| The word "vista" has everything to do with vision, | | | | the potential to enhance your TV to PC capability |
| both in the physical sense and the mental sense; | | | | as well. But before you can make your Windows |
| that is, a view through a row of trees or a view | | | | Media Center enabled PC the entertainment hub |
| of the future. For Bill Gates and Microsoft, Vista is | | | | of your household, you still need a few things. |
| the name of their new operating software, which | | | | First, you need a Tuner Card, which enables you |
| is their "vision" of the future of personal | | | | to receive TV signals directly to your PC. This can |
| computing. Skeptics say that Vista is too security | | | | be either integrated into the computer (via a PCI |
| heavy, to the point of inconvenience, and that | | | | card) or external, in the form of a USB adaptor. |
| consumers should wait months or years until the | | | | In order to take full advantage of Vista, and to |
| bugs are ironed out. Mac users say that Vista is | | | | make use of its Electronic Programming Guide, |
| Microsoft's attempt to offer a slick interface | | | | you'll also need high speed Internet access. |
| design that is much closer to their own. But the | | | | With this equipment in place, Windows Media |
| common criticisms aside, Vista has done its part in | | | | Center will automatically detect your TV |
| opening up a few new possibilities for home | | | | configuration: over-the-air signal or a cable, cable |
| entertainment and TV viewing. | | | | plus set-top box, or satellite set-top box. If you |
| With either Microsoft's Home Premium Edition or | | | | have a set-top box, Windows Media Center will |
| Ultimate Edition of Vista, you get "Windows Media | | | | take you through a step by step set up process. |
| Center" included in the package. This is also | | | | Vista gives you the ability to record and archive |
| included in the Windows "XP Media Center Edition," | | | | content and also burn it to DVD (when this is not |
| but is enhanced in the newer version. The | | | | prohibited by the content provider). The system |
| purpose of the Windows Media Center is to | | | | features a new sports section, thanks to a |
| provide a reliable interface to all of the media | | | | partnership with FOX Sports and NASCAR, which |
| content on your computer, including music, | | | | gives viewers access to scores and updates in |
| photos, videos, as well as access to any online | | | | real-time, and some free broadcasts of sports |
| media you may want to link to or archive. You | | | | events online. It is also optimized for widescreen |
| can access this content on your TV via remote | | | | and high definition display, and puts the power of |
| control. In addition, you can access it on television | | | | instant replay in your hands. |
| sets throughout your home with something extra | | | | In terms of TV entertainment systems, this is a |
| called a Windows Media Center Extender, which | | | | basic outline of what Microsoft's Vista operating |
| taps into your wired or wireless home network. | | | | system has to offer for those who just can't |
| The Xbox 360 functions as a Windows Media | | | | wait. Of course, as with many new software |
| Extender, and many other devices have them | | | | releases, no matter how much in-house testing |
| built in, such as some high-definition televisions, | | | | occurs, new customers are still the best guinea |
| digital media set-top boxes, and DVD players. | | | | pigs. So sometimes it's better to wait and see. |
| If that covers your PC to TV options, Vista has | | | | |