Archive for April, 2008

Video Playlists For VMC.

This is something that is not a secret, but is also not very widely known. I would imagine that it is because not too many people have a use for it or know how it could be used.
Of course, I’m talking about creating video playlists that can be used within Vista Media Center. [...]

Monday, April 28th, 2008

Custom Vista MCE Menus.

I never really cared so much about customizing my Vista MCE menus - until I found a utility that allowed me to do just that.
Some background:
I don’t listen to music, I have no music and, therefore, my HTPCs have no need for music playback.  In fact, I’d find it an incredible waste to require so [...]

Friday, April 25th, 2008

Have $1600 Laying Around?

If you have an extra $1600 just lying around that you don’t know what to do with, maybe you could use a new…keyboard!

Thursday, April 24th, 2008

MeediOS and MediaPortal.

I spent a few minutes this morning checking out the latest releases of MeediOS and MediaPortal - two HTPC frontends.  I actually used MediaPortal for a short period of time 6 months ago or more and really enjoyed it.  However, it had a few quirks that I just couldn’t live with and had to go [...]

Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008

X10 Update (Sort Of).

I don’t really have anything additional to add except that I never did mention that the X10 devices I installed apparently had no issues with noise interference.  I was very worried that they wouldn’t work correctly, but so far I can’t see any effect at all.  Considering the bedroom does not have as much, it [...]

Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008

Free WHS Giveaway.

Donavon West of Home Server Hacks is giving away a free copy of Windows Home Server via a special drawing to attract more visitors to his blog.  Pretty good idea and I’m in for an entry or two.
You can read about the contest here.

Friday, April 18th, 2008

X10 Devices Working.

I got a few minutes to install the first of the X10 devices I had ordered yesterday.  I started with the den, where my primary home theater system is.  All that went in there were two of the wall outlets and a wall switch for the ceiling fan/light.  After installing, I tested using the mini-controller [...]

Friday, April 18th, 2008

unRAID Plus Ordered.

I finally pulled the trigger on unRAID.  As mentioned a few posts ago, I had originally planned on the Pro version, but I just can’t justify more than 6 drives for probably another year or more, and the savings incurred now outweigh the upgrade costs later.
I will be moving to max those 6 drive slots [...]

Thursday, April 17th, 2008

Blue Jeans Gives Monster The Finger.

It’s fairly related to site topics, so I just had to post this up.  You can read Kurt Denke’s (Blue Jeans Cable) reply to Monster’s claims here.  I love when this happens.

Thursday, April 17th, 2008

X10 Devices Arrived.

I received my order from X10 yesterday and am starting to get excited about installing them. I have discovered a few tidbits of information that I did not come across in my research prior to ordering that have me concerned/disappointed, however.

CFL bulbs do not work with my WS467 wall switches.
I am probably going to [...]

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008