8. The Electronic Program Guide (EPG)

One of MCE's most important functions is its Electronic Program Guide, or EPG, which is an electronic programming publication. Program information is available up to 15 days in advance of the play date on the Internet, thanks to a partnership between Microsoft and various television companies, and is available to MCE users for free. Individual channels take the form of sequential time-based listings, and additional detail is readily available for each item listed. It's handy that when you pick a particular program, it also shows you time and date for later repeats or rebroadcasts. To record any program, you need only highlight its listing entry, then push the record button (it's equally easy to capture all subsequent episodes of a series with another selection as well).

The EPG stacks a set of easy-to-read channel displays on a timeline to show what's on TV.

Next to the timeline display, you'll also find a comprehensive search function built into the EPG. This permits viewers to search for programs within specific categories such as police dramas or sci-fi. It's even possible to search listings by studio, director or cast names as well.

No episode need ever be missed, because the EPG needs only a single directive to record an entire series.

If you want to record a show while you're away from home, simply set the computer into Standby Mode using the remote control before leaving. At the scheduled showing time, the Media Center PC wakes up and starts recording, though the monitor will not be active. Once the program has ended, the Media Center PC returns to Standby Mode once the inactivity time-out set for Windows power management elapses.

Summary And Preview Of Part 2

Microsoft has a pretty good shot at making a place for itself in the living rooms of those ready to accept as PC as a reasonable facsimile of a home entertainment center. A strong argument in MCE's favor is its easy setup and configuration. That's because the operating system comes pre-installed, and the installation wizard makes short work of getting things working. MCE's TV handling and friendly EPG are also compelling. With a quiet, compact Media Center PC like the Hush Technologies MCE PC or the Niveus Media Ranier, you'll find PCs can make the grade in your living room.

In the second part of this two-episode series on Media Center Edition 2005, we'll cover how video recordings are managed and archived, along with DVD playback and video on demand. We'll also explore MCE 2005's capabilities as a digital jukebox and photo album. Look for more short reviews and some ideas about possible alternatives to the Media Center PC as well.

Please follow-up by reading Windows In The Living Room: Part 2 .