Welcome to Brendon Davis
The place where I’m in charge
My MCE
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 the hardware I had scrounged together in 2007 has understandably failed. Using this and the current WAF for MCE I have been able to install much better hardware over the past few years.
My goals are still 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.
As such I’m currently running:
- Samsung Series 6 32″ LCD HD Television
- Gigabyte GA-EG41MF-US2H Motherboard
- Intel Core2 Duo 1.6GHz
- ThermalTake Blue Orb II Quiet CPU Cooler
- 2x Corsair 1GB RAM Sticks
- 320GB Samsung 7200RPM 16MB Cache SATA2 HDD
- 2x DigitalNow DNTV Live! PCI-E Dual Digital Tuner
- Microsoft MCE Remote & Infrared receiver
- Generic USB Bluetooth Adapter
- NetGear WN311B 802.11n PCI Network Card
- DataTraveler HyperX (DTHX2) for ReadyBoost
- Corsair Flash Voyager GT for LiveTV Cache
- 300W PSU with 12CM Low RPM Fan
- Antec Fusion Remote Case (with LCD, Volume and IR Receiver)
- APC 350VA UPS & Surge Protector
I recently upgraded the hardware to run Windows 7 RTM and have been customising the look and feel of MCE. An awesome site http://www.hack7mc.com has lots of handy hints and tips on improving the standard Microsoft deployment.
I also use the following MCE extensions and configurations to improve the device:
- IceTV for Acurate Guide data in Australia
- Windows Home Server Connector for Media Centre
- My Movies for DVD & TV Series Management
- Media Center Studio
- Redirected LiveTV cache to 16GB Corsair USB Flash Drive
- VISTA4Cast for menu screen Weather Display
- Seperate RDP & Console Session Hack
- EyeFi program for Wireless upload of photos from our digital camera SD Card
For more information on Windows Media Center, check out my posts at http://brendon.davis.to/mce.
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