What is Windows Home Server?

DVBLogic Release DVBLink TVSource and Home Server v4 Beta 2

Andrew Edney

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Jul 29, 2011

DVBLogic Release DVBLink TVSource and Home Server v4 Beta 2

Today saw DVBLogic release beta 2 of their DVBLink TVSource and Home Server v4 products.

Here is what DVBLogic said:

Beta 2 of DVBLink v4 products is available!

It now includes also DVBLink for IPTV and DVBLink for Dreambox!

What is new/fixed since beta1:

General
– 8 DVBLink tuners are now available in MediaCenter
– Removed FirstRun page from DVBLink tuner TV Setup in MediaCenter
– Fixed subnumbers not appearing in MediaCenter
– Fixed channels not removed from MediaCenter upon source removal
– Added cross links between sources/channel configurator pages and main landing page
– Added shifting channel numbering (e.g. when existing channel number is entered all existing channel numbers are shifted up)
– Added shortcut to DVBLink configuration to Windows Start menu

DVBLink TVSource
– ATSC support
– EPG scan configuration page
– Fixed incorrect default DVB codepage handling

DVBLink Home Server
– Fixed having to restart dvblink server after server standby

How to install
There is no update possible for those who have installed beta1. You must uninstall everything and install new version from the scratch. Please do backup of your configuration before uninstalling so that you can restore it later. Also think bout contents of your plugins and xmltv folders.
There is no need to delete Mediacenter database. Just re-do TV Setup after DVBLink installation.

Notes:
– Internet Explorer may display DVBLink configuration pages incorrectly. We are working on it. In the meanwhile please use other browser (chrome, opera, firefox) to do the configuration.
– all 8 DVBLink Tuners must be configured during TV Setup phase in MediaCenter (even if you have only one physical tuner/source)
– DVBLink for Dreambox has been tested only with PLi images (http://www.pli-images.org/). More specifically with OpenPLi v1.0 for enigma 1 and enigma 2 dreamboxes and older Pli Jade for DM500S.
– Playlists location for DVBLink for IPTV is now fixed to dvblink\playlists
– Versions of all binaries should be 4.0.0.1

For the additional information please refer to the release notes of beta 1:
viewtopic.php?f=52&t=13660&start=195#p43452

Beta 2 of DVBLink v4 products can be downloaded here:
DVBLink TVSource: http://www.dvblogic.com/download/Trunk/ … rce_b2.zip
DVBLink Home Server: http://www.dvblogic.com/download/Trunk/ … ver_b2.zip
DVBLink for IPTV: http://www.dvblogic.com/download/Trunk/ … ptv_b2.zip
DVBLink for Dreambox: http://www.dvblogic.com/download/Trunk/ … box_b2.zip

Tranquil PC RipNet for Windows Home Server 2011 Coming Soon

Windows Home Server

Andrew Edney

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Jul 29, 2011

0

Tranquil PC RipNet for Windows Home Server 2011 Coming Soon

Last year we reviewed the RipNet add-in for Windows Home Server V1 from Tranquil. Today Tranquil have announced RipNet for WHS 2011 is coming very soon.

Here is what Tranquil have said:

RipNet Add In for WHS2011 and Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials, is a simple to use Add In, that enables you to easily and quickly access an iSCSI target on another machine from the WHS2011 dashboard. Just enter the target machine IP address or target machine name and connect (target should not use security). Utilising the built in iSCSI initiator within the server operating system, you can enjoy robust fast connections to other media over LAN or WAN.

To get your FREE copy of RipNet for WHS2011 or Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 – click Request RipNet 2011

Amazon Announces Digital Video Licence Agreement with NBCUniversal Domestic TV Distribution

Digital Home

Andrew Edney

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Jul 29, 2011

0

Amazon Announces Digital Video Licence Agreement with NBCUniversal Domestic TV Distribution

Yesterday Amazon announced a digital video licence agreement with NBCUniversal Domestic TV distribution to allow Amazon Prime members to stream select Universal Pictures movies through Prime Instant Video.

This is great for US Amazon Prime members, unfortunately those of us in the UK won’t benefit at all.

Do you use this service in the US? Tell us what you think.

