Barb's Connected World

Eagle eye'd friend mentioned that the rear view of the Velocity Micro MCE Vista machine was topsy turvy. So here is is again.

Also, it IS connected to a Comcast Set Top Box. The supplied tuner accepts a coax connection and also allows s-video and R/L stereo inputs via a dongle that plugs into the tuner card.

Correct side up (rear view)  

Velocity Micro and Comcast STB  

It’s a good thing I have this week off from work. I’ve had some quality time to spend exploring the Velocity Micro Windows Vista Ultimate computer home entertainment system. Windows Media Center rocks. If you want a quick overview of Media Center, see my column Windows Media Center or webcast.

64 Bit Vista Operating System: Out of the box, the computer was loaded with the 64 bit edition of Windows Vista Ultimate Edition. Microsoft custom loaded this box and I would think that Microsoft/AMD want to demonstrate that 64 bit computing is the future (but here today). I’ve been a fan of 64 bit client computing since Windows XP Pro x64 and wrote about Upgrading a Laptop to Dual Boot with Windows XP x64 Edition.  So I am hoping that companies like Velocity Micro load x64 on these machines when they become available for sale in January 2007.

Peripherals: The only downside with x64 is that other peripherals you already own may not have 64 bit signed drivers. But there are work arounds if you don’t want to replace most existing functioning equipment. Older printers, for example. See my work around in the section Older operating systems and older hardware in my column Windows Vista Home Networking. My Nikons are recognized when I plug in the USB cable. See Digital Imaging in Windows Vista Photo Gallery for info on how this works.  Some people are reporting in various newsgroups that they can’t find drivers for their camera (camera that don’t look like external USB hard drives to Windows fall into this category). Luckily, the Velocity Micro (like most computers and laptops you buy today) has one of those X in 1 media readers which work beautifully with Vista on x64.

Networking: There are two onboard NICs (remember, ASUS mobo..) and an internal (but apparently USB bus based) wireless NIC.  This NIC is a standard ASUS 802.11g and not one of the newer draft N or a/g types. I’m hoping that this piece gets an upgrade before production shipping starts. I’ve connected one of the onboard Ethernet NICs to a D-Link DGL-3420  gaming adapter (you can see this in some of the images in other blog entries here) running to a dedicated 802.11a AP on my network, so I’ve got the Need For Speed licked. Some folks in the public Vista newsgroups are reporting some connectivity issues with older wireless routers. So check for a firmware upgrade or replace it if you are bitten by this one. I’ve been fine, but I have fairly new routers and access points.

Just when I thought it couldn't get any better.

Cable Card (OCUR) support *IS* soon to be an option for Vista Media Center Computers custom built by Velocity Micro. See http://www.velocitymicroblog.com/ and the blog entry "11.28.2006 What I Want For Christmas".

I've been exchanging a few emails with Chris Morley.

I talk about Cable Card support in a recent webcast I did for Microsoft http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/927174 

Check out the ratings. This Velocity Micro custom made Vista Media Center computer is one mean machine. And in this case, mean=fast and sweet. I've been working on personalization and just customized the desktop with a digital image I shot earlier this year.

 

 

Dear Microsoft and AMD and Aaron,

Thank you does not fit here. It's more than that. I'm overwhelmed. I just realized that my out of the box experience yesterday is what the world will be experiencing when they purchase a new machine and bring it home. It doesn't get any better than this. You know, I remember DOS 2.1. And some years later, I remember seeing a preview of Video for Windows with that 1 inch square window with the skier. And suddenly I saw a glimpse of the future. And that future is here now. And better than I dreamed it could be.

I've never seen a computer this slick and fast. And did I mention that Vista ROCKS? I remember the first beta of the first version of Media Center. I saw the future again. Well, MCE fulfilled the promise. It is all grown up and it's still magic for me with the latest version in Vista.

Rock On!

