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This archive is a compilation of articles published in our eMagazine since inception. The articles are organized by "Subject". Many thanks to those who have contributed to this archive and continue to help it grow by submitting their thoughts and expertise to the magazine.

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Home Theater - Multimedia servers (video and music)

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Article Title Author Company eMag Issue Article Synopsis
Mozaex Media Server Review Mark Anderson HomeToys.com

Oct 2012

 Mozaex offers a range of 3D-ready media servers and media players that can be used to distribute audio and video throughout the house. Priced at a fraction of the cost of Kaleidescape, the products do not breach any of the DVD Copy Control Association’s (DVD CCA) contracts. We took a few of their products for a spin and were impressed.
Will the DLNA Premium Video Platform Change the Set Top Box Landscape? Mark Anderson HomeToys.com

Aug 2012

 It’s almost a decade since the conception of DLNA. Over half a billion devices support it, but none of these are able to play DRM content. The DLNA Premium Video platform changes this, by allowing premium content to be streamed within the home without a set-top box in every room.
The HTPC is Dead -- Not! Tom Abell Home System Integration LLC

Feb 2011

 If you ask me, the HTPC is perfectly positioned for the wave of public awareness coming towards the Connected Home.  Instead of removing an option for people, why not leave the HTPC in its current position as the high-end solution for integrating your Home Theater not only with the world’s content, but also with the rest of the house as well!  As much as I believe that these embedded devices of various operating systems will appeal to the majority of home users because of their simplicity, I also believe that the amount of people who want the extra power and functionality that an HTPC brings to the table will continue grow as well.
SageTV Media Center 7 - A Better Media Streaming Solution? Tom Abell

Dec 2010

 I believe that SageTV has created a very viable solution for the Home Technology enthusiasts’ home by integrating their media streaming server (the SageTV HD Theater 300) with quality client software (SageTV Client and Placeshifter).  With the addition of the Windows Home Server add-in (SageTV Media Server), they have empowered the Home Technology buffs out there with both power AND flexibility to design a whole-house (even whole-world!) streaming media system that takes their home system integration project to the next level!
From Boob Tube to YouTube Kurt Scherf

Mar 2009

 For about 70 years, the television has established a firm role as the “entertainment hearth.” Although the distribution and consumption of TV has changed – first with the addition of more broadcast and then cable and satellite channels, and then with the introduction of features such as video-on-demand – the TV was reserved for … well, TV! Television shows were television shows, and movies were movies, and that was about all the TV had to worry about. However, TV will not be the only type of media for which the television will be expected to play a more direct role in accessing. The television’s role as the centerpiece for entertainment is changing significantly, thanks to at least two major catalysts: Growing collections of all types of digital media content – including linear and on-demand television programming, optical and digital movies, user-generated content, and music – that consumers will want to access from multiple sources; and the desire by both television service providers and consumer electronics manufacturers to create value out of their services and products by building in connectivity and the ability by devices to easily find and display content.
TV 2.0 – “The Big Screen PC” Brian Donnelly Icron Technologies Corp

Nov 2008

 TV Viewing PLUS complete control of all PC applications from the comfort of your couch. The complete convergence of the PC and TV has arrived.
Open Systems Provide Added Flexibility Rochelle Grubbs Magic Home Entertainment LLC

Aug 2008

 When all of the components of the system use open standards - you can use one control device to work with all of the systems. You can also add storage to increase the capacity of the music server - without having to go back to the original vendor if you don’t want to.
Media Servers Scott Bahneman MusicGiants

Aug 2008

 It seems as if the issues previously holding back production, such as drivers and Vista have been resolved. This year, we are seeing a huge push for media servers from all of the CE manufacturers.
Media Center, Music Server, Video Server? What do I need? Gregg Cannon Cannon PC

Aug 2008

 In this article I try to give you a brief description of the products and then break down the different products and highlight their features.
CableCARD - Who Needs It? Derek R. Flickinger Interactive Homes, Inc.

