Does anyone still use MCE 2005?

admin — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 01:01:42 +0000

My question to you is… does anyone still use Windows Media Center 2005?

As some of you may know I had been working on a MCE 2005 Netflix Plug-in. Do to the constant changes on Netflix’s website I was unable to maintain updates do to time restraints. Now that Netflix has released an official API I have decided to start the NetflixMC project up again. I am making a change to the NetflixMC client though; it will be for MCE Vista and up. Is there anyone that would like to work with me to create a front end interface for MCE 2005? If so contact me over at TheGreenButton.com (http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/thread/255078.aspx)

NetflixMC Beta

admin — Tue, 27 May 2008 17:53:47 +0000

Features to implement :

Mouse free Media Center plugin interface to Netflix - DONE
Login to your Netflix account - DONE
Browse WatchNow by Genre - DONE
Ultra Fast Search WatchNow - DONE
Realtime Search WatchNow
Bookmark WatchNow Movies - DONE
Watchnow Video Archiving
View Rental with in MCE - Almost
Browse normal Netflix rentals and add them to your Queue - Almost
Manage your netflix Queue - Almost
TV Series Episode selection - DONE
Image Caching - DONE
Parental Control
Stream Speed Settings - DONE
Menu Personalization - DONE

Screenshots

Contact Me & Give Feed Back VIA
TheGreenButton.com

Project Status :

6/16/2008 - I am not happy with the new build. WPF is not really supported by the MCE 2005 API and does not seem to run smooth enough for this type of application. I will be looking into moving the interface to the MCE html API. With all this being said, I will not be posting the new beta.
5/27/2008 - Took All Downloads Offline. ~~Will post a new Beta soon.~~
3/29/2008 - Posted a new Test Beta Build for both MCE 2005 and Vista MC users.
3/27/2008 - Looking to release a new beta this weekend… For both Vista and MCE 2005.
2/27/2008 - Posted early Beta Test build for Vista. Still too many bugs in the MCE 2005 build.
2/14/2008 - First WPF test build complete. Runs on MCE2005 and VMC
1/31/2008 - Tested early prototype WPF code and it runs on MCE2005 , VMC and ExMCE.. not sure about Vista Extenders though I don’t have one. I am sure it will run though.
1/23/2008 - Interface Design underway. Version 1.0 will be in WPF(XBAP).
1/20/2008 - Concept Testing complete. Trying to choose technology for the MCE interface

Always uninstall the old version of NetflixMC

FAQ :

Q: Does Netflix support the NetflixMC project?
A: Who Knows? Netflix did not ask me to write NetflixMC. I am not even sure they know about NetflixMC. The NetflixMC application is just a custom browser used from within Media Center. Use NetflixMC at your own risk.

Q: Does the Netflix Media Center plugin support extenders?
A: NetflixMC will run on extenders but WILL NOT play WatchNow videos. Your not going to see any kind of support for exenders until Netflix changes the way their movies aquire its licence or allows the licence to be stored on the computer.

Q: What Versions of Medai Center are supported?
A: NetflixMC supports BOTH MCE 2005 and Vista MC. NetflixMC is able to do this by using WPF(Windows Presentation Foundation).

Q: What type of Licensing will I use?
A: I am not sure which one but I do know this Medai Center plugin will be free.

Q: Will the code be open source?
A: At this point in time I will be keeping it closed source. I will tell you that I am using the Netflix API from Codeplex.com. Find it here