What Is Microsoft Windows XP Media Center?
Microsoft sold numerous editions of the Windows XP operating system including the Home Edition, Professional and Professional x64 Editions, Tablet PC Editions and three Media Center Editions. All share the Windows XP general user interface, but each edition included unique features, such as the Windows Media Center software included in Microsoft Windows XP Media Center editions.
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Significance
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The XP Media Center Edition provided software that allowed users to integrate and display video and audio from television feeds as well as from DVDs. No previous Microsoft operating system had focused on integrating multimedia entertainment into the Windows experience to the extent that Media Center Edition did. The Media Center Edition sought to merge the functionality of the television with that of the home computer, and vice versa, blurring the line between what had previously been completely distinct technologies.
Features
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Media Center Edition included software that enabled various multimedia capabilities. These included built-in support for playing DVDs; an interface that allowed users to browse, watch and record television programs; and support for playing, sorting and burning music CDs. The edition also provided tools for synchronizing smart phones and similar devices as well as a utility to connect to and listen to radio broadcasts.
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Versions
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In a discussion among Microsoft experts transcribed in 2004, the experts observed that the differences between the versions related both to the level of support for different kinds of multimedia and to differences in functionality. Microsoft released three versions of Windows XP Media Center Edition, each designated by adding a year to the product name. The versions included Windows XP Media Center Edition 2002, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 and the final version, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005.
History
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Microsoft released the first version of Media Center Edition in October 2002. Microsoft released the next edition, Media Center Edition 2004, in October 2003. The final version, released in December 2004, was XP Media Center Edition 2005, for which mainstream support was retired in April 2009. Microsoft continues to offer extended support through April 2014.
Considerations
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Because Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Editions are operating systems, they enable hardware, rather than replacing it. Therefore, all Media Center Edition software required corresponding hardware, such as a connection to cable television or a DVD player, to function correctly.
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References
- Photo Credit dvd image by Tatu from Fotolia.com
