Do you have Microsofts OS for the living room up and running already?
No? Then maybe it's time...
What is Windows XP Media Center Edition (MCE) 2005?
See Microsoft's FAQ on MCE 2005.
Why should I try Media Center?
I don't know about you, but I was curious to see the most recent Microsoft OS - especially designed for the living room. In today's world many programmers do not take (or have) enough time to design the user interface as well as it could be. I'm always impressed of applications on mobile phones and handheld devices. Their applications offer quite a lot of functions, well organized and structured and therefore easy to use - although the displays are (very) limited. In Media Center Edition all applications can be controlled via a remote control. Sure, it will definetly not replace the keyboard, but it is a welcomed change if I can check my mails while sitting in my TV chair or beeing notified of important mails while I'm watching TV.
Where can I get Media Center?
You can buy a new computers with MCE preinstalled from these companies.
However you can also "do-it-yourself" with your computer with the following steps:
1. Check your computer!
Download the Windows XP Media Center Edition Test Kit v2.0 and complete the tests to check the compatibility of your computer's components. Additionally you should have a look at the supported components in the List of Media Center Approved Hardware Components.
2. Get the software!
MSDN subscriber are a lucky guy and can download Media Center via the subscriber downloads. If you are not one of the lucky guys you can buy the OEM version (for example from newegg).
3. Get a remote! (optional)
A MCE without a remote is not a real MCE.
You can buy remote controls separatly (e.g. from newegg: [1], [2], [3]).
4. Make it run!
Unless you have currently installed an older version of MCE, which would give you the possibility to upgrade to MCE 2005, you have only the option to do a clean install. (I found some posts about converting your windows to MCE, but that is definetly not according to the license aggreement and I strongly recommend not to try this.)
5. Stay up to date!
After a successfull installation you should install the Update Rollup 1 (includes HDTV support and more) and check out Windows Update.
6. Enhance your Media Center!
Extend your MCE experience with the following downloads:
7. Benefit and participate in the Community!
Read about other's experiences and write down your own in communities (xpmce.com, The Green Button) and/or newsgroups microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter.
Was that all?
There is far more. Make sure to check out www.dotnet-online.com/mce/, where I update frequently.
Summary: Intended for Independent Software Vendors and Original Equipment Manufacturers, this article describes how to access recorded audio and video content stored as *.dvr-ms files on the hard disk of the Media Center PC.
Read article on msdn.microsoft.com
When you play a video file (such as a .wmv file) in Windows XP Media Center, the fast forward and rewind buttons do not work.
Read Microsoft Knowledge Base article