Windows^® XP Media Center Edition 2004 PC For Dummies^®

by Danny Briere (Mansfield, CT, Telechoice, Inc. ); Pat Hurley (San Diego, CA, Telechoice, Inc. )

• ISBN13: 9780764543579
• ISBN10: 0764543571
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-11-01
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

The fun and easy way to get up and running quickly with Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, the new operating system version specially outfitted for TV, DVD, video, music, and digital photo applications Media Center PCs are the first PCs to feature an easy-to-use interface and all preconfigured hardware and preloaded software needed to create a complete integrated home entertainment system Explains how to integrate a home computer network with a home theater system, control connected TVs with the Remote Control Interface, record TV programs using a TiVo-like recorder, acquire and play back music files, organize digital videos and photos, play DVD movies, and much more Written by the authors of Home Theater For Dummies (0-7645-1801-1)and Wireless Home Networking For Dummies (0-7645-3910-8), who worked closely with Media Center Edition product management at Microsoft to complete the book.

Author Biography

<b>Danny Briere</b> founded TeleChoice, Inc., a telecommunications consulting company, in 1985 and now serves as CEO of the company. Widely known throughout the telecommunications and networking industry, Danny has written more than one thousand articles about telecommunications topics and has authored or edited nine books, including <i>Internet Telephony For Dummies</i>, <i>Smart Homes For Dummies</i> (now in its second edition), <i>Wireless Home Networking For Dummies,</i> and <i>Home Theater For Dummies</i>. He is frequently quoted by leading publications on telecommunications and technology topics and can often be seen on major TV networks providing analysis on the latest communications news and breakthroughs. Danny lives in Mansfield Center, Connecticut, with his wife and four children. <p> gt;Pat Hurley</b> is a consultant with TeleChoice, Inc., who specializes in emerging telecommunications technologies, particularly all the latest access and home technologies, including wireless LANs, DSL, cable modems, satellite services, and home-networking services. Pat frequently co nsults with the leading telecommunications carriers, equipment vendors, consumer goods manufacturers, and other players in the telecommunications and consumer electronics industries. Pat is the coauthor of <i>Internet Telephony For Dummies</i>, <i>Smart Homes For Dummies</i>, <i>Wireless Home Networking For Dummies,</i> and <i>Home Theater For Dummies.</i> He lives in San Diego, California, with his wife and two smelly dogs.

Table of Contents

Introduction.

Part I: Introducing the Media Center Edition PC.

Chapter 1: All about Windows XP Media Center Edition.

Chapter 2: A Look Inside a Media Center PC.

Chapter 3: Evaluating and Buying a Media Center PC.

Part II: Integrating Your Media Center PC.

Chapter 4: Cables, Connectors, and Components.

Chapter 5: Hooking Up Your Media Center PC.

Chapter 6: Connecting to the Internet.

Chapter 7: Starting MCE for the First Time.

Chapter 8: Customizing Your MCE Experience.

Part III: Using XP Media Center Edition.

Chapter 9: Watching TV.

Chapter 10: Listening to Music.

Chapter 11: Working with Photos.

Chapter 12: Playing DVDs.

Chapter 13: Working with Home Videos.

Chapter 14: Working with Third-Party Applications.

Part IV: Connecting to the Rest of Your House.

Chapter 15: Building a Home Network.

Chapter 16: Using a Wireless Home-Networking System.

Part V: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 17: Ten Cool Accessories for Your Media Center PC.

Chapter 18: Ten Future Features of Media Center PCs.

Chapter 19: Ten Great Places to Visit with Your Media Center PC.

Appendix: Connecting Your MCE PC to Your Home-Entertainment System.

Index.