Windows XP Media Center FAQ
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Andrew Clark [MVP]
No, Currently MCE is available on new PCs (HP for the initial launch). There
is currently
no upgrade for existing machines, MCE will eventually be available as a
package that you can
purchase in retail stores.
Q: What is Windows XP Media Center Edition?
Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition is a new member of the Windows XP
family. Windows XP Media Center Edition brings together the best of
computing and home entertainment. It turns a PC into a Media Center that
provides integrated access to your favorite digital entertainment
experiences- including live television, personal video recording (PVR),
digital music, digital video, DVDs and pictures- with the convenience of a
single remote control.
Q: I have a set top box, will a Media Center PC work with it?
Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition contains support for a multitude
of set top boxes, if your set top box is made within the last few years then
it should be supported.
Q: I use a Satellite for my TV will this be compatible?
Media Center PC's contain a TV tuner that captures your television signal
from a cable, satellite, or antenna source.
Q: Can I connect the Media Center PC to my television?
Media Center PC's include a TV output that allows you to display Media
Center content on a television connected to your PC.
Q: Can I hook it up to my Home Theater System?
Depending on the machine your Media Center PC may contain a digital audio
output that allows you to integrate digital audio from your PC into an
existing home entertainment system.
Q: Where can I buy a Media Center PC?
Media Center PC Retailers - U.S.
BestBuy.com http://www.bestbuy.com/
Circuit City http://www.circuitcity.com/
CompUSA.com http://www.compusa.com/
Media Center PC Retailers - Canada*
BestBuy.com http://www.bestbuycanada.ca/
Future Shop http://www.futureshop.ca/
* At this time, Windows XP Media Center Edition is not available in Québec.
Q: What is a Media Center PC? And what kind of hardware components will
come with it?
Media Center PCs are complete PCs equipped with the necessary hardware to
deliver powerful computing and rich home entertainment experiences. Most
Media Center PCs include a combination of powerful processors, high-capacity
hard disks, CD-ROM/DVD drives, and rich graphics and audio capabilities. In
addition, Media Center PCs also include a remote control, a TV tuner card,
and may also include capabilities that enable the user to hook the PC up to
a home entertainment system.
Q: What is new and different about the other digital media experiences on
the Media Center PC?
Now, you have the freedom to use a single remote control to conveniently
access your entertainment experiences from anywhere in the room. Browse your
My Music library by album cover, artists, playlists, songs, or genre view.
Search your music library by keyword to quickly find just what you are
looking for. Shuffle or play music, control volume, or change tracks, all
from anywhere in your room with your remote control. Use the remote control
to open My Pictures, sort your collection and launch a slide show. Enhance
the experience with an audio playlist or album as background music. When
you're ready for a home movie screening, open My Videos to find and view
your memories. Play DVD gives you a rich DVD
playback experience, including one-button access to chapters and multiple
camera-angles.
Q: Can I use my Media Center PC for all my computing needs?
Yes, Media Center PCs running Windows XP Media Center Edition deliver the
full power and functionality you expect from Windows XP. Windows XP Media
Center Edition is a superset of Windows XP Professional, so it is the most
full-featured version of Windows that you can get for a home computer. Surf
the Internet, use e-mail or Instant Messaging, enjoy your digital media or
play games.
Q: Will it work with a Broadband connection ?
Yes, Media Center PC's will come with Ethernet support. Media Center
Edition will work with any internet connection.
Q: Can I play recorded shows on other PC's?
Media Center users will be able to play discs containing recorded content on
any PC that runs the company's Windows Media 9 Series player and the latest
version of Windows XP.
Q: Do I need to have it connected to a monitor?
No, you can have it connected solely to your TV. But you may want to
connect it to your current monitor to set up the machine after you bring it
home.
Q: Can I join a domain with my MCE PC?
Yes, XP Media Center Edition is a subset of Windows XP Pro. You will get
the full functionality of Windows XP Pro with the benefits of Media Center
Edition.
Q: Some accounts on my system can't use MCE?
To use all of the functionality of Media Center, the user needs to be logged
on as and administrator. If you log on as a Limited user you should see a
message.
