Welcome to Brendon Davis

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.

My Media-Center Setup

Autor brendon | 10.12.2007 | Category MediaCenter, TechStuff

A good mate and fellow MCE/ WHS enthusiast went to the effort of posting specifications of his MCE setup to avoid explaining it on a weekly basis. It seems to have also become a regular occurrence now where a work mate or friend will ask me ‘I am thinking of getting a Media Centre, How is yours set up??’, which has prompted me to follow suit.

When designing your media centre setup you really need to consider exactly what you want to do with the device and what other roles computers already play in your house. You might find that a TiVo suits your needs, or that a pre-build MCE case is what you are looking for. Maybe all you need is a Media Centre Extender to play videos and music from your main computer. In short, look at what options are available before going out and spending $$$ for something that doesn’t suit your needs.

<DISCLAIMER> Please note, my setup was done on a major budget with individual components added over time as they could be afforded. </DISCLAIMER> If you are interested, then read on.

IceTV over FreeEPG

Autor brendon | 02.04.2007 | Category MediaCenter, TechStuff

First off, FreeEPG is a great service. It has all the important details about 90% of the programs on Australian Television. It’s FREE!, reasonably easy to install and it just works. Kudo’s to the guy’s at EPGStream.NET for providing this service.

Now that the MCE is in the lounge room; Scott, Tim & Rosie are using it more for both media and television. FreeEPG has been missing details on special events like the swimming or CSI starting 30Min late BECAUSE of the swimming…. Grrrr. It also didn’t list Cirque de Sole that played on the weekend.

A number of mates at work are using IceTV, It’s $11.00/ month but well worth the expense. I did an un-install of FreeEPG and signed up for 3 months of IceTV, now every program slot is entered with details on the program. Their PIMP remote recording scheduler is also really cool, it lets you using a web browser schedule recording of programs. So if your at work/ on holidays you can still schedule recording of that program you just can’t miss.

I just love the ability to come home and choose what TV shows you want to watch and when you want to watch them. It is definitley the way of the future.