You know, RFID hasn’t done much for itself in the consumer market. To most average Joes and Janes, the tech is really only around for use in complex supply chains and warehouses that they’d rather block from their minds. Thanks to Roteno Labs, we now have at least one glorious example of just how awesome RFID tags truly are, as the RFiDJ project demonstrates how tagged coasters can be used to instantly switch playlists stored on an HTPC. You simply set a designated coaster on top of the machine, and within seconds a new playlist is activated. We hear that videos actually do speak louder than words, so we’ll just stop here and beg you to hop on past the break for a memorable encounter with splendiferousness.

Continue reading RFiDJ: the coaster-controlled HTPC switches playlists while you switch drinks (video)

Filed under: Desktops, Home Entertainment, Media PCs

RFiDJ: the coaster-controlled HTPC switches playlists while you switch drinks (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scant hours after the SDV tuning, DRM-relaxing firmware update for Vista and Windows 7 Digital Cable Tuner users became available, Missing Remote let us know Microsoft has come through on the other half of its CEDIA promise by pushing the Digital Cable Advisor to Media Center Extras galleries everywhere. This half should enable all Windows 7 PCs to work with the CableCard tuners, sans-OEM requirement or inconvenient hacking. Sure we could ask for more from Windows 7 Media Center, but for now Netflix and these two (in less than 100 days) will have to do.

Read - MCE: Digital Cable Advisor Tool Available Now!
Read - ATI DCT Firmware update pops up on Windows Update, DRM-free MCE recordings are a go

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Media PCs

Microsoft emancipates Digital Cable Tuners with second Media Center update today originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There was a time when the X in XBMC stood for Xbox, but now just look at it. The open source project is showing up on everything from MIDs to Apple TVs and soon will be in the wild running on ARM-powered devices, with the development team posting a teaser video of the software running quite well on a tiny 600MHz Beagleboard. It’s a fraction of the size of most HTPCs and, at $150, a fraction of their cost, too. Right now the software seems to be struggling a bit with what looks to be 480p wide content, but the devs promise proper HD playback in the full release — though they’re not saying when that full release will be.

Continue reading XBMC ARM port teased, will manage HD playback from pocket-sized Beagleboard (video)

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Media PCs, Software

XBMC ARM port teased, will manage HD playback from pocket-sized Beagleboard (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flip Video remote, meet your family. One of Cisco’s latest FCC filings happened to keep its user manual outside the seal of confidentiality, giving us a pretty good look at FlipShareTV, a setup for streaming recorded video from the computer’s FlipShare software, out the USB dongle transmitted wirelessly to the receiver connected to the TV… and that’s about it. Nothing too thrilling here, and there’s no indication of price or release date. More pictures below — any Flip enthusiasts actually excited by this?

[Via Zatz Not Funny]

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Media PCs

Cisco FlipShareTV streamer outed in FCC documents originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Those already upgraded to Windows 7 ahead of Thursday’s launch events (no, we’re not coming to your party) should find a Netflix button parked under the Movies section in Media Center starting today. Clicking it revealed a slightly smoother install process than the initial Netflix upgrade for Vista users last spring, then it’s off to the refreshed interface we first spotted at CEDIA — extender support or HD streaming is still out. Also updated is the out-of-beta internet TV sliding under the TV tab (new from beta 2: Adobe Flash video support and region locking) with a wide assortment of streaming video available, though the picture quality still leaves something to be desired.

[Thanks, Daren & Craig]

Update: Not seeing it yet? Go to the Tasks –>Settings–>General–>Automatic Download Options and manually start an update there, the new tiles should arrive shortly.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Media PCs

Windows 7 Media Center’s upgraded Netflix Watch Instantly interface now available originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Today is officially the first day of CEDIA Expo 2009 and now that Microsoft has announced its Media Center news, it’s the partner’s turn. Up first is Nevius which is of course releasing new Media Center PCs with Windows 7, so of course the new looser DRM and other features are included. Niveus is stepping up the hardware though too by adding RAID and SSD drives to the Pro Series, and also a new Windows Home Server requirement for its full system restoration capabilities. The other new offering is the aptly named White Glove service, which basically means the services to integrators is getting an upgrade. Prices are promised before the official launch on October 22nd, but based on the existing offering, we’d bet we still won’t be able to afford it.