Dec 2007

 We have Windows Media Center under Windows Vista receiving high definition premium cable content without CableCARD. It is so simple, it makes us wonder why no one else thought of it.
Interview - Media Servers Marc Diana Alienware

Oct 2007

 Alienware believes that the end user usage model has not been clearly defined in the home theater market and that working with Channel Partners the HD Media Server can begin to define a clear usage model.
HomeToys Interview Scott Evans Microsoft

Oct 2007

 Windows Media Center Platform
Home Media Servers: Savior of HD Audio? Mark Waldrep AIX Media Group

Oct 2007

 While the rest of the audiophile community struggles to get the last bit of fidelity out of their vinyl or compact disc collection, those of us that have discovered the benefits of new recordings done in HD can abandon optical discs altogether.
Integrating MCE with Video Displays Scott Varner Niveus Media

Aug 2007

 The big difference between the data signal produced by a computer graphics card and the video signal that most TVs are configured to accept has to do with overscan.
Simplifi 5075D Digital Amplifier Bob Hetherington HomeToys

Jun 2007

 The unit contains not only the amplifier but also the sound card and requires only a USB connection. It's a Creative Sound Blaster Live 24 bit external card. Once you plug it all in, the unit automatically senses that your Media Center is on and turns itself on too.
The Future of DVR Sage TV Sage TV

Oct 2006

 While TiVo was once appealing to users because installing and upgrading other systems required a high degree of technical knowledge, that is no longer the case.
Creature HTPC Scylla S301 Media Server Luke Hetherington HomeToys

Oct 2006

 Overall the Scylla S301 is a great choice for both a media PC and a high end gaming machine.
Tips and Tricks for using your Media Center Blueado Blueado

Apr 2006

 If you are using Digital cable and watching movies with 5.1 surround sound make sure your MCE has digital audio in. This will allow you to record 5.1 surround sound and play back the movies the way you like. Not even Tivo can do that!
Digital Media Servers - The Basics Harris Coltrain 2partsfusion

Apr 2006

 To ensure that the DMS has enough power to perform these many tasks taking time to step back and reviewing everything the unit will be doing is an important aspect before purchasing.
NAS Media Servers Daniel Putterman Mediabolic, Inc.

Feb 2006

 NAS media servers are evolving into the heart of the digital home, taking the media experience beyond the PC and allowing consumers to enjoy their personal media any time, in any room of the house – all without having to fire up their PCs.
CannonPC LX Series Media Center PC Bob Hetherington Cannon PC

Feb 2006

 With one simple remote control and a wireless keyboard (if I need it), I have access to Live and recorded TV and HDTV, DVD's, My Movie and Concert Collection, My Music Collection, My Photo Collection, Radio, Internet browsing, internet services such as Napster. movielink, xm radio online, msn music. reuters news services, fox sports online, gaming on demand and many others.
Can Media Centers do HDTV? Gregg Cannon Cannon PC

Feb 2006

 The ideal situation is to be able to decode HDTV signal directly into the media center without having to go through a cable or satellite box. Microsoft has promised they will support this capability in the upcoming release of Windows Vista (Fall 2006) and ATI demoed the OCCUR at the 2006 CES in Las Vegas. This new TV tuner card will allow you to receive HD signal directly into your Media Center plus it has built in cable card support (CableCard 1.0).
Media Centers for Home Automation Gregg Cannon Cannon PC

Dec 2005

 Today, many of the major smart home technology manufactures, like HAI and Home Seer, are developing software plug-ins for Windows Media Center that allow you to access and control their devices (and others) with Media Center.
The Evolving Media Server John Lewinsky iMuse Electronics

Oct 2005

 Media server systems are usually comprised of a combination of three components—a server used to distribute the signals, mass storage to house the multimedia files, and any number of clients used to feed the signal to a video display or audio device.
PC Home Entertainment Convergence Grant Woods AVerMedia Technologies, Inc. USA

Oct 2005

 The notebook just turns on. The AVerTV Cardbus slides right into the PCMCIA slot (I never knew what this slot was for until I got this tuner) on my notebook while the TV and PVR functions are used by simply clicking the on-screen buttons.
ADS Tech InstantMPX G.A. “Andy” Marken Marken Communications

Oct 2004

 One test we tried just for the heck of it was taking our DivX files and storing them on DVDR. The result? Over six and a half-hours of high quality movies on a single disc.
All-in-One PC Chris Miller Pelham Sloane, Ltd.

Jun 2004

 All-in-one PCs have all the power, storage space and speed you need to integrate your entertainment system into a home network. And they look great doing it.
Snapstream Personal Video Station Rob Williams

Aug 2003

 Even if you are away from home you can log into your Snapstream.NET account from a PC or a WAP and upload recording settings to your PVR at home. Handy if you forget to set the system to record the game and you're out of town.
SLIMP3 Network Audio Player Luke Hetherington

Aug 2003

 The SLIMP3 player works great and navigating through my large mp3 directory wasn’t a problem because I could jump to a specific letter or compile a play list. Streaming over the power line network has worked out great and I haven’t once heard a click or a pause because of a network problem.

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