Home Theater Blog | Home Theater News & Reviews » Media Servers

Boxee Box Review

B.Greenway — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 17:53:27 +0000

It’s been quite a while since our original Boxee (software) review and while a lot has changed much of what made Boxee compelling has only gotten better with the introduction of the Boxee Box by D-Link. Now with Boxee Box there’s a small, self-contained device specifically built for the Boxee platform, no HTPC required. For [...]

Boxee Box Review

Netflix Streaming for the PS3 and XBox 360

B.Greenway — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 17:46:22 +0000

The terms Netflix streaming, instant queue, and watch instantly might not sound as familiar as DVD, MP3, and home theater but that’s likely to change in the near future. Now that 1080p and surround sound have made their way to Netflix’s streaming movie service, look for an ever increasing number of compatible devices appearing on [...]

Netflix Streaming for the PS3 and XBox 360

Boxee Review

B.Greenway — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:19:47 +0000

Right off the bat Boxee has a different feel to it. The menu system is smooth and once you shed off the trappings of conventional media centers and adjust to Boxee's way of doing things, it starts to feel intuitive. Boxee's a lot to take in early on which is a bit surprising given how spartan the interface appears. Notice I said appears because once you dive in a little deeper you'll quickly see there are a ton of settings and features to tweak should you wish.

Boxee Review

Dude, Where’s My Netflix Tab Inside Vista Media Center?

B.Greenway — Thu, 21 May 2009 22:39:04 +0000

Like many of you who heard about Netflix support coming to Vista Media Center I too was anxious to give it a whirl, the only problem is unlike most of the accounts I was reading, my tab wasn’t “just there when I opened media center.

Dude, Where’s My Netflix Tab Inside Vista Media Center?

Preview: Windows 7 Media Center

B.Greenway — Sat, 16 May 2009 18:20:01 +0000

If you resisted the temptation to “upgrade” your windows based HTPC to Vista this long hopefully what follows will reinforce that decision, Windows 7 could be as little as 5-6 months away and given the fact that Microsoft didn’t release a QAM/ATSC tuner update to the public (its only technically available with new OEM builds) the wait may very well be worth it.

Preview: Windows 7 Media Center

Physical Media is (Nearly) Dead, Long Live Physical Media

B.Greenway — Mon, 11 May 2009 04:23:19 +0000

Back during the HD DVD/Blu-ray catfight, a common call among HD DVD supporters was that Blu-ray may win the battle but ultimately digital downloads would win the war. This was often countered with “I’ll never move to digital downloads, I want a physical copy of my purchase”. As with many arguments the truth is often [...]

Physical Media is (Nearly) Dead, Long Live Physical Media

Myka: IPTV Done Right?

B.Greenway — Mon, 04 May 2009 05:23:10 +0000

The Myka is a download/streaming media player and self described "magic box" for watching hi-def movies on your television

Myka: IPTV Done Right?

Netflix Rentals on the Xbox 360

B.Greenway — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:42:43 +0000

Yep, it finally happened. Well not yet, but soon. As a part of this fall’s Xbox Live update, Xbox 360 users will be able to access Netflix’s vast and ever growing library of films at (according to John Schapper, corporate VP of Xbox Live) no additional cost. “Netflix has revolutionized the movie industry, and now [...]

Netflix Rentals on the Xbox 360

Over 70 Million Connected Homes by 2012

B.Greenway — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 19:02:33 +0000

I still get a kick out of responding “the internet” when asked what’s the next big thing in home theater? Of course I go on to say there are always several “big things” on the horizon at any given time (3D and lossless downloads come to mind) but more and more advanced interactivity and alternative [...]

Over 70 Million Connected Homes by 2012

Russound Media Console

B.Greenway — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:53:27 +0000

I guess this really shouldn’t have come as a shock, I mean I’ve noticed an increase in media center PC’s all around, it’s just that well, this ones from Russound. What’s so special about a media center PC from Russound you ask? Aside from the optional dual cable-card tuner slots, LifeWare customized Ultimate Vista Media [...]

Russound Media Console

Review: SyncTV (beta)

Philip Stamps — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:32:47 +0000

In the weeks since installing the software I believe I’ve caught a glimpse of the future and its one where physical and digitally distributed media can happily coexist.

Review: SyncTV (beta)

My Entertainment

B.Greenway — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 16:21:25 +0000

Back when I was younger, it wasn’t unusual for me to get reprimanded for daydreaming in school, imagine that as if daydreaming was bad or something… Besides those in the know call it brainstorming, not daydreaming but I digress. The point is I still brainstorm but these days it generally involves ideas for new products [...]

My Entertainment

Late to the Party, Better Late Than Never: Xbox 360

B.Greenway — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 17:41:06 +0000

Late to the Party, Better Late Than Never: Xbox 360

Review: Mediagate MG-350HD Wireless HD Media Player

B.Greenway — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 13:15:39 +0000

Interested in a HTPC for media playback but not interested in the hassle associated with building and maintaining one? If so a networked media player (also called media receivers, streamers and a myriad of other things) may be just what the doctor ordered. These devices come in all shapes, sizes and feature-sets but for our [...]

Review: Mediagate MG-350HD Wireless HD Media Player

My Top Five Tips for Building a Windows Media Center PC

B.Greenway — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 16:24:44 +0000

Over the past few weeks I’ve been experimenting with several different streaming media devices in my home theater with varying degrees of success, ultimately I came back to the idea of a HTPC. This all goes back a few years and my “Rule of Three”, the rule of three pretty much goes like this, if [...]

My Top Five Tips for Building a Windows Media Center PC