCenter (if it is running) and all other running programs
– Open command prompt as administrator (Start -> Accessories -> right click on command prompt and choose “Run as administrator”)
– navigate within command prompt to dvblink installation folder (cd \”Program Files\DVBLogic\DVBLink”)
– run “dvblink_reg.exe -uninstalldrivers”
– wait one minute to be sure that it is finished
– reboot
– Open control panel -> device manager and check that there are no DVBLink drivers under “Sound, Video and Game controllers”. If there are still DVBLink tuners there – right click on each of them and choose Uninstall. Then reboot again.
– Copy files from the zip file to <dvblink installation folder>\drivers, overwriting the existing files
– Open command prompt as administrator (Start -> Accessories -> right click on command prompt and choose “Run as administrator”)
– navigate within command prompt to dvblink installation folder (cd \”Program Files\DVBLogic\DVBLink”)
– run “dvblink_reg.exe -installdrivers”
– wait until 4 or 8 drivers are installed and appear in device manager
– run “net stop dvblink_server”
– run “net start dvblink_server”
– Once drivers are installed – start MediaCenter, do TV Setup and synchronize DVBLink channels
– You may also try MCE TV scan (Settings -> TV -> TV Signal -> Scan for more channels) to see if it does not hang anymore

Download this patch here

Kinect for Windows SDK v1.0 Beta 2 Released

Andrew Edney

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Nov 4, 2011

0

Kinect for Windows SDK v1.0 Beta 2 Released

Today saw Microsoft release it’s Kinect for Windows SDK v1.0 beta 2.

What is the Kinect for Windows SDK?

Gives Kinect for Windows developers easy access to the capabilities offered by the Microsoft Kinect device. This SDK is designed for non-commercial purposes only; a commercial version will be available at a later date.

It includes drivers, rich APIs for raw sensor streams and human motion tracking, installation documents, and resource materials. It provides Kinect capabilities to developers who build applications with C++, C#, or Visual Basic by using Microsoft Visual Studio 2010.

Download the SDK from here

Tranquil PC Launch Leo HS4 Special Edition Windows Home Server 2011

Andrew Edney

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Nov 4, 2011

1

Tranquil PC Launch Leo HS4 Special Edition Windows Home Server 2011

The very popular Leo HS4 is now available as the ‘Special Edition’ version – and comes with over £200.00 off the current Leo HS4 price.

Many users want to choose or use their own HDDs (new or current) and with current 3.5” HDD prices sky rocketing (due to supply constraints from flooded Thailand), Tranquil have decided to make available the SE version.

The unit, delivered with an 8GB pre-imaged USB boot key and the standard Leo HS4 factory recovery DVD and a WHS2011 official licence, allows any user to slot in their own HDD and within 1 hour have a high performance Home Server ready to use.

Learn more about the HS4 SE here Check out our Exclusive hands-on review of the Tranquil PC Leo HS4

CrashPlan for iOS Updated to version 1.0.1

Apple
News

Andrew Edney

-

Nov 4, 2011

0

CrashPlan for iOS Updated to version 1.0.1

As well as the Android app for the cloud backup service CrashPlan has been updated to version 1.0.1, the iOS app has also been updated.

Get Your Files On The Go

If you’re already backing up with award-winning, cross-platform CrashPlan+, you know that it’s great to automatically and securely back up online and to local drives. You also have the peace of mind knowing that you can restore anytime, anywhere. But did you know that you can securely get your files on the go with your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad?
With CrashPlan’s mobile app, you can retrieve anything that you’ve backed up online to CrashPlan Central. Just browse your online backup and tap the files to download to your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. There’s no waiting for each file to finish before you select another.

After your files download to your device, you can use your compatible apps to open, view, edit, even share them via email. You can also save pictures to the Photos app. And if you’ve got iOS 5, you can even play music and videos that you’ve retrieved from your online backup archive. Best of all, One-touch Update lets you get the latest version of your downloaded files.

