
For enthusiasts and beginners alike, building a Media Center PC can be confusing and stressful. Andrew Boisen takes you through the process of choosing components step by step, giving detailed advice gained over years of experience. The software side of the Media Center experience is examined in-depth, with recommendations on codecs, plug-ins and third party applications that can be combined to deliver a first class Media Center experience that will be the envy of all your friends.
Further delving into delivering the Media Center experience to your whole house, the author lays out the best approach to build a series of networked Media Centers that leverage network attached storage for your Media Collection. Comprehensive information about home theatre setup, including video and audio calibration, surround sound setup, 3D support and network configuration is given in an easy to understand, anecdotal approach.
Contents:
Introduction
Windows Media Center
What is a Media Center PC?
What are the alternatives, and why they aren’t real alternatives?
Hardware
Why it’s so easy to go wrong when choosing hardware
Build or buy?
Why building from scratch is a mistake?
What do you need at a quick glance?
Choosing your Case
Choosing your Motherboard and CPU
Backgrounder on CPUs
Choosing the CPU
Dedicated Graphics Card or Integrated Graphics
32bit or 64bit
Choosing the Motherboard
Choosing your Power supply
Choosing your Operating System
Choosing your Memory
Choosing your Hard drives
Choosing your CD/DVD Drive
Choosing your Remote Control
Choosing your TV Tuners
Digital or Analog
USB or PCI
How many tuners do I need?
Antenna Amplifier
Compatibility
Brands
Choosing your Graphics Card
Noise
3D Support
Choosing your Network Adapter
Choosing your Sound Card
Choosing Cables
Windows Media Center
Your Basic Install
How to make it all worthwhile
Remote Control Tricks
Move quickly to a position in a video stream
TV guide and Recorded TV
Media Center Libraries and how they work
Getting your Codecs in order
3D Content
Getting rid of your DVD and CD collection
Going to the next level
What is a plugin and why do I care?
One Plugin to rule them all: Media Browser – mediabrowser.com
My Channel Logos – mychannellogos.com
MCE Backup – madeformediacenter.com
Made for Media Center – madeformediacenter.com
MCEWeather – jaast.com
Plugin Sources
Professionals
Professional installation seems like a good idea, but it’s not
Why they are going to screw you
Home theatre
Getting your picture right
Calibration
Getting your sound right
Audio Codecs
Calibration
Building a Media House
Why stop at just one Media Center?
Media Center Extenders
Media Center PCs as extenders
Requirements for getting it all to work
Home networking options, and why there is only one true solution.
Wireless Networking marketing hype and why it’s all designed to mislead the public
The future of wireless networking
Laying cable
Maintenance and Support
Keeping the damn thing running
System Backups – Imaging your System
Media Backups – They are not optional.
Network Attached Storage, and why you would want it?
Troubleshooting: Not so common problems
Gradually degrading TV Reception
Screen goes black or Media Center stalls when rewinding live TV
TV not being recorded properly after Media Center comes out of standby or Hibernation
HDMI audio is coming through in stereo instead of surround sound
Losing HDMI audio when restarting Media Center or at random
Volume Level cannot be controlled by Media Center when Display or Audio output is being sent to a AV Receiver
Weird unexplained errors in event viewer concerning TV Shows not being recorded
Appendix
Keyboard Shortcuts
For enthusiasts and beginners alike, building a Media Center PC can be confusing and stressful. Andrew Boisen takes you through the process of choosing components step by step, giving detailed advice gained over years of experience. The software side of the Media Center experience is examined in-depth, with recommendations on codecs, plug-ins and third party applications that can be combined to deliver a first class Media Center experience that will be the envy of all your friends.
Further delving into delivering the Media Center experience to your whole house, the author lays out the best approach to build a series of networked Media Centers that leverage network attached storage for your Media Collection. Comprehensive information about home theatre setup, including video and audio calibration, surround sound setup, 3D support and network configuration is given in an easy to understand, anecdotal approach.
Contents:
Introduction
Windows Media Center
What is a Media Center PC?
What are the alternatives, and why they aren’t real alternatives?
Hardware
Why it’s so easy to go wrong when choosing hardware
Build or buy?
Why building from scratch is a mistake?
What do you need at a quick glance?
Choosing your Case
Choosing your Motherboard and CPU
Backgrounder on CPUs
Choosing the CPU
Dedicated Graphics Card or Integrated Graphics
32bit or 64bit
Choosing the Motherboard
Choosing your Power supply
Choosing your Operating System
Choosing your Memory
Choosing your Hard drives
Choosing your CD/DVD Drive
Choosing your Remote Control
Choosing your TV Tuners
Digital or Analog
USB or PCI
How many tuners do I need?
