So I just stumbled across another streaming web application called Zinc, and it looks pretty good.  It’s designed for TV viewing and states that it is Media Center-compatible remote friendly.

Zinc is a free product from ZeeVee.com and basically organizes all the free TV content online in one place.  It even can tie into your Netflix account.

I decided to give this a try and see how I could integrate it into my own Media Center menu, so I downloaded the Windows version of the application and installed.  During the install, it runs a hardware compatiblility test to make sure it’s up to the task.

I then decided not to take the first run and instead fired up MC Menu Mender so that I could incorporate Zinc into my Media Center menu.  I took a look at the properties for the created shortcut for Zinc on my desktop and just copied it into the path for the new entry point in MC Menu Mender, added the necessary arguments and copied the logo for Zinc off of the website.  Since Zinc states complete Media Center remote compatibility, I decided to not enable “Use wrapper” for now.  We’ll see how it goes!

Upon starting up Media Center, I was presented by my newly created Zinc entry point in the Pictures+Videos strip…right where I put it.

I gave it a click and voila!  Success!

The first thing I did was link my Netflix account, which prompts you for confirmation.

After that, I’m met with a poster view of available titles.  Take note of all the sorting options available in various parts of the screen.  It’s very nice.  I also noticed that navigation was very smooth and not clunky like most other web interfaces.

Upon logging out of Neflix, I’m met with the initial screen again.  So, I decided to take a look at some of the available channels (FOX, in this example).

All the available shows are presented with the number of episodes.  You can also add your favorite shows here.

Drilling down further gives you the episode views where they are sorted by latest release (newest to oldest).

After selecting an episode, I was prompted to install the Zinc player.  Why this wasn’t installed with the application I’ll never know.  But, for the sake of review, I do so.  Also notice the remote support at the bottom right.

Upon installing and presenting me with a sample for playback, I was ready to roll.

Nice.  The picture is pretty good and I encountered no stuttering or other artifacts during playback.

Next, I decided to take a look at the available settings.  Here you can set Zinc up with local media folders, add other applications for launch, set a few Zinc system settings (enable fullscreen, watched video status, clear cache, etc.), and grab updates.

I decided to add a media folder so that I could check out the local media option.

This began a scan for all available media and it began showing up under the Local Content menu (notice the available thumbnail at the top right – this is generated by Zinc).  I did notice that only AVI files had been detected during the scan.  It’s going to be a disappointment if it does not allow playback of MP4, MKV, etc.  AVI is actually a small percentage of my collection.  On the other hand, I don’t plan on using Zinc for local media.

There are other views available also.

Thumb view:

Thumb detail:

Finally, selecting Zv HDTV presents you with loads of videos related to Zinc and other ZeeVee products,  in case you’re interested.

Upon exiting I was returned to the desktop and all I had to do was hit the Green Button to bring Media Center back to the foreground again.

All in all, I’d say Zinc is one of, if not the, best web apps out there for centralizing streaming media.  I found it much easier to use than Hulu (which it includes also).  The biggest knocks against it for me were the lack of metadata for local media and the overall lack of content.  When I say lack of content, I mean it in comparison to some of the other options like SecondRun.tv.  There’s still plenty to keep you busy though.  Not being integrated within Media Center may also be a turnoff for many of you, but it’s really not all that bad.  Especially if you’ve tried the Hulu desktop application and tried using it with a remote.  First indications also lead me to believe it does not have local support for MP4 and MKV…at least. Other formats may also not be supported.

Check it out…it’s free!

Integrating within Media Center:

I just wanted to make a point on adding the Zinc application with MC Menu Mender.  Your path will be the exact installation path to the Zv.exe .  In the arguments box, you must enter -zviewer or it will not work.  The logo I used is this one:

Just download and use!

Yaggs, the author of the SecondRun.tv plugin, has added another addition to the Media Center pluing library – HuluDesktopWMC.

I have not tried it out yet, but basically this is a small plugin that places the Hulu Desktop interface within Media Center.  Since Hulu Desktop works with a remote, it apparently provides a somewhat seemless interaction between the two.

Anyway, reports say it works in both VMC and 7MC, so that’s some good news.  It also requires Hulu Desktop to be installed and there is a coupe of small configurations you have to initiate in order for it to work properly.  You can more info at the TGB thread on it or the official SecondRun.tv site.  Download also available at the latter link.

I didn’t even know this existed, but then again, I don’t own any extender hardware or a MediaSmart TV either.  Anyway, vmcPlayIt is the latest plugin from eluttmann over at the Green Button forums.

vmcPlayIt is an all-in-one VMC client for the PlayOn media server software that provides Netflix WatchNow, Hulu, YouTube and many broadcast stations that host online streaming content (like FOX, CBS, etc.).  It connects to this server and provides a one-stop location for all streaming needs!

32-bit and 64-bit versions are available on the official site.

A new version of Media Browser was just released (2.0.90).  The biggest addition to this version is a new configuration utility which aids in getting your media locations and other general settings set before first run.  This is an external utility, so you have better control over adding locations outside the default settings (no more XML editing).  Support for all settings is reserved for future releases.  The ability to delete movie items has also been added.  More on that if you follow the link to the release notes below.  There has also been some additional bug fixes and minor enhancements to the overall functionality.  Read about all the new additions here as well as download.

In addition to Media Browser, a new release of Meta Browser was released a while back that I just recently had the joy in updating to.  This latest version adds the capability of assigning the ImagesByName folder which is used for custom images within Media Browser.  You can then fetch actor images for your titles (for those actors that have images anyway) and it will create the necessary entries for you.  Until this functionality is built into Media Browser, this is a terrific addition.  You can get the latest version of Meta<Browser /> here.

Finally, SecondRun.tv has really been ramping up and we have been promised a new release very soon with tons of new movie content added.  There has already been huge improvements to this plugin since I first blogged about it, so if you haven’t grabbed it already, check in often for the new release.

I didn’t get to review the SecondRun.tv plugin for hulu.  It’s not that I didn’t have time, it’s that there is a new version to be released today that includes some features that I felt were worth waiting for (primarily the addition of missing artwork and automatic full screen video).  If it gets released early enough, I’ll have something up later today.

There’s also a new application out for iPhones/iPods called vmcMote.  It’s basically a music browser/playlist creator/remote control for Media Center using your iPhone/iPod.  I don’t have either, so I can’t give any more information on it.  You can see a few screenshots here or join in the discussion about it (and see more screens) here.

Also, I wanted to mention a pretty good scare flick if you’re in the market for one.  It’s not exactly unique and it didn’t have much of a budget, but I still thought it was pretty good and it really creeped my wife out.  Check out Quarantine.  It’s about a group of people that get quarantined inside an apartment complex by the CDC due to an outbreak of some crazy rabies infection.  The movie is shot from the perspective of a TV reporter’s cameraman, so the movie can make you a little dizzy at times, but if you stick with it, you’ll get used to it.  It stars Jennifer Carpenter and a few other people you may or may not recognize from some other TV series.  It’s not groundbreaking filmmaking, but I thought it was good for a few cheap thrills.

We also watched Transporter 3 last night.  If you’re a Transporter die hard fan, I guess you should see it.  We definitely thought it came in third in the trilogy.  A distant third.