Home Theatre - Media Centres - News

IPTV off the radar in Oz

Although Internet video seems to be going mainstream in the US, the idea of tuning in to IPTV content without needing to connect to a next gen console or home theatre PC is not catching on with Australian vendors, let alone consumers.

07/03/2008 02:17 PM

Xbox, iPod dock and home automation in one box

Xbox, iPod dock and home automation in one box

The ITC One is an all-in-one entertainment system with its own built-in amplifier -- but expect to pay handsomely for it.

07/01/2008 01:59 PM

Sony lines up iTunes video challenger

Sony lines up iTunes video challenger

Sony believes that the weak spot in Apple's iTunes fortress could be in video downloads. Considering that its iTunes rival, Connect, failed so spectacularly, what are its chances of succeeding this time?

07/09/2007 12:33 PM

Microsoft's Bach looks for harmony in entertainment

Unit chief Robbie Bach's toughest task may be dovetailing the company's entertainment efforts.

12/01/2007 12:07 PM

CES 2007: At CES, Gates tells what a geek wants

Bill Gates says his house is already wired to the hilt, with touch screens and high-definition displays. But, in the second installment of a two-part interview with CNET News.com, the Microsoft chairman admits he's ready to revamp his system to add "some vision and speech-type things."

09/01/2007 03:22 PM

Intel's Viiv low on holiday shopping lists

Almost a year after Intel announced plans to make your PC look like a TV, the company is still searching for the play button.

15/12/2006 11:30 AM

BitTorrent lands new hardware deals

Company's peer-to-peer technology will be included in routers and storage devices, bolstering BitTorrent's credibility.

24/10/2006 11:04 AM

Advertising coming to on-demand Viiv content

On-demand content delivered to your Intel Viiv-enabled media centre PC could soon be accompanied by advertisements, thanks to an alliance between Intel and Omnicom Media Group (OMG).

29/09/2006 12:48 PM

HD should be wired: Intel

Current wireless networking standards aren't fit for streaming high-definition (HD) content between a media centre PC and multiple extender devices, according to Intel and Microsoft.

25/08/2006 10:27 AM

Windows Vista: No Blu-ray/HD DVD support out of the box

The version of Windows Media Player that will ship with Windows Vista won't include playback support for either Blu-ray or HD DVD movie titles.

24/08/2006 02:50 PM

Microsoft: No EPG in Vista Media Center

Windows Vista, which incorporates Media Center functionality out of the box in its Home Premium and Ultimate versions, won't provide Electronic Program Guide (EPG) functionality to Australian users of the operating system.

24/08/2006 11:36 AM

First Blu-ray disc drive won't play Blu-ray movies

The first Blu-ray (BD) disc drive for desktop PCs is here, but be warned -- it won't play commercial BD movies.

11/08/2006 09:52 AM

AMD debuts its Live media-centre products

Advanced Micro Devices unveiled its AMD Live PC and AMD Live Entertainment Suite on Wednesday, as the chipmaker goes head-to-head with archrival Intel in the digital entertainment arena.

02/06/2006 11:52 AM

Yahoo's free software turns PC into DVR

System uses a PC to transform a television into a digital video recorder, DVD player, stereo and photo viewer.

27/04/2006 05:34 PM

HP puts media centres on Ice

IceTV, an Australian interactive TV listing provider, today announced a partnership with Hewlett-Packard that will see the PC manufacturer bundle a free subscription to the IceTV television guide on its Media Center PCs.

20/04/2006 01:54 PM

Intel's Viiv-talking pitch for PCs

Early adopters of PCs based on Intel's Viiv technology are having as much trouble understanding what's so different about their new computers as they are pronouncing "Viiv."

07/04/2006 12:26 PM

Why the media centre PC is destined for the home office

The forthcoming update to Intel's Viiv will see the media centre PC move from the living room to the home office.

28/03/2006 01:24 PM

Viiv's 3 metre user interface

Will a badge from Intel be enough to move your PC to the lounge or will you refuse to jump on the Viiv marketing bandwagon?

17/03/2006 04:12 PM

HP's new Media Center PC plays it both ways

A desktop media centre, the M7300 series is HP's foray into the new world of certified media PCs.

05/01/2006 12:15 PM

Australian EPG released for Media Center PCs

IceTV and Altech today announced iceguide 4 MCE -- the first commercially available electronic program guide (EPG) in Australia to be compatible with Microsoft Media Center PCs.

20/07/2005 01:00 PM

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      Unless you desperately need a full-sized keyboard covered in silver to match your decor, we'd suggest you pass on the Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000, and go for one of the cheaper options.

    • Linksys Media Center Extender DMA2200

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      The MCE DMA2200 is probably the best media streaming device we've ever tested. It only works with Windows Vista, but for streaming media from a PC to the TV, it's ideal.

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      Sony's designed a nice looking unit in the TP-2, but its beauty proves to be only skin deep.

    • Helios X5000 HD Network Media Player

      Helios X5000 HD Network Media Player

      When the X5000 works, it's amongst the very best home media centres we've ever played with. It's not perfect, however, in both design and implementation.

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      The Acer Aspire e650 is a powerful, feature-rich media centre, but we're still not convinced that Viiv is mature enough for mass adoption.

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