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Windows Media Center
From Mediacenterhouse
Contents |
Overview
Windows Media Center is an application by Microsoft that provides an easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI) via mouse, keyboard or remote control with access to your Music, Photos and Videos, and with additional hardware also allows you to watch and record free-to-air digital TV channels with the ability of multi tuner support and personal-video-recorder functionality (PVR). It's been designed so to be usable from across a room (what Microsoft call a 10' interface - operable from 10' away).
History
Media Center first appeared in 2004/5 on Microsoft's XP operating system as an OEM only release (PC builders) and was based on a 4:3 display ratio with fairly basic library lists of items. In Microsoft's next OS, Vista, it was included in the retail version and had an improved GUI, but although more attractive to look it, it still lacked basic TV features that stopped it competing with even the most ordinary of set-top boxes. However with the most recent release, Windows 7, it has had a complete overhaul and now includes features such as satellite viewing, HD support (H.264), and interactive TV (Red Button). The latest graphical touches to the interface such as the floating background made up of your album art and the soft fades in and out from TV programs to the menus make the whole package feel very slick and hi-tech. But the real appeal of Media Center, even back to its relatively basic initial release in 2004, lies in the flexibility and power that comes from the vast array of hardware available for PCs meaning the size, style, power and features of any given system are almost limitless.
Hardware requirements
Any modern PC up to a couple of years old should easily run the latest Windows 7 edition and allow all its standard features to work well. The connection to your TV should be VGA at a minimum, HDMI / DVI are better still but be aware that not all TVs display PC signals properly through these HDMI / DVI ports; it's getting better with time but try and contact the manufacturer first to confirm that it will work ok. And if going down the HDMI route then you'll need an HDMI graphics card; the current ATi HD4550 are a good buy and relatively cheap (~£45). The main benfit of HDMI is that it carries the sound as well so you only require one lead between your PC and TV. Of course a TV tuner (DVB-S or DVB-T) is required to be able to watch Television, and a mulitple tuner card, or several single tuner cards gives you the ability to record more than one program at once. However any HD content requires more CPU power and a specific entry-level of graphics card (e.g. ATi HD4550 are ok), and the ability to watch Blu-ray films will also require a Blu-ray drive (BD-ROM). And unless you have grand ideas of achieveing THX quality sound, the standard soundcard your PC currently has will be fine for general use as well. Lastly you'll need a remote control for comfortble control of the system.
Sky Player
For UK users, Windows7 Media Center has a Sky Player section installed by default in the main menu. It's features live streams from the Guide as well as a video-on-demand section.
