a/v Engine 1.0 for Windows Home Server

a/v Engine for WHS contains an automation server, plus a read/only client panel of virtual remote control buttons. This panel is usually designed with a/v DashBoard, but it can also be built manually by creating XML to precise specifications.

To send IR commands, a USBUIRT blaster is required. There is also built-in support for Sony VGPXL1B changers (firewire), Dacal/Ziotek DVD carousels (USB), for several models of Sony 400 disc changers (IR) and Sony CX777ES (rs232).

A useful feature for home automation is the browser / webcam page. With this facility, any local or remote URL can be monitored from the WHS console. The user guide has explicit instructions for setting up a webcam, using available shareware.

For users of DVD Profiler, the browser / webcam page has support for viewing user online DVD Collections. Furthermore, if a/v Engine has access to the export XML from DVD Profiler, the automation action commands associated with DVDs can be executed from the server. Media that would normally be played will instead be streamed using the VLC player engine, if installed on the server. Detailed instructions are provided in the user guide for setting up a client playlist to view the streamed media.

More detailed information and user instructions can be found in thea/v Engine User Guide.