Here is the full announcement:

Deal Will Allow Amazon Prime Members to Stream Select Universal Pictures Films

SEATTLE, Jul 28, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) —

Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) today announced a licensing agreement with NBCUniversal Domestic TV Distribution that will allow Amazon Prime members to stream select Universal Pictures movies through Prime Instant Video. This deal with Amazon will bring the total number of Prime instant videos to more than 9,000 movies and TV shows this summer.

Amazon Prime customers will be able to instantly watch popular Universal movies at no additional cost to their membership. Universal titles available to Prime customers will include Oscar winners such as “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” “Elizabeth,” and “Gosford Park.” For the kids, there’s “Babe,” “Flipper,” and “Jetsons – The Movie,” as well as other favorites like “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” “Notting Hill,” “Being John Malkovich”, “Fletch,” and “Billy Elliott.”

“We are very excited to offer Prime members popular Universal films at no additional cost,” said Cameron Janes, director of Amazon Instant Video. “Our customers love movies and now we offer them more than 2,000 movies to choose from with Prime Instant Video.”

Amazon Instant Video is a streaming video service that offers customers more than 90,000 movies and TV shows available to purchase or rent, and with this Universal content included, will offer more than 9,000 movies and TV shows included at no additional cost with an Amazon Prime membership. Customers can instantly watch movies and TV shows from Amazon on a Mac, PC or directly on TV with any of the 300 compatible devices.

RIM Launch BBM 6

Phones

Andrew Edney

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Jul 29, 2011

0

Yesterday RIM launched BBM (BlackBerry Messenger) 6, and it’s all about the social experience.

RIM Delivers Revolutionary Social App Experience with BBM 6

Apps become social experiences once users can interact with their BBM friends

London – BBM™ (BlackBerry® Messenger), one of the largest mobile social networks in the world is now enabling a new and revolutionary social experience. Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced the availability of BBM version 6 (BBM 6), which provides support for “BBM connected” apps, allowing users to easily interact with each other from within the BBM connected app.

BBM connected apps integrate the popular functionality of the BBM service and offer users the ability to interact with their friends from within the app itself. For example, with a BBM connected game app, users can invite their BBM friends to join them in a game and then chat with one another in real time while the game is being played – without ever leaving the game app.

BBM 6 launches today and a selection of BBM connected apps are already available on BlackBerry App World™.

“BBM 6 marks the beginning of an even greater social experience for BlackBerry smartphone users,” said Alistair Mitchell, VP, BBM Platform & Integrated Services at Research In Motion. “It also represents an incredible opportunity for developers to leverage the viral nature of the BBM service and we have already begun working with various developer partners who will be bringing their BBM connected apps to BlackBerry App World this week, offering users highly engaging app experiences.”

Some of the additional functionality users can expect to see with BBM connected applications include the ability to:

Share app experiences with friends – When a user discovers a great new BBM connected app, they can instantly let their friends know about it. Users can simply select a BBM contact directly within the BBM connected app they are using.

Have a BBM chat within apps – Users can simply pull up their BBM contact list directly from within the BBM connected app and start chatting. For example, the functionality can enable everything from enhanced social game play to collaboration through productivity apps.

Discover apps through friends – Users can also discover new apps by viewing the list of apps that are posted to a BBM friend’s profile. They can also click on an app within the list, and instantly download it from BlackBerry App World.

The BBM 6 software is available now at http://www.blackberry.com/blackberrymessenger. A selection of BBM connected apps will also be posted on BlackBerry App World this week, with many more expected over the coming months.

The Home Server Show Episode 145 Out Now

Windows Home Server

Andrew Edney

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Jul 28, 2011

0

Dave at the guys at the Home Server Show have released episode 145.

Here’s what Dave has to say about this weeks show:

This show started out as a news cast and ended up with a discussion on Windows Home Server 2011, Windows Home Server with Drive Extender, NAS boxes, and Drive Extender replacements. Have the add-in authors missed the boat? What is riskier RAID or drive extender type add-ins? What is keeping you on Windows Home Server in the first place? Great discussion, weather outages, and more. Enjoy episode 145.

As usual you can listen to the show from here.

Review of the Kymera Magic Wand

Andrew Edney

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Jul 28, 2011

3

Now that the last Harry Potter movie has been released, are you feeling the need to re-enact scenes at home? Then you will need a wand, and how cool would it be if that wand could change channels on your TV? Well, the Kymera Magic Wand does just that!

