Tag Archives: MediaCenter

Latest Raspbmc update brings speed boost, bug fixes and more (video)

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Latest Raspbmc update brings speed boost, bug fixes and more (video)

Two months have passed since we last saw an update to the Raspberry Pi port of XBMC, but the tail end of September finally delivered some fresh code. Chief among the changes is a speed boost that makes browsing media libraries on Raspbmc much smoother and snappier. With the new software onboard, boxes now have a bevy of bugs fixed, boast support for Windows Media Center PVR and have a Wake On LAN feature for flipping on remote hardware before XBMC starts. Creator Sam Nazarko notes that folks who rely on AirPlay shouldn't upgrade to iOS 7, as it could introduce some hiccups. Visit the source for the full changelog, or restart your machine to snatch the latest release. If you're wondering just how much pep your Raspberry Pi will get, hit the break for a demo video.

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Source: Raspbmc, Raspberry Pi, popcornmixer (YouTube)

GameStick strikes up XBMC partnership, will add the full Media Center experience

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Playjam, the team behind GameStick, has announced that a new deal with tech company Pivos will ensure that the previously-mentioned XBMC will arrive fully-formed on its Kickstarter console. All those Media Center features will sidle up alongside your games selection and while the company maintains that gaming is still the focus of its device, given the competition, we'd say this announcement makes a whole lot of sense.

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Ceton reveals Android, Windows Media Center integration details for its Echo

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Ceton reveals plans for Windows Media Center integration for Andriod on its Echo extender

Just after launch, Ceton announced it would bring Android to the Echo Windows Media Center Extender by the end of last year. Owners of the device have been left wondering ever since then: what's the holdup? Now the Ceton Blog has spelled out what's taking so long. Essentially the story goes that Android is optimized for touch screens, rather than the big screen, and the company decided to hold off until some changes could be made. Most interestingly, one of those changes is integrating Windows Media Center into Android, allowing users to access all the content that both platforms have to offer in a single user interface. A hefty goal indeed and one worth waiting for, but the question of when remains. While the post does include some interesting screen shots and other details -- like Windows 8 support -- it stops just short of making another promise to deliver the update in any particular amount time.

Gallery: Media Center on Echo running Andriod

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Source: Ceton Blog

How-to: Setting up a Plex Environment

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DNP Howto Setting up a Plex Environment

Since the storage sizes on smartphones haven't quite caught up with that Drobo NAS in your home office, packing all of your media onto a 32GB iPhone is an impossible task. Worry not; we're going to show you how to set up a streaming environment so you can have all your jams at your fingertips on the go. The good news is there are tons of solutions out there to choose from: XBMC, MythTV and Windows Media Center just to name a few. We decided on Plex Media Server due to the broad range of devices and services it supports. On top of that, Plex allows you to share your server with friends and access your media from anywhere via the myPLEX platform. Catch us after the break to learn how to get started.

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Ceton releases Windows 8 drivers, Echo set-top box is getting Android inside for the holidays

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Ceton releases Windows 8 drivers, Echo settop box is getting Android inside for the holidays

Ceton will have something unexpected under the tree for early adopters of its $179 Echo Windows Media Center Extender -- Android. Updates are on the way that will bring not only finalized Extender software, but also beta support for the Android platform and apps. Detailed in a message sent to testers this evening, there's also an update rolling out in the next 24 hours that upgrades video output to 1080p and exposes settings for the Echo like optical audio out, bitstreaming over HDMI or optical and diagnostics. Even if you're not in that beta test but just like running the latest software, Ceton has also pushed out beta InfiniTV drivers for Windows 8 users (note: tuner bridging is not supported if the card is installed in a Windows 8 PC.) There's even a beta version of the Ceton Companion services that connect Media Center PCs to its mobile Companion apps -- which coincidentally are on sale for $2.99 at the moment -- for Windows 8 users to try out as well. Hit the source links for all of the details and expect more info on how the Echo puts Android on your HDTV soon.

Update: The Echo is also now available and shipping from Amazon, as well as the previously announced NewEgg.