Antenna Amplifier
Compatibility
Brands
Choosing your Graphics Card
Noise
3D Support
Choosing your Network Adapter
Choosing your Sound Card
Choosing Cables
Windows Media Center
Your Basic Install
How to make it all worthwhile
Remote Control Tricks
Move quickly to a position in a video stream
TV guide and Recorded TV
Media Center Libraries and how they work
Getting your Codecs in order
3D Content
Getting rid of your DVD and CD collection
Going to the next level
What is a plugin and why do I care?
One Plugin to rule them all: Media Browser – mediabrowser.com
My Channel Logos – mychannellogos.com
MCE Backup – madeformediacenter.com
Made for Media Center – madeformediacenter.com
MCEWeather – jaast.com
Plugin Sources
Professionals
Professional installation seems like a good idea, but it’s not
Why they are going to screw you
Home theatre
Getting your picture right
Calibration
Getting your sound right
Audio Codecs
Calibration
Building a Media House
Why stop at just one Media Center?
Media Center Extenders
Media Center PCs as extenders
Requirements for getting it all to work
Home networking options, and why there is only one true solution.
Wireless Networking marketing hype and why it’s all designed to mislead the public
The future of wireless networking
Laying cable
Maintenance and Support
Keeping the damn thing running
System Backups – Imaging your System
Media Backups – They are not optional.
Network Attached Storage, and why you would want it?
Troubleshooting: Not so common problems
Gradually degrading TV Reception
Screen goes black or Media Center stalls when rewinding live TV
TV not being recorded properly after Media Center comes out of standby or Hibernation
HDMI audio is coming through in stereo instead of surround sound
Losing HDMI audio when restarting Media Center or at random
Volume Level cannot be controlled by Media Center when Display or Audio output is being sent to a AV Receiver
Weird unexplained errors in event viewer concerning TV Shows not being recorded
Appendix
Keyboard Shortcuts

Price:

- Snap, Peek, and Shake: Navigate lots of open windows more quickly
- Windows Media Center: Watch, pause, rewind, and record TV on your PC
- Desktop Personalization: Personalize your PC with desktop slideshows and themes
Customers an upgrade PCs running Windows 7 Starter to Windows 7 Home Premium in as little as ten minutes.If you want more features than you currently have in your existing edition of Windows 7, you can upgrade to another edition using Windows Anytime Upgrade. Upgrades from Windows 7 Starter edition to Windows 7 Home Premium.
With Windows Anytime Upgrade, you can upgrade to a more advanced edition of Windows 7 in as little as 10 minutes. Click to enlarge. |
Windows Anytime Upgrade
No disks, no delays. And no leaving the house: With Windows Anytime Upgrade, you can upgrade to a more advanced edition of Windows 7 in as little as 10 minutes. That way, you get to take advantage of extra features while keeping your current programs, files, and settings intact.
In the past, upgrading Windows could be a bit of a hassle. In Windows 7, the software you need comes preinstalled. All you have to do is purchase an upgrade key from Microsoft or another authorized retailer to unlock those shiny new features.
Get more now. Move up to Windows 7 Home Premium.
A small notebook PC running Windows 7 Home Premium is even easier to use. The new taskbar and advanced navigation features make launching programs, opening files, managing windows, and getting around your PC faster and easier. Personalize your PC to be just the way you want it with helpful gadgets and desktop themes–even turn your desktop into a slideshow of your favorite photos. And you get the best entertainment experience on a PC. With Windows Media Center you can watch shows for free when and where you want with Internet TV.*
Simplifies everyday tasks
- Improved desktop navigation features like Snap, Peek and Shake, make it easier to manage all of your open windows.
- Creating a home network has never been easier. You can even share files and printers with all the PCs with Windows 7 on the network.
- Find virtually anything on your PC–from documents to songs to email–just by typing a word or two with Windows Search.
Works the way you want
Designed to make your PC sleep and resume quicker.
Takes full advantage of the power and multi-tasking capabilities of the latest 64-bit PCs.
Makes new things possible
- Watch, pause, rewind and record TV with Windows Media Center.
- Includes integrated video and Dolby audio codecs.
* Additional hardware may be required. Not available in all countries. http://windows.microsoft.com/products/windows-7/system-requirements/.
Windows 7 Home Premium. The best entertainment experience on your PC.
Windows 7 Home Premium makes it easy to create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. You can even watch, pause, rewind, and record TV. Get the best entertainment experience with Windows 7 Home Premium.
More work, more play, and more of everything in between. Click to enlarge. |
Manage lots of open programs, documents, and browser windows easily with thumbnail and full-screen previews of open windows. Click to enlarge. |
With Snap you can arrange two windows side-by-side just by dragging them to opposite sides of your screen. Click to enlarge. |
Open files you use regularly in just two clicks with Jump Lists on the improved taskbar. |
Easiest Windows to use ever
- Simplify your PC with new navigation features like Aero Shake, Jump Lists, and Snap.
- Customize Windows to look and feel the way you like by changing themes and taskbar programs.
- Setting up a home network and connecting to printers and devices is easier than ever.
- Windows 7 Home Premium supports the latest hardware and software.
It’s faster
- Designed to make your PC sleep and resume quicker.
