How to: Stream Windows Media (WMP12) to PlayStation 3

This article explains how to stream media libraries that you have set up in Windows Media Player to PS3. To be able to stream media, first you’ll need to configure Windows 7 to share libraries set up in Windows Media Player, and then configure PS3 to connect to Windows 7 PC.

Windows Setup

1) Click on Start -> Control Panel -> Network and Internet
2) Select Home Group and Sharing Options
3) Click Change advanced sharing settings
4) Under Public -> Media Streaming click on Choose media streaming options
5) Click Turn on media streaming
6) Enter a name for your library
7) Click OK

Note: “Choose media streaming options” screen can also be accessed from within Windows Media Player. Select Stream -> More Streaming Options…

To configure a library in Windows Media Player, right click desired library (Music, Videos, or Pictures) and select Manage Music Library

PS3 Setup

You’ll need to find PS3’s MAC address.

1) System Setting > System Information
2) Network Settings (Scroll towards bottom)

Once you note down the Mac address then on your PC go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change Advance Sharing Settings.

Check that Network Discovery is ON and File & Printer Sharing is ON.

Click on Media Streaming options.

In Media Sharing window select Show devices drop bar and select All Networks from the list.

Double click each Unknown device to see the MAC address of the device. If the address matches your PS3 MAC address then allow that device for media sharing.

Now you can browse and play the media from your PS3 through Video, Music and Pictures libraries.

XBMC remote for iPhone

In one of previous articles I demonstrated a media centre setup with XBMC and iPhone. That article shows how to control XBMC using TouchMouse app. Now I’ll show another way to remote control XBMC.

One of the things that XBMC does is allow remote control over HTTP. After doing some research, I found several feee apps for iPhone that act as a HTTP remote. The app that I have chosen is XBMoteC .

Windows Setup

Open XBMC and from the main menu select “System” then “Network”.In the Network Settings menu select “Enable control of XBMC via HTTP”.

Install XBMC remote – download here.

iPhone Setup

Download and install XBMoteC app from App Store.

Start the app, add new server and enter your computer details.

I found the app to be quite good, remote is easy to use and response is instant. The app also makes it easy to jump between libraries (music, video, photos) with a tap of a button. You can also shut down your computer remotely.

Highly recommended, and best of all it’s free.

Windows 7 Service Pack 1

On February 22, Microsoft has released Service Pack 1 for Windows 7. This update includes previously released security, performance, and stability updates for Windows 7. SP1 also includes new improvements to features and services in Windows 7, such as improved reliability when connecting to HDMI audio devices, printing using the XPS Viewer, and restoring previous folders in Windows Explorer after restarting.

I have updated one Windows 7 Home Professional laptop and one Windows 7 Starter netbook. Both installations went without problems, and after downloading the SP1, the installation process took about 15 minutes on both machines. After restarting, both machines booted up and Windows was ready to go.

One thing that I have noticed on both installations of SP1 is that it removes the wallpaper for some reason (probably related to Active Desktop Update contained in SP1). If you need to change wallpaper in Windows 7 Starter, read this article.

Go to download page for Windows 7 Service Pack 1.

Use iPhone to remotely control your PC

Two most common ways of remotely connecting to your PC is through Remote Desktop Connection (Windows only), or using VNC server / client software.

There are several iPhone apps that will allow you to do this, and after doing testing we have narrowed down the choice to one of each – and they are both developed by the same company, MochaSoft.

RDP Lite – this allows you to connect to a Windows based PC that has remote desktop enabled. Click here for the product web page

VNC Lite – this allows you to connect to any computer that is running VNC server on it (Windows, Mac, Linux). Click here for the product web page

You can download RealVNC server from here.

Review: Logitech Webcam C160

Couple of days ago I got my hands on Logitech Webcam C160, went through installation process and tested it with Skype video calls.

The package consists of webcam, installation CD (which includes drivers and Logitech webcam software) and printed user documentation.

Device itself is very light, with universal clip, which in my experience works great with pretty much anything.

After CD was inserted, installer came up, with easy to follow steps, and the whole process was finished in about 10 minutes.
And that was it really in terms of installation and config – we were able to use the camera in Skype straight away, without having to check / change even a single setting.

We tested the webcam by making several Skype video calls. With its 1.3MP camera the video quality was quite clear, and the sound quality was good as well. We were quite happy with the results, and the verdict is that it is quite a good camera in its price range.

Requirements (as per manufacturer):
– Windows XP (SP2 or higher) / Windows Vista / Windows 7
– 512MB RAM or more
– 1GHz CPU (1.6GHz recommended)
– 200MB hard drive space
– Internet connection
– USB 1.1 (2.0 recommended)

Webcam specs (as per manufacturer):
– Video capture: Up to 640 x 480 pixels
– Video calling (640 x 480 pixels) with recommended system
– Photos: Up to 1.3 megapixels* (software enhanced)
– Built-in microphone with Logitech® RightSound™ technology
– Hi-Speed USB 2.0 certified (recommended)
– Universal clip fits laptops, LCD or CRT monitors
– Snapshot button for capturing photos
– Manual focus

Apple’s Find my iPhone

Apple’s Find my iPhone (part of MobileMe services) is now available for free on iPhone 4 running iOS 4.2.
This handy service helps you locate  your iPhone should you happen to lose it. It will show iPhone’s location on a map, and you can also send a remote message, play a sound, lock the phone or even do a remote wipe.

