My Current HTPC Build

My Current HTPC Setup -

I recently rebuilt my personal HTPC setup from scratch, a custom built Windows 10 PC, nicknamed 'Project Orange'.

This setup may seem 'overkill' for an HTPC but it also serves as my home office pc, gaming pc, etc...

Utilizing the custom PC building site PCPartPicker to find the best pricing, I specifically chose the parts to be able to attempt to dual-boot with OSX at some point, using tonymacx86 as my primary resource for OSX compatible parts. The build is mostly complete with the exception of additional internal hard drives for media storage and a secondary monitor.

CLICK TO SEE LATEST BUILD >>

How-To: Bypass The Dreaded iTunes "You must insert your Digital Copy DVD into your computer in order to redeem this code." Error Message.

Don't you hate it when a family member or a friend gives you a code redeemable for an iTunes copy of a movie, only to get the following error message - "You must insert your Digital Copy DVD into your computer in order to redeem this code."?


DON'T PANIC!

These types of movie redemption codes are commonly referred to as "disc based" or "XML based" digital copy redemptions, and are rarely seen with newer codes. In fact many "disc based" or "XML based" codes will have an expiration date that has passed (ie: expired) and yet many of those codes will still work, albeit for an SD version of the movie.

There are workarounds for both PC and MAC, with the files and easy to follow instructions posted generously @ Blu-Ray.com Forum: No longer need XML files for iTunes Digital Copies!  

I have personally used those instructions to redeem dozens of disc based iTunes movies without the required discs!

Also, if you aren't lucky enough to have generous family members or friends, there are places to get "disc based" or "XML based based iTunes movies on the cheap (for details check my previous How-To "How-To: Get Movies And Television Seasons For Streaming On Your Htpc On The Cheap!.

This is the second of two How-To guides brought to you by HTPC Central...thank you for visiting!

[PRICE DROP] "Plex" App FREE* On iTunes {Price Effective: August 10, 2015}

{Price Drop: August 10, 2015 - Normally $4.99!}

<<CLICK HERE>> to download "Plex" from iTunes.

If viewing on Flipboard, when prompted, press 'OPEN' and you will be directed to iTunes to complete your download...Thank You!

"Plex organizes all of your video, music, TV, and photo collections, and streams them to all of your screens. With the free Plex Media Server on your home computer and Plex for iOS, you can watch and listen to all of your personal media on your iOS device and share it with friends and family. Enjoy unlimited use of free features of this app, and unlock its full functionality with a Plex Pass subscription -OR- a small one-time in-app purchase (see below).

Here are some ways that Plex makes your media experience awesome:
• Makes your media beautiful with artwork, descriptions, and more
• Automatically converts your media on-the-fly to play on any device
• Makes sharing your media with friends and family simple and easy
• Lets you browse, fling, and control your media on most Plex apps
• Gives you access to a wide range of online channels such as TED Talks, Revision3, and TWiT
• Enables you to queue online videos from sites like Vimeo and YouTube and then Watch Later on any device"

<<CLICK HERE>> to download "Plex" from iTunes.

*app is FREE to download, additional content may be available via In-App Purchases

cover art and description courtesy of iTunes
https://www.apple.com/itunes/

pricing current at time of posting, subject to change
iTunes account required for purchasing and download
not responsible for errors or omissions

Tuneskit All-In-One iTunes DRM Media Converter for Windows - Three Months Later (A Review).

I love movies and television, and I love my iPhone and my iPad - however I believe in technology as a tool, so I do use a variety of platforms and devices on a daily basis.

And since I love my iDevices, I have been purchasing content from iTunes for years, and now have a huge library of movies and TV shows in iTunes that are 'locked' to Apple devices due to DRM (Digital Rights Management).

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING >>

Staples iTunes Gift Card Sale - Buy 1 Get 2nd 30% - Limit 3 offers/Customer - Ends Today (6/6/15)!

Stock Up Time for iTunes Gift Cards!

Staples is currently offering a deal on iTunes Gift cards, buy 1 and get a 2nd at 30% off.
Limit 3 offers/Customer - Ends Today (6/6/15)

Buy 1 Get 2nd 30% off with code 71294

<<CLICK HERE>> to see the offer on Staples.com

If viewing on Flipboard, when prompted, press 'OPEN' and you will be directed to Staples to complete your order...Thank You!

This works out to an effective discount of just under 15% on two cards due to Staples added Secure Shipping Fee.

There is an additional $1.99 fee added to each card for "Included in the gift card purchase price is a $1.99 Secure Shipping Fee. This covers trackableshipping through the US Post Office, to ensure safe arrival" (Staples.com). To mitigate the impact of the $1.99 fee purchase the highest value cards that you can afford.

This is not the best deal on iTunes Gift Cards but when combined with sales (like this sale for Hairspray [1988] for $4.99 - an additional 15% off makes it $4.24!) can really have an impact on the overall costs of your iTunes purchases!

New Digital Copy Codes: Seventh Son (5/26/15)

New Releases 5/26/2015 - Seventh Son

In a time of enchantments when legends and magic collide, the sole remaining warrior of a mystical order (Oscar® winner Jeff Bridges) travels to find a prophesized hero born with incredible powers, the last Seventh Son (Ben Barnes). Torn from his quiet life as a farmhand, the unlikely young hero embarks on a daring adventure with his battle-hardened mentor to vanquish a dark queen (Julianne Moore) and the army of supernatural assassins she has dispatched against their kingdom.

The Blu-ray release of "Seventh Son" became available today (5/26/15) - so digital copy codes should begin to show up for sale on the Buy, Sell, Trade Thread @Blu-ray.com today. These are digital copy codes only, no physical media, and availability on a specific service (iTunes, UltraViolet, Google Play) will vary depending on the studio. For those wanting to purchase digital copies directly from iTunes or Vudu  or physical media from Amazon I've included links below for your convenience.

• "Seventh Son" on digital @ iTunes
• "Seventh Son" on digital @ Vudu
• "Seventh Son" on Blu-ray, DVD + Digital HD @ Amazon

cover art and synopsis courtesy of iTunes

not responsible for errors or omissions

New Digital Copy Codes: The Loft (5/26/15)

New Releases - The Loft

Karl Urban (Star Trek Into Darkness) and James Marsden (2 Guns) star in the tense psychological thriller THE LOFT, the story of five guys who conspire to secretly share a penthouse loft in the city--a place where they can indulge in their deepest fantasies. But the fantasy becomes a nightmare when they discover the dead body of an unknown woman in the loft, and they realize one of the group must be involved. Paranoia seizes them as everyone begins to suspect one another. Friendships are tested, loyalties are questioned and marriages crumble as the group is consumed by fear, suspicion and murder in this relentless thriller.

The Blu-ray release of "The Loft" became available today (5/26/15) - so digital copy codes should begin to show up for sale on the Buy, Sell, Trade Thread @Blu-ray.com today. These are digital copy codes only, no physical media, and availability on a specific service (UltraViolet / iTunes) will vary depending on the studio. For those wanting to purchase digital copies directly from iTunes or Vudu  or physical media from Amazon I've included links below for your convenience.

• "The Loft" on digital @ iTunes
• "The Loft" on digital @ Vudu
• "The Loft" on Blu-ray, DVD + Digital HD @ Amazon

cover art and synopsis courtesy of iTunes

not responsible for errors or omissions