Assessment of Possible Home Media Server Connection Setups

Technorati Tags: entertainment,media,streaming,uPNP,DLNA,XBox360,server,Microsoft

The information contained in this blog post is the result of current extensive testing and research within my home office. I felt that this is pertinent information to share with colleagues, as I had a quite brilliant-but-skewed vision of how my home media universe was going to flow. I will have a follow-up blog post after the PS3 has been purchased and actually tested, as my preferred setup is yet to be finalized. Stay tuned...

Windows Server 2008

• Uses Windows Media Services (not Windows Media Center), which requires clients to access media via Windows Media Connect 2 protocol; this is an optional installation
• Per extensive research and perusal of consumer reviews, Server 2008 OS seems to be more popular than Vista Ultimate with beta testers with claims of improved performance
• I agree with most beta testers: this serves as a great OS, even using it as a workstation; much more reliable than Vista when dealing with 64-bit processing, not as intensive on the system hardware resources

Windows with Media Center

• Media Center not included on new Server OS (despite various recent gripes to Microsoft from various customers on the Microsoft Connect site)
• Vista Ultimate OS pricey and shaky, almost better to wait and run Windows 7

Media Management Software

• Works with Media Extenders: Windows with Media Center
• Works with Windows Media Connect 2: Windows Media Player, Zune, TVersity, Orb, MediaPortal
• Works with Internet-enabled server-native GUI through uPNP AV for DLNA-certified devices: Orb, MediaPortal

Internet-enabled Server-native GUI through uPNP AV for DLNA-certified Devices

• An effective and universal standard
• Playback of content is dependent upon media server software and codecs/plug-ins installed there
• Uses media server software's GUI, which is just a web interface (i.e. ASP.net, PHP, etc)

For more information on DLNA certification, visit:
http://www.dlna.org/industry/certification/guidelines/

Windows Media Connect 2 (***strictly a protocol***)

• Can be used as a media streaming protocol with a variety of Media Management Software
• When used in combination with Media Management Software: shows up as an accessible uPNP network device
• The client device's GUI is utilized for accessing shared content rather than using the media server's GUI
• Content is disbursed into the client GUI's applicable folders, if at all
• Media content playback is restrictively dependent upon the file-types that the client device supports

Media Extenders

• Network devices that work only with Windows with Media Center
• Seem to be proprietary and unable to use on a network lacking Media Center
• When connecting to a Media Center PC: starts Media Extender software, requests RDP-like (Remote Desktop Protocol) handshake, navigation & access to shared network media is now through the Media Center interface
• Is the media load taking place on the PC when running it? Answer so far has been yes, unless dealing with a special codec or plugin that is only on the Media Center PC's side, such as DVD Library
• Basically firmware with an RDP shell - connects only to Media Center OS; then, allows remote control of the content through the Media Center GUI, which is essentially being projected through the protocol onto the screen connected to the Media Extender hardware

XBox 360

• Media Extender installed/ready
• Alternative is to use Windows Media Connect 2 to access "Computer" on Private Network
• Can access current Netflix account's Instant Viewing flicks through XBox Live Gold membership (HD content on my A/N network streams at an amazing quality)
• 1080p HDMI connection looks beautiful on Samsung 650 Series 52" HDTV

Wii

• Can use Internet-enabled server-native GUI through uPNP AV for DLNA-certified devices
• 480p resolution not the greatest, but okay for quick Internet browsing and great for play on Samsung 650 Series 52" HDTV

***Personal home network solution award: PlayStation 3 with Orb wins out***

PlayStation 3 (aka PS3)

• Can use Windows Media Connect 2 to access "Computer" on Private Network
• Can use Internet-enabled server-native GUI through uPNP AV for DLNA-certified devices
• 1080p HDMI connection will look beautiful on Samsung 650 Series 52" HDTV
• Has a Blu-Ray Disc player

***As for business clients with no interest in purchasing the above video game systems, the most universal network media player goes to...***

Popcorn Hour A-110 with WN-100

Code: A-110-WN

Sale Price: $250.00

Information from PopcornHour.com as follows:

This special package included Popcorn Hour A-110 and WN-100 802.11n (draft 2.0) USB Wi-Fi adapter to enable out of the box wireless access to Popcorn Hour A-110.

