Technology
Boxee Review Part 2
Feb 20th
Its been over a year since I wrote a review about Boxee here is the link. I originally only wanted to use boxee for Hulu, and kind of gave it up over the summer since I started using the Hulu Desktop App. However I signed up for Netflix and MediaPortal has a plugin, but its not the best interface, so I thought I would try boxee out again. They just released a new beta several days ago, Perfect! I am very surprised on how much it have evolved over a year.
At this current time, I would save boxee is the best media center app I have ever used, even if it doesn’t included a TV backend ( unfortunately that isn’t boxees goal). Overall it does a great job playing media back, but I would say the apps really stick out here and they are the deal breaker. I am going to post screenshots and talk about them throughout this post.
Homescreen
My Photos
My Music
My Movies – Sorry I did have any
TV Show Library ( Online from ABC,NBC,HULU,SyFY, etc.)
My TV Shows will show any files TV shows you have locally or ones you have queued up to watch.
File Browser
My Apps – There are some very handy apps here.
My App Library – I recognized what most of the first 20-30 apps where, once you started looking at the full list there are alot of hand crafted ones toward the bottom.
Netflix has a great interface and it works great too.
Pandora – at your remote fingertips.
Last.fm – List to your favorite music
Youtube – Search for that funny video or just browse.
Twixiee – Twitter for Boxee
Clicker – Clicker is an odd application. I am not sure if 100% understand it, but it seemed like an extension to the TV show Library. There was more TV shows available on Clicker that were not available on TV shows Library, I recommend checking it out!
Quick Menu – when you back out several times will come to the quick menu, a few settings on top, the main row, and your shortcut row.
The feed page, from your social boxee feed.
Settings – Typical Settings page
Credits – Give credit where credit is due, and boxee gets the credits here!
Well when you finally put down your remote and are done with Boxee here is the exit box. You can exit, logout, or suspend the PC.
Overall boxee has greatly improved from a year ago. Its a high sophisticated media player that works well at the 10 foot interface. This makes me interested in the Boxee Box. I will continue using boxee for netflix for the time being, and who knows, I might be able to write another review in another year.
Boxee is available for Windows (7,Vista,XP) Mac, Ubuntu, and AppleTV. I am testing boxee on Vista and XP. There is also a ipod touch/iphone Boxee Remote.
Photo Gallery
MediaPortal Guide in the works
Feb 11th
I am working on putting together a guide to using MediaPortal.
DIY 4-Bay UHF Antenna
Dec 28th
I decided to try and make a TV antenna from many different online resources I have read. The Antenna I made was a 4-Bay bow-tie antenna. You will see this called a coat hanger antenna also, because you can make the whisk out of coat hangers easily. I first read about this antenna from this website, but I am sure its been on the internet long before this. My goal was to get some vhf channels in ( channel 7,9 and 12) , and since this antenna is mostly UHF, I found some modified designs by mclapp that help produce a small gain in the VHF-HI range.
http://www.frontiernet.net/~mclapp/Antennas/4baystuff/4%20bay%209%201-2%20element%20layout.pdf
http://www.frontiernet.net/~mclapp/Antennas/4baystuff/4%20bay%209%20inch%20phase%20line.pdf
Unfortunately the antenna didn’t work as well as I was hoping it would. The antenna worked for 12,51 (2-1), and 20 in my area, even though there is channel 48 and 28 which it was missing. My guess is I did something wrong.
The antenna was fairly cheap to build from all store bought parts. It was under 9 dollars from my local Menards.
Wire ( I used 14 gauge galvanized steel)
#6 wood screws
#6 washers
Board from the scrap bin ( 15 cents !!! )
Balun – Converts it over to coaxial cable.
If anyone has any suggestions on why it doesnt work as well as my DB2, let me know 
I would like to note: I am not an antenna expert, just a beginner. Just going off what I have read online for information.
Boxee Box
Dec 11th
So Boxee and D-Link are coming out with a new piece of hardware called the Boxee Box. Overall it looks really neat, it has a nice design, includes the major outputs needed for a mediacenter ( assuming you have an open HDMI port), and looks to be small according to boxees blog post.
If boxee would like to send me one, I would be more then happy to review it 
I have included a few photos from the blog.
Hopefully its not to expensive and its a big hit, boxee has a great future!
Portable Apps
Nov 15th
Its been a while since I posted, and since then I found out a wonderful application. Its called Portable Apps. You install it to your usb flash drive and whatever computer you go to you have access to your favorite apps. Well maybe not all your favorite apps, but the ones available on the portable apps website, here is the link to apps available. I went ahead and installed firefox, vlc, 7-zip, pidgin,notepad++, and putty. Some of the applications are open source, while others are freeware if it makes a difference to you, of course they will all be virus/spyware free. So if its something you find useful, I suggest you download it and check it out. http://portableapps.com/
Mediaportal
Sep 10th
I am an avid HTPC user. I have been using mediaportal for over 2 years. I thought I would share a little about it, and write a full review in the future. If you are looking for an excellent windows based front end software, your search may stop here. It offers TV playback, DVR functionality, video playback, audio playback, picture viewing, any many user supported plugins. So go to the website, check out the forums for plugins and skins, and show your love for mediaportal.
TheSixtyOne.com
Aug 24th
So I am going to go out and give a plug to this website. http://www.thesixtyone.com/ They play non-label/indie type of music. This is music that isnt on the radio ( for the most part). There is some great undiscovered music on here. I recommend going out and listening to some songs. If you sign up refer me username:tonyscha
checkout my profile for my featured songs http://www.thesixtyone.com/#/tonyscha/
Thanks!
Hulu – Desktop App
May 31st
So Hulu just released a new desktop app a few days ago ( I am a little slow) . From first impression its farily well done for a beta release. To be honest I like it better then the boxee interface. I watched a few shows on it and everything seemed to work well. My main purpose is to open it from MediaPortal. The best thing about it was it worked well with the remote, once you got use to the buttons.
From what I could tell about the app, it was just some kind of flash overlay. Other then that not much to write about it other then it works!!
Blackberry – Speedtest
May 22nd
Ok blackberry app review time. I feel like writing blogpost tonight not sure why. There is a very useful app from xtreme labs that is called speedtest. They also make iphone apps. This app lets you check out your networks speed. The app is very simple just click the button and it will test the download and upload speed, and report back to you. I believe the app can be download through the blackberry store. I am unsure of how it works when connecting to wi-fi.
Boxee Rant
May 22nd
Ok I follow boxee on twitter and they posted about a week ago on how they wont have the boxee windows release done until June. I am really starting to think that boxee is bias toward macs. I am sure there is a legitmate reason they are taking longer but WHY… Why is the most popular OS with the most users the last to get updated. Maybe they want to be nice and actually account for the 1% of the market. Well whatever I guess I will just stick with the old release. If I have time I will write a new review on the new version when its released.
