Another couple of add-ons have made my must have list.

• Crunchie – a little utility that runs on a scheduled basis and “crunches” the dvr-ms files into divX saving a huge amount of space.
• Dr DivX – open-source utility that can convert to DivX with heaps of options (best thing is it can understand those pesky dvr-ms files).

Here is a list of what I class as must have add-ons to Windows Media Center (although some of them are undoubtedly useful to non-MCE users):

• WebGuide 4 - access you EPG and recorded shows, schedule recordings all from your browser. This is just a small sample of the amazing app that is WebGuide (and it’s free too).
• XMLTVNZ - EPG grabber for New Zealand TV channel. Ouputs an XMLTV file.
• BladeRunnerPro - Import XMLTV files into MCE EPG database.
• DVRMSToolbox - convert those pesky dvr-ms files into something more useful
• PocketDivXEncoder - convert MPEG2 streams into DivX optimized for display on a handheld device (PDA). Great for taking those recorded shows on the train.

I bought a media centre a while back (they're fantastic, by the way, once you get the EPG working you can't go back).  It runs Windows XP Media Center 2005.  The only problem I've had with it is that the volume level while playing live tv (and recorded TV) is hopeless.  On my setup, normal cable piped straight into the TV, the volume only needs to be around 12 or 13 to liseten to comfortably (with other noise going on).  When played through MCE I need the volume on 35-40 just to be able to hear it!  Then you also get the inevitable electrical/mechanical background noise from the sound card.  But tonight I found the solution.  ffdshow! ffdshow is a open-source, DirectShow decoding filter.  What it lets you do it normalise and adjust the volume levels of most video/audio types including MPEG2 and given that live tv in MCE is just an MPEG2 video stream….  Voila!  The good thing is it supports normalisation so it doesn't blow the volume of played DVD's (which was fine) through the roof and since it works on the MPEG2 stream and not the system volume, all the beeps and boings that MCE makes when you use the remote don't get boosted either.  Fantastic!  All my problems solved in one fell swoop.  Thanks ffdshow guys!!!!  You have my undying gratitude.

Link: http://www.free-codecs.com/download/FFDShow.htm 

A couple of very cool looking HTPC's from AOpen. I particularly like the slimmer XC REC6 because of the size, but the specs of the bigger Media Center Server 400/410 are pretty cool. It has slots for 7 HDDs! It also appears to have (or support) multiple video input sources and output sources.

"The device also supports multiple screen output, allowing you to display the video output of different TV channels to separate video output devices"

The other nice thing about the XC REC6 is that it's built around the Pentium M. Means less power consumption therefore heat generation therefore less cooling requried therefore quieter. I'm all for that!

Both units have built in VFD's to see what they're doing (little bit redundant on a media centre, but hey), and controls on the front and also come with remotes. They both run Windows MCE.

I like this current trend of making the HTPC's look more like traditional audio equipment. Makes them look a lot more stylish and who wants a beige box in their living room. Another factor to consider is – where do you put the traditional shaped PC media center. Most people have AV housing that is not designed for traditionally shaped PC equipment so it ends up sitting untidily on the floor next to the cabinet and the cabinet is probably nearly empty now that the PC has taken over the duty of all the kit that was in there originally.

[ Via AOpen Launches Digital Home Entertainment PCs ]

New nice-looking MCE box from Ricavision.

"The 3200HD comes in a gorgeous jet-black enclosure, sporting a bright blue LCD, front panel volume control knob, a concealed frontside hot-swappable 2.5-inch 80GB slim hard drive for removable data storage, 3.2Ghz P4, 200GB of internal storage, and is equipped with a dual tuner NTSC and ATSC (over-the-air HD) card capable of 1080i resolution."

Price is USD$2400. There's also a non-HD version that comes in a bit cheaper (USD$1999). But check out the feature list:

• Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
• 1GB 400MHz DDR (512MB*2)
• 3.5" 200GB ultra SATA100 7200rpm
• 2.5" 80GB swappable hard drive for removable data storage
• ATI RADEON X300 256MB DDR SDRAM 128bit DVI/VGA/TV PCI Express x16, 1080i High Definition Output supported
• ATSC HDTV w/ Windows Broadcast Driver Architecture Driver 2 NTSC Tuners with FM and S-Video IN
• Dual mode DVD-RW
• Integrated 7-in-1 memory card reader

[ Via eHomeUpgrade ]