If you're familiar with Softsled, this is the code name for a software based version of Media Center Extender. It would be nice to have Softsled, but today I found out about an alternative; WebGuide. This software runs on Vista and provides your Vista Media Center with Extender like functionality via a Web browser. If you're familiar with Orb, then WebGuide is something similar. I like WebGuide over Orb since the interface is a bit cleaner and performs better than Orb. In addition, WebGuide runs entirely on your own system and you don't need to go through third party servers as you do with Orb.

The one difference is Orb is free and WebGuide costs a little bit ($18 US), but it's worth the small cost for the developer's time. There are many features for this software, the RSS feeds are real nice allowing you to subscribe to recently recorded TV shows on your Media Center. The nice thing is you can control Media Center from anywhere including scheduling recordings and performance is great. About my only complaint is the interface isn't great for the UMPC resolution, but they're working on it.

Another feature of this software is extremely important to me. Previously I wrote about how to sync your Zune with Media Center using dCut. The problem with dCut is it's only supported on the XP version of Media Center. WebGuide does batch conversion of Media Center Recorded TV enabling you to sync to your Zune and Vista is supported! Now you can have it all in one package, no need to rig things up anymore.

Visit WebGuide...