Features:
– Browse folders and files in your archive
– Download and view as many files as you want
– Securely access your files with your account password
– Learn of file updates at-a-glance and get the latest version with just a click

(NOTE: Files protected with the private password or private key options are not supported in this release.)

What’s New in Version 1.0.1

Release 1.0.1 Changes:

Enhancements
* Supports iOS 5, which allows you to play your music and video files
* The app now remembers the contents of your download queue after you sign out, and resumes downloading the next time you sign in
* Improved previewing of large images
* Directories with a large number of files now display much faster

Bug Fixes
* Various stability and caching improvements
* The app no longer stops operating for users with an “active” device on CrashPlan Central but no archive
* The network activity control more accurately reflects connection status
* Download progress meter is more accurate
* iPad rotation and popover menu issues fixed
* The app no longer mistakenly displays an error message even when signing in correctly
* The “Open in…” command sometimes opened the wrong file
* iPad file preview displays properly after viewing “About this app” screen

Visit the Apple App Store to download the app

CrashPlan for Android Updated to version 1.0.1

Andrew Edney

-

Nov 4, 2011

1

CrashPlan for Android Updated to version 1.0.1

The Android app for the cloud backup service CrashPlan has been updated to version 1.0.1.

CrashPlan: Get Your Files On-The-Go

Get Your Files On The Go

If you’re already backing up with award-winning, cross-platform CrashPlan+, you know that it’s great to automatically and securely back up to multiple locations. You also have the peace of mind knowing that you can restore anytime, anywhere. But did you know that you can securely get your files on the go with your Android phone or tablet?

With CrashPlan’s mobile app, you can retrieve anything that you’ve backed up online to CrashPlan Central. Just browse your online backup and tap the files to download to your Android phone or tablet. There’s no waiting for each file to finish before you select another.

After your files download to your device, you can use your compatible apps to open, view, edit, even share them via email. Best of all, One-touch Update lets you get the latest version of your downloaded files.

Features:
– Browse folders and files in your archive
– Download and view as many files as you want
– Securely access your files with your account password
– Learn of file updates at-a-glance and get the latest version with just a click

(NOTE: Files protected with the enhanced security options are not supported in this release.)

***** You need a CrashPlan+ subscription to use the CrashPlan mobile app. *****

Don’t have an account? Download a 30-day free trial to get started. You can use CrashPlan+ to back up an unlimited amount of personal files for as many as 10 computers at home. You can even back up to friends and family for additional protection (Note: Only the files backed up to CrashPlan Central are accessible from the CrashPlan mobile app).

* If you’re already a CrashPlan PRO user, be sure to download the CrashPlan PRO mobile app instead.

What’s New

What’s in this version:

Support for low density screens
Support for Android 3.x Tablets
In-app Media Preview supports image, video and text files
Action Bar for access to common menu options
Support for downloading hidden files
Support for filenames with UTF-8 characters
When a device has no archive, the proper message is displayed
we now display the proper error message
If your account uses private password or private key we now display the proper error message
Adheres to download file size limit for your account

Visit the Android Market to download the app

AerodromMCE for Window Media Center Plugin Released

Microsoft

Andrew Edney

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Nov 4, 2011

0

AerodromMCE for Window Media Center Plugin Released

Funkyfactory have been in touch to let us know about their AerodromMCE plugin for Windows Media Center.

Aerodrom is a AirPlay/AirTunes receiver application for Microsoft Windows PCs. It let’s you seamlessly stream audio, videos, photos, and photo slide shows from your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Mac and PC to your Windows PC or notebook.

New Features:

Better configuration options (service name, network, …)

Windows Media Ceneter integration with optional plugin AerodromMCE

iOS 5 compatibility

Multimonitor support

I haven’t tried it myself yet, but I will give it a go.

