Earlier this year, Microsoft sent me a Gateway computer running Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004. I was able to play with it for about a month before I had to send it back. I can definitely see the potential in this OS, and in fact I’ve been able to duplicate many of its functions on my own, using an ATI All-in-Wonder 9600 video card, an ATI Remote Wonder, and SnapStream’s BeyondTV 3.5.
So now Media Center Edition 2005 is out. I have a system that’s fully compatible with the software, but the OS is, unfortunately, only available in OEM editions. I’ve read a lot about it, especially at sites like Sean Alexander’s Addicted to Digital Media. Sean works for Microsoft and was onstage with Bill Gates demoing the new MCE at its recent introduction. Sean says he wants more people to evangelize about Media Center Edition.
Hey, Sean! Send me a copy of MCE 2005 and I’ll gladly tell the world about it.
Ed Bott 