The Popcorn Hour A-110 is an enhanced version of the popular A-100 model. It adds support for 2.5"/3.5" SATA HDD and USB Slave functionality to improve connectivity and transfer rates. HDMI has been updated to the 1.3a spec, allowing full support of HD Audio pass-through for DTS HD-HR, DTS HD-MA, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD. The ports on the device have also been reconfigured, with a USB port moved to the rear panel, optical S/PDIF replacing the co-axial S/PDIF and hardware reset button to allow for easier use of the device.

Popcorn Hour A-110 allows you to pull in digital video, audio and photos from various sources for your enjoyment on your HDTV or Home Theater setup.

You can stream or playback your digital media content from a variety of sources, such as your PC, NAS, digital camera, USB mass storage devices (Flash drive, HDD, DVD drive), internal SATA HDD (HDD not included, please refer to the HDD compatibility list for Popcorn Hour A-110) and even directly from the Internet via the Media Service Portal.

It also serves as a NAS and a Bit-Torrent peer-to-peer downloader (an internal HDD is required for these functions) to eliminate the need to switch on a PC or other device for this purpose.

The Popcorn Hour A-110 supports the latest high bit-rate video formats (MPEG2 MP@HL, H.264 HP@L4.1, VC-1 AP@L3 in TS of at least 40Mbps) to give you up to 1080p high-definition videos.

In recognition of advances in Internet TV, the A-110 supports peer-to-peer Internet TV streaming technology from SayaTV, as well as popular unicast internet TV such as YouTube, Revision 3 and Vuze via the Media Service Portal.

The A-110 firmware is upgradeable to support future media containers, codecs and features.

Specifications

Connectivity

• Bonjour
• UPnP SSDP
• UPnP AV
• Windows Media Connect
• Windows Media Player NSS
• SMB
• NFS
• BitTorrent P2P

HTTP Servers

• MyiHome
• WizD
• SwissCenter
• MSP Portal
• Llink
• GB-PVR

NAS access

• SMB
• NFS
• FTP

Web services

Video:

• YouTube
• Veoh
• Videocast
• DLTV
• Cranky Geeks
• Bliptv
• PodfinderUK
• Vuze
• Break Podcast
• Revision 3
• CNN The Larry King Podcast
• CNN Anderson Cooper 360
• The CNN Daily
• CNN In Case You Missed It
• NBC Meet The Press
• NBC Today
• CBS Face the Nation
• NBC Nightly News
• Mevio

Audio:

• Live365 Radio
• iPodcast
• Radiobox
• ABC News
• BBC Podcast
• CNN News
• Indiefeed
• Jamendo

Photo:

• Flickr
• Picasaweb

RSS feed:

• Bloglines
• Yahoo! Weather
• Yahoo Traffic Alerts
• Traffic Condition
• Cinecast
• Yahoo! News
• MSNBC News

Peer-to-peer TV:

• SayaTV

Internet Radio:

• Shoutcast

Media files supported

Video containers:

• MPEG1/2/4 Elementary (M1V, M2V, M4V)
• MPEG1/2 PS (M2P, MPG)
• MPEG2 Transport Stream (TS, TP, TRP, M2T, M2TS, MTS)
• VOB
• AVI, ASF, WMV
• Matroska (MKV)
• MOV (H.264), MP4, RMP4

Video codecs:

• XVID SD/HD
• MPEG-1
• MPEG-2
• MP@HL
• MPEG-4.2
• ASP@L5, 720p, 1-point GMC
• WMV9
• MP@HL
• H.264
• BP@L3
• MP@L4.0
• HP@L4.0
• HP@L4.1
• VC-1
• MP@HL
• AP@L3

Audio containers:

• AAC, M4A
• MPEG audio (MP1, MP2, MP3, MPA)
• WAV
• WMA
• FLAC
• OGG

Audio codecs:

