Remote Keyboard for Windows XP Media Center Edition

From the Microsoft hardware website [via Media Center PC World], it seems Microsoft will release in September 2005 their Remote Keyboard for Windows XP Media Center Edition. I love Microsoft hardware (typing this post on a Wireless Desktop Elite Keyboard) so I'll be anxious to get my hands on this one. The features look pretty nice including backlit media keys, all in one design, 30 ft range, TV control, spill resistance and of course the Green Button. It doesn't say, but I would assume it will be RF, not IR.

I have been using a LiteOn Airboard for the last few years to control my HTPC and MCE. It has a really nice compact design and works well, but it would be nice to have some function keys specific to MCE.

Update 1: Just saw Sean Alexander's post on the keyboard at Addicted to Digital Media - turns out that the interface will be IR. Really wish they would look at RF and up the cost. Read some more there for some hands on feedback.

Update 2: From Chris Lanier's Blog here is a link to a Flash demo of the keyboard and some OEM information that is in the Google cache.

Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Hardware - Remote Keyboard for Windows XP Media Center Edition

Monster Home Theater Installations

That is Monster as in Monster Cable. Anyone with more that two or three components will tell you that managing the squirrel's nest of cables behind their equipment rack or in their entertainment armoire is a real challenge. Just keeping power, source, signal, and speaker cables sorted out is tough enough, but to do an installation that will also optimize performance and allow for expansion and upgrades is even harder. I have seen in some homes in our area with some high end equipment where the installers don't do a great job with the details like cabling. To do it right, it takes some real skill and takes some time to master.

Kudos to Monster Cable for setting up a site and program that recognizes this skill in the installer community. As you will see from this site, there is some great work being done all over the country. You'll see some of the installations featured are simple one rack home theaters and others are some very complex central distribution jobs for some really large projects.

Monster Home Theater Installation Contest - Winners

liveplasma - Find New Movies and Music (from Command N)

Once you think you have heard all of the music and have seen all so the movies that you like, head over to liveplasma, enter your favorite artists or flicks and find something new. On this discovery engine, you'll see in a nice graphical interface showing other artists and films that are 'related' to some of your favorites.

liveplasma was featured a few weeks back on Command N a great new web tech show out of Toronto that highlights cool new sites on the web. Amber MacArthur and the rest of the crew produce a quality show. Like Systm, these site are providing some great content online filling the void that cable can't at this point. Through the power of subscription as we have seen with podcasts, these types of shows are the future of media.

liveplasma music, movies, search engine and discovery engine