Author Archives | J.R.
J.R. - who has written 56 posts on Floppyhead - Digital Media and Home Theater Computers.
HD DVD Managed Copy is key to Vista’s Media Center
Microsoft’s Vista is an important step in the evolution of the media center and the home theater computer since it will support CableCARD and HD DVD’s ‘Managed Copy.’ I have discussed Vista’s CableCARD implementation alot on this site but have not talked at all about HD DVD support. So exactly what is ‘Managed [...]
Continue reading...Intel’s ‘Bearlake’ G-35 Express motherboard to simplify PC media centers in Spring ‘07
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
In general, the PC market is moving in the direction that allows consumers to build or buy better and better media center PCs. Intel motherboards are no exception with the release of new ‘Bearlake’ motherboards this spring. From Dailytech: The upcoming G35 Express is expected to support HDMI video output with HDCP compliance. According [...]
Continue reading...MyTVPal.com to offer 1080p movies via set-top box and PC client
Monday, November 27, 2006
To me, the future of home theaters should somehow incorporate 1080p high definition movies and TV. As of yet, no one has really come close. MyTVPal.com is planning on launching a new video-on-demand featuring 1080p, based on technology from MatrixStream. From EngadgetHD.com: Claiming 700 channels with user uploaded content and DVR features coming [...]
Continue reading...Home theater computer (HTPC) cases for the living room that don’t break the budget
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Pvrwire recently had an article on how expensive are HTPCs are in relation to other computers. To me, the big additions in cost are tuner cards and the computer cases. HTPC cases have typically been very expensive with prices well over $150, which is alot to pay for any enclosure. That got [...]
Continue reading...How CableLabs will certify Vista’s Media Center for HDTV
Sunday, November 19, 2006
To watch HDTV from you cable company with a Mircosoft Vista Media Center box, you will be stuck with a CableCard. The lure of using a CableCard is HDTV from your local cable company fed right into your media center. In order to to use a CableCard in Microsoft’s Vista Media Center, CableLabs will [...]
Continue reading...Will DRM cripple Vista’s bid to be a Tivo replacement?
Friday, November 17, 2006
I am excited about the potential Vista has to offer as a media center and ultimately a Tivo replacement, especially with the addition of CableCARD support. The one thing that could derail Microsoft is the extensive digital rights management integrated in Vista to view high definition television. Computerworld has a good editorial [...]
Continue reading...Two websites for over-the-air high definition television broadcasts in your zipcode
Thursday, November 16, 2006
One of the best kept secrets is that your local television stations broadcast in high definition over the air (over the air HD). Another secret is that many “newer” computer monitors are able to display high definition formats. For about $100 for the cost of an indoor antenna and HDTV tuner card, you [...]
Continue reading...Multi-stream CableCARD available in time for Microsoft’s Vista
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Multi-stream CableCARDs are expected to be available this January. This is a small step towards a viable HDTV media center. Hopefully this is a sign that the Cable industry is warming towards the use of CableCARDs. Multi-stream CableCards will allow users to receive and decode two digital television signals simultaneously, in [...]
Continue reading...Logitech’s Wireless DJ Music System: Is my search over?
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
The Logitech Wireless DJ Music System streams audio–including copy-protected DRM music and Internet radio–from your PC to your home stereo. The $250 system is anchored by a wireless remote control with a built-in LCD readout that allows you to access and navigate digital music files on your PC or the Internet and hear [...]
Continue reading...Xbox 360 HD-DVD drive hacked to work on a PC
Monday, November 13, 2006
Well, this did not take long. According to EngadgetHD, Utilizing Toshiba drivers, users have apparently been able to not only view the file contents of their HD DVD flicks directly within a Windows XP environment, but have been able to play back the film on PCs well-spec’d enough to handle the load. By enabling [...]
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Saturday, December 2, 2006
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