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Source: Ceton (1), (2)

Ceton Echo Windows Media Center Extender pre-orders are live, ship November 30th for $179

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Ceton Echo Windows Media Center Extender preorders are live at Newegg, ship November 30th

The newest option for Windows Media Center users is nearly here, as Ceton's Echo extender has been listed for pre-order at Newegg. Available for $179 with a $10 gift card and free shipping, the diminutive accessory enables WMC streams of your live and recorded TV in up to 5 other rooms. That's been possible with other extenders -- especially Microsoft's own Xbox 360 console -- but the Echo claims its advantage is being purpose built to do the job with less noise and power consumption, plus support for features like DTS surround sound*. We'll be reviewing it as soon as the software is final, early adopters that are ready to jump but missed the beta offer can snag one at the link below -- the first shipments are scheduled to go out November 30th.

Update: DTS support was announced at NAB but that was before the hardware change to the smaller boxes. As a result, it will not support DTS at launch.

Continue reading Ceton Echo Windows Media Center Extender pre-orders are live, ship November 30th for $179

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Ceton Echo Windows Media Center Extender pre-orders are live, ship November 30th for $179 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Nov 2012 20:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ceton’s $179 Echo Windows Media Center Extender is ready to go on sale ‘around Thanksgiving’

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Ceton's $179 Echo Windows Media Center is ready to launch, will go on sale 'around Thanksgiving'

Windows Media Center users still in shock over the indefinite hold placed on Ceton's Q DVR / Blu-ray player finally have some good news, as the company has officially revealed the details of the Echo extender. Now ready to go on sale around Thanksgiving, the Echo Windows Media Center Extender is looking much more polished than the demo unit we saw at CES, and Ceton says the final unit is actually 72 percent smaller, or 1/4 the size of the Xbox 360's power brick. The smaller size is not the only benefit to those looking for an alternative to the gaming console as an extender, as it claims to be 90 percent more power efficient, rated at less than 5 watts and should be much quieter to boot. In the beta period it's lacking some features that should be ready upon release like 1080p video, web browsing, and support for MPEG-1 / WMV9 codes, with more features promised in future updates.

Like any Media Center Extender, you'll need a properly equipped Windows 7 (or 8, once it's released officially with the Pro Upgrade) PC to run the show and an Ethernet cable drop since there's no WiFi, but this tiny box promises multiroom access to live and recorded TV, plus your personal media library. We'll have to wait for some hands-on time with a beta unit to find out if it lives up to the hype, but if you're looking to squeeze some more life out of the WMC platform this may be just the boost you're looking for. Check out the gallery for more pics or the source links for detailed specs, while confirmed beta testers should select the third link for relevant information like a $20 price drop.

Gallery: Ceton Echo Windows Media Center Extender

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Ceton's $179 Echo Windows Media Center Extender is ready to go on sale 'around Thanksgiving' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Oct 2012 05:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ceton announces slight delay for Echo WMC extender, Q DVR shelved indefinitely

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Ceton announces slight delay for Echo WMC extender, Q DVR shelved for now

Ceton has, as promised, provided more information on upcoming hardware, however there's not a lot of good news to go around. The bad news is that the Windows Embedded-based Q DVR we were looking forward to will not launch this year. There's a possibility it may launch in 2013, however questions about whether Microsoft will continue to support Windows Media Center in future versions of its Embedded platform are keeping any potential launch plans in doubt. On a slightly brighter note, while the Echo Media Center extender is delayed slightly and the beta units have not yet gone out, Ceton still anticipates a release in time for the holiday season. Finally, there's a positive update on the suite of Media Center companion apps, which are now available on the B&N Nook and Kindle Fire HD as well as optimized for the iPhone 5. Relive our CES 2011 hands-on in video form after the break, we'll get started organizing a march on Redmond to make this happen.

Continue reading Ceton announces slight delay for Echo WMC extender, Q DVR shelved indefinitely

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Ceton announces slight delay for Echo WMC extender, Q DVR shelved indefinitely originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 23:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceCeton  | Email this | Comments