Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 OEM - 3 Pack
Out of stock |
Similar in Software
- Family Line: Microsoft Windows XP
- Package Type: OEM (Media Only)
- Platform: PC
- Distribution Media: CD-ROM
- Version: Full Version
- Software Category: Operating Systems
- Overview
-
Reviews
-
Compare Prices
User ReviewRead All Reviews »
Solid and fun but probably wont capture the living room yet.
Pros
Super easy to use and very fun to have your media "all in one."
Cons
Computer code wont replace hard wired devices...yet.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Microsoft is close to making their platforms the definitive way we interact with our entertainment devices. Media Center 2005 is good but not great.
I recently bought a refurbished Dell Dimension 8400 for mainly business use and part of the package was the new Windows Media Center 2005. In some ways I wish it didn't come with the media center because, of course, the new toy has to be played with and I spent my first week of setup playing more than I should have.
Windows Media Center 2005 is basically a stripped down version of XP Professional with an added program and remote control that make up the media "center." It isn't integrated into the fabric of windows itself so if you get a system that has it you can go through your computer life never using or knowing its there. Its fun, easy to use and I'll do my best to outline the various parts as I have used them.
Functionality: A- (Basic: A, Technical: B)
Basic
My TV, My Videos, My Pictures, DVD, Radio, Music, Create CD/DVD, Messenger, Sync with portable devices and a few other goodies are all packed into a very stylish and super easy to navigate scrolling list. Use the mouse or simple, but well thought out remote control and scroll to the media of your choice and open up a second screen of more options and away you go. Everything is pretty automatic and pretty dumb….but dumb in a good way in that there aren't too many choices and the ones that are there make sense. Everything has worked well (I don't have a portable player of any sort so…?) and I can't imagine using a computer without a remote control ever again if only so I can control volume from across the room.
Technical
Synchronization with files (music) and programs (dvd players) is pretty automatic and easy. Most of the technical stuff is handled automatically and pretty well. Some sound problems have emerged. Speakers sometimes not working and then working. DTS playback for dvd's isn't as automatic or easy as it should be. Limited options in the settings screens for sound and video tweaking. If you are a real audio/video nut then you will get better functionality outside of the Windows Media Center in individual programs. For example, I wanted to test the sound with "Master and Commander" which has an incredible DTS sound mix. I could play the DTS sound mix using WinDVD outside of the Media Center window but could not get the same playback inside of Media Center. I would have to upgrade my soundcard for it to work with Media Center which is incredibly silly, I'll watch it in WinDVD and…but I lose the remote!!! (the remote only works with MCE and not other programs) Ah well. Technically, everything works, but it doesn't work perfectly, yet. I should note that the computer I am running is a Dell Dimension 8400 with a Pentium 4 - 3.4ghz and 1 gig of RAM. I've experienced zero trouble running Media Center but I have seen some slowdown at times and can imagine it being a real system hog on slower computers.
My TV: B-
I've never had TIVO or any tv recorder so this is a real treat to have my computer do that job. Again, access is easy and clear and the TV guide (synched up automatically with your local listings) is easily navigated and searched. See a show, press a button, come back later and watch the recording. You can also move the media player onto a separate monitor and watch and work (real productive…). What holds it back is the picture…which is…not so good. It is watchable and holds up better from a distance but on a CRT or LCD matters little because the picture is simply average at best. I haven't outputted to a TV set but cant imagine the image being much better. There also is no mention of HDTV compatibility which is odd since Microsoft is keen on the HDTV era. Simply, I don't think the Media Center is ready to replace your cable box, yet.
My Music: B+
Easy integration with any music stored on your computer. Various internet radio stations available as well as any playlists from Media Player. The coolest is the graphical icon list of all your album covers conveniently downloaded automatically (if available) You are best off using Windows media player to burn discs, set up playlists and the like and the media center will allow fairly easy playback of the things you've already set up. This feature works well and they got it mostly right.
DVD : B
Convenient, easy and with a remote offers a great way to watch a movie. Video and audio capabilities will be impacted by the system you are running and the particular program that Media Center uses to actually play the DVD. My internet research has suggested that the NVIDIA decoder is currently the only one made to be integrated with Media Center and I downloaded a copy (trial version) and the video is solid but the same sound issues arose with DTS playback (for those of you who don't know DTS seems to be the consensus winner in the high quality surround sound wars, a little better than Dolby Digital) Oddly, volume control doesn't work for DVD playback on my system and I have to control the volume through my speakers. (its these little nagging things that keep this product from being great…)
Other Features : A-
I make my living as an artist and I use the computer quite a bit for working with imagery of different sorts so a lot of the "My Picture, My Video" extras seem too thin for anything but casual viewing. I think that's what Microsoft wants and the media center does a good job of slide show type viewing, for example. For me, I don't have a use for them nor do I have a use for the slew of online links for various movie downloads and music renting and such. These extra features seem thin and not the real meat and potatoes of Music, TV and DVD playback that Microsoft hopes will move their product into the living room. Convenient but probably not vital.
Overall: B
Windows Media Center 2005 is a solid, easy to navigate, all in one media combiner that does some things well and one thing very well (Music.) I do not recommend anyone with a home theater or a lust for the best and the brightest to plop a computer running media center into their living room and expect the brightest and loudest. Computer code just doesn't beat hard wired devices yet. If however, you want a convenient and easy solution to recording TV and playing DVD's and music and an occasional slideshow of your trip to Maine then the Media Center might suit you. It's a fun program to play with but Microsoft hasn't made it vital... yet.
Windows Media Center 2005 is basically a stripped down version of XP Professional with an added program and remote control that make up the media "center." It isn't integrated into the fabric of windows itself so if you get a system that has it you can go through your computer life never using or knowing its there. Its fun, easy to use and I'll do my best to outline the various parts as I have used them.
Functionality: A- (Basic: A, Technical: B)
Basic
My TV, My Videos, My Pictures, DVD, Radio, Music, Create CD/DVD, Messenger, Sync with portable devices and a few other goodies are all packed into a very stylish and super easy to navigate scrolling list. Use the mouse or simple, but well thought out remote control and scroll to the media of your choice and open up a second screen of more options and away you go. Everything is pretty automatic and pretty dumb….but dumb in a good way in that there aren't too many choices and the ones that are there make sense. Everything has worked well (I don't have a portable player of any sort so…?) and I can't imagine using a computer without a remote control ever again if only so I can control volume from across the room.
Technical
Synchronization with files (music) and programs (dvd players) is pretty automatic and easy. Most of the technical stuff is handled automatically and pretty well. Some sound problems have emerged. Speakers sometimes not working and then working. DTS playback for dvd's isn't as automatic or easy as it should be. Limited options in the settings screens for sound and video tweaking. If you are a real audio/video nut then you will get better functionality outside of the Windows Media Center in individual programs. For example, I wanted to test the sound with "Master and Commander" which has an incredible DTS sound mix. I could play the DTS sound mix using WinDVD outside of the Media Center window but could not get the same playback inside of Media Center. I would have to upgrade my soundcard for it to work with Media Center which is incredibly silly, I'll watch it in WinDVD and…but I lose the remote!!! (the remote only works with MCE and not other programs) Ah well. Technically, everything works, but it doesn't work perfectly, yet. I should note that the computer I am running is a Dell Dimension 8400 with a Pentium 4 - 3.4ghz and 1 gig of RAM. I've experienced zero trouble running Media Center but I have seen some slowdown at times and can imagine it being a real system hog on slower computers.
My TV: B-
I've never had TIVO or any tv recorder so this is a real treat to have my computer do that job. Again, access is easy and clear and the TV guide (synched up automatically with your local listings) is easily navigated and searched. See a show, press a button, come back later and watch the recording. You can also move the media player onto a separate monitor and watch and work (real productive…). What holds it back is the picture…which is…not so good. It is watchable and holds up better from a distance but on a CRT or LCD matters little because the picture is simply average at best. I haven't outputted to a TV set but cant imagine the image being much better. There also is no mention of HDTV compatibility which is odd since Microsoft is keen on the HDTV era. Simply, I don't think the Media Center is ready to replace your cable box, yet.
My Music: B+
Easy integration with any music stored on your computer. Various internet radio stations available as well as any playlists from Media Player. The coolest is the graphical icon list of all your album covers conveniently downloaded automatically (if available) You are best off using Windows media player to burn discs, set up playlists and the like and the media center will allow fairly easy playback of the things you've already set up. This feature works well and they got it mostly right.
DVD : B
Convenient, easy and with a remote offers a great way to watch a movie. Video and audio capabilities will be impacted by the system you are running and the particular program that Media Center uses to actually play the DVD. My internet research has suggested that the NVIDIA decoder is currently the only one made to be integrated with Media Center and I downloaded a copy (trial version) and the video is solid but the same sound issues arose with DTS playback (for those of you who don't know DTS seems to be the consensus winner in the high quality surround sound wars, a little better than Dolby Digital) Oddly, volume control doesn't work for DVD playback on my system and I have to control the volume through my speakers. (its these little nagging things that keep this product from being great…)
Other Features : A-
I make my living as an artist and I use the computer quite a bit for working with imagery of different sorts so a lot of the "My Picture, My Video" extras seem too thin for anything but casual viewing. I think that's what Microsoft wants and the media center does a good job of slide show type viewing, for example. For me, I don't have a use for them nor do I have a use for the slew of online links for various movie downloads and music renting and such. These extra features seem thin and not the real meat and potatoes of Music, TV and DVD playback that Microsoft hopes will move their product into the living room. Convenient but probably not vital.
Overall: B
Windows Media Center 2005 is a solid, easy to navigate, all in one media combiner that does some things well and one thing very well (Music.) I do not recommend anyone with a home theater or a lust for the best and the brightest to plop a computer running media center into their living room and expect the brightest and loudest. Computer code just doesn't beat hard wired devices yet. If however, you want a convenient and easy solution to recording TV and playing DVD's and music and an occasional slideshow of your trip to Maine then the Media Center might suit you. It's a fun program to play with but Microsoft hasn't made it vital... yet.
