While the XBMC desktop port continues, a new player (Boxee) is stepping in to create a (free) unified front-end that layers social networking features on top of traditional media extender functionality. For those unfamiliar with XBMC, I’ll go ahead and quote myself:

when you’ve completed the upgrade, the classic Xbox is more capable, useful, and affordable than most most media extenders out there - including the 360. All sorts of multimedia can be streamed across your home network, played back from the local hard drive, or via the optical drive. Hooks into YouTube and Apple’s movie trailers are included, plus all sorts of other widgets are available.

Of course, that description was specific to the original XBMC running on classic Xbox hardware (XBMC = Xbox Media Center) - but the experience is being translated into a (multiplatform) computer app. While XBMC development has been doing OK on it’s own, it’s still remains largely the province of geeks. To go mainstream, we’ve got to get past compiling code and installing Python scripts. By bringing leadership equivalent to the Mozilla Corporation to bear on this problem, Boxee should be able to speed and enhance development.

Boxee’s currently self funded and the team is comprised of about ten people, including a former Sling Media colleague. I was provided an advance look at a pre-alpha build and found the visual interface both pleasing and speedy, with some innovative new methods of media interaction (think: friends) for this category.

As far as challenges, Boxee’s will be no different - the space is getting crowded and the market for computer-based media centers is finite. According to NewTeeVee, they may ultimately look for hardware partners. My short term suggestion: Let me replace the AppleTV experience. Apple’s hardware is pretty solid and priced right at $229 but, while not quite a wall-garden, software functionality is limited. I assume the XBMC MPEG-2 codec is unlicensed and, as a commercial venture, Boxee will be on the hook for royalties (if they provide playback).

Hit Boxee.tv to request an invite for alpha testing (Mac & Linux), which begins Monday.

As we approach the release of D-Link’s DSM-300 DivX Connected media extender, I (and several of my blogosphere buddies) have been offered an advance look at the set-top box. Like a Windows Media Center or Sage TV extender, the DSM-300 primarily relies on Windows-based software to serve up your digital media (and I’m told a Mac equivalent is in the works). Thus far, I’ve only unboxed and configured the unit - joining my wireless network was painless (device maxes out with 802.11g) and the enclosure is attractive. I’m also pleased to see they didn’t skimp on accessories… The unit ships with an HDMI cable. While I don’t need one, many will - and it’s a consumer friendly touch. Assuming things remain on track, we can expect general availability within about a month priced similarly to the UK (99 British pounds = ~$200?). I’ll have more to say at some point, though Brent will probably beat me to a formal review.

After more than a week with my Hauppauge HD-PVR, I can say that my excitement hasn’t waned. This thing brings all the channels: HD, digital, SD – everything to the HTPC user without worrying about CableCARD, broadcast flags, or other DRM issues. I’m still working out the final details for a complete review of the device, but had a few points to mention.

First, the Good:

• HD-PVR video quality is excellent. I was a little worried about how much picture quality loss I’d get since the device is essentially taking a once digital signal that is converted to analog and encoded in H.264. I can say that after testing that 1080i, and all the other formats I receive from my Time Warner cable box, and comparing it to OTA HD shows and unencrypted QAM shows from my HDHR, the picture is very, very good. I’m unable to tell the difference between an HDHR recorded show versus a HD-PVR show.
• I’ve had error-free recording and live tv viewing from the HD-PVR since day one. Not a single lockup, hiccup or problem even with heavy use and testing.
• The device is supported by SageTV (with latest beta) and GB-PVR. Beyond TV is not yet supported, but you can get it working with some effort.
• Another tidbit that might surprise some is the fact that you can have multiple HD-PVRs on one HTPC! This has been proven several times by SageTV users. The thing to remember here is that it is up to the software maker (SageTV in this case) to support multiple HD-PVR devices so this might not be the case for other HTPC software.

To experience The Bad and The Ugly, continue reading at Brent Evans Geek Tonic.

A periodic roundup of relevant news… from our other blogs:

• Hauppauge HD-PVR Unboxing & First Look: Brent Evans Geek Tonic
• Canadian Movie Download Services Compared: The Daleisphere
• H.264 Decoders That Work: Brent Evans Geek Tonic
• Latest Sign of the Bandwidth Apocalypse: Connected Home 2 Go
• 3G iPhone Coming to Canada: The Daleisphere
• Starz Align(s) for MPEG-4 and SDV: Connected Home 2 Go

A periodic roundup of relevant news… from our other blogs:

• Set-Top Box Death Rumors: Connected Home 2 Go
• Hauppauge HD-PVR FAQ: Brent Evans Geek Tonic
• DOCSIS 3.0, Lessons Learned: Connected Home 2 Go
• Helping out in New Orleans: Connected Home 2 Go

Snapstream, makers of the excellent Beyond TV PC-based software PVR application have been busier than ever with their latest public beta. Join the fun with this release of Beyond TV, version 4.8.2, if you’re on the cutting edge and if the new features and improvements interest you:

• Much faster library and scheduler
• Ajax-style, scrollable Couchville-style program guide in the web interface (see screenshot above for an example). Note that Couchville was a very popular stand-alone television guide website that was discontinued but is now included with all licensed copies of BeyondTV (beta only for now).
• Many additional web interface improvements including cosmetic improvements/style changes of recorded shows and task queue pages
• Updated DivX and H.264 encoders
• Automatic HD ShowSqueeze exposed by default
• RSS Feeds and Downloads Have optional http basic security
• DivX and H.264 encoders have been updated
• Separated SD and HD ShowSqueeze profiling and exposed Automatic HD ShowSqueeze
• Library Folders now have permissions attached (you can block/allow groups from using specific folders). Good for parental control, or for separating one users shows from the other.
• Improved guide searching performance and functionality including new flags such as Is:Movie, Is:New, Is:Pilot
• Faster recorded shows screen in the ViewScape
• A new “archive all cc data” option
• Continued tweaking/improving of the H.264 profiles - especially for the support of the HD-PVR (currently in testing/improving mode since the HD-PVR is still in infancy)

Snapstream’s asking for anyone interested to join in the testing fun with the Beyond TV 4.8.2 beta. You can sign-up and immediately download & test the most recent public beta version of BTV.

Additionally, the current private beta of Beyond TV is concurrently running and supports recording unencrypted clear QAM on Hauppauge devices such as the HVR-1600, HVR-1800, HVR-950Q, HVR-1250, and HVR-1950. Unlike the public beta, the private beta requires that you apply for the private beta program. Snapstream is looking for private beta testers with the above QAM devices - if interested, e-mail matt@snapstream.com with the subject line “I want to test Beyond TV with QAM”.

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.

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.