Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
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Screenshot of Windows Media Center, the exclusive component of Windows XP Media Center Edition
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| Developer | Microsoft |
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| OS family | Microsoft Windows |
| Source model | Closed source / Shared source |
| Released to manufacturing |
September 3, 2002 |
| General availability |
October 29, 2002 |
| Latest release | 2005 Update Rollup 2 (5.1.2715.3011) / October 24, 2006 |
| Kernel type | Hybrid kernel (Windows NT) |
| Default user interface | Graphical User Interface |
| License | Proprietary commercial software |
| Succeeded by | Windows Vista Home Premium |
| Official website | microsoft |
| Support status | |
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Windows XP Media Center Edition (MCE) is a version of the Windows XP operating system which was the first version of Windows to include Windows Media Center, designed to serve as a home-entertainment hub. The last version, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, was released on October 12, 2004. After that, Windows Media Center was included in most editions of later Windows versions.
Windows XP Media Center Edition has had the following releases, all based on Windows XP Professional with all features enabled except domain-joining ability disabled in Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 and Terminal Services in the original release.
To determine the underlying edition of Windows XP on which a particular revision of MCE is based, the System Properties Control Panel applet can be used. To determine the revision of MCE that is being used, select the About Media Center option from the General -> Settings area inside MCE.
Windows XP Media Center Edition is distinguished with its exclusive component, Media Center, a media player that supports watching and recording TV programs, as well as playing DVD-Video, photo slideshows, and music. Media Center sports a user interface that is optimized for use from a distance with large fonts and icons.
Unlike competing commercial DVR products, Microsoft does not charge a monthly subscription fee for its Media Center TV guide service.
Due to its strict hardware requirements, Microsoft opted not to supply Media Center as an independent retail version. Microsoft only distributed it to MSDN subscribers and original equipment manufacturers in certain countries. Consumers purchase Media Center preinstalled on a new computer, set-top box or embedded device.
Successors of Windows XP did not have a Media Center edition but the player itself came with Windows.
Media Center has higher hardware requirements than other editions of Windows XP. MCE 2005 requires at least a 1.6 GHz processor, DirectX 9.0 hardware-accelerated GPU (ATI Radeon 9 series or nVidia GeForce FX Series or higher), and 256 MB of System RAM. Some functionality, such as Media Center Extender support, use of multiple tuners, or HDTV playback/recording carries higher system requirements.
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