Choosing Features.
Style and design of the unit is critical, the unit should not look like a computer, or sound like one.
It should look more like a piece of furniture that blends in with the rest of the rooms furnishings.
For the display unit checkout the following points:
The viewing angle.
The contrast ratio.
The resolution
Here are some of the top features to look for:
Multi-tuner support (record two shows at the same time and watch another previously recorded show)
Support for digital and high-definition local TV
Built-in CD and DVD burning
Internet radio
No noise from the unit.
Pause and rewind live TV or radio
Windows Media Center
Enjoy DVD movies on your Media Center PC.
You will get full progressive-scan DVD playback with online chapter lookup on Media Center PCs equipped with DVD decoders manufactured by Media Center partners.
My TV offers a simple way to browse, watch, and record TV, even on multiple channels at the same time (both analog and over-the-air digital). TV features work with an antenna, cable, or satellite TV signal and have a fast and easy setup. My TV includes Live TV, Recorded TV, the Program Guide, Guide Search, and the new Movie Finder2 service—all without a monthly service fee.
My Music offers access to your personal and online music collection. Now it's easier than ever to play a music CD, copy it into your library, burn a CD, create a play list, and edit album details.
My Videos offers an alternate view of your My Videos folder in Windows XP, organizing files and folders by date or by name and displaying a thumbnail image for each clip. My Videos supports common video types including standard avi, .mpg
My Pictures provides a fun new way to instantly enjoy and share your digital photos. Download pictures from your digital camera, view your pictures and graphics, create a near-instant slide show, touch up, print, and burn photos to CD—all with yo
Burn recorded TV to CDs and DVD's with built-in CD/DVD burning, easily share pictures and home movies, and burn CD mixes.
Online Spotlight is your portal into a wide and growing range of on-demand entertainment. Online Spotlight is an online guide that offers quick and easy access to a wide range of music and radio services, movie download and on-demand services, as well as information services which give you instant access to customized sports, news, and entertainment programming online. 1
Enjoy hours of TV, music, video, and digital photos on the go by transferring your favorite media to a Portable Media Center, Smartphone, Pocket PC, music player, or other storage devices, such as external hard disk drives
The Media Center remote control keeps all of the entertainment on your computer within easy reach, complementing the keyboard and mouse.
The new Movie Finder 2 makes it easy to find movies you love. Get the most value out of your cable or satellite TV package by easily discovering and recording movies already available on your lineup, or learn how to rent new movies or old favorites with online movie services
Enjoy true digital and high-definition local TV programming and personal video recording. Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 now supports full live TV and personal video recording support for ATSC Digital TV (480p) and High Definition TV (720p/1080i) local network TV programming delivered via UHF anten
Enjoy true digital and high-definition local TV programming and personal video recording. Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 now supports full
live TV and personal video recording support for ATSC Digital TV (480p) and High Definition TV (720p/1080i) local network TV programming delivered via UHF antenna.