The Kymera Magic Wand is a universal remote control with a difference – its a wand, and a remote control.

There are 13 different gestures you can make with the wand, each one being able to be a specific remote control command.

Views of Dragons Den may remember this being on the show!

Who are The Wand Company?

From their website:

The Wand Company Ltd was founded in 2009 by Chris Barnardo and Richard Blakesley, inspired by the huge success of the Make Your Own Wizard’s Wand project on Chris’s parenting activities website, dadcando.com. You can read the full story of the wand here.

Our products are designed and developed by us here in the UK. Our goals are to:

Create beautiful products that bring magic into people’s lives.

Manufacture those products to the highest quality standards.

Give fantastic service to our customers.

What’s in the Box?

Once you open the first box, you find a beautiful second box holding the wand. It really does look like something out of Harry Potter. I had a good look at the box, but I couldn’t see an Ollivanders logo anywhere on it, so I think we are ok!

The wand sits inside this box, waiting for it new master to pick it up. Oh, and there are some cool instructions as well.

A Closer Look

The wand already contains the two batteries that are needed to power it (don’t remember seeing that in Harry Potter), and all you need to do is unscrew the end of the wand and remove the battery protector. When you do that the wand starts to vibrate – don’t worry, that is just the Practice mode.

Skype 5.5 for PC Now Available

Digital Home

Andrew Edney

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Jul 28, 2011

0

Skype have now released version 5.5 for PC which includes some new features.

Chat to Facebook friends

Send Instant Messages direct from Skype to Facebook, and chat away with more friends than ever.

New and updated emoticons

Use our new emoticons to put some animated fun into your instant message chats.

Download Skype 5.5 for PC now

Windows Phone 7 Mango SDK Released

Jim McCarthy

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Jul 28, 2011

1

Andrew told us that Microsoft had RTM’d Windows Phone 7 Mango. Now, Microsoft announced availability of an updated RC SDK for developers to use. Read on for details!

First off, I agree with Andrew’s comments that Windows Phone 7 is very nice. If Verizon here in the US issues a world version, I will consider dropping my Android-Never-Keeps-Battery-Charged-Longer-Than-6-Hours phone and adopting a WP7 one. My sister has a Samsung Focus and loves it.

Microsoft announced on their blog availability of a RC SDK to support new Mango features. Note that there is still code to be developed by the carriers and handset makers, so a final SDK will be completed closer to shipping date of the phones to the market. Here is part of what Microsoft had to say:

So why did we refresh the Beta?

Today’s refresh provides you with everything you need to update your app for Mango – the tools and the OS image – now. From this point forward, the tools will continue to be refined and finished (e.g. removing many of the ‘known issues’, improvements to the emulator and profiler, and a few cosmetic changes within VS). In fact, once you install the tools, you’ll notice that it shows up in the ‘Add/Remove Programs’ list with the ‘RC’ moniker. What you have here is a build in the early part of our Release Candidate cycle – the end result of which should be in your hands in the coming month.

For a full list of changes to between Beta 2 and the Refresh, I recommend checking out the release notes on Connect; but here are my top 5 improvements that I think that our devs will find extremely helpful:

Application platform APIs are now locked; you can feel confident to start getting ready for submitting your apps next month.

Emulator now has a nifty screenshot capability built in, allowing you quickly snap quality images of your app without the need of separate tools or cropping time. The images are great for use in app submission process or to share on your blog or with folks such as my team (hint hint).

The profiler has been greatly improved and provides memory profiling.

As of this drop, you can install NuGet into the free version of the WPSDK tools. I find NuGet to be one of my favorite productivity boosters and I’m happy to see the extension supported in the free tools.

The drop includes an initial peek at the Marketplace Test Kit; with the RC release, you’ll be able to use the included version of this toolkit to test your XAP file against the same certification testing tools that we use when ingesting apps for the Marketplace. For this refresh, it’s there but not fully functional; but more on this in a future blog post.

