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• MythTV Plug-ins

  In many ways, the functionality of the MythTV frontend is defined by its many plug-in applications. These software modules build upon the underlying video capture and audio playback foundation at MythTV's very core. Plug-ins take the basic functionality available from the MythTV front end with which users interact, and extend it in all kinds of interesting and sometimes surprising ways. Topical Discussion Personalization is a pervasive trend among many makes and models of consumer products. Apple launched one such trend when it unleashed translucent iMacs in a variety of colors that were previously omitted from the monochromatic computer case color wheel. Since then, other products such as MP3 players, external drives and even internal components have been treated to a number of fits, finishes and forms that redefine and, in essence, personalize your gear. This phenomenon goes beyond the equipment's exterior appearance - even graphical display interfaces are endowed with the ability to uniquely theme, wallpaper, and choose any color scheme you might like. In the same way that such devices plug into our personal lives to extend their forms or functions, software components can do the same for applications we use every day. Web browsers have plug-ins and extensions (for embedded video playback or extended audio format support), as do our email clients (for spam content filtering, advanced message handling, or consolidating account management) and other programs do likewise. Though not all of them personalize our viewing or listening experience, they do make the casual PC experience more unique. In addition, some of these plug-ins also provide more cosmetic enhancements (such as a media player visualization plug-in) or properties that affect theme and color schemes for our favorite software. Plug-in Description Plug-in applications are modular programs that provide added functionality to larger, more complex parent applications. They usually provide features that would otherwise be missing from such an application, such as a video player embedded within a Web browsers. By the same token, the MythTV frontend may be complemented by a range of modular plug-in applications that expand upon existing frontend features to provide other useful features. The core group of MythTV plug-ins, taken in alphabetical order, make up the headings for the rest of this section (there are 13 in all, so you'll need to keep reading for a while). Collectively, these plug-ins represent common HTPC software components taken from a purely open source context. For that reason, you are welcome to modify existing code, to implement new features and even, to create your own plug-ins from scratch. Join our discussion on this topic

• Rather than add expensive bells and whistles to its $2,233 gaming machine, Digital Storm chose a few of the best parts it could fit within the system’s budget. That means there isn’t any Blu-ray capability, as a single 20x DVD burner occupies one of the Cooler Master 932’s six front bays. The minimalist theme with a mind to performance continues to the inside, where a single XFX GeForce GTX 295 graphics card uses its dual graphics processors with slightly better performance scaling than one might expect from expensive 3-way and quad-GPU configurations. For us, the poorly-concealed ribbon cable is the only distraction in an otherwise cleanly-assembled system. We have no clue why any company would use Ultra ATA rather than SATA, when prices are nearly identical. Choosing Ultra ATA doesn’t just make cables messier, it also forces users to leave the motherboard’s third-party controller enabled when they might otherwise deem it unneeded. Asetek’s LCLC (low-cost liquid-cooling) single 120 mm radiator cooler reduces leverage against the CPU socket area compared to tall cooper coolers, while also leaving extra room around the CPU socket for easier access to cables and RAM. Though Asetek-brand components aren’t normally available to retail customers, Corsair now sells the single-radiator design as its H50 model. RAID and SSD’s are out of the question when value focuses on gaming performance. Digital Storm uses a single Western Digital Black Edition 1 TB hard drive. With five expansion slots, three memory slots, five external bays, and four internal bays empty, the Gaming Dominator is ready to fill the future expansion needs of most buyers. A file folder contains a certificate of ownership, Windows Vista Home Premium booklet, Windows 7 upgrade code, warranty and service information, setup instructions, the original Windows OEM DVD, motherboard and graphics card driver/support disks, and a three-DVD set of restore DVDs. An accessory box provides the cables and hardware originally included with the motherboard, graphics card, case, and power supply. See more products MSI X58 Pro LGA 1366 Core I7... PC Connection $227.36 Amazon.com $169.87 Directron $184.99 ElectronicsPLUS $198.89 TriStateCamera.com $214.87

• The driver CD contains ATI's reference driver, and the Hydravision software that provides virtual desktops and multi-monitor management. As a little extra, HIS also installs a few desktop wallpapers and a calendar (again, for 2005). Lastly, as mentioned above, the bundle also includes the software DVD player Power DVD 6 2ch, the 6-channel version as opposed to the one with support for eight channels. An extensive software bundle is also included, in the form of ATI's Bonus DVD Vol. 2. The DVD contains a variety of tools, trailers and demos, as well as a full version of the fantasy RPG Dungeon Siege. The individual applications can be selected and installed using a setup program. You can use the 3D Album Picture Pro LE application to edit images and save them as 3D slideshows, albums or with a custom layout. There is also a feature for capturing screenshots from movies and DVDs, allowing the user to save and convert them. Finally, the application also offers editing, scanning and functionality for sorting within folders using a miniature preview.