Microsoft just pushed out a cumulative update of Windows 7 Media Center updates. Although, I recommend you have automatic updates turned off and manually update your software. Or, at very least, schedule an off-peak check-in time. I say this for two reasons… 1) You don’t want an update to muck up things while you’re watching or recording your favorite shows.  2) You might just want to wait a couple of days to ensure the update doesn’t have any unintended consequences – a few days is usually enough time to hear from other, more brave folks to tell us if bad things happen from the update or not. This Media Center updates include some useful items – especially for CableCARD users. Here are the main points from the update: Read the rest of this entry »

A few days ago I hooked up with the fine folks at AVerMedia to learn a little more about their upcoming USB HD DVR ($199).  This device, like the Hauppauge HD-PVR (~$200), captures HD video (up to 1080i) via component input — therefore allowing you to utilize the “analog hole” for cable and satellite television recording. My interview with AVerMedia was with Stephen Dix, VP of Sales & Marketing and Dominic Wong from engineering.  I’m really glad I had the chance to talk one-on-one with these guys as it gave me good insight into where AVerMedia is and where they plan to be going forward. And the basic takeaway from my conversation is that AVerMedia is very serious about HTPC, working towards increasing their presence in the U.S. market.

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Netflix and Nintendo have come up with a solution that will allow you to stream Netflix movies and shows to the Wii game console this spring. The initial solution works much like PS3 streaming, requiring you obtain a disk from Netflix (you have to be a Netflix member to do this). Many already have Netflix streaming capabilities on other devices like the PS3, Xbox 360, or one of the multitudes of Blu-ray streaming devices. But there are a ton of folks out there with nothing more than a Wii machine connected to their TV. So this ultimately expands Netflix’s reach to more households, albeit via standard definition content only, and gives Nintendo a competitive feature to add to their sales pitch.

Check out more of Brent’s reflections on tech, gadgets, software and media at Brent Evans Geek Tonic.

We’ve been hearing of something exciting coming from SiliconDust, the company that brought us the popular HDHomeRun network dual tuner product (a favorite of mine), and it looks like this is the week we’ll be getting the details on it. Over on the SiliconDust forums, the company revealed (screenshot above) they’ll be announcing a new CableCARD HDHomeRun product! The official announcement with all of the details (timing, pricing, number of tuners) will come at CES later this week. The recent elimination of the CableLabs certification requirement for the PC makes CableCard more accessible to all Windows 7 Media Center users. Add to that the ongoing development of a plugin to bring CableCard to SageTV users and it’s exciting to even more HTPC enthusiasts.

Check out more of Brent’s reflections on tech, gadgets, software and media at Brent Evans Geek Tonic.

While the launch of Barnes & Noble’s Nook hasn’t been smooth, the arrival of the devices in stores and in some homes has been met with excitement. We have a lot of Kindle exposure, so the comparisons have been drawn immediately. My first Nook impressions are actually quite positive. I love having the next-page and prev-page on both sides of the device, but navigation is not always intuitive. I see great potential in the touch-screen, but the more I use it the more I feel like it hasn’t been implemented very well yet. Read the rest of this entry »

If you own a Western Digital WD TV Live Media Player, do NOT perform a firmware update to 1.01.12. Which apparently bricks units and there isn’t yet a fix. In fact, Western Digital tells those who have experienced this to RMA their box! Here’s the official Western Digital notice:

A small percentage of our users are experiencing a problem with WD TV Live Player when they update to the newest firmware release (version 1.01.12). We’re investigating the issue and until we identify the root cause, we’ve removed these updates. If you’ve successfully updated to version 1.01.12 there’s nothing further you need to do. If you are experiencing any problems with your WD TV Live player, contact our customer service.

WD’s “small percentage of our users” seems like a pretty large group according to these forum posts.  Regardless, WD has pulled the firmware for the moment and I’d be very careful of any updates until they give the all-clear. (via Engadget)

Check out more of Brent’s reflections on tech, gadgets, software and media at Brent Evans Geek Tonic.

The new Barnes & Noble Nook e-Reader was announced with fanfare and seems like the first valid competition to the Amazon Kindle.  As could be expected, they received lots of press and were inundated with pre-orders.  Unfortunately, we now learn that the Nook won’t be available in stores this week as expected or shipped to those of us who pre-ordered. Those of us who did pre-order, with an expected ship date of 11/30, are being given a $10 gift certificate and a free upgrade to overnight shipping… Although, I had already paid for it. Read the rest of this entry »