For the folks wondering why we’re not providing the ‘RTM’ version, there are two main reasons. First, the phone OS and the tools are two equal parts of the developer toolkit that correspond to one another. When we took this snapshot for the refresh, we took the latest RC drops of the tools and the corresponding OS version. Second, what we are providing is a genuine release candidate build, with enough code checked in and APIs locked down that this OS is close enough to RTM that, as a developer, it’s more than capable to see you through the upcoming RC drop of the tools and app submission. It’s important to remember that until the phone and mobile operator portion of Mango is complete, you’re still using a pre-release on your retail phone – no matter the MS build. Until that time, enjoy developing and cruising around on build 7712 – it’s a sweet ride, to be sure. 🙂

So if you’re developing for Windows Phone 7, go ahead and update the SDK. And if you can think of reasons why Andrew should dump his iPhone 4, drop a comment here and let us know!

Andrew’s Announcement of Windows Phone Mango RTM Microsoft Announces Windows Phone Mango RC SDK

Office for Mac 2011 on Lion – An Update from Microsoft

Andrew Edney

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Jul 28, 2011

0

If you are now running Lion, and you have Office for Mac 2011, we told you last week about are a few issues you may need to be aware of. Microsoft have now posted some more information.

Here is what Microsoft have said:

Since we published the Office for Mac and Lion blog last week, we’ve received several great comments and questions, which I want to address.

First, today we released an update to Communicator for Mac that fixes the “crash issue” on Lion. It will come through Microsoft AutoUpdate in the next day or so. Thanks for your patience on this.

Second, Office for Mac 2004 will not (ever) work on Lion, as we stated in our original blog. The reason for this is because Office 2004 was a PowerPC-based product and Lion no longer includes Rosetta. Now would be a great time to upgrade to Office for Mac 2011 if you’re upgrading to Lion!

Finally, the most common question – yes, we are working hard with Apple to enable versioning, auto save, and full-screen for Office for Mac 2011. I know your next question will be “when?”, and unfortunately I can’t answer that – but it’s likely measured in months not days – just to set expectations.

Hope that helps!

Pat Fox — Office for Mac

I have to say that personally I am not very impressed that it will be measured “in months” – this is not really acceptable, and Lion has been available for quite a while to developers, so Microsoft really doesn’t have an excuse!

BBC Launch iPlayer App in 11 Western European Countries

Andrew Edney

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Jul 28, 2011

1

BBC Launch iPlayer App in 11 Western European Countries

Today saw the BBC launch it’s iPlayer app in 11 Western European countries.

This is what the BBC said:

We’re proud to be launching today the global BBC iPlayer app, a brand new commercial, video on-demand (VoD) service that will offer our international audiences access to the best contemporary and classic shows from the BBC. The pilot will initially be available as an iPad app from the iTunes store for €6.99 a month (€49.99 for an annual subscription) and will be available in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, The Republic of Ireland, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland. Users will be able to select shows by touching the on-screen programme image and either stream and watch them immediately or download to watch offline later.

The Digital Lifestyle Show #313 – Interesting again

Digital Home

Andrew Edney

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Jul 28, 2011

0

The Digital Lifestyle Show #313 – Interesting again

This weeks Digital Lifestyle Show has just been released – its show 313.

Here’s what Ian says about this week show:

Garry is back this week to join Andrew and I talk Star Wars Xbox, Netflix, broadband, new tuners from Blackgold, Home Server news, Media Center addins and the release of OSX Lion and some of the issues it brings.

We also speculate about the fate of Windows Media Center in Windows 8

Download this weeks show from here

Windows Small Business Server 2011 Administrator’s Pocket Consultant Out Now

Andrew Edney

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Jul 28, 2011

0

Windows Small Business Server 2011 Administrator’s Pocket Consultant Out Now

Craig Zacker’s new Windows Small Business Server 2011 Administrator’s Pocket Consultant book has just been released from MS Press.

This is a really good book if you are doing anything with Small Business Server 2011. And I am not just saying that because I was the Technical Editor on it!

You can read Chapter 1 online

Silicon Dust Start Shipping HDHomeRun PRIME 6 Tuner Edition

Digital Home

Andrew Edney

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Jul 27, 2011

0

Silicon Dust Start Shipping HDHomeRun PRIME 6 Tuner Edition

Silicon Dust have tweeted that their 6 tuner HDHomeRun PRIME is shipping from the 27th (today).

This is what they tweeted:

Tim talked about the HDHomeRun PRIME 6 Tuner box back in May.

So are you getting one? What do you think of this new box?

