The user interface was redesigned and tailored for the 16:9 aspect ratio. See also: Features new to Windows Vista § Windows Media CenterĪ new version of the WMC was included in the Home Premium and Ultimate Windows Vista editions. In May 2015, Microsoft announced that Windows Media Center would be discontinued on Windows 10, and that it would be removed when upgrading but stated that those upgrading from a version of Windows that included the Media Center application would receive the paid Windows DVD Player app for free to maintain DVD playback functionality. Consequently, the Media Center interface remained unchanged for Windows 8 and 8.1 users. Shortly after Windows 7's 2009 release, Microsoft disbanded the Media Center development team, thus abandoning any further software developments. It is possible to view encrypted cable television channels by using an internal or external tuner that supported CableCARD. Both standard- and high-definition unencrypted video are supported through DVB-T and ATSC standards. Up to six TV tuners on a tuner card are supported simultaneously. It is also possible to watch and pause live TV. Content can be played back on computer monitors or on television sets through the use of devices called Windows Media Center Extenders. Users can stream television programs and films through selected services such as Netflix. Media Center can play slideshows, videos and music from local hard drives, optical drives and network locations.

It was also available on Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8.1 Pro as a paid add-on, before being discontinued in Windows 10, although it can reportedly be unofficially reinstalled using a series of Command Prompt commands. It was included in Home Premium and Ultimate editions of Windows Vista, as well as all editions of Windows 7 except Starter and Home Basic.

Media Center was first introduced to Windows in 2002 on Windows XP Media Center Edition ( MCE). Windows Media Center ( WMC) is a defunct digital video recorder and media player created by Microsoft.

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