Building your own Media Center Extender -how to control with a Rem
Gabriel
Media Center extender with a Windows 7 O/S.
This extender will NOT be connecting to any Sat-Top-Box, it will mainly be
used to stream my DVD videos, music and will act as my DVD/Blu-Ray player in
my family room.
Question: What product do I need so that I can use a Remote Control to
navigate the Windows 7 Media Center application without having to use a
Keyboard or a mouse?
More importantly, should I buy a media center case that has a built-in
IR-receiver, or does that not matter. Techincally i'm trying to understand
what steps need to be done to configure the Remote Control and how it
connects to the motherboard, etc...
Thanks for any help you can provide!!
Barb Bowman
On Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:54:04 -0800, Gabriel <Gab...@discussions.microsoft.com>
wrote:
Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.digitalmediaphile.com
http://digitalmediaphile.wordpress.com
Jaime
An extender is a device that streams content from a MC PC to another
location, it does not connect to a cable/Sat box (the MC computer does
that). As Barbara pointed out, you can't "build" an Extender per se, you can
only buy one. They are typically small, silent, purpose-built hardware
devices made by specific manufacturers, they are not full-featured
computers.
There are several ways you could use a PC to mimic some of the features of
an Extender (like placing the media in a shared network folder) or there are
some 3rd party solutions (such as Webguide,
http://www.asciiexpress.com/webguide/), but it doesn't support Windows 7
currently.
--
James
Bart: "According to creationism, there were no cavemen."
Homer: "Good riddance! Their drawings sucked and they looked like hippies."
"Gabriel" <Gab...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:6528A23F-4398-4508...@microsoft.com...
Hot-text
Barb Bowman Why You can't use a computer as an extender?
Do you Know till us!!!!!
"Barb Bowman" <ba...@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:m958g5tnc1nqgs56n...@4ax.com...
Barb Bowman
and currently, other than the Xbox 360, all the vendors that produced Vista/W7
compatible V2 extenders other than D-Link (DSM-750) have discontinued their
products. Many audio/video enthusiasts find the 360 too noisy.
On Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:28:03 -0500, "Jaime" <NOSPAMj...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>An extender is a device that streams content from a MC PC to another
>location, it does not connect to a cable/Sat box (the MC computer does
>that). As Barbara pointed out, you can't "build" an Extender per se, you can
>only buy one. They are typically small, silent, purpose-built hardware
>devices made by specific manufacturers, they are not full-featured
>computers.
David B.
--
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"Hot-text" <hot-...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:Oc7$6jHaKH...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
Hot-text
came on someone build the one you can buy mmmm
Gabriel say:: Technically I'm trying to understand what steps need to be
done to configure the Remote Control and how it connects to the motherboard,
etc...
Gabriel you need a TV Tuner Card For your PC (motherboard) they come as a
TV Tuner Card or TV Tuner Card Video adapter Card to
start with when you get we be here to Help you!!!!
My a TV Tuner Card Video adapter Card by:: 3dfx Voodoo 3 TV/FM Video adapter
Card!!
"Jaime" <NOSPAMj...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:OhRCsPH...@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
Jaime
not be built.
--
James
Orlando (Goofy says "Hey"), Florida
"Hot-text" <hot-...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:uhaJxxHa...@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
David B.
something useful to contribute maybe you should find something else to do
with your time.
--
--
"Hot-text" <hot-...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:uhaJxxHa...@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
Curious
and the MCE extenders and the interface is patented protected by MS. This
prevents unlicensed vendors/manufacturers from building MCE extenders since
they patent protected.
"Hot-text" <hot-...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:Oc7$6jHaKH...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
Hot-text
IBM PC that is DOS
Now Look were we are to Day Hmmmm
"Jaime" <NOSPAMj...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:uktNW7H...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
Gabriel
Maybe I shouldn't have called it an "extender" that I wanted. But basically
what i have going on in my house is i have a master server which contains all
my movies that have been digitized. The movies will be created on the server
to work with the "My Movies" software
http://www.mymovies.dk/products/windows-media-center.aspx
I want another very small (noiseless) PC preferably in a media center
pc-case that blends right-in with my sterio equipment. This pc will be able
to connect to my master server so that my master server streams the DVD
content to my my TV.