• Dolby Digital
• DTS
• WMA, WMA Pro
• AAC
• MP1, MP2, MP3
• LPCM
• FLAC
• Vorbis

Audio pass-through:

• DTS
• Dolby Digital
• DTS-HD MA
• DTS-HD HR
• Dolby True HD
• Dolby Digital Plus

Photo formats:

• JPEG
• BMP
• PNG
• GIF

Other formats:

• ISO
• IFO

Subtitle formats:

• SRT
• SMI
• SUB
• SSA

DRM:

• Cardea DRM (WMDRM-ND)

Chipset

• Sigma Designs SMP8635

Memory

• 256MB DDR SDRAM
• 32MB Flash

Audio/Video outputs

• HDMI v1.3a (up to 1080p)
• Component Video (up to 1080p)
• S-Video
• Composite Video
• Stereo Analog Audio
• S/PDIF Optical Digital Audio

Interface

• 1x USB 2.0 slave
• 2x USB 2.0 host (placed at front and back panel each)
• SATA
• Hardware Reset Button
• Network - Ethernet 10/100

Power

• 12V DC
• 3A

Dimension

• Width 10.5"(270mm) x Depth 5.25" (132mm) x Height 1.25" (32mm)

Weight

• 2.2 lbs (1Kg)

Package Content

• Popcorn Hour A-110 (HDD not included)
• 100~240V Power Adapter and 3 Prong Flat US Cord
• 1.5M length HDMI cable
• Remote Control with 2 "AAA" batteries
• USB Slave cable
• Quick start guide

Movie Recommendations...Just Because...

Showgirls

An infamous bomb when first released, Showgirls now vies with Mommie Dearest as a camp classic. Nomi Malone (Elizabeth Berkley) travels to Las Vegas with dreams of becoming a showgirl, but ends up working as a stripper where the patrons couldn't care less about her time-step (they're interested in a different kind of time ... and rate!). Kyle MacLachlan and Gina Gershon co-star.

Grindhouse: Death Proof

Popular cult filmmaker Quentin Tarantino wrote and directed this high-octane thriller that stars Kurt Russell as a serial murderer who uses his revved-up car as a killing machine. After transforming his Dodge Charger into an indestructible weapon, Stuntman Mike climbs behind the wheel to terrorize a group of women on the road. Rose McGowan, Rosario Dawson, Jordan Ladd and Vanessa Ferlito also star in the ultimate road rage film.

Kill Bill: Vol. 1

In this film noir tale written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, an assassin called the Bride (Uma Thurman) is shot at her wedding by her employer, Bill (David Carradine), and other members of their assassin circle. She survives, though a bullet in her brain keeps her in a coma for five years. Setting out for some payback, the Bride hunts down the various assassins, saving Bill for last. This is the first half of a planned two-part movie.

Lolita

Humbert Humbert (Jeremy Irons) is a remarkable man with a poisonous wound: the indelible memory of a fated childhood love and a haunting urge to rediscover its lost passion. When he encounters Charlotte Haze (Melanie Griffith) a voluptuous widow with romantic plans of her own, it is her nymph daughter, Lolita (Dominique Swain), who ultimately wins Humbert's affection, testing his demons and satisfying his secret desires with disastrous results.

Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle

Prepare for full-throttle action (as well as some good ol' throttling) when your favorite earthbound angels are reunited in this sequel to the hit film Charlie's Angels. Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu return as the indomitable crime-fighting heroines. In the Angels' new adventure, the trio once again demonstrate their expertise in espionage techniques, martial arts and disguise. Crispin Glover and Bernie Mac co-star.

Barbarella

A young Jane Fonda stars as the shapely 41st century space traveler dispatched to apprehend missing scientist Durand Durand (Milo O'Shea), whose latest handiwork threatens to bring evil back to the galaxy. En route, Barbarella discovers the joys of celestial sex and experiences kinky misadventures with a mélange of bizarre characters. Fans of sci-fi kitsch will treasure the camp classic, which heaps on the psychedelic scenery with gaudy aplomb.

