Media Center Updated

The latest update to Windows XP Media Center Edition offers incremental feature improvements, including support for streaming content from a Media Center PC to an Xbox 360 console. However, the update does not include support for CableCARD, an emerging standard for connecting PCs and other digital video hardware to digital cable taps. In addition, Microsoft launched new online resources about Media Center for partners and developers.

What’s in the Update?

Windows XP Media Center Edition is a remote-controllable superset of Windows XP for home entertainment functions, such as recording and playing back TV shows, ripping and playing audio CDs, and watching and burning DVDs. In Oct. 2005, Microsoft released Update Rollup 2 for Media Center 2005, the most recent version of the OS, which was released one year prior. Microsoft reportedly considered releasing this update, code-named Emerald, as an optional upgrade to Windows XP Home and Professional, but instead chose to restrict it to existing Media Center 2005 customers.