Barb

 

I couldn't believe the email I received on 12/13. Microsoft and AMD asked if I wanted a custom built Vista Media Center from Velocity Micro. An eval I could use, talk about and then later either return to MS, give away, or keep. I checked the email for spoofed headers because I just don't get emails like that every day. It's the nicest desktop I've ever seen by far. The proc is X2 5000, ASUS mobo, SATA all the way, ATI x1950, ATI Theater Pro 660 tuner, and of course Windows Vista Ultimate. I also discovered that a full copy of Office 2007 was also pre-installed. And a 64 bit version of CA eTrust AV.

Close-ups of front and back are below.

It's quite the machine and has center stage in my living room, hooked up to my 45 inch LCD. I'm running sound out through SPDIF to my Home Theater. Came with one of those MCE keyboards. I like the keyboard but not the stick mouse on it (too stiff) so hooked up a wireless MS notebook mouse. When I find the Gyration Air Mouse I've hidden away somewhere, I'll replace the mouse with that.

And it's up and running. DHL was here very early and I've had a fun day setting up this super screamer that Microsoft and AMD sent me.

I'm going to relax and watch a little TV now.

 

 

 

Thanks to Terri - I now have the only missing driver for the Ferrari 5000 under Vista x64

OK, it works. Zune plus Ferrari 5000 x64 Vista. Happy together. Now converting and sync'ing Starwars III and Phantom of the Opera to new Zune.

The nice folks at AMD recently provided an Acer Ferrari 5000 with 2 gigs of RAM and swapped out the hard drive for a faster 7200 RPM upgrade from the stock configuration. With the latest ATI (AMD) video driver for the Mobility Radeon x1600, I'm convinced I have the coolest and fastest laptop on the planet. I thought the Ferrari 4000 was to die for, but the 5000 is even better.

 

The 5000 provided to me had an included Atheros a/g wireless radio. While that works fine with all my a/g routers and access points, I have some draft N equipment as well. With the Ferrari, I felt the need for speed. Vista does not have any 64 bit Draft N Atheros drivers at this point (altho there are drivers for Atheros 802.11 a/g). I don't know what those folks are doing. However, there ARE in box drivers for Broadcom based draft N for x64 so that is what I'm using.

 

12/28/06: The Ferrari 5000 was provided by AMD and not part of the Microsoft/AMD program. Through the MS/AMD program, I received a Velocity Micro MCE Vista desktop and disclosed it as such.

Bad bad nero. Changes the registry from these defaults. So save this as a reg file or carefully edit the registry (need admin rights):

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.DVR-MS]
@=""
"PerceivedType"="video"
"MP2.Last"="Custom"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.DVR-MS\OpenWithProgIds]
"WMP.DVR-MSFile"=hex(0):

