Windows Media Center help & questions answered

Many of the technical hurdles of getting Windows Media Center up and running have been removed in Windows Vista, but that doesn’t mean to say it’s full proof. Here’s some answers to some of the more common questions we’ve been recieving.

Q) Can I connect a games console directly to my Media Center PC and play it through live TV?

A) To allow time shifting of live TV, there is a delay of around four seconds, which makes gaming out of the question to those of us without a sixth sense. The best route to take for gaming is to use third party software in Windows to get real time video input, or directly connect to the TV.

Windows Media Center high contrast option (click to enlarge)

Q) I have visual problems. Can I tone down Media Center?

A) Yes. High contrast black and white menus are included for easier reading. These remove all transparencies and other visual effects associated with Windows Vista. Go to www.microsoft.com for help for visually impaired users.

Q) Is Media Center comparable to my set top box for digital TV?

A) For now at least, Media Center is very focused on only the video portion of the signal. So, for example, ‘red button’ interactive services and subtitles are not available with a Media Center.

Q) Does Windows Vista Ultimate contain more Media Center features than Home Premium?

A) No. However, Home Premium is missing some features outside of Media Center which were part of Windows XP Media Center Edition. If you are upgrading, you should take a look at the feature list and check it against your current use.

Q) Is it possible to add television recordings remotely?

The US only MSN Remote Record service (click to enlarge)

A) Not unless you live in the States. Microsoft allows this in the USA through the MSN Remote Record service (tv.msn.com). Elsewhere, you need a third-party product such as TVOnTime or WebGuide (asciiexpress.com/webguide).

Q) Can I mix TV services such as cable and over-the-air on the same machine?

A) This is possible in the US, but in the UK you can only have one type of source for your TV signal. You can’t have a signal coming in from your Sky box and a separate one from a Freeview box – you would have to choose one or the other.

Q) Would Media Center be a good way of backing up some of my favourite VHS tape recordings?

A) While it can be done with an analogue tuner for non-commercial tapes, using separate capture software such as Windows Movie Maker will give you greater control.

Q) What if I come up with more Media Center questions?

A) Microsoft hosts a monthly chat along with the Media Center MVPs on the third Thursday of each month. Each chat is one hour in length and offers you the opportunity to ask questions, provide answers and generally chat with other Windows Vista fans. Why not pop along to www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/chats and ask your question there?

Q) I’m experiencing audio problems on some DVDs.

A) Microsoft’s DVD support in Windows Vista does not include Digital Theatre Systems (DTS) decoding. You can use an optical connection to your speakers if they feature DTS decoding, otherwise you would need another DVD decoder which supports it.

Mark is a software engineering student at De Montfort University, currently taking time out working as a developer and tester. Mark has been named MVP five times since 2002. He runs advice sites for Windows XP and Media Center. His web site can be found at www.salloway.org.uk.