I know for a fact, this works already. When I launch the Microsoft Media
Center application in Windows 7 on my laptop, I configured it to scan my
master server to see all my available DVD movies. Which streams it perfectly
to my laptop.
If it can stream to my laptop, it definately should be able to stream to my
TV if I built a custom pc to do it.
My main question on this thread was, what additional hardware/product would
I need, to be able to use a remote-control to navigate the Media Center
application without using a mouse or keyboard.
"Jaime" wrote:
> .
>
Hot-text
Dam we all here Know Windows Media Center in Windows XP
LOOL
Maybe you Know more then the Group you in (Gabriel)
"Gabriel" <Gab...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:081011E0-34AB-46EC...@microsoft.com...
Jaime
will include a remote, an IR Receiver, and one or two IR Emitters
(blasters). The receiver will plug via USB into the PC (the emitters, if
needed, would plug into the receiver and then be attached to cable/sat box)
Here's and example at newegg:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880121001
There are other variations floating around, just make sure it work for the
version of MC you have. I believe the the newer MC versions will work with
all remotes, but the newer remotes don't work with the older versions of MC.
Many of the remotes that come with tuner cards are not MC compiant.
Once you have a proper MC IR receiver, you also could use many of the
universal remotes as well to lessen clutter; I use the Logitech Harmony
remotes with my MC computer and Linksys Extender.
There are also MC wireless KB available that have full KB functions, along
with a built-in mouse/track/pad, and have the special MC buttons.
--
James
Orlando (Goofy says "Hey!"), FL
"Gabriel" <Gab...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:081011E0-34AB-46EC...@microsoft.com...
David B.
--
--
"Hot-text" <hot-...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:OJ7fYOJ...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
Curious
on any version of Windows
Many of us are running and providing support of Win7 MC in this newsgroup.
"Hot-text" <hot-...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:euRaSvLa...@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
jolt
receiver thru Ebay and pair it with a Harmony remote. While a limited number
of motherboards do have a header to connect an ir receiver IMHO it would not
be worth limiting your options trying find one that fulfills your needs and
has such a connection.
There are plenty of options to build or purchase a small form factor PC that
will work for what you are looking to do. I plan to build one during the
holidays that will likely be mounted to the back of an LCD television.
The ION platform with a dual core atom processor should be powerful enough
to do the trick.
http://techreport.com/articles.x/16340
If I understand you objective correctly you want to build a PC to stream
content from a server or the internet to a television, not an extender. If
so this advise would apply.
"Gabriel" <Gab...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:6528A23F-4398-4508...@microsoft.com...
Hot-text
Jaime you will told BILL Microsoft that you can not build windows Software
IBM PC that is DOS
Now Look were we are to Day Hmmmm
"David B." <ma...@nomail.net> wrote in message
news:#Rw4iCSa...@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
Gabriel
time-saver... so that i didn't buy all these products that I may not need.
The link was even more helpful as a picture can say a thousand words. LOL!
Looks like al i need then is this remote kit and the receiver if all i want
to do is operate in the Windows Media Center environment.
Your the best!
Many blessings!
"Jaime" wrote:
> .
>
Hot-text
to say You can't use a computer as an extender. is not support or help at
all
or to say Because you can't .. is not support or help at all too!
we all need support or help at time and I one know a good supporter when I
see one!
so you are right Curious keep up the good work. For we all need to hear a
word of support .
Thank you
Curious
"Curious" <nob...@nspam.com> wrote in message
news:eJ9ZQESa...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> This newsgroup is for the support of the Media Center application running
> on any version of Windows
> Many of us are running and providing support of Win7 MC in this newsgroup.
>
> "Hot-text" <hot-...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:euRaSvLa...@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>> Windows Media Center in Windows 7
>> Dam we all here Know Windows Media Center in Windows XP
>> LOOL
>>
>> Maybe you Know more then the Group you in
>>
>>
Jaime
As they say in Costa Rica - "con mucho gusto!"
--
James
Orlando (Goofy says "Hey"), Florida
"Gabriel" <Gab...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:86F99FFD-7F5A-4EAF...@microsoft.com...
Sven
I think it may just be a terminology issue. Sounds like what the OP is
building is an MCE (Media Center Edition), not MCE (Media Center Extender).
