Microsoft initially added the Media Center feature to Windows XP. It let you watch broadcast television on your computer, as well as play DVDs, your digitized music collection, and a lot more. It was there in versions of Windows Vista and 7, but according to news reports, it will be MIA in Windows 8. Apparently, [...]
Read Column
HDTV Almanac - Media Center, We Hardly Knew Ye!
-
alfredpoor
- Major Contributor
- Posts: 1805
- Joined: Wed May 13, 2009 9:27 am
-
johnty
- New Member
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Wed Sep 08, 2004 3:44 pm
Re: HDTV Almanac - Media Center, We Hardly Knew Ye!
I don't know about Vista but Windows Media Center in Windows 7 is wonderful. Easy to use interface, all sub--channels listed, 10TB of disk space in my PC means I'll never run out of HD recording room, setting recordings is a breeze, an iPod is the wireless remote and the whole thing works much better than any cable box I've ever had.
Is it possible that you're behind the curve?
Is it possible that you're behind the curve?
-
wjhunt
- Member
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Tue Apr 18, 2006 6:56 am
Re: HDTV Almanac - Media Center, We Hardly Knew Ye!
I've got to agree here. I use it and it's fantastic. I was very pleasantly surprised as I didn't think it had evolved either. It works and works well. If I have to pay a few bucks to have it in the next version of Windows, so be it. I just hope they don't kill it off.
-
alfredpoor
- Major Contributor
- Posts: 1805
- Joined: Wed May 13, 2009 9:27 am
Re: HDTV Almanac - Media Center, We Hardly Knew Ye!
Johnty, I'm glad that Media Center is working for you. I confess that I haven't rescanned in a while, but my Vista system never located any of the digital sub-channels. And the EPG (electronic program guide) did not align with the stations that I receive. Even without that, however, I find the Media Center interface to be something only a programmer could love. It goes too far in terms of simplification because you are limited to just four choices at any point, and you have to navigate to get to other choices. Contrast that with the interface on a Roku box or the Netflix interface where you have a matrix of choices.
I can certainly appreciate the advantages of having a full-blown PC behind your television interface -- until recently we used it as our DVR, too -- such as having access to a real browser. But I find that other software give me a better television experience on my PC than Media Center. And apparently not a lot of other consumers are using Media Center either.
Alfred Poor
HDTV Almanac
I can certainly appreciate the advantages of having a full-blown PC behind your television interface -- until recently we used it as our DVR, too -- such as having access to a real browser. But I find that other software give me a better television experience on my PC than Media Center. And apparently not a lot of other consumers are using Media Center either.
Alfred Poor
HDTV Almanac