HTPCentric

If you follow Tim or me on Twitter, you know we, along with a few others, have been pushing this out for a few days now.  Today comes the episode I’ve been waiting to record, and I hope you’ve been waiting to hear for awhile now.

This week’s show brings together 5 HTPC users to debate the finer points of Media Center and SageTV.  Joining Tim and I are Brent Evans of Geektonic, Josh Pollard, Entertainment 2.0 co-host and Cheap Geek blogger and Josh Shenkle of mnmaven.com.  With Josh Pollard moderating, we go through some of the features of each system.

Not much for show notes this week but I wanted to post two of the links we discussed during the show.  These are related to plugins related to each software:

• Media Center plugin list
• SageTV plugin list

Thank you to Brent, Josh and ummm Josh for joining us this week.  It was a lot of fun and I hope this is something we can do again in the future!

Click here to download Episode 4.

Or listen live here:

Have you ever used another HTPC solution?  If so, which one and what did you think?  Comment and let us know!

Let me start this off by apologizing to any readers and listeners out there.  I know there hasn’t been anything to read on HTPCentric for awhile now.  That should be changing soon.

Both Tim and I have been extremely busy as of late.  As much as I’d like this to be my full time job, it simply isn’t going to pay the bills.  As such, we’ve had to take a bit of a break while we handle some work/family business. 

We are working on getting a new episode of the podcast out soon.  Keep your feedreaders pointed here and you’ll get it as soon as it’s available!

Thanks for reading and listening!

EngadgetHD is reporting today that the SageTV HD-200 extender can now stream Blu-Ray files from your SageTV PC.

From the post:

Fans of SageTV will love this one — out now in the latest beta release of the software is HD Theater streamer playback of ripped Blu-ray discs. There’s no support for the interactive features, but based on what we’ve seen from BD-Live so far, you won’t be missing much; what you are able to do is point the HD Theater at the ripped BDMV folder on your SageTV PC and enjoy multiple audio tracks and chapter support, with subtitles promised somewhere down the road.

This should make at least two people I know very happy!  That is if they have any ripped Blu-Ray disks.

More to come on SageTV soon!

After taking a look at the site, I realized that it’s not just HTPC related but, let’s face it, if you enjoy HTPC, you’re probably an all around geek and who isn’t looking to save money these days on everything they buy?

Brent Evans has just opened Geek Tonic Deals.  A sister site to GeekTonic where he’ll be listing all of the geek tech that he finds at great prices online.  Covering mobile, networking and of course, PC components, I’m sure this is just the beginning.  From the few dealings I’ve had with Brent I can tell he’s dedicated to making sure his readers get the best info possible so you can expect frequent updates.  Here are just a few examples of what’s been posted so far:

Zoom H2 SD Handy Recorder $227

from Buy.com - Today’s Deals laptops, displays, lcd, memory, flash, tv’s, flat screen, gps, deals, computers

Zoom H2 Portable Handy Recorder comes with a mic clip adapter, tripod stand, USB cable, an AC Adapter and a 512MB SD card; built-in USB 2.0 interface for data storage and audio interface.

 

WBR-5400 MIMO Wireless Router $47.99

from Buy.com - Today’s Deals laptops, displays, lcd, memory, flash, tv’s, flat screen, gps, deals, computers

The LevelOne WBR-5400 MIMO Wireless Broadband Router consistently and quickly boosts WLAN throughput to meet the requirement for streaming video, VoIP application, gaming and large files sharing. It is equipped with multiple antennas to receive more than one signal simultaneously. If any of these signals should be blocked, it then keeps processing signals received from other antennas to maintain network connectivity therefore seriously reducing dead spots and extending range. …

  Head over and subscribe to the RSS feed to get the latest updates on where you can find low priced geek gear!

This is great news for people like myself who have been looking for a way to get sites like Hulu, Fox, Comedy Central and others into Media Center.  So far, the closest we’ve come is with Missing Remote’s post on getting a Boxee shortcut and app changing commands into Media Center.

