Introduction

This article provides an overview of an actual Una installation.  It provides a real world example of an Una system configuration from DigiCasa and gives a flavour for the functionality you can expect from your own Una.  Please use the links on the left for detailed information on the hardware and software configuration of the system.

System Functions

The system as configured contains the following features/functions:

PVR

The Digital Personal Video Recorder (PVR) is one of the most important features of  the system.  PVR functionality allows the Una to handle recording, storage and playback of the user's favourite TV shows.  Using the integrated Electronic Program Guide (EPG), the user can indicate which shows are his favourites and then the Una will automatically find and record all instances of these shows.  the user can even specify whether he's only interested in first runs or reruns of his shows.  While watching either recorded shows or Live TV, the user can pause and rewind so that he never misses any of the action..  This Una as configured contains two TV tuners, thus s/he can be watching one show while recording another at the same time.  In fact s/he can simultaneously be watching a previously recorded show while two new shows on different channels are being recorded.  What happens if the kids are watching cartoons on the Una and the user wants to watch the evening news live or that episode of Star Trek he recorded the day before?  No problem.  Since the Una's PVR functionality is networkable, s/he can access  live or prerecorded content from the computer in the den just as if s/he were sitting in front of the Una.  No more fights over who gets to watch what in the family room! 

PVR functionality is powered by SageTV.

Music Jukebox - This Una install features the ability to completely manage the user's entire music library.  This encompasses not only simple CD/Album storage and playback but the ability for the user to simply and easily specify the complete playback experience.  For instance the user can tell the system to restrict playback to slow jazz for a quiet evening at home or perhaps play fast disco, pop, R&B and rap for a weekend party.  All of this without searching for individual CDs or using unwieldy 100 and 200 CD changers. 

Music Jukebox functionality is powered by DigiCasa EZ Player.

DVD Player - This Una performs all of the functions of a standard DVD player.  It does add extra features like the ability to resume DVD playback from a previous watch session.  It contains special non-linear stretching algorithms to reduce those annoying black bars while watching DVDs intended for wide-screen TVs without distorting the picture. 

DVD functionality is currently powered by PowerDVD, soon to be powered by SageTV (version 2.0 when released).

Photo Album - Now that digital cameras are all the rage, many people have tens or hundreds of pictures stored on their computer.  This Una configuration enables the user to display all of these pictures on the large screen display so that everyone can enjoy the pictures at once.  Having everyone looking at the pictures and hearing the associated stories all at once is a lot more effective and enjoyable than passing a stack of photos around.

Photo Album functionality is currently powered by ACDSee, soon to be powered by SageTV (version 2.0 when released).

Aquarium - For those of us who love saltwater fish but do not want the hassle of keeping them, this Una configuration features an ultra realistic virtual aquarium.  It can be started and stopped at will and makes a great conversational piece or can offer a soothing backdrop to dinners and parties.

Aquarium functionality is powered by Serenescreen.

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Copyright © 2004 DigiCasa
Last modified: 10/11/04