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Multimedia
Center :::...
Some
people love it, others are less complimentary about
it, but unless you've opted for one of the few alternatives,
Multimedia Center is the glue that holds your All-In-Wonder
together.
Now
I'll be the first to admit that getting some previous
versions of MMC to do what you wanted was a bit like
knitting fog and "slick" certainly wasn't
a word that you'd fine being used too often to describe
it. I'm also happy to admit that those days seem to
be long gone. That's not to say that the current software
is blemish free, but it does feel much more fluid
and efficient.
Although
most of the testing was done using MMC8.5, I've been
using MMC8.9 for the past few days and so far it's
behaved very well. In fact 8.5 wasn't too bad, though
an error did cause the launch pad to close every time
I shut the TV player down which was a bit annoying.
Let's
have a look at some of the MMC configuration options:
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Most
of the DVD options are accessed from the actual DVD
app itself. From MMC you can only tinker with a couple
of audio options and activate multi-monitor support.
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Multimedia
Center - DVD Config
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If
you think you have a better way to handle TV video
capture in your system, you can specify that it should
be used here.
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Multimedia
Center - TV Config
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EAZYLOOK
was introduced last year (2003) with MMC8.5, Remote
Wonder 1.5 and CATALYST 3.4, and has one simple goal,
to make all the functions of your All-In-Wonder suitable
for use on a domestic TV at standard viewing distances.
We'll
have a slightly closer look at EAZYLOOK on the next
page.
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Multimedia
Center - EAZYLOOK Config
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It's
all skin-able, and maybe I'm just too fussy but it
seems none of the supplied options are particularly
great. It'd be nice to see ATi make some custom skinning
possible.
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Multimedia
Center - Skins Manager
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Not
sure about your file associations? This panel let's
you check what's going to launch what!
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Multimedia
Center - File Associations
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The
PC Check diagnostic allows some problems to be identified
and possible solutions offered.
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Multimedia
Center - PC Check Utility
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Multimedia
Center - PC Check Results
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EazyShare:
One
of the real outstanding features of Multimedia Center
8.8 was EazyShare, a function that allows a single
All-In-Wonder equipped PC to play server and stream
TV and multimedia functions to other networked PCs
which need only be equipped with an ATi Radeon graphics
card, that's ANY Radeon graphics card, including the
Mobility Radeons.
While
MMC8.8 only offered this functionality to genuine
"Built-by-ATI" Radeons, this was expanded
in MMC8.9 to include "Powered-by" graphics
too.
Setting
up EazyShare is simplicity itself thanks to yet another
installation wizard. Step one is to set up your server,
this is the PC where the All-in-Wonder card is installed.
You then later set up EazyShare on the PCs that you
want allow access from by setting each of them as
an EazyShare client.
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Multimedia
Center - PC Check Utility Scan Complete
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Secondly
you have to specify a protocol. UDP is the suggested
protocol on an HPNA or 10/100BaseT system while for
802.11 b/g wireless systems, TCP protocol is required.
TCP is the correct option if you run a combination
of wired and wireless networking.
Choosing
the "Allow All Clients" grants the same
permission levels for all clients on your EazyShare
network while selecting "Per Client" gives
you control over each individual client separately.
A list of clients is generated automatically once
the EAZYSHARE™ TV application is installed and initialized
on a client machine.
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Multimedia
Center - PC Check Utility Scan Complete
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Multimedia
Center - PC Check Utility Scan Complete
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Once
clients have been located and permission granted to
access the server, users on remote client PCs can
send requests for TV, switch channels, request a recording
event and scan for recorded content and initiate playback.
The
player panel reveals new, network related buttons
that reflect the network status.
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Request
Connection and Channel Control
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On
the client machines, the full range of setup options
are available. Here's some of the setup options available
to client machines on the network.
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Further
Remote TV Setup Configuration
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Further
Remote TV Setup Configuration
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I
have to be honest here and say that while I applaud
Multimedia center for its sheer complexity and features,
it's far from bug free. Even the ridiculously drawn
out procedure for upgrading the components are tiresome
and need a radical rethink. I mean come on, in an
era where we're landing probes on comets we have to
carry out ridiculous procedures like "Install
the latest WDM drivers but Don't reboot. Next install
your display driver then reboot". How hard can
it be to automate this little electronic dance?
EazyShare
is a wonderful value-added addition the MMC suite
and the very idea of streaming TV to every PC on your
network from just a single tuner is a great one, and
all the excuse you need for a new PC in the garage,
the attic and the kitchen ;) I'm looking forward to
getting DVD down the same pipe too when it happens.
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