Welcome to Brendon Davis

Interactive MCE Remote

Autor brendon | 19.10.2009 | Category 7, MediaCenter, TechStuff

What do you get if you cross a HTC Touch GSM Eddn. II, Windows Phone 6.5, a Bluetooth Adapter & Windows Mobile Sideshow…

Short answer, an awesome remote for a VISTA Media centre… Of course, I was planning on posting an awesome how-to on configuring the device for Win7 MCE but as it doesn’t work how I’d planned…

Now I know that Windows 7 isn’t officially released until the end of this week but what’s really disheartening is that the Sideshow team have posted that they do not plan to release a 7 Compatible MCE Sideshow gadget.

My aim originally was to have a remote control I could use to the Guide and check my scheduled recordings without having to disturb who was watching TV AND to control the music from the back porch.

Interestingly the pre-installed Windows 7 media player Gadget is able to manipulate the now playing music but only when you start playing music from MCE. The downloadable MCE Gadgets just completely fail to work.

All up the sideshow remote idea isn’t a complete failure. We can control music from around the house but the interface is painful and un-intuitive. I’m certainly going to keep an eye on what happens in this area.

My Media-Center Setup -Updated

Autor brendon | 13.10.2009 | Category MediaCenter, TechStuff

Much has happened since my post in 2007, outlining my current Windows Media center setup. For one, the finance department has approved a larger budget to record and play back more content. Much of my hardware has failed so I have been able to install better hardware over the past few years.

My goals are still the similar:

1. Provide scheduled recording for our favourite TV programs using the new Digital broadcasts.
2. Provide easy access to our pictures, music, videos & movies stored on the Windows Home Server.
3. I had to use existing equipment at home and spend no more than $250 per month control spending for upgrades.

I have moved this page to its very own tab now, so if you’re interested, check out http://brendon.davis.to/mymce.

Pictures on WHS

Autor brendon | 18.12.2007 | Category HomeServer, MediaCenter, TechStuff

My only biggest complaint with WHS was that there is no simple function for displaying photo galleries. Sure you can see your files remotely and if you store your photos in a logical file structure AND name them all individually you can easily find what you are looking for.  For all the rest of us, we are forced to log in, navigate to the share and randomly look through pictures until you find the one you want to show your friend. All through the BETA program I was on the lookout for plug-ins that would give me a simple photo gallery function that would render the photo’s strait from my directory structure.

So far I have found two add-ins that seem to work quite well. Both have a slightly different aim and features but both are very well written. For all the Goss,

DVD Library on VISTA MCE

Autor brendon | 10.12.2007 | Category MediaCenter, TechStuff

I’m a big fan of Hiring New Release DVD’s from my local Blockbuster video shop, so copying my 30 odd DVD’s to the media centre would end up being a waste of valuable TV recording space. For those who like keeping their massive library of DVD’s available at the press of a button or with Kids that like watching the same move repeatedly, I suggest you check out Max’s post on Channel 8.

He has documented a very simple procedure to RIP your (legally purchased) DVD’s onto the hard drive for storage and quick access on your VISTA media centre. Please be advised, the instructions include a registry change so if you are not confident changing these settings, ask your favourite teenage child/ nephew to help you.