mPanel Questions

[gvagolf]

Hello

I was curious as to whether or not the digital media interface that is included with the mPanel will be available for users wishing to update their client pc's (especially those not running Media Center).

I would like to be able to use my tablet pc's to work as mounted touchscreen controllers for mControl. I would be willing to pay an additional amount for the media add in if it were made available.

Thank you
Greg

[Ted Singh]

gvagolf,

We are also investigating this. We are trying to design the overall software solution used on the mPanel to be applicable on other platforms, including non-Windows CE devices. Currently our focus is getting out the mPanel though - we should have more information on the software later next month.

Ted

[gvagolf]

Thanks, that would be wonderful. My personal tablet pc's have Windows XP tablet edition, but they are powerful enough to support an upgrade to Vista should I need to.

Thanks again for the wonderful software.

[bjdraw]

If I have 3 mPanels, will I be able to control the music that is being played on all three from one panel? Also, will I be able to set the mPanel to play the audio that is on the VMC, so I could extend the audio from my TV to a second room?

[Ted Singh]

bjdraw,

If I have 3 mPanels, will I be able to control the music that is being played on all three from one panel?

Though the infrastructure is in place (i.e., messaging via IP between mHome products), we will not be implementing this type of control in the initial versions of mPanel. That is, just as we are controlling Vista MCE (shown in one of the sample videos posted yesterday), we could have similar software to control remote mPanels on the Local Area Network.

Of course, there is no reason that you can't tie mPanels (and associated the mControl back-end) to whole-home audio solutions like NuVo or Russound. For example, implement a solution using the NuVo (or Russound) generic driver, or better yet, partners like CasaTools could easily implement a mPanel screen - this is not a complicated software project. Though in this way, you would not be using the mPanel's on-board amplification but rather a centralized amplifier (whole home audio style) - but you'd still get the mPanel's rich, integrated UI.

Also, will I be able to set the mPanel to play the audio that is on the VMC, so I could extend the audio from my TV to a second room?

Though you *can* access and play the same set of media that your VMC can, we are not enabling the projection of what the VMC is playing.

Of course, if you're using the whole-home audio approach, as I described above, this may be possible.

Ted

[matthias2007]

Will these panels be available in the UK/Europe? I think they would be popular with 220v customers. I currently have three touchscreens running in my house (one 7", one 8" and one 19" - all widescreen) and it works very well, using baluns to extend the VGA and USB, but the MPanel would give me a little more flexibility.

Anyway, I assume your Beta program will be not take place in Europe but if you want a tester I am more than willing to help if I can. Cheers.