Create a media centre

Windows Media Center computers prove that PCs can replace a digital set-top box, video recorder, DVD player and hi-fi, and bring new features to your TV, such as the ability to play photo slideshows.

Not only that, but they look the part too, with designs that won’t look out of place in the living room.

Like other computers, the hardware options vary greatly between manufacturers, so it is helpful to have a good idea of what to look out for, including hard disk capacity and the number of TV tuners. The latter determines how many channels can be recorded at the same time.

Windows Media Center can take over all the jobs of the various boxes currently sat underneath the television and more. A CD collection can be copied to the computer, making it easier to find specific tracks and with the ability to create playlists to suit any mood. Folders with photos in can be used to make a slideshow. If the computer comes with a memory card reader, it can play a slideshow of photos as soon as you get back from a trip.

Windows Media Center is even capable of using photos, music and video from other computers on the network. See the Streaming box overleaf for more information on this.

What to look for
Modern PCs are so powerful that few computers are unable to work as a Media Center. Look for a minimum of 1GB of memory and a dual-core processor to make sure there are no problems when recording and playing video at the same time.

One specification that does need serious consideration is the size of the hard disk, as this has a direct impact on the amount of television that can be recorded. Media Center can record at different quality settings (Fair, Good, Better and Best) to save space, but small files come at the cost of reduced quality. We would recommend using Better, as there’s not much point in spending all that money to watch blocky television. At this quality setting, 100GB can hold around 40 hours. More information on the Microsoft website.

Of course, a DVD drive is essential for watching pre-recorded films. A Blu-ray or HD DVD player will enable you to take advantage of high-definition movies and make light work of backing up files. A DVD writer is useful for saving recorded programmes when the hard disk gets full. This will happen, no matter how big the hard disk is to start with.

Check for the output sockets and that they are compatible with your computer. Ideally, a Media Center computer will come with a Scart socket for easy connection to a television. If not, they will have an
S-video connection.

Adapters for plugging an S-video cable into a Scart socket are cheap and easy to fit, just make sure the input/output switch is set correctly. The adapter should cost no more than £15 and is available from high-street electronics stores. The best image quality will come from an LCD or plasma television connected using a standard monitor cable (DVI or VGA).