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.DVR-MS\ShellEx]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.DVR-MS\ShellEx\{BB2E617C-0920-11D1-9A0B-00C04FC2D6C1}]
@="{9DBD2C50-62AD-11D0-B806-00C04FD706EC}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.DVR-MS\ShellEx\{e357fccd-a995-4576-b01f-234630154e96}]
@="{9DBD2C50-62AD-11D0-B806-00C04FD706EC}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.wmv]
"PerceivedType"="video"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.wmv\shellex]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.wmv\shellex\{BB2E617C-0920-11d1-9A0B-00C04FC2D6C1}]
@="{c5a40261-cd64-4ccf-84cb-c394da41d590}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile]
@="Windows Media Audio/Video file"
"EditFlags"=hex:00,00,01,00
"FriendlyTypeName"=hex(2):40,00,25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,\
  00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,\
  32,00,5c,00,75,00,6e,00,72,00,65,00,67,00,6d,00,70,00,32,00,2e,00,65,00,78,\
  00,65,00,2c,00,2d,00,39,00,39,00,31,00,34,00,00,00
"PreferExecuteOnMismatch"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\DefaultIcon]
@=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,\
  00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,77,00,6d,00,\
  70,00,6c,00,6f,00,63,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,2c,00,2d,00,37,00,33,00,36,\
  00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\shell]
@="Play"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\shell\open]
"LegacyDisable"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\shell\open\command]
@=hex(2):22,00,25,00,50,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,6d,00,46,00,69,00,6c,\
  00,65,00,73,00,25,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,64,00,6f,00,77,00,73,00,20,00,\
  4d,00,65,00,64,00,69,00,61,00,20,00,50,00,6c,00,61,00,79,00,65,00,72,00,5c,\
  00,77,00,6d,00,70,00,6c,00,61,00,79,00,65,00,72,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,\
  22,00,20,00,2f,00,70,00,72,00,65,00,66,00,65,00,74,00,63,00,68,00,3a,00,37,\
  00,20,00,2f,00,4f,00,70,00,65,00,6e,00,20,00,22,00,25,00,4c,00,22,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\shell\open\DropTarget]
"CLSID"="{CE3FB1D1-02AE-4a5f-A6E9-D9F1B4073E6C}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\shell\play]
@="&Play"
"MUIVerb"=hex(2):40,00,25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,\
  6f,00,74,00,25,00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,\
  00,75,00,6e,00,72,00,65,00,67,00,6d,00,70,00,32,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,\
  2c,00,2d,00,39,00,39,00,39,00,31,00,00,00
"LegacyDisable"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\shell\play\command]
@=hex(2):22,00,25,00,50,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,6d,00,46,00,69,00,6c,\
  00,65,00,73,00,25,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,64,00,6f,00,77,00,73,00,20,00,\
  4d,00,65,00,64,00,69,00,61,00,20,00,50,00,6c,00,61,00,79,00,65,00,72,00,5c,\
  00,77,00,6d,00,70,00,6c,00,61,00,79,00,65,00,72,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,\
  22,00,20,00,2f,00,70,00,72,00,65,00,66,00,65,00,74,00,63,00,68,00,3a,00,37,\
  00,20,00,2f,00,50,00,6c,00,61,00,79,00,20,00,22,00,25,00,4c,00,22,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\shell\play\DropTarget]
"CLSID"="{CE3FB1D1-02AE-4a5f-A6E9-D9F1B4073E6C}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\shellex]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\PlayOnMyTV]
@="{FFB699E0-306A-11d3-8BD1-00104B6F7516}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\WMPAddToPlaylist]
@="{F1B9284F-E9DC-4e68-9D7E-42362A59F0FD}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\WMPPlayAsPlaylist]
@="{CE3FB1D1-02AE-4a5f-A6E9-D9F1B4073E6C}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\shellex\{8895b1c6-b41f-4c1c-a562-0d564250836f}]
@="{031EE060-67BC-460d-8847-E4A7C5E45A27}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMVFile\VideoClipContainer]
@="{5cdcb131-a1a1-4fe9-9a10-80effe042ae0}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.avi]
@="WMP.AVI"
"PerceivedType"="video"
"MP2.Last"="Custom"
"MPlayer2.BAK"="NeroShowTime.Files7.avi"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.avi\OpenWithProgIds]
"WMP.AVI"=hex(0):