Continue reading Niveus steps up Media Centers with SSD, RAID and white gloves

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Media PCs

Niveus steps up Media Centers with SSD, RAID and white gloves originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Remember when the PlayStation 3 was going to have dual-HDMI ports so that games could pump 1080p video to two displays simultaneously? Ahh, those were good ‘ol days. That configuration obviously didn’t come to pass, but VIA’s looking to deliver dual-HDMI and more in its next integrated Mini-ITX solution, the VB8003, which also packs DVI and VGA ports, as well as an LVDS output, meaning it could control five displays at once (though with only four discrete signals). It uses the Trinity Platform with a 1.6GHz Nano processor, a VX800 Media System Processor, and an integrated S3 GPU, all paired with up to 4GB of memory. 1080p playback is said to be easily handled, with the system supporting resolutions of up to 2560 x 1600, even though such an onslaught of pixels would surely turn your HDTV into a smoldering ruin. There’s no mention of price or availability yet, so you current set can relax — for now.

Continue reading Video: VIA’s VB8003 Mini-ITX board has dual-HDMI, could rock your HTPC’s world

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Media PCs

Video: VIA’s VB8003 Mini-ITX board has dual-HDMI, could rock your HTPC’s world originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continuing its streak of questionably high priced media PCs Okoro has announced the new OMS-Q100 and OMS-Q200 Quantum mini Digital Entertainment Systems. Combining an Intel Atom processor and NVIDIA ION in the OMS-Q200 and Mobile Core 2 Duo in the OMS-Q200 with 4GB of RAM with 320GB of hard drive space, 7.1 audio outputs, OTA & QAM recording capability (plus optional digital cable tuner) these tiny, quiet boxes could find a welcoming home theater somewhere, though the starting price of $1,295 may make for a difficult fit. You probably don’t need our help to put together something equivalent or better for less than that, but feel welcome to it.

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Media PCs

Okoro delivers mini Media PCs with a full size price tag originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony has a long history of VAIO all-in-one machines, usually taking the party line by offering swank aesthetics combined with slightly cringe-inducing price tags. When we went hands on with its latest, the VAIO L, we found it to look just as good as those earlier ones, but its $1,300 price tag to be rather fair. Built into a 24-inch, 1920 x 1080 (1080p) touchscreen it’s meant to serve as both an HDTV and a PC, featuring an HDMI inport where you can plug in your PS3. Yes, that’s what mom calls it before she starts rocking out with the kiddos in the video after the break. It has a 500GB drive for your apps and for DVR recordings through Windows 7 Premium, packs a Blu-ray writer, a Core 2 Duo processor, and “loads of RAM.” Sure, there are cheaper ways to get an all-in-one, but only one comes standard with an inport.

Continue reading Sony’s VAIO L 1080p all-in-one PC is perfect for rockin’ moms (video)

Filed under: Desktops, Displays, Media PCs

Sony’s VAIO L 1080p all-in-one PC is perfect for rockin’ moms (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Otherwise content users of Boxee or Hulu on the big screen in the living room, the tyranny of the keyboard and mouse may finally be over! GlideTV Navigator is a palm-sized remote control that features a trackpad and backlit AV buttons, just the thing to further enable your YouTube addiction beyond the confines of your computer nook. Works with Windows XP or Vista (we’re assuming there’s a Windows 7 version on tap as well), Mac OS X, and the Sony PS3, and the package includes a charging cradle and USB receiver. Sadly, the on-screen keyboard and integrated search apps are Windows only for the time being. Look to spend about $149 — but not before peeping the gallery below.

Gallery: GlideTV Navigator puts Media Center controls in the palm of your hand

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Media PCs

GlideTV Navigator puts Media Center controls in the palm of your hand originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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