A Media Center PC is a computer that runs the Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Operating System, Windows Vista Premium or Ultimate, or other third party Media Center software. Media Center PCs act like A/V Receivers. DVD Players, VCRs, CD Players, Televisions, etc. can be connected to the PC.
The Media Center PC combines the functions of the desktop computer and the home entertainment system. As a desktop computer, it can surf the web, make documents, download programs, movies and mp3s, and use applications. As a home entertainment center, a Media Center PC user can watch and record TV shows, listen to music via surround sound, and watch movies. Furthermore, it has a progressive scan DVD player and over-the-air high-definition TV support.
This type of application for a desktop computer can be seen through some of the newest products for computers like AccessDTV, digital media servers and WebTV. The Media Center PC has fully integrated all the components of a complete home entertainment center into the package by providing audio and video support.
Using current video streaming technologies, you can watch a movie from websites through a large television connected to the Media Center PC. Moreover, you can record and edit these videos as well as TV shows from over-the-air HDTV and burn these into a DVD disc much like what you would do to a regular DVR. You can also download and listen to mp3 music and listen and record music from the radio. To handle all these large files, a Media Center PC would have 500 gigabytes standard hard drive size.
A Media Center PC also comes with multiple video and audio ports and can be connected to your home entertainment devices much like a regular digital receiver. It can be connected to surround sound speakers and regular TV. Moreover, a Media Center PC also has its own remote control which allows the user to conveniently surf the net, adjust volume or channels, choose options from the screen and switch functions.
Pre-Built Home Theatre PCs Vs Assembled Media Center PCs
There are two options when it comes to acquiring a home theater pc. One of them is buying a pre-built home theatre pc which but upgradeable and seamless in performance. Another is by upgrading a computer in your home that has been bought within the last five years. This type of upgrade can cost at more or less a thousand dollars and would need assembly guides such as those provided by some magazines like PC Magazine and Extreme Tech Magazine.
Media Center PC allows you to:
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LIVE TV: Watch Live TV, Pause live TV, Record live TV. You can choose between DigitalTV via terrestrial, analogue TV, cable-TV, satellite-TV, IPTV, webTV.
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MUSIC: Listen and store all your CDs and MP3s in one place. Your Media Center is your HiFi. A Media Centre PC can store all your music and plays it using play lists, genre, artist, etc, like an iPod. You can search for songs, download or stream directly off the internet. It automatically shows CD covers for artists... and all at the touch of a remote control!
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DVDs & BLUE RAY: A Media Center will replace your current DVD Player. On top instead of worrying about getting CDs scratched, you can back them up at a click of a button.
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INTERNET: You have full internet access as well as all the goodies that come with the internet like, IP-telephony, video-telephony, e-mail etc. into one common user friendly GUI (graphical user interface). Watch Web TV channels over the net.
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PHOTOES: You can organize your picture library, tag your photos, create photo slide shows that you can set to music, and burn your creations to a DVD. Even better, when you have visitors there is no more need to dig up the photo album. Just garb the remote and hit the photo button and browse the all photos and personal videos you have using slide shows or just browse.
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REMOTE CONTROL: You can sit on the sofa and use your remote with your Media Centre PC. If you happen to want to use your mouse or keyboard... then the option is there.
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RADIO: With an integrated FM radio tuner you listen and control all your radio stations with remote, and you can record or even pause the live audio stream.
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BACKUP: Back-up your work, photos, music, TV programmes and home movies onto Media PC or DVD. You can share photos and home movies on DVDs that play in most home DVD players, right from within your Media Centre PC.
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NETWORK: You can setup your Media Center PC to watch your movies, TV, listen to music, look at your photos, from more than one room.
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STYLISH & CUSTOMISABLE: Media Center PCs at Custom Computa are stylish in design and you can customise how you want it to look and feel.