Xtremely Transforming PCs Into Media Centers

PCI

Of course it's much easier and takes less time to simply plug the USB version into an unused port on any system, either on desktops or notebooks. The USB version also is good for the latest compact desktop systems, which sometimes have no PCI slots.

The XtremeTV peripheral adds media-center functionality to a PC without requiring Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center edition. (If Windows XP Media Center is used as the operating system, much of the software included with XtremeTV won't be necessary; only a driver and MPEG decoder are used.) XtremeTV also works with Windows 2000, XP Home and XP Pro.

Other system requirements include DirectX 9.0 or greater, Windows Media Player 9, an 800MHz or faster CPU, a minimum of 256 Mbytes of memory, a 16 Mbyte graphics card with 3-D acceleration and at least 15 Gbytes of available hard disk space. The user also needs a TV signal source such as an antenna, cable or satellite, and broadband Internet access is required for some of the functions.

First and foremost, XtremeTV's television tuner allows the viewing of live TV on a PC, and RCA and S-Video inputs allow videotapes, DVDs and other video sources to be viewed. Software included with XtremeTV provides full-featured Personal Video Recorder, or PVR, functionality; this is often referred to as a DVR, or Digital Video Recorder. Just like a VCR, the PVR can be programmed in advance to record multiple shows on different dates, times and channels. An integrated online program guide, customized by ZIP code and cable carrier, allows programs to be recorded with a single mouse click.

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When using XtremeTV to watch live TV, a time-shift buffer permits pausing and rewinding for instant-replay functionality. A PVR is essentially a video capture device, therefore XtremeTV can save digital copies of videotapes that can then be burned to disc if desired. Note that plenty of disk space can be gobbled up in a hurry when recording video, so it's a good idea to install one of the largest hard drives available in whatever system XtremeTV is integrated with.

XtremeTV features on-board MPEG-2 hardware acceleration to avoid straining the computer's main CPU while still providing high-quality video for processor-intensive tasks such as time-shifting and pausing live TV. In addition to the built-in TV tuner, XtremeTV also features an FM radio tuner, and an FM antenna is included with the product. Also included is a small remote control that provides access to all XtremeTV functions. The remote control is an RF unit that works through walls, which allows media to be viewed on a TV even if the computer is located in a different room.

XtremeTV is designed for compatibility with Orb Networks' free remote viewing service. After installing the Orb software on the PC with the installed tuner card, Orb Networks lets users watch live or recorded television and other video files from anywhere in the world as long as a broadband Internet connection is available. After setting up an account with Orb, users can then log into their home computer—from any location—to access the XtremeTV's TV tuner through Windows Media Player.

Orb Networks lets users handle all of XtremeTV's functions from the road, including changing channels, scheduling recordings, checking listings, monitoring Web cams and more. Other files placed in specific folders also can be accessed, including recorded video, photos and music. Guest accounts can be assigned to enable the sharing of various media with other users around the world. Media can be streamed not only to computers but also to mobile phones and PDAs. Orb worked well in Diamond's remote demo setup but as of press time, CRN Test Lab engineers could not get their own setup to work properly.

Both the PCI and USB versions of XtremeTV come with everything included to make it work—an installation guide, software and a remote control, along with audio, S-Video and composite video cables. The USB version also includes a USB cable and a stand for the external tuner module. Neither version includes a coaxial cable for the TV input so solution providers should bundle one with systems or supply one for customers when performing upgrades to older systems.