If you’re a heavy user of Netflix’s streaming movie service “Watch Now,” you may have run into the Netflix-imposed restriction of registering a maximum of three computers. Attempting to install and use Netflix Watch-Now on a fourth computer will most likely result in an error having you to contact customer service for another “key.” This hack has been around on the forums for a while now, but Tech-Recipes today posted the simple how-to on getting around the limitation without needing to contact Netflix Customer Support.

If your wondering how one would ever need to use Netflix Watch Now on more than three computers then consider this scenario: I have three HTPCs at home, one laptop from work that goes with me everywhere, my daughter’s laptop and my wife’s laptop. Any of those computers are likely to access Netflix Watch-Now at any time to pick up a show or movie.

The workaround for this is pretty simple involving a registry hack and a few additional steps. Check it out at Tech-Recipes.com. I’ve tried it on a fourth PC and it worked perfectly.

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

Mary Jo at ZDNet is reporting that Microsoft has begun testing Fiji, the next iteration of Vista Media Center.

You may remember rumblings last year about this time that the Windows Media Center Fiji Update would be delayed until 2008. Well it sure was - matter of fact it could be the end of 2008 or even beginning of 2009 before it actually sees the light of day.

According to rumors, the update will include support for the yet-to-be released DirecTV satellite tuner and other unknown “polish” updates to Media Center. Fiji’s release date is unknown as well, but word is that it could be released by the end of 2008.

(via Chris Lanier)

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

In what can only be described as an amazing irony, AP is reporting that Napster will begin offering its complete catalog of over 6 million music tracks in DRM-free (aka unprotected) MP3 format.

All four major music labels, along with countless indie labels, are represented in the store. Add to this that every track will be available at 99 cents! This in my opinion is the equivalent of the music industries final acceptance that their old business structure is dead. It’s about time…

At first glance, Napster’s store isn’t very well done. And add to that the fact that their $13/month subscription model for all-you-can-rent music is their main business. Still, it’s the fact that the music industry has gone full circle on DRM music that is somewhat amazing to me.

While we’re on the topic of digital music, I wonder why people are still buying DRM’d tracks when there are DRM free tracks available? I’m purchasing all of my tracks from Amazon right now because they are DRM-Free. iTunes won’t get any more of my business until they’re more competitive in DRM-Free digital music offerings.

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

Ben Drawbaugh at EngadgetHD has some potentially good news for those with CableCARD tuners on Vista Media Center HTPCs. Ben inquired with AMD and CableLabs to see if there was any hope for a “tuning resolver” for VMC. The response was not a emphatic yes, but it was in the words of Drawbaugh a “definite maybe.”

Without some way of handling switched digital video, CableCARD users in regions enabling SDV won’t be able to tune the entire digital channel lineup using their CableCaARD HTPCs. Read more on Switched Digital Video at wikipedia.

If you’re interested in this stuff (and if you’re using CableCARD technology, you should be) check out Mari Silbey’s post on Switched Digital Video and CableCARDs at Mediaexperiences2go.com and the NCTA State of the Union Call at ZatzNotFunny!

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

Are you one of the many anxiously awaiting Hauppauge’s new HD-PVR? Hauppauge’s website still indicates the HD-PVR will begin shipping on May 1st, 2008. But, there is new information that says that isn’t the case.

Unfortunately, I have confirmed with Hauppauge that the first shipments didn’t begin on May 1st. Instead, the earliest, expected shipment dates are mid-May. I’m a little disappointed, but not all that surprised. I’ve heard from representatives of SageTV and Snapstream (Beyond TV) and both of them seem to be as ready for the device, but word is Hauppauge’s still working on the drivers to get them just right. If this means the drivers will work better with the software, then it is certainly the best decision to get things right before putting it in the hands of the users.

If you’ve already pre-ordered, according to Hauppauge, here’s how to determine your expected shipment date:

• For those with an online order # of 32700-33600 you’re first in line - your HD-PVR should ship by Mid-May 2008
• For those with an online order # of 33601-34600 you’re second in line - your HD-PVR should ship by the end of May 2008
• If you’re order number is after 34600, it will likely be after May 2008.

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

In Feburary, Blockbuster offered to acquire Circuit City but in essence has been ignored as CC failed to provide the due diligence necessary to make a definitive proposal. To force the issue, Blockbuster has made the $1B proposal public. Blockbuster seems to have been diversifying beyond “just a movie rental company” to transform themselves into a retail company for media content and electronic devices - both of which have been converging…

I’m not sure how their respective shareholders feel about this sort of business combination, but to me it seems like two companies dying a slow death joining forces to die together faster. Blockbuster is losing out to Netflix and soon to online movie streaming while Circuit City is losing out to Best Buy, Wal-mart and the online retailers. Together how will this be any better? I’ll tell you two companies that are jumping for joy about this news - Netflix and Best Buy!

Does Blockbuster City sound like a logical “store” to you?

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

Flickr’s long rumored video feature has arrived. I’ve gathered the details that Webware, Techcrunch and Wired have outlined:

• 90 second clips maximum - nothing longer initially at least.
• 150MB size maximum
• Uploads for Pro users only for the time being at least ($25/year for pro membership)
• Anyone can view the videos although you can still control the privacy of the videos like you do with photos.
• Videos show up alongside photos
• Videos can be shared, embedded individually or as part of sets.
• Video includes tagging, geotagging
• Search videos by tags, and descriptions
• Uploads directly from camera phones.
• Upload from web, uploadr, e-mail or API
• Option to view videos full screen.
• API for third party developers - yeah!
• Licensing options including creative commons.
• Support for English, French, German, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Chinese.
• 700 kbps
• 12 FPS, keyframe every 12 (fixed)
• Scaled within a 500×500 box with aspect maintained
• Audio is 44.1 kHz, steroe, 44kbps
• 2pass VBR, 700 kbps
• Photostreams are now coined MediaStreams to better describe the collection of photos and video.

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