The Complete Guide to Media Centers

XBox Media Center Screenshot A media center provides a central location from which to access, organize and play media files. A media center combines the best features of TV, radio, DVD, digital photo galleries and the internet into a single device.

A number of commercial media centers exist in the market today including Google TV, Apple TV