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.avi\ShellEx]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.avi\ShellEx\{BB2E617C-0920-11D1-9A0B-00C04FC2D6C1}]
@="{c5a40261-cd64-4ccf-84cb-c394da41d590}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.avi\ShellEx\{e357fccd-a995-4576-b01f-234630154e96}]
@="{9DBD2C50-62AD-11D0-B806-00C04FD706EC}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile]
@="Video Clip"
"EditFlags"=hex:00,00,01,00
"FriendlyTypeName"=hex(2):40,00,25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,\
  00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,\
  32,00,5c,00,75,00,6e,00,72,00,65,00,67,00,6d,00,70,00,32,00,2e,00,65,00,78,\
  00,65,00,2c,00,2d,00,39,00,39,00,30,00,35,00,00,00
"PreferExecuteOnMismatch"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\CLSID]
@="{00022602-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Compressors]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Compressors\auds]
@="{0002000F-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Compressors\vids]
@="{00020001-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\DefaultIcon]
@=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,\
  00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,77,00,6d,00,\
  70,00,6c,00,6f,00,63,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,2c,00,2d,00,37,00,33,00,31,\
  00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Extensions]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Extensions\AU]
@="{00020003-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Extensions\AVI]
@="{00020000-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Extensions\BMP]
@="{00020006-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Extensions\DIB]
@="{00020006-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Extensions\FLC]
@="{00020007-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Extensions\FLI]
@="{00020007-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Extensions\TGA]
@="{0002000A-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Extensions\WAV]
@="{00020003-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\RIFFHandlers]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\RIFFHandlers\AVI]
@="{00020000-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\RIFFHandlers\WAVE]
@="{00020003-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\shell]
@="Play"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\shell\open]
"LegacyDisable"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\shell\open\command]
@=hex(2):22,00,25,00,50,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,6d,00,46,00,69,00,6c,\
  00,65,00,73,00,25,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,64,00,6f,00,77,00,73,00,20,00,\
  4d,00,65,00,64,00,69,00,61,00,20,00,50,00,6c,00,61,00,79,00,65,00,72,00,5c,\
  00,77,00,6d,00,70,00,6c,00,61,00,79,00,65,00,72,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,\
  22,00,20,00,2f,00,70,00,72,00,65,00,66,00,65,00,74,00,63,00,68,00,3a,00,38,\
  00,20,00,2f,00,4f,00,70,00,65,00,6e,00,20,00,22,00,25,00,4c,00,22,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\shell\open\DropTarget]
"CLSID"="{CE3FB1D1-02AE-4a5f-A6E9-D9F1B4073E6C}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\shell\play]
@="&Play"
"MUIVerb"=hex(2):40,00,25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,\
  6f,00,74,00,25,00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,\
  00,75,00,6e,00,72,00,65,00,67,00,6d,00,70,00,32,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,\
  2c,00,2d,00,39,00,39,00,39,00,31,00,00,00
"LegacyDisable"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\shell\play\command]
@=hex(2):22,00,25,00,50,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,6d,00,46,00,69,00,6c,\
  00,65,00,73,00,25,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,64,00,6f,00,77,00,73,00,20,00,\
  4d,00,65,00,64,00,69,00,61,00,20,00,50,00,6c,00,61,00,79,00,65,00,72,00,5c,\
  00,77,00,6d,00,70,00,6c,00,61,00,79,00,65,00,72,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,\
  22,00,20,00,2f,00,70,00,72,00,65,00,66,00,65,00,74,00,63,00,68,00,3a,00,38,\
  00,20,00,2f,00,50,00,6c,00,61,00,79,00,20,00,22,00,25,00,4c,00,22,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\shell\play\DropTarget]
"CLSID"="{CE3FB1D1-02AE-4a5f-A6E9-D9F1B4073E6C}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\shellex]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\PlayOnMyTV]
@="{FFB699E0-306A-11d3-8BD1-00104B6F7516}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\WMPAddToPlaylist]
@="{F1B9284F-E9DC-4e68-9D7E-42362A59F0FD}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\WMPPlayAsPlaylist]
@="{CE3FB1D1-02AE-4a5f-A6E9-D9F1B4073E6C}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\shellex\{8895b1c6-b41f-4c1c-a562-0d564250836f}]
@="{031EE060-67BC-460d-8847-E4A7C5E45A27}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\VideoClipContainer]
@="{5cdcb131-a1a1-4fe9-9a10-80effe042ae0}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mpg]
"PerceivedType"="video"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mpg\shellex]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mpg\shellex\{BB2E617C-0920-11d1-9A0B-00C04FC2D6C1}]
@="{c5a40261-cd64-4ccf-84cb-c394da41d590}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mpeg]
"PerceivedType"="video"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mpeg\shellex]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mpeg\shellex\{BB2E617C-0920-11d1-9A0B-00C04FC2D6C1}]
@="{c5a40261-cd64-4ccf-84cb-c394da41d590}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.jpg]
"PerceivedType"="image"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.jpeg]
"PerceivedType"="image"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.png]
"PerceivedType"="image"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.gif]
"PerceivedType"="image"