"You are currently logged on as a Limited User. Some Media Center features
may not work correctly when used by a Limeted User. Users with Computer
administrator account can use all Media Center features. If you need to
change your user account type, go to User Accounts in Control Panel"
Q: We make PC's and we are very interested in using this OS, what should we
do?
Visit http://www.microsoft.com/oem and you will find all the information you
need to start intergrating
Microsoft products.
Q: Can I add a second TV Tuner and watch one channel and record the other?
MCE only recognises one TV tuner, so you would not be able to record and
watch another channel using
MCE. This may be addressed in future versions.
Thanks, please add to this and I will update it.
Andrew Clark
MVP - Windows Media Center
Chris Waters
>>
>>Media Center PC's contain a TV tuner that captures your television signal
>>from a cable, satellite, or antenna source.
Pardon my ignorance; this is my first exposure to MCE.
How exactly does an MCE interoperate with a satellite source? My VCR's tuner
must remain on channel 3 in order to receive the signal from the satellite
receiver--rendering the VCR's programming features (in particular, changing
of channels over a period of time) useless. All channel changing must be
done from the satellite receiver, which does have a rudimentary programming
feature that allows me to change channels over a period of time.
Does an MCE magically have the ability to bring this all under control? Or
will it still be at the mercy of the satellite receiver?
Jason Tsang
receiver's RF input.
When the MCE needs to change the channel, it will change the change on the
receiver.
--
Jason Tsang - Windows MVP (WinXP/WinXP MCE) & Associate Expert
Find out about the MS MVP Program -
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/default.aspx
Find out about the Windows XP Expert Zone -
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
"Chris Waters" <nospam....@nospam.msn.com> wrote in message
news:eKqjRXvnCHA.2224@TK2MSFTNGP11...
Chris Waters
Network-compatible?
Jason Tsang
Electronic Programming Guide Source) and you use a set top box that is
standard for your provider, you shouldn't have a problem.
In fact, an update for additional set top box support was just released a
few days ago.. and is available at windowsupdate.
(http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=329262 for more info)
--
Jason Tsang - Windows MVP (WinXP/WinXP MCE) & Associate Expert
Find out about the MS MVP Program -
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/default.aspx
Find out about the Windows XP Expert Zone -
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
"Chris Waters" <nospam....@nospam.msn.com> wrote in message
news:eIB4otznCHA.2276@TK2MSFTNGP09...
John Elsbree [MS]
--
John Elsbree [MS]
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions. Please use these
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"Andrew Clark [MVP]" <aclark*remove*@my-giftshop.com> wrote in message
news:OsNr3pinCHA.1448@TK2MSFTNGP11...
> ... MCE will eventually be available as a
John Elsbree [MS]
--
John Elsbree [MS]
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions. Please use these
newsgroups.
"Jason Tsang" <jason-o...@ETEmvps.org> wrote in message
news:u$teKlvnCHA.456@TK2MSFTNGP08...
Jason Tsang
Thinking one thing, typed the other!
--
Jason Tsang - Windows MVP (WinXP/WinXP MCE) & Associate Expert
Find out about the MS MVP Program -
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/default.aspx
Find out about the Windows XP Expert Zone -
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
"John Elsbree [MS]" <joh...@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:#vs#sc8nCHA.2312@TK2MSFTNGP08...
John Elsbree [MS]
think I need to clarify what I've said.
Microsoft has never said that MCE will eventually be available as a package
that you can purchase in retail stores. Microsoft has also never said that
MCE *won't* eventually be available in this form.
About all that can be said with certainty is that MCE is not *currently*
available for retail purchase.
--
John Elsbree [MS]
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions. Please use these
newsgroups.
"John Elsbree [MS]" <joh...@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:#1Nzpd8nCHA.2204@TK2MSFTNGP09...
> Microsoft has never said this.
>
Cordy
package? That is good news, but, can you give me an estimate when it's going
to come out? Say, mid-2003?
Chris H.
Nor has Microsoft said it won't be. There hasn't been any decision made,
but be assured they're listening to users.
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP
Associate Expert
Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
<Cordy> wrote in message news:OarZKlyoCHA.1964@TK2MSFTNGP10...