| Microsoft continues home entertainment push with Windows XP MCE 2005 |
Oct. 13, 2004
Microsoft has released its newest media-centric version of Windows XP -- Windows XP Media Center Edition (MCE) 2005. Running on a Media Center PC, MCE provides a means for recording, playing, maintaining, and storing a broad range of multimedia files including music, photos, home video, recorded TV, and movies. Key new features are said to include live TV pause-and-record, multi-tuner support (watch one channel while recording another), digital and high definition TV support, built-in CD and DVD burning, an enhanced user-interface, and support for Media Center Extenders and Portable Media Centers.
Microsoft is increasingly positioning PC's running Media Center Edition -- dubbed "Media Center PCs" -- as media servers that are used in conjunction with devices based on its Media Center Extender technology, which is said to allow digital multimedia to be "seamlessly" distributed to entertainment devices such as TVs anywhere in the house through a wired or wireless home network. Media Center PCs can also download multimedia files to Portable Media Centers (also called "portable media players"), which allow users to take their digital media content with them for playback "anytime, anywhere."
Media Center PCs are now offered by a growing number of PC manufacturers including Alienware, CyberPower, Dell, Gateway, HP, iBuyPower, Niveus Media, Ricavision, Sony, Systemax, Toshiba, ViewSonic, Voodo, and ZT Group. Media Center Extender products have recently begun arriving on the market from companies such as Linksys and HP, and other manufacturers are expected to unveil similar devices in the near future. In addition, an Xbox can be converted into a Media Center Extender with the Media Center Extender for Xbox that is expected to be available this fall. Portable Media Center devices are currently available from Creative Labs and iRiver, with more due out by year end.
Latest MCE features
According to Microsoft, Media Center Edition 2005 provides the following new features: - Pause and record live TV -- Support for up to three TV tuners allows watching one program while recording two others simultaneously. Recording works with any TV signal, from a basic antenna to cable, digital cable and satellite. MCE 2005 is claimed to be the first "high-definition-ready" Windows operating system and computer manufacturers are expected to ship new PCs with HDTV support by the end of this year.
- Movie Finder -- Users can easily find movies to record and enjoy with the new Movie Finder feature. Browse top-rated or new releases and movies; search by categories such as actor, genre, cast and director; and even find similar movies. "It's like having a film expert right in the PC", says Microsoft.
- CD and DVD burning -- Many Media Center PCs now feature built-in DVD and CD burning. Microsoft has integrated Sonic AuthorScript, a DVD and CD burning engine, with MCE 2005.
- Photos -- Easily transfer photos from a digital camera or USB device; crop, resize and remove red-eye automatically; and archive photos to a CD or DVD.
- Enhanced desktop "experience" -- MCE 2005 marks the first visual design update since the launch of Windows XP and includes new screen savers, themes and digital media features, according to Microsoft.
- Windows Media Player 10 integration -- MCE 2005 includes Windows Media Player 10, allowing users to discover, download and play music and video from a wide range of online stores and take it anywhere on a broad range of devices.
- Windows Messenger integration -- Allows users to chat with friends using a keyboard or remote control, while engaged in other activities such as watching TV.
Because it requires specific hardware features, XP Media Center Edition 2005 is only available bundled with Media Center PCs.
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