Chapter 25. Mastering Windows Media Center

Microsoft introduced Windows Media Center Edition (MCE) with Windows XP, then followed through and added the functionality of MCE to later releases of Windows. In Windows 7, Windows Media Center gives you a “living room” computer that will connect to your home entertainment system and allow you to manage your media easily without the need for a keyboard, mouse, or monitor. You can connect directly to your television for a display, and you can use an optional remote control with Windows Media Center.

Windows Media Center allows you to control how you watch television by letting you record programs and schedule content, and it gives you an easy-to-use scheduling window so that you can view programming many days in advance. You can also use Windows Media Center to play your digital music, watch movies, and even burn a DVD, so you can share your content or archive it for later use. This chapter discusses the different features of Windows Media Center and gives you detailed information on how to set it up and purchase the correct hardware to make Windows Media Center come alive for your entertainment.