- Takes full advantage of 64-bit PC hardware and memory.
- Connecting to wireless networks is fast and easy.
Best PC entertainment experience
- Watch, pause, rewind, and record TV with Windows Media Center.
- Blu-ray read/write support for data files.
- Includes integrated video and Dolby audio codecs.
Simplifies Everyday Tasks
Simple to use
Preview
Manage lots of open programs, documents, and browser windows easily with thumbnail and full-screen previews of open windows.
Pin
Open files and get around your PC faster with the improved taskbar. You can easily pin programs you use often to the taskbar and launch them in just one click.
Windows 7 lets you peek behind open windows to get a quick look at your desktop. Click to enlarge. |
Instantly locate and open virtually any file on your PC right from the Start menu with Windows Search. Click to enlarge. |
Turn your PC into a TV with Windows Media Center, and enjoy your favorite videos and music with Windows Media Player. Click to enlarge. |
Jump Lists
Open files you use regularly in just two clicks with Jump Lists on the improved taskbar.
Snap
Windows 7 has simple new ways to manage open windows. For example, with Snap you can arrange two windows side-by-side just by dragging them to opposite sides of your screen.
Peek and Shake
Windows 7 lets you peek behind open windows to get a quick look at your desktop.
Windows Search
Instantly locate and open virtually any file on your PC, from documents to emails to songs, right from the Start menu, with Windows Search.
Easy to connect
Setting up wireless connections is easier with consistent, one-click connections to available networks. Click to enlarge. |
Enjoy the photos, music, and videos on your home PC when you’re away from home with remote media streaming. Click to enlarge. |
Windows Touch makes PCs with touch screens easier and more intuitive to use. Click to enlarge. |
Manage Backup and Restore and other features through Action Center. Click to enlarge. |
Search, organize, and edit files across a network in the same way you would a single folder.Click to enlarge. |
Wireless setup
With Windows 7, setting up wireless connections is easier with consistent, one-click connections to available networks, whether those networks are based on Wi-Fi, mobile broadband, dial-up, or corporate VPN.
HomeGroup
Connect Windows 7 PCs on a home network in just four clicks and easily get to the photos, music, and files on each one–even share printers–with HomeGroup.
Easy to browse the web
Internet Explorer 8
Visual search helps you quickly find the information you want by adding visual cues and previews to search results from top search providers including Live Search, Wikipedia, Yahoo, Amazon, and others.
Internet Explorer 8
Use Web slices to conveniently keep up with changes on frequently updated websites, like eBay auctions or traffic sites, directly from the IE8 toolbar.
Easy to communicate and share
Windows Live Photo Gallery
Windows Live Photo Gallery makes share your photos to your favorite photo site easy.
Windows Live Mail
Windows Live Mail makes managing multiple email accounts easy.
Windows Live Family Safety
Keep your child safe by managing what sites they can visit and who they can send/receive emails and im communications from.
Note: Windows Live components need to be downloaded separately.
Works The Way You Want
Faster and More Reliable
Resume from sleep
We designed Windows 7 to help PCs sleep and resume from sleep more quickly by improving the way Windows 7 manages drivers, programs, and power.
Faster and more reliable
We reduced the amount of memory your PC needs for open windows and to execute commands to help it be more responsive to commands.
Fewer clicks and less interruptions
Makes New Things Possible
Media on your terms
Windows Media Center
Turn your PC into a TV with Windows Media Center.
Windows Media Center
Watch shows for free when and where you want with Internet TV.
DirectX 11
DirectX 11 technology delivers breathtaking game graphics so real, it’s unreal.
New ways to engage
Windows Touch
Windows Touch makes PCs with touch screens easier and more intuitive to use.
Media on your terms
Windows Media Player
More and more consumer electronics, from TVs to digital photo frames, can be connected to home networks. With Play To in Windows 7, you’ll be able to easily send music, photos, videos from your PC to a networked device throughout your home.
You can enjoy the photos, music, and videos on your home PC when you’re away from home with remote media streaming.
Work anywhere
Location Aware Printing
Windows 7 will automatically pick the right printer for you when you move from home to work networks.
Work anywhere with less effort.
- Instantly locate virtually any file, email, or document on your PC just by typing a word or two.
- Get around your PC faster with the improved taskbar.
- Open programs you use regularly in one click and files you use regularly in just two.
- Manage lots of open programs, documents, and browser windows easily with thumbnail and full-screen previews of open windows.
- Manage multiple email accounts, including Hotmail, Gmail, AOL, and Yahoo! Mail Plus, all in one place with one simple program.
- Get to the files, photos, and music on any PC with Windows 7 in the house from any other.
- Print to any printer in the house from any PC with Windows 7 in the house.
Safeguard your hard work.
- Windows Internet Explorer 8 helps keep your PC safer from malware and you safer from fraudulent websites designed to fool you into divulging private information.
List Price: $ 79.95
Price: $ 41.39