Ian Dixon has posted part 2 of the interview I did with him a few weeks ago where we discussed Media Center Markup Language (MCML) development.  This episode goes into more detail about MCML development.  We discuss topics such as using Rules in your UI, when and how to write code-behind assemblies for MCML applications, Windows Media Center Presentation Layer web applications, and packaging and deployment of applications.

Here are links to this segment and also to the previous segment and the extra session that Ian recorded where he demonstrates some of the Windows Media Center SDK tools and samples:

• The Media Center Show #79 - Media Center Development (Part 1)
• The Media Center Show #80 - Media Center Development (Part 2)
• The Media Center Show Extra #2

Aaron

A new episode of the Media Center Show has been posted today that focuses on Media Center Markup Language (MCML) development.  I talked with Ian Dixon a few weeks ago, and he decided to create a  2 part show based on our talk (part 2 will be coming next week).

The first part focuses on getting started if you are new to MCML development.  It includes a discussion of some of the learning tools and samples included in the Windows Media Center SDK (such as McmlSampler and the Q sample podcast and videoblog client).

In addition, Ian posted a Media Center Show Extra segment where he presents an overview of both McmlSampler and Q running within Windows Media Center.

Here are links to both the show and the extra segment:

• The Media Center Show #79 - Media Center Development (Part 1)
• The Media Center Show Extra #2

Hopefully you will find this information useful as you get started with Windows Media Center development.

Aaron

Head on over to http://www.mix06.com/ and check out the sessions available, including these from the Media Center team...

The Digital Home: Designing for the Ten-Foot User Interface
Speaker: Brian Kralyevich
Focus: Designer

Delivering compelling content to television sets around the Digital Home presents new design challenges for consumer content. Join us to learn more about best practices for creating new "ten foot" user interfaces for experiences on Windows Media Center and on Xbox 360.

The Digital Home: Developing Services and Applications
Speaker: Charlie Owen
Focus: Architect, Developer

Media Center for Windows Vista gives you new ways of delivering compelling entertainment to the Digital Home. In this technical session, learn how to create rich, engaging content and services for the home, using DHTML, Windows Presentation Foundation, and the new Windows Media Center Presentation Layer. Also, see how you can take advantage of Xbox 360 to deliver those services to multiple rooms around the home.

The Digital Home: The Business Opportunity
Speaker(s): Andrew Adamyk <-- My boss. Anyone want to join me as a front row heckler...?
Focus(s): Business Development Manager

Learn about new opportunities to expand your business and extend your audience in the Digital Home. See how Media Center for Windows Vista, and Xbox 360, enable you to deliver content and services to television sets around the home, helping you connect with consumers in new ways.

Learn more about all sessions available at https://content.mix06.com/content/sessions.aspx (or subscribe to the RSS feed at https://content.mix06.com/rss/SessionsRss.aspx).

Oh, and Joe Belfiore is keynoting 'User Experience Beyond the Browser'...

As web-based content and services become increasingly indispensable, users are expecting to interact with your offerings in new ways and in new locations. Microsoft's Joe Belfiore (Vice President, eHome division) hosts this overview of your options for boosting revenues by building "sticky" experiences that follow the user outside the browser, into the living room and on the go. Some of the specific technologies that will be discussed include: RSS, the Windows Sidebar, Office 12, Windows Mobile and Windows Media Center/Xbox 360.

Learn more about the speakers and what they are presenting at http://www.mix06.com/Speakers.aspx.

Media Center played a big part in our news at CES this year. Some of the highlights include:

• Sales of Media Center have reached the 6.5 million mark in just three years.
• Digital Cable. Media Center in Windows Vista will also deliver new HD scenarios, including CableCARD support, that will allow people to watch and record premium and HD cable programming on Media Center PCs without a set-top cable box.
• Digital Satellite. Microsoft and DIRECTV announced a multiyear agreement that will mean, among other things, that consumers will be able to use a Media Center PC to enjoy high-definition DIRECTV content.
• Sky Networks. Microsoft and British Sky Broadcasting (Sky), the leading pay-TV provider in the U.K. and Ireland, announced an agreement to create a Media Center PC version of Sky’s forthcoming broadband content service, Sky by broadband. The core service will allow millions of Sky TV customers to access video content via the PC, with hundreds of movies to download and hundreds of sports clips to stream.
• Starz Entertainment Group recently premiered Vongo, a new video download service for broadband that will give subscribers unlimited access to more than 1,000 movies and video selections as well as a live, streaming Starz TV channel, for a monthly cost of $9.99. Movies can be viewed on a Windows-based PC or easily transferred to a next-generation Windows Mobile®-based Portable Media Center.

Over 110 media companies around the world are now providing digital content through Online Spotlight in Media Center including these new services which are available today here in the United States...

• Comedy Central’s MotherLoad. Comedy Central’s MotherLoad features exclusive and dedicated content including video clips from current and classic Comedy Central shows such as “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.” Additional exclusives and dedicated content include sneak previews, behind-the-scenes exclusives, highlights from thousands of stand-up performances, and newly created short-form series such as “I Love the Thirties,” “Odd Todd” and “Meet the Creeps.”
• mtvU. mtvU is the only 24-hour network dedicated to emerging music and everything that’s great about college. mtvU is the first MTV Networks broadband channel to be distributed in its entirety both live and on demand on via Windows XP Media Center Edition, enabling viewers to program their own channel or just sit back and watch. At the heart of the channel are music videos from emerging artists that can’t be seen anywhere else.
• VH1 VSPOT. VSPOT, VH1’s pop culture and entertainment broadband network, delivers VH1’s best video programming on demand to Media Center PCs. VSPOT’s Music, Moves and Hot Stuff channels offer thousands of music videos, artist interviews, live events coverage, behind-the-scenes access and exclusive in-studio performances, from artists such as The White Stripes and INXS.
• New offerings from America Online in addition to their previously launched Music on Demand service. AOL Pictures (photo sharing) and AOL Radio (streaming radio, including XM content) are now available.

The following companies also announced services which will launch at some point in the future...

• Showtime Interactive. Showtime Interactive allows viewers to explore hundreds of Showtime programs and a wealth of DVD-like video extras such as behind-the-scenes clips, trailers and trivia as well as actor interviews, bios and filmographies.
• Turner Broadcasting System Inc.’s GameTap. GameTap is a first-of-its-kind broadband subscription entertainment network that offers more than 300 games on demand plus original programming via a broadband-connected Media Center PC.

You can get the official transcript of the Bill Gates keynote from http://www.microsoft.com/billgates/speeches/2006/01-04CES.asp.

More news on the way...