Smart Home Blog

Xbox is one of the best products produced by Microsoft IMHO. Using open source software XboxMediaCenter (XBMC) it can be tuned into full featured media center. LinxuMCE community tries to find a way to use Xbox as a media director but currently without luck. However, XboxMediaCenter offers a web based API to give a full control to the box - HTTP API. Currently there are two ready interfaces for ASP and Python. But since the API is pretty simple it’s easy to implement the same functionality on Ruby, Perl, PHP or other desired programming language. For LinuxMCE it might be good to create Ruby implementation and add the XBMC controller as Generic Serial Device (GSD).
Anyway, HTTP API is a good way to integrate Xbox in your home entertainment area. I’m thinking to create a Perl module or Maemo application for Nokia’s Internet Tablet. But I don’t have enough time and Xbox for testing

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VidaBox well-known producer PC based home media centers announced its new software - vCommander. vCommander helps to developers create an interface between their systems and VidaBox services and clients. The software is oriented mostly on AMX, Crestron and HAI (it includes pre-built templates for those systems). But vCommand can be used with any TCP/IP & RS-232 control system.

The vCommand offers following:

• two way IP control protocol;
• pre-defined templates for AMX & Crestron programmers;
• live media transport, metadata and navigation feedback;
• browse music, movies, recorded TV, videos and pictures;
• control multiple VidaBox and extender systems;
• direct access VidaBox interface navigation.

Personally, I like that tendency when producers of different systems offer a simple and clear interface between them based on common protocol (TCP in that case). It’ll make a life of integrator much easier.

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