Even with out a tuner Win 7 makes a pretty nice media interface. If there is
another media machine in the house, you can get virtually all the media off
that other machine using the Media Center Interface by assigning network
shares, drive letters and pointing the Win 7 machine at those sources. It is
pretty darn close to being what we understand is a 'dedicated hardware
MCExtender'.
I think what you are looking for is something like this,
http://www.xpcgear.com/remotevista.html, though just Binging Media Center
Remote Control gets tons of hits. I must say that my favorite is
http://reviews.cnet.com/keyboards/gyration-media-center-pc/4505-3134_7-32331445.html.
The remote has mouse capabilities which most don't, and the wireless
keyboard is very handy for typying searches, or when you drop out of the 10
foot experience.
"Barb Bowman" <ba...@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:m958g5tnc1nqgs56n...@4ax.com...
David B.
--
--
"Hot-text" <hot-...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:uWX925Ta...@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
Hot-text
But you
David B." <ma...@nomail.net> have no mail
if you E-mail me it would go in to my Junk e-mail and the item will be
Deleted
Maybe one day we will have a Junk Newsgroups Box so that nomail.net will
have a past to go Hmm
David B is Newsgroups Junk so Deleted
"David B." <ma...@nomail.net> wrote in message
news:#UbNHkea...@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Go away troll
David B.
--
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"Hot-text" <hot-...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
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CSM1
news:#sOYljga...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl:
I bet you get a lot of SPAM in your mailbox.
--
CSM1
http://www.carlmcmillan.com
--
Pete Delgado
> and currently, other than the Xbox 360, all the vendors that produced
> Vista/W7
> compatible V2 extenders other than D-Link (DSM-750) have discontinued
> their
> products. Many audio/video enthusiasts find the 360 too noisy.
>
Personally I was disappointed to find that the Linksys DMA2100 and DMA2200
were discontinued because I own several of each and have found that with a
few additional pieces of software that they work quite well in a mixed
Windows Vista/Windows 7environment. I particularly like how quiet they are
and the price point (I paid $79 for the DMA2100 and $99 for the DMA2200). I
also think that the product quality was outstanding.
I've tried to use my XBox360 as an extender, but as you mention, it is far
too noisy to be placed in a serious environment for watching progamming and
it also is fairly power-hungry when compared to the stand-alone extender
boxes.
-Pete
Barb Bowman
I agree the yearly $$ for running 360's is also not pretty.
But I'm curious as to what additional software and tweaks you've added to the
mix ;-)
On Wed, 2 Dec 2009 14:18:45 -0500, "Pete Delgado" <Peter....@NoSpam.com>
wrote:
>Personally I was disappointed to find that the Linksys DMA2100 and DMA2200
>were discontinued because I own several of each and have found that with a
>few additional pieces of software that they work quite well in a mixed
>Windows Vista/Windows 7environment. I particularly like how quiet they are
>and the price point (I paid $79 for the DMA2100 and $99 for the DMA2200). I
>also think that the product quality was outstanding.
>
>I've tried to use my XBox360 as an extender, but as you mention, it is far
>too noisy to be placed in a serious environment for watching progamming and
>it also is fairly power-hungry when compared to the stand-alone extender
>boxes.
Pete Delgado
> Hi Pete,
> I agree the yearly $$ for running 360's is also not pretty.
>
> But I'm curious as to what additional software and tweaks you've added to
> the
> mix ;-)
I use many of the "standard" media tools on the system such as AnyDVD and
DVDShrink. I use many of the specific MCE tools that other folks on TGB have
been using and advocating as well. I've also got a couple of small
applications that I have personally written -I 'm a software developer and
can't help myself! ;-)
-Pete
Barb Bowman
On Mon, 7 Dec 2009 12:24:54 -0500, "Pete Delgado" <Peter....@NoSpam.com>
wrote:
>I've also got a couple of small
>applications that I have personally written -I 'm a software developer and
>can't help myself! ;-)
Pete Delgado
> sounds cool ;-)
>
The cool part (or the difficult part depending upon how you look at it) is
the fact that I am running an AD domain *and* a WHS within my network! There
are a variety of reasons for using a full domain (testing, use of Team
Foundation Server and domain group policy + roaming profiles) and for using
WHS within it (image backups, tv archive, development platform).
PS: Thanks for your blogs and articles Barb. I've really enjoyed them over
the years!
-Pete