SecondRun.tv is about to change that.  @Richard_MCE_MVP found a short video demonstration of what I can only call a great looking early build of an application which will almost completely integrate these online services into Media Center.

I have yet to find out who’s writing this app but I’d very much like to speak with him.  This is something I’ve been waiting for for a long time.  If it works with the remote control then I’m set!  If you’re the one writing this, let me know when you’re ready for beta testers!

Click here to watch the demo video of what SecondRun.TV will hopefully soon provide!

Cross-posted from Entertainment 2.0

Tim and I had time to sit down on Sunday and record Episode 2 of HTPCentric.  This week is a lot more general conversation on HTPC and the software that makes it work.  It might not be as fun though as we don’t spend the show attacking each other’s choice of software!

We do take time to touch on the new Sage update as well as getting content outside of your home network if you travel a lot. 

If you have comments or questions you’d like discussed during the show, don’t hesitate to contact either of us.  You can reach either of us through twitter.  Adam is MolsonFL and Tim is MasonMan68.  We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about HTPC.  Both of us have built our own systems so if you’re thinking about getting constructive, we’ll do our best to help.

Click here to download this week’s show!

While Vudu isn’t what I would call a full blown HTPC, it is a set-top box and service which is going to get some great HD content into your home.  EngadgetHD is today reporting that it looks as though Vudu has decided to make the sale prices from during the holidays permanent.  At least for now.

From the article:

As of now, prospective buyers can snag a box for $149 (down from $299), while the more capacious VUDU XL is dropping from $999 to $499 (and that’ll include a gratis home theater connectivity software package). Also of note, the rack-mountable VUDU XL2 is stooping from $1,299 to $799 for those who prefer that form factor.

Again, this isn’t what I would call an HTPC but check out the Vudu website for more info.  These are the types of services that are pushing the convergence of PC/online content into the living room.  I’d love to see a service like this without the box that could be mixed into other software like SageTV or Media Center.

I can say that I think my Media Center remote would work better than the one pictured above.  At least I wouldn’t have people asking why I have some sort of futuristic phaser in my house.

I’m an enthusiast, and so are most of you who read this blog.  That being said, if I had the money, I’d probably drop on something like this.  Especially if I wanted cable card and didn’t want to have just any old PC sitting under my TV.

S1 Digital has made sure that if you have the money (starting at $5,999) you can have the Media Center core system you’ve always wanted.  One would think that for the above listed kind of money, you wouldn’t be getting a slouch system and you’re not.  The new P-500 has enough hardware to make even the most die hard enthusiast think “if I had enough cash…”.

With three terabytes of storage in a RAID 5 array, you get two to fill to your heart’s content.  You’re also getting yourself a blu-ray drive and HDMI out.  This is going to be a top of the line system and should be for that kind of money.

The P-500 also supports up to four cable card tuners, but that’ll run you extra.  Again, there’s a reason they say it “starts at $5,999”.  It is kinda nice that they show a picture of a DiNovo Mini and that it’s included with your purchase.

As an enthusiast, I couldn’t see myself spending the money for a system like this.  For me, it all comes down to the fact that I can build it for 1/4 the cost.  If you don’t know how to do that or you just don’t want to though, this might be a box worth taking a look at.

Cross-posted from Entertainment 2.0

Each year the Consumer Electronics Association awards top electronics companies with the Mark Of excellence Award.  These awards cover a bunch of categories meant to reward companies who put forth outstanding achievements in custom home electronics, services and installations.

(continue reading…)

Brent Evans recently wrote a great review of the SageTV HD-200.  Not being a Sage user myself, I’ve never had a chance to play with it, but it look great!

Now that the review is written, Brent wants to give everyone a chance to have an HD-200 to use in their home.  Seeing that this box can be used without the SageTV software as a stand alone media player, there’s almost no reason not to enter.

It’s simple.  Head over to GeekTonic and leave a comment on the contest post.  A winner will be chosen at random at the end of the week.  I’ve already put mine in so good luck to everyone!