D.E.B.S.

Encrypted within the S.A.T. is a secret test that measures a girl's potential for espionage. Amy (Sara Foster), Janet (Jill Ritchie), Dominique (Devon Aoki) and Max (Meagan Good) score so high that they're recruited to join the elite paramilitary group known as D.E.B.S. But when their mission to capture arch villainess Lucy Diamond (Jordana Brewster) gets complicated, even their spy skills might not be able to save them. ...

Resident Evil

A virus has leaked out in a top-secret facility, turning all resident researchers into ravenous zombies and their lab animals into mutated hounds from hell. Time to clean up, so the government sends in an elite military task force led by Alice (Milla Jovovich) and Rain (Michelle Rodriguez) to contain the outbreak. But they have just 3 hours before the pathogen becomes airborne and infects the world. …

The Long Kiss Goodnight

Samantha Caine (Geena Davis) can't remember anything before the day she woke up eight years ago, injured and two months pregnant. Now a schoolteacher with only vague memories of the past, she starts to exhibit bizarre, violent impulses. It's only after hiring two-bit private detective Mitch Hennessey (Samuel L. Jackson) that she discovers that she was once a top CIA assassin named Charley -- and that her old boss has kept tabs on her.

Technorati Tags: movies

My MBTI Personality Types - ENFJ/INFJ

This week, I took the first course of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator series at my daytime job (the Las Vegas Valley Water District) this past week. This is a really interesting personality assessment. It is focused on helping you to find your core self (in relation to sorting your internal preferences). What we typically consider to be our defined personality type is what we humans demonstrate to society as survival tactics.

Obstacles to type development were mentioned:

• Pressures of environment
• Lack of faith in one's own defined type
• Lack of acceptance at home
• Lack of opportunity
• Lack of incentive

A defining moment during this course was when I realized that I demonstrate (in my current position as a Development Services Associate II) various attributes of a Sensing person, but I definitely have an Intuiting preference internally. I don't like dealing with the specific details of things, but I will do it quite well if needed. My current job has strong auditing tasks but it is a very boxed-in position - it's pre-defined with little room for adjustments/changes. I have often wondered why my previous job at Masco Contractor Services was much more enjoyable for me than my current higher salaried job. I now believe it was the freedom to self-manage and the ability to implement changes that promoted structured tasks with little room for errors that defined my love of the job.

My self-select type is: INFJ

Seek meaning and connection in ideas, relationships, and material possessions. Want to understand what motivates people and are insightful about others. Conscientious and committed to their firm values. Develop a clear vision about how best to serve the common good. Organized and decisive in implementing their vision.

My type as defined by my MBTI results is: ENFJ

Warm, empathetic, responsive, and responsible. Highly attuned to the emotions, needs, and motivations of others. Find potential in everyone, want to help others fulfill their potential. May act as catalysts for individual and group growth. Loyal, responsive to praise and criticism. Sociable, facilitate others in a group, and provide inspiring leadership.

I'm really looking forward to the other courses in the series. I'm now keeping these types in mind as I plan my future endeavors.

Technorati Tags: business,lifehacks,MBTI,personalitytype

WTF - Just when you thought no one could find you...

So, I happened to somehow stumble upon this goodie... Wow. This is kind of scary. Just plug your name in here and see what happens. Very interesting... I think that the web is a wonderful place to learn so many things, but I become very disturbed when I find sites like this. But you know that we all need sites like this at some point, especially at times when 95% of the folks you meet lie to you... that could just be because I live in the City of Sin, though.

My First Blog on Blogger.com

Hmm, I'm checking this blog capability on Blogger.com to see if it's more user-friendly than blogging on MySpace. We shall see...

My plans for this blog include:

• posting links to articles that are of interest to my collegues, customers and fellow geeks
• documenting processes on the creation of my small side business (which may unexpectedly blossom into a full-blown business)
• providing quick tips for software solutions

Let's see how this goes....