Learn more from the Silicon Dust website

Sony Announce Three New Wireless MP3 Walkmans

Digital Home

Andrew Edney

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Jul 27, 2011

0

Sony Announce Three New Wireless MP3 Walkmans

Today Sony have announced three new wireless MP3 walkmans that can stream your music using Bluetooth.

Here is the information on the three new Walkmans:

Stylish, colourful video MP3 players from Sony include new A-Series and S-Series with Bluetooth® streaming

Walkman® NWZ-A860 series: premium design and sound quality with S-Master MX Digital Amplifier, 2.8”LCD responsive touch panel, Bluetooth® wireless experience
Walkman® NWZ-S760 series: slim and stylish with high quality sound, Bluetooth® wireless experience, long 50hr battery life
Walkman® NWZ-E460 series: colourful design with superior sound and rich bass, long 50hr battery life plus fun Karaoke and lyrics display

Treat yourself to a richer, more satisfying soundtrack with this season’s Walkman® line-up. From the superior audio quality of Walkman® A860 series to the colourful looks and fun features of Walkman® E460 series, you’ll find the perfect MP3 or video MP3 player from Sony.

The new Walkman® A860, S760 and E460 series share a sleek, curvaceous new design and feature generous battery life for longer listening. All three new models come supplied with MediaGo software for easy drag-and-drop transfer of music, videos and photos from Windows® Explorer or iTunes.

Unique to Sony, Clear Audio Technologies assure superior sound quality. It’s easy to create themed music channels with SensMe™ that automatically categorizes your music tracks into different channels. Other fun features shared by the new models include Karaoke Mode, synchronised lyrics display and a language learning function.

A860 and S760models introduce streaming via Bluetooth® to wireless headphones, compatible speaker docks, car audio head units and other devices. Bluetooth® connectivity on Walkman® A860 and S760 also lets you wirelessly share stored personal photos⁵with compatible mobile phones.

Ultimate audiophile sound: Walkman® NWZ-A860 series video MP3 player

This season’s best-ever Walkman® range is headed by the stunningly styled new NWZ-A860 series video MP3 player.

Taking premium sound to new heights, the beautiful Walkman® A860 is loaded with five Clear Audio Technologies. New-generation S-Master MX digital amplifier technology by Sony reduces noise levels and distortion still further, ensuring that your favourite tunes sound better than ever.

The generously-sized 2.8” LCD touch-screen gives a superb view of your photos, videos and album artwork. Together with an intuitive new interface, the big, bright screen makes fingertip browsing through your personal content collection even more satisfying.

Wireless experience and high quality sound: Walkman® NWZ-S760 series video MP3 player

Step up to the freedom and convenience of wire-free listening and Bluetooth® connectivity with the slim, stylish Walkman® NWZ-S760 series.

Legendary sound is assured by four Clear Audio Technologies (Clear Bass, Clear Stereo, DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine), EX headphones). You’ll enjoy listening for longer with a generous battery life of 50hrs (audio)⁶ / 10hrs (video)⁷.

A perfect partner for other compatible Walkman® models, the MDR-NWBT10 Bluetooth® headphones comes as an optional accessory and offers superb wire-free sound. Charge the headphone’s battery via your PC or directly from Walkman®, then enjoy up to 4 hours of listening. Fingertip controls allow fumble-free adjustment of volume and play/pause/previous/next track selection, even when Walkman® itself is buried deep in a pocket or bag.

Also available, the NWZ-S763BT Bluetooth® headphone bundle model comes supplied with MDR-NWBT10 headphones. These allow easy wireless listening without the need for users to set up Bluetooth® device ‘pairing’ between MP3 player and headphones.

Colourful styling, great sound and fun features: Walkman® NWZ-E460 series video MP3 player

Your colourful entry into the world of Walkman® with video, the new NWZ-E460 series sounds as good as it looks.

New EX headphones plus Clear Audio Technologies by Sony (Clear Bass, Clear Stereo and DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) to enhance the quality of compressed audio files) ensure high quality Walkman® sound. Battery life is a generous 50hr (audio)⁶/10hr (video)⁷, giving plenty of stamina for that lengthy flight, daily commute or weekends away.

The new Walkman® range of MP3 and video MP3 players is available from end August 2011.

They certainly are different to the walkman I had as a kid!