Content is King

Published Mon, 2007-09-24 13:57

 

A Media Center server is a very versatile entertainment hub for managing, storing and serving your content to many rooms around the house simultaneously.  Today there are many options for leveraging your existing investment in content, such as music CD's, and also for expanding into digital content, such as online movie downloads, YouTube, streaming music subscriptions, etc.

 

The following are some common ways Red Atom Networks enables you to get entertained with your Media Center:

 

Existing Content

  • Music CD's can be ripped (songs copied to your Media Center's hard drive) using common tools such as Apple iTunes or Microsoft Windows Media Player.  If you have a large collection of CD's, we partner with Riptopia and Ready2Play- we send your CD's to them- they send us back a DVD or a new hard drive with your ripped music.  We load this onto your Media Center and you have all your music ready to be enjoyed.
  • Home movie DVD's, videos, VHS tapes or reel movies can be digitized with our partner, YesVideo, in a similar process as above.  Watch them on demand anytime.
  • Purchased movie DVD's can be easily copied to a hard drive for playback throughout the house, but it is illegal to do so.
  • Digital photos can be migrated from a home computer directly to the Media Center to be played on large HDTV displays throughout the house.
  • Film photos, slides and artwork can be digitized by our partner, YesVideo, in a similar process as above and displayed throughout the house.

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    New Content

  • Music- there are many options for music for the well connected.  FM, satellite radio, such as XM and Sirius, internet radio from around the world, subscription and purchased music from Apple iTunes, Napster, Real Rhapsody, Yahoo, HD music from MusicGiants to name just a couple of sources.  We are partners with the largest providers to easily get you set up.
  • Movies- with a high-speed broadband internet connection, you can directly watch or download entire HD movies fairly quickly from several providers, such as MovieLink, Amazon Unbox and CinemaNow. 
  • TV- watch Internet TV, IPTV and CableTV (except On Demand or Pay Per View- not supported yet) without a set top box at every TV by using multiple Media Center CableCards and extenders.  Record all your favorite shows including premium channels directly to the hard drive and watch them in anyroom.  Start a show in the living room and finish watching it in the bedroom.  You can also schedule recordings over the internet.
  • Professional photos and artwork- several providers enable you to download their photos and artwork to be displayed on your HDTV screen when your not using it for other entertainment.  You don't have to stare at a black screen when it's not in use- you can view your favorite paintings from the Metropolitan Museum of Art instead.
  • Videos- now you can enjoy your favorite YouTube videos and other online services on any TV or computer in the house.

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    Media Center is not only versatile with the content that it can provide for your entertainment, but also in the ways that you enjoy it.  Media Center recently announced support for placeshifting, meaning that you can enjoy your content when you're outside your house- maybe staying in a hotel room with your laptop and an internet connection or at your summer house.  You can also take your content with you on a portable device, such as a Zune or iPod.

     

    The underlying operating system of Media Center, Vista, is also very versatile. Vista enables not just entertainment, but also other functions, such as, home automation, security and telephony. Vista and Media Center are great compliments for any home.

     

    The possibilities for Media Center to keep you entertained are increasing almost everyday. You'll need more time to take advantage of them. Red Atom Networks provides the content and ensures that you have the proper network to enjoy them.