To set up Find my iPhone, make sure your iPhone 4 is running iOS4.2.

1) Go to Settings and choose Mail, Contacts, Calendars

2) Select Add Account and then select MobileMe

3) Enter you Apple ID account details (or create a free one if you haven’t already)

4) Verify your account via verification email that has been sent to you (if you can’t see verification email in your inbox, select your MobileMe account and select Resend Verification Email).

5) Return to MobileMe screen and switch on Find My iPhone. Select Allow on a message that appears after switching on the service.

6) Sign in to MobileMe from a computer to see your iPhone.

How to: Stream media to Xbox 360

This article explains how to stream media from a Windows 7 based PC to XBox 360 console.
To be able to stream media, first you’ll need to configure Windows 7 to share libraries set up in Windows Media Player, and then configure XBox 360 to connect to Windows 7 PC.

Windows

1) Click on Start -> Control Panel -> Network and Internet
2) Select Home Group and Sharing Options
3) Click Change advanced sharing settings
4) Under Public -> Media Streaming click on Choose media streaming options
5) Click Turn on media streaming
6) Enter a name for your library
7) Click OK (By default, all Xbox 360 consoles on the network are allowed to connect)

Note: “Choose media streaming options” screen can also be accessed from within Windows Media Player. Select Stream -> More Streaming Options…

To configure a library in Windows Media Player, right click desired library (Music, Videos, or Pictures) and select Manage Music Library

Xbox

1) Under My Xbox select Video Library, Music Library or Picture Library
2) Select your PC from the list of sources
3) Select an item to play

Note: If on Xbox after selecting your PC in the list of sources you get a message saying “Can’t connect. Make sure you have activated this console on your computer.”, go back to “Choose media streaming options” (step 4 for Windows Configuration), select Xbox from the list of devices and set status to “Allowed”, then click OK.

Gran Turismo 5 – update 1.06 available now

New update for GT5 has been released, and it brings lots of new features. Here is a list of new things that have been added. You can read the full release notes on the official site.

Remote Racing – Here you can start a fully automated B-Spec race using yours and your friends’ “My Drivers”, and gain rewards and experience from it.

Remote Racing from a Web Browser – You can visit the official “gran-turismo.com” website using a web browser, and remotely control your PS3® at home.

Using the Course Maker in Online Races – You can now use one of the “My Courses” for your online races.

Introduction of Performance Points in Online Races – Performance Points (PP) are now introduced, a numerical index of a car’s performance for online races.

Increased Rewards and Experience Online

More Event Settings in Online Races

More Penalties for Special Events

Event Rewards and Experience Adjusted –
Experience for A-Spec and B-Spec events have been increased, while rewards have been reduced back down to levels seen before the 1.05 update.

Car Loan in Events – In A-Spec, B-Spec and Special Events, you can now borrow cars that your Friends have set to share with friends.

More Car Settings – Gear ratio adjustment, power limiters, and weight adjustment have been added to the settings.

Multi-Monitor Feature – You can now access the multi-monitor display settings using multiple PS3™ systems.

Run your PC on free apps

Recently I purchased Acer Aspire One netbook and decided that I will only install and run free and open source applications on it. So far its been great, I have found free applications  to replace most of the commercially available ones, and they are very good replacements.

Here is a list of applications that I use.

Anti Virus

AVG Free Edition – Very good anti virus, free for personal use.
Get it here

You may also want to check out Microsoft Security Essentials. I have not used it myself but have heard good things about it.

Productivity

OpenOffice – Great free office suite, which includes Writer (word processing), Calc (spreadsheet), Impress (presentation), Draw (imaging) and Base (database). Get it here

Paint.NET – great image editing software. Get it here

Internet

Google Chrome – my favorite browser. Get it here

Firefox – another great browser. Get it here

Thunderbird – Email application. Get it here

Multimedia

VLC Media Player – One of the best media players available, haven’t come across a media file format yet that this app couldn’t play. Get it here

Winamp – another great media player that has been around since the ’90s. Get it here

Utilities

7z – File archiver. Great replacement for WinZip / WinRar. Get it here

Daemon Tools Lite – great tools for creating virtual CD/DVD/BD ROM drives and mounting images. Get it here

How to: Change wallpaper in Windows 7 Starter

One of the things missing from Windows 7 Starter is the ability to change desktop wallpaper. I’m not sure why Microsoft chose to leave this feature out, but many users (including myself) find the lack of it annoying.

I have done some research, and found this useful app – Starter Background Changer. It adds “Personalise” option to desktop’s right-click menu, which allows you to change the wallpaper. You can also change settings for colour, sounds and screensaver.

You can download the application from http://renaudgerson.fr/StarterBackgroundChanger/en/

Note: Installer is in French, but is straight forward to follow. The app itself is in English.