Windows Media Center

The windows Media Center Edition is a version of Microsoft Windows designed specially for use as a media center PC. It utilizes the desktop computer's hardware to provide media storage as well as integration and navigation functions needed to integrate the functions of a home theatre system with a desktop computer.

Connect the TelevisionjYou can connect the media center to any kind of television (CRT, projection TV's, LCD and plasma TV's) just as long as you have the correct cables and input/output ports. Most Media Center PCs have inputs and outputs as a regular receiver so you can use a composite, component, digital coaxial, s-video and even the DVI and HDMI cables to connect your television to the computer.

TV Signal InputTo use the Media Center as a receiver for your television signals, you have to connect the source or the TV input to the Media Center computer. If the television feed comes from a regular antenna or cable, you can connect the output of the antenna or from the wall directly into the PC input. A digital cable or satellite set top box however will require an additional connection to connect the antenna to the device and another cable to connect the device to the Media Center computer using digital coaxial or component cables. Furthermore, you may need to use a special device in order to connect the infrared remote control system of the system box to your computer.

SpeakersYou can either use the same computer speakers you are using now or you can use a cable to output the sound to a receiver in order to enable surround sound. Of course, if you are going to use the later option, you will need to make sure that your computer's sound card supports the audio format of the multi-channel sound output. For this, you can use an optical cable or a digital coaxial cable. For an analog connection on the other hand, you can use the standard RCA cables, component cables or multi channel analog cables