Category5 Technology TV - Saving Money Using Technology - Part 2: The Sub-$100 Multimedia Center

Saving Money Using Technology - Part 2: The Sub-$100 Multimedia Center

S05E35
May 22, 2012

Looking at the AIOS HD Media Center, which provides full HD video, music, BitTorrent client and more in a device that is commonly available for under $100.

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This episode is sponsored in part by: Eco Alkalines, Garden Gate Farms and Cordery Electric.

Topics Covered:

Robbie Ferguson and Eric Kidd present live from the Category5 studios in Barrie, Ontario.
Eric's new nickname, which will never stick.
The upcoming web site launch features the Community Photo Booth and you can use it now.
Eric is filling in for Rachel Xu, who is off sick.
Eric's upcoming recital performance has him accompanying a cellist.
Win a year supply of Eco Alkalines batteries.
Defining a "year supply" of batteries.
Eric's Question: What size batteries do Eco Alkalines manufacture?
{play 14:19}Viewer Questions.
Viewer Question: I usually setup swap on my Linux hard drive, but since I'm switching to SSD, I'm concerned about decreasing the lifespan of my drive if I do that. Should i instead put more RAM in the system?
Viewer Question: I'm trying to install DockbarX on Ubuntu 12.04. I followed the steps on Launchpad, but I can't get it installed. Any suggestions?
Installing DockbarX on Ubuntu 12.04 using the WebUpd8 PPA (cat5.tv/ppa1).
Viewer Question: I'm using Goldwave and Cyberlink PowerDirector, along with a Blue Yeti microphone to produce video with my Flip video camera. How can I match up the audio with the video?
Clapboards are available at cat5.tv/bh.
{play 32:07}Top Stories from the Category5.TV Newsroom.
{play 38:08}Contest announcement: Win a magicJack Plus and get free phone service for a year, followed by an annual phone bill of only $30.
{play 42:32}Feature: The Sub-$100 HD Multimedia Center.
The AIOS Multimedia Center lists for about $200 but it is available as low as $80-90.
AIOS includes a 3.5" hard drive tray to add an optional internal SATA hard drive (not included).
This HTPC has everything, but is very economical.
Connecting and firing up the AIOS Multimedia Center.
At first bootup, the AIOS device spins up the fan and generates a fair bit of fan noise, but it quiets down after boot.
A full-function remote control allows you to navigate the AIOS Multimedia Center.
Navigating the AIOS menu system.
The AIOS is a lower power consumption device.
The AIOS is for playback, but out of the box does not support recording (no inputs).
The AIOS Multimedia Center actually serves up your internal hard drive and connected media over smb protocol, which means you can access it just like any NAS.
The AIOS includes two BitTorrent clients (including Transmission!) which lets you download files without a PC directly to your AIOS set-top box.
Finding the IP address of your AIOS device on the network.
Accessing the AIOS hard drive over the network from a Linux computer.
Accessing the BitTorrent software which is built in to the AIOS.
Rescanning the storage on the AIOS so you gain access to any new video, music or picture files.
AIOS remembers where you stopped your video playback, so the next time you open the file, it allows you to resume.
The seek features of AIOS are really intuitive.
Demonstrating the zoom features of AIOS.
Accessing Shoutcast Internet Radio directly on the AIOS device.
AIOS includes a Web Browser, YouTube, Audio and Video Podcasts, Local Weather, and even Category5 Technology TV on-demand.
How to get the AIOS Multimedia Center for under $100.
Netflix, Hulu and other streaming TV/Movie services are accessible using the third-party PlayOn.TV service.