Until I started having to cope with High def file formats like h.264 and mkv I was perfectly happy installing one of the many codec packs to allow me to play my media files. The problem however with the latest file formats, is that they can be very CPU intensive, so if you don’t have a very modern PC you will struggle to play certain media files unless you have very good codecs installed. I was also having problems outputting digital audio to my amp.

By mainly trial and error I have managed to find the perfect mix of codecs that will allow you to play all media files, even if you have a older CPU. If you also have your PC connected to a digital amp, then this guide will help you output digital audio vai your SPDIF or coaxial cable.
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It’s a safe bet to say that most people have tons of videos. They have it on their mobiles, computers, and other portable media devices. Most of the time, you want to transfer a video from one device to another but don’t want to spend time looking for a free program that will convert your video to the proper format. If you have a lot of patience, you can look at the numerous video converters that support different types of formats. Finding the right one might take a while.

If you don’t have the time or patience to look for the converter you need, no need to worry. I’ve got just the thing you need.

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Windows Vista Media Center is a very good media center, and best of all it’s free. One nice feature within Windows Vista MCE is the media-only mode which gets rid of the windows minimise/close buttons in the top right so that your full screen is dedicated to your media.

Unfortunately there isn’t an option within MCE to enter this mode automatically, but after some digging around yesterday I found a way to enter media-only mode at startup:
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I’ve been beating myself up a bit this week as I thought I’d wasted my money on a Auzentech Prelude 7.1 videocard in my new media center PC, as it wouldn’t help me play the new HD audio formats like Doly TrueHD and DTS HD, that offer superior sound quality over older Dolby formats.

However, after doing some research today I think by accident I’ve purchased the correct card as Auzentech will be launching later the Auzentech HDMI X-Tension extension card that will connect to my Auzentech Prelude card, allowing it to support HDMI 1.3 and Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD.

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Quick. What’s the internet’s killer app? Social networking? Beep! Wrong. Despite the flurry of Web 2.0 and other shiny net gadgets, email still dominates as the most used web application. I’ve tried the pedestrian Outlook Express with it’s no frills mail management system. Nothing can get more hohum than that. On the other end of the spectrum, there’s Incredimail with it’s outrageous icons and formatting abilities. Fancy sending notes that looks like a Hallmark card? Incredimail can do it in 2 seconds!

And now- there’s GoldMail, a tool that only pushy salespeople would love.
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