Windows Media Connect Alternatives

[Peench]

Windows Media Connect (WMC) is rumoured to be resource hog and not very good at what it does.

Windows Media Player 11 incorporates WMC and is supposed to use less resources and be a bit more efficient. There will likely also be video support when it is finally released (currently in Beta 2) with Vista, but unsure whether it will support video on an XP machine.

While searching last night for a resolution to my issues I came across this site: TwonkyVision. It touts itself as an alternative to WMC:

The TwonkyVision MediaServer enables you to share all your Music, Pictures and Videos throughout your home. It is available for many different platforms and interworks with a large variety of client devices including XBox 360™ and Sony PSP™. TwonkyMedia needs fewer resources and is faster than other UPnP Media Servers, but still provides more features which help the user to enjoy large media collections. If you care about usability, TwonkyMedia is the right choice. It even enables you to define your own personal navigation structure. No matter whether you are an end user or a device manufacturer - we have the right licence model for you.

And it claims it will work with a 360. If this does permit video transfers on the 360 that would be awesome. Anyone wanna check it out and let us know. They offer a 30 day trial and after that it seems to be subscription based. I'm not a big fan of spending $30 a year for the service, but perhaps they will change their licening model or we can use it as a stopgap until vista is released.

Anyone know of any other alternatives?

[Crippler]

TVersity is a good one.

Currently, the 360 does not support video streaming through UPNP. Which is how it connects w/ XP. Maybe the Fall update will allow streaming over UPNP with WMP11. That would be sweet.

[ZoomZoom71]

Once Vista is released in 'final' version, I'm gonna try to go w/ a PC upgrade, so I can get some Video functionality on the 360, and other reasons, of course. I need a rebuild anyway, since my C Drive was NOT allocated w/ enough space when I initially built it.

[SpOoNmAn]

Anyone know when the final version will be in stores? Any idea on cost? Probably 300'ish correct?

[ZoomZoom71]

I just read on the MS website that the barebones version will be $199, all the way up to around $399 for the business version. This is the non-Upgrade price.

[SpOoNmAn]

I just want better connectivity with the 360. Ya think the barebones will offer me whats needed? I guess we will have to wait and see. I hope kmart sells it(doubtful) so I can save a few buckaroonies.

[ZoomZoom71]

I think most of us will want to get the Windows Vista Home Premium edition. This one will retail for $239.

[CamDawg]

Originally Posted by SpOoNmAn

Anyone know when the final version will be in stores? Any idea on cost? Probably 300'ish correct?

From Cnet article on official Vista pricing:

Pricing for full retail versions of the software will be Windows Vista Ultimate, $399; Windows Vista Business, $299; Windows Vista Home Premium, $239; and Windows Vista Home Basic, $199.

Upgrades from Windows XP are priced at Windows Vista Ultimate, $259; Windows Vista Business, $199; Windows Vista Home Premium, $159; and Windows Vista Home Basic, $99.

As for Vista's launch date, the timing remains unchanged, said Shanen Boettcher, general manager of Windows product management. Microsoft is shooting to wrap up development work in time to ship the operating system to large companies in November and have a mainstream launch of Vista in January, Boettcher said.

Spoon, if you're still looking to buy a new computer, MS will be offering a free Vista upgrade certificate for folks that buy a Vista Capable PC with XP (the offer is supposed to start within the next couple of weeks).

[SpOoNmAn]

Thanks for all the info. Home premium sounds good right about now.

I havent bought a PC since the dell in '97 and will never buy again, regardless of deals. I build my own. Just need a faster graphics card(for demo purposes only), a faster cpu and a bigger hdd, oh and Vista. Ive got plenty of memory and everything is else kosher as well.

Wait is a gig enough? for sys memory? Im not spending more money damnit Cant dip into my 360 game funds

[ZoomZoom71]

I think they say 512mb is the minimum and 1GB is "recommended". I'll probably put in more when I build mine, though.

[SpOoNmAn]

Excellent, thanks

[CamDawg]

The only problem with upgrading is that if you want to up the CPU beyond the mostly artificially created ceiling that your motherboard's socket supports, you have to buy a new MB. And, unless your memory is relatively new and is a current form factor, you will need to buy new memory to support your new MB and CPU. And then... unless your Power Supply is relatively new, you may end up needing a new one of those. That's the game I hate the most about upgrading. I was in the hobby of building my own for several years, but I caved in '02 and bought a Dell. It's starting to get long in the tooth, so I'm thinking about going the same route again.

[SpOoNmAn]

This mobo is new and will accept the fastest XP AMD(which is all I want) and supports fast memory. Only 2 slots though so If I want to go higher, each stick would have to be a gig each.

I need to check minimum requirements for Vista, maybe an XP will be slow? Im not dropping a lot of money into this. If it looks like I will, its not getting done, lol.



Ive got a 720p native projector to buy and tons of damn 360 games this fall/winter! Why must they swamp me with 6 awesome games within 5 weeks of one another?!?!

[KEEZY]

Forgive me for the KZY

Spoon, does this mean you are sellin your 4805? I have been looking all over for one. Ebay has some decent ones, but I'm waiting very carefully and trying to clear all my debts first.

I wish I could build a good PC rig. Maybe when I get out of damn school!

[Jon Liu]

I thinking that 2GB of Ram is becoming more of the norm.

Vista should be out in late January. I look forward to dabbling with it. The betas all the way through Release Candidate 2 have been improving little by little and I can't wait to see the final product.

This is one sweet operating system that Microsoft has put together.

[SpOoNmAn]

Yeah Keezles and as of now, 2 relatives are thinking it over. If they jump on it, almost every household in the family will have one, lol. Pay your bills, when your ready, something cheaper and better might be out.

I havent checked ebay prices lately. My cousin bought Jons in early summer and he says its the best investment he's ever bought and cant imagine how he played video games on a tv.

A far as memory, yeah 2 gigs seems to be the thing. Im only upgrading slightly so that I can play some pc demos of games that might some day end up on the 360(ones that dont hit marketplace early on anyways). FEAR is a good example. And the 1st time I played CoD 2 was the pc demo. I fell inlove but this pc could barely run it. Its 5 years old, this Geforce 3 and 1.4Athlon are still kickin!!

[Peench]

This is very interesting:

EXCEPTIONAL INNOVATION PREMIERS LIFE|WARE? 1.0.2
HOME CONTROL SOFTWARE AT CEDIA EXPO 2006

Latest version of Life|ware? adds exciting new features and support for a host of new devices from CEDIA leaders

Denver, CO ? CEDIA EXPO 2006 ? September 13 - 17, 2006 ? Booth # 540 and Home of Electronic Lifestyles? ? Exceptional Innovation announces the launch of their Life|ware? 1.0.2 home control software for seamless integration with Media Center-based installations. New features, learning options, flexible menus and more subsystem devices expand the functionality and features of Life|ware 1.0.2.

When integrated with the Media Center platform, Life|ware creates a digital entertainment experience that allows consumers to control how they enjoy their digital con