Blogs

In case you haven't visited our forums lately, you may have noticed quite a significant change...there's only 5 forums now! In an effort to assist all our readers, both super techy and absolute rookies, we felt that a more consolodiated approach to our forums would help everyone worry more about just asking their questions or posting their topics without having to worry about which forum (we use to have 25!). So, feel free to head on over there and start posting.

And here they are (remember you can always get to the forums from the menu bar at the top):

• Home Theater Construction Help
• MissingRemote Playground
• General Home Theater Discussion
• Home Theater Computers
• Beginner General Questions

Feel free to let us know what you think in the comments below.

Ed Bott's blog on How to update Intel drivers automatically reminded me that I've been meaning to write a blog on Intel Management Engine Interface (MEI) and why you should install it.

I'll keep it short and simple. If you are using an Intel 5 Series Chipset (H55\H57) paired with a compatible Intel Core i3 or i5 for onboard graphics you need to install Intel MEI for HD Audio bitstreaming. You can download it from Intel® ME: Management Engine Driver for Intel 5 Series Chipset-Based Desktop Boards. HD Audio bitstreaming will NOT work without it. A bit frustrating since it isn't well documented and most enthusiasts tend to install the bare minimal drivers to prevent bloat.

The reason why is a little more complicated but basically PAVP 1.5 is a function of the Intel ME firmware that is only exposed when the corresponding interface, Intel MEI, is installed.

There are a few other benefits in Intel MEI but for HTPC enthusiasts that is the primary benefit. This is also not limited to Intel branded motherboards. Intel, Zotac, ASUS, Gigabyte, etc. H55 and H57 boards all require it.

For more on HD Audio bitstreamng, see our guide Bitstreaming HDMI HD Audio Formats from your HTPC.

THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING, THIS CONTEST HAS ENDED!!!!! GOOD LUCK TO ALL!! WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON!

ENTER TO WIN:

QNAP NMP-1000P Media Player

Continuing our MissingRemote.com re-launch contest, we have a really special prize for the special holiday weekend. Courtesy of our friends at QNAP, we have up for grabs the awesomely powerful QNAP NMP-1000P Media Player. Valued at over $400 this digital video player is mighty powerful as we just recently reviewed.

While the chassis and form factor has remained the same on the NMP-1000P as was on the NMP-1000, the heart of any media player--the chipset--has received a nice upgrade. Now powering the unit is a Sigma Designs SMP8643 chip, running at 667 Mhz. This is a pretty serious upgrade from the SMP8635 300Mhz chip that powers the NMP-1000. While I did not have any experience with the 1000, I can attest that the menu navigation of the 1000P was extremely responsive. I’ve tested a number of different extender-type media players and the menu speeds were as fast as I have seen. The only negative I could see to this switch was the omission of S-Video and S/PDIF Coaxial outputs from the rear of the unit--I couldn’’t see any reason why they would have removed these ports from the NMP-1000 other than the chipset not supporting them or too much extra work to add them, since the space on the backplate is identical to the NMP-1000P.

HOW TO ENTER

The easiest and ONLY ONE MANDATORY REQUIREMENT TO ENTER is to respond to this post with an answer to: What is your home theater new years resolution?

That's all that's required; respond with your answer and you'll be entered into the giveaway!

You are also able receive more than one chance to win, using Facebook and Twitter. The more entries you have, the greater your odds of winning!

• Twitter Users:
  • Follow us at Twitter @MissingRemote
  • Tweet the answer to the question above
  • AND include the following URL http://bit.ly/mr1000p
  • Don't forget your username!!!
• Facebook Users:
  • Visit our Facebook Fan Page and click the "Like MissingRemote" button at the top of the fan page (if you don't see it, that means you're already a fan!)
  • And reply to the question on our Wall for this contest
  • Don't forget your username!!!
  • NEW: For EVEN MORE CHANCES TO WIN via Facebook, have your friends LIKE MissingRemote (hint: use the "Suggest to Friends" button on the left side), if they mention in a post on our wall the person who introduced MissingRemote to them, they automatically get entered and you receive a 2ND ENTRY!!

Good luck everyone

This is neither new news (it was released last week) nor HTPC news but I thought it was worth mentioning nonetheless that “Microsoft Security Essentials v2” is available for download.

Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) v1 was my preferred anti-virus application and v2 makes significant improvements without adding bloat. I know many HTPC enthusiasts prefer to ignore anti-virus protection on their HTPC. I can't blame them, I've never had a virus and typically smart computing practices negate many of the risks but with Microsoft Security Essential there really is no reason NOT to run it.