Learn more and download from here

My Movies Collection Management for Windows Media Center 4.02 PR6 Released

Microsoft

Andrew Edney

-

Nov 4, 2011

0

As well as the PR6 updates for My Movies 4.02 for Media Center and My Movies 2.10 PR5 updates for Windows Home Server 2011, Brian has also released version 4.02 PR6 of the Collection Management component.

Here is the changelog:

Added: Option to debug playback by adding DWORD “PlayBackDebug” in HKLM\Software\My Movies and setting it to 1.
Added: “certification” node to NFO XML for YAMJ
Added: TV Series are now synchronized to and from the webserver.
Added: Only added/deleted/changed titles are updated on database sync.

Changed: Series search now uses language search on server.
Changed: Folder monitoring now checks if titles on UNC paths that no longer exists have the above folder existing, and if so, removes the title, where it previously was kept.

Fix: Dune index was broken due to some changes in Windows Home Server part.
Fix: Connection was not closed, causing load of TV Episodes to be slow.
Fix: Playlist files played as audio rather than video.
Fix: Background graphics for watched/unwatched count did not disappear on TV Series when last show was watched or unwatched.
Fix: Unidentified disc dialog could come up when it should not.
Fix: Watched changes on from a season did not update all seasons or visa versa.
Fix: Reverting fix to help proper stop, as it gave problems.

Before installing a pre release version, you must make a backup of your database. There are no guarantee that a pre release version functions as expected, and it should therefore only be used for evaluation purposes. The database backup ensures that you can revert back to the latest stable version.

My Movies 4.02 Pre Release 6 can be used as client for My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011 2.10 Pre Release 5 or My Movies for Windows Home Server 2.00.

Download My Movies 4 Collection Management Now

I’m updating from 4.02 PR5 right now!

What do you think of My Movies?

Check out our review of My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011 2.0 Pre Release 7

My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011 Version 2.10 PR5 Released

Windows Home Server

Andrew Edney

-

Nov 4, 2011

0

Brian has also released version 2.10 PR5 of My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011.

Windows Home Server 2011

My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011 operates as database back-end for My Movies clients in multi-zone environments.

The My Movies for Windows Media Center or My Movies Collection Management products can be downloaded and installed on client PC’s to maintain movies in the database on My Movies for Windows Home Sever 2011.

My Movies may not be pre-installed on commercial products, nor in any way redistributed or provided to end-users by installers that is not part of our installer program.

Change Log:

My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011 2.10 Pre Release 5

Added: Title Collection

Fix: Report unidentified disc had incorrect label.
Fix: AnyDVD controls was not hidden by default on installer installations as it should have been.
Fix: Filenaming on conversion of TV Series disc without mapping is now with the disc title first and the title index at the end.
Fix: minor GUI error when scrollbar is not visible on Disc Copier.
Fix: A lot of small fixes for converter, when adding all disc titles.
Fix: Conversion and automatic backup will now not run simultaneously anymore.
Fix: Add to converter queue now adds the whole title (all discs and sides).

Before installing a pre release version, you must make a backup of your database using the Collection Management program. There are no guarantee that a pre release version functions as expected, and it should therefore only be used for evaluation purposes. The database backup ensures that you can revert back to the latest stable version.

My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011 2.10 Pre Release 5 can be used as server for My Movies 4.02 Pre Release 6 clients.

You can download the Windows Home Server 2011 edition here Check out our review of My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011 2.0 Pre Release 7

My Movies for Windows Media Center 4.02 PR6 Released

Microsoft

Andrew Edney

-

Nov 4, 2011

1

Brian has just released My Movies for Windows Media Center version 4.02 PR6.

Here is the change log:

Added: Option to debug playback by adding DWORD “PlayBackDebug” in HKLM\Software\My Movies and setting it to 1.
Added: “certification” node to NFO XML for YAMJ
Added: TV Series are now synchronized to and from the webserver.
Added: Only added/deleted/changed titles are updated on database sync.

Changed: Series search now uses language search on server.
Changed: Folder monitoring now checks if titles on UNC paths that no longer exists have the above folder existing, and if so, removes the title, where it previously was kept.

Fix: Dune index was broken due to some changes in Windows Home Server part.
Fix: Connection was not closed, causing load of TV Episodes to be slow.
Fix: Playlist files played as audio rather than video.
Fix: Background graphics for watched/unwatched count did not disappear on TV Series when last show was watched or unwatched.
Fix: Unidentified disc dialog could come up when it should not.
Fix: Watched changes on from a season did not update all seasons or visa versa.
Fix: Reverting fix to help proper stop, as it gave problems.

Before installing a pre release version, you must make a backup of your database using the Collection Management program. There is no guarantee that a pre release version functions as expected, and it should only be used for evaluation purposes. The database backup ensures that you can revert back to the latest stable version.

My Movies 4.02 Pre Release 6 can be used as client for My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011 2.10 Pre Release 5 or My Movies for Windows Home Server 2.00.

Download My Movies 4.02 PR6 now Check out our review of My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011 2.0 Pre Release 7

StarTech Announce Standalone 1:3 Hard Drive Duplicator Dock

Andrew Edney

-

Nov 4, 2011

0

StarTech Announce Standalone 1:3 Hard Drive Duplicator Dock

StarTech have just announced a new standalone hard drive duplicator dock that is capable of duplicating a single hard drive to three drives.

StarTech.com, a leading manufacturer of hard-to-find connectivity parts has announced the release of the (SKU: SATDOCK4U3RE) USB 3.0/eSATA to SATA Standalone 1:3 Hard Drive Duplicator Dock, which enables users to perform 1:3 sector-by-sector duplication from a single SATA hard drive onto three others simultaneously, without having to connect the dock to a host computer. The Duplicator Dock also includes a SATA to IDE adapter, which provides the option of connecting an IDE hard drive in one of the SATA slots.

“IT professionals are always looking for ways to make their jobs more efficient and this new multi-drive duplicator allows them to accomplish just that,” commented StarTech.com Senior Product Manager, Carey Cline. “The ability to perform a sector by sector duplication on up to three drives simultaneously, frees up the user’s time to perform other functions while the back-ups are created in the background. The fact it acts as a standalone unit also means it doesn’t use up resources on their computer system.”

The duplicator dock can also be used as an external 4-bay hard drive dock, connected through either USB 3.0 or eSATA, providing an easy way to add and remove bare external hard drives from a computer system.

Other features and benefits of the Hard Drive Duplicator Dock (SATDOCK4U3RE) include:

· Up to 72 MBps data transfer rates between drives, when used for hard drive duplication

· Up to 5Gbps or 3Gbps data transfer rates (connected through USB 3.0 or eSATA, respectively), when utilized as an external drive docking station

· Secure Erase feature simplifies erasing/wiping drive contents for further cloning use or disposal of a hard drive

· Dual 60mm cooling fans mounted beneath the drives help to keep docked hard drives at optimal operating temperatures

· Supports 2.5” or 3.5” form factor hard drives (HDDs) or Solid State Drives (SSDs)

· Integrated LCD displays duplication progress and duplicator options menu

· Included SATA to IDE adapter enables users to dock an IDE hard drive in place of a SATA hard drive in one of the four bays, making it possible to copy the contents of an IDE hard drive onto three SATA drives where necessary, when IDE drive is used in source slot

The USB 3.0/eSATA to SATA Standalone 1:3 Hard Drive Duplicator Dock (SKU: SATDOCK4U3RE) is available for purchase from leading technology resellers including Misco, ebuyer.com, Insight, Amazon and Dabs.com and is distributed by Ingram Micro, EntaTech and Micro-P. RRP for this product is £453.99 in the UK.

Check out our review of the StarTech Hard Drive Duplicator and Docking Station