T i d b i t sCompiled by Jennifer FarwellGraphics & Design by Lindsay AnkerWindows XP MediaCenter Edition 2005When Microsoft launched WindowsXP Media Center Edition in Oc-tober 2002, Bill Gates proclaimed anew era in home computing and entertainment.WMCE machines came preinstalled with a spe-cial version of Windows that included a multi-media-optimized application (Media Center).With Media Center, users could access, and playin their living rooms, digital media storedon their PCs.Fast-forward four years, andWMCE commands only a frac-tion of the overall PC market. Never-theless, it picked up speed with the release ofWMCE 2005 (a 40% sales increase over the previous year, according toMicrosoft). Furthermore, OEM (original equipment manufacturer) ver-sions of the WMCE appeared on the market this year, so you can install itin the PC of your choice. (Microsoft’s original design was for WMCE to beavailable only on purpose-built boxes.)Does WMCE live up to Redmond’s marketing hype? While WMCE isnot a computing and multimedia panacea, it does have some nifty fea-tures. Unfortunately, it also has a few limitations that make it inappro-priate for some users. Our pictorial guide will show you what to expectfrom this digital media mogul.The WMCE main menu (below) features oversized, clickablelinks to the My Videos, My Pictures, My TV, My Music foldersand options, plus other program selectionsYou can create CDs or DVDs of noncopyright-protectedmaterial directly from WMCE using your remote control.WMCE PCs are equipped with the minimum hardware required to run the OS. They also include a Media Center remote control, from which you can open the Media Center (by pressing the greenbutton) and run most functions. Depending on theconfiguration, WMCE PCs may also include a wirelesskeyboard and optional hardware upgrades (such asa huge hard drive or multiple TV tuners). Couch Potato Treat Or Overdone TV Dinner?
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