The last look we had at MCEBuddy was of the still forthcoming 2.0 version which was and still is missing a user interface. While this was fairly cumbersome on the end user it did get the job done. Luckily since then WTV support has been added to the version 1.1 product allowing for doing the basics that MCEBuddy could [...]
There are several situations in which you may find yourself needing to do a simple conversion of the audio contained inside an MKV file only to find out it’s not so simple after all. Despite the fact that the MKV format is a simple container for holding a video and audio files (as well as subtitles, chapters and other [...]
Despite Windows 7 Media Center’s inclusion of a native movie library no function to actually rip the DVDs to the library was included. Certainly an attempt to avoid this legal grey area of copying purchased media to a secondary source, this also leaves out an important feature from the Media Center platform. This of course leaves an area open [...]
One major advantage to be had when using a Windows 7 Media Center over your standard cable DVR is the ability to scan and remove commercials from Recorded TV shows. Programs such as Lifextender, which can be setup to use either comskip or Showanalyzer, can arrange for new shows to be scanned and the commercials removed without having to [...]
As many former Vista Media Center users know, Windows 7 brought a new format to the Media Center in the form of the .WTV file. This new format is the new standard for recorded TV in Windows 7 Media Center, meaning all recorded TV will now be saved as WTV instead of the former standard DVR-MS. Unfortunately, this also [...]
Converting audio streams already contained inside an MKV can be a daunting process for the beginner. First, we’ll need to extract the audio tracks from the MKV container then we’ll begin the process of converting the track. Finally, we’ll re-mux the entire project back into a new MKV file. There are any number of reasons why one would want [...]
Using the latest version of DVRMSToolbox from Andy VT we can easily convert an MKV file to the new WTV format thanks to the inclusion of an updated todvrms program. Why would we want to do this? Well, for those who use Windows 7 Media Center exclusively for watching movie content it means ultimate compatibility. Converting to the WTV [...]
Looking for an easy way to bring your DVD collection into your Windows 7 Media Center movie library? DVDShrink may have just what you’re looking for. DVDShrink provide a simple and efficient method for even novice users to bring their collection to exactly where they need it. With an easy to use interface for selecting compress levels, included tracks [...]
DVRMSToolbox is the Media Center enthusiast’s Swiss Army Knife due in a large part to the FileWatcher service and Media Center add-in it provides. Downloadable from Andy VT’s Tools and Blog, DVRMSToolbox comes jam packed with features and profiles which allow you to automate the menial tasks of being a Media Center user.
Using the FileWatcher feature is a lot [...]
If you’re looking for a way to record to one drive and move it to another, perhaps recording to a local disk then moving it to a network storage drive, then DVRMSToolbox may just provide the solution you’re looking for. Using the FileWatcher service and the right processing conditions you can setup a process to automatically move your recordings [...]
Getting an extender to work properly with your Windows 7 Media Center has become slightly easier over the course of the beta but can still prove to be troublesome for many. Though by default Windows 7 now has the ability to transcode many of the formats which once required third party software it’s still far from flawless.
The preferred method [...]
This is a guest post written by Adam Thursby and originally posted at The Digital Media Zone as a follow up to Using EncodeHD for Portable Devices. Find even more great articles from Adam as well as regular podcasts over at The DMZ!
I wrote yesterday how EncodeHD can help you convert your video files for use on your portable [...]
This is a guest post written by Adam Plante, a Hack7MC reader. Do you have a guide you’d like to share with the community? Let us know by dropping us a line through the contact form or email mhealy@hack7mc.com.
This guide assumes you already have media browser installed and configured. Updated 6/3/2009 – This guide has been updated to include [...]
So you’re recording everything under the sun with your Media Center and you laugh in the face of those 80gb DVR users. That is, until you realize that you too have your limits. The options quickly become an ever expanding number of hard drives ($$) or find a way to squeeze those WTV files down into something more reasonable. [...]
The DVR-MS and WTV formats are difficult enough to work with on PCs and extenders. What if you want to take your shows on the road, maybe put it on your iPod? Well, basically you’ll need to convert it to a format like MPEG first. Once the file has been turned into an MP4 you’ll find it much more [...]
One of the most serious problems introduced for those switching from Vista Media Center to Windows 7 Media Center is the abandoning of the DVR-MS format. Up to this point commercial removal software such as comskip or Show Analyzer only work with the DVR-MS format, which has been replaced by WTV in Windows 7. This means no commercial removal [...]
Need to convert a video or two into a different format? Have some MKV files you’d like to play on an extender as MP4 files? Handbrake has the solution for you. Handbrake is a free, open-source program with more features for converting and encoding video than you’ll likely ever need. The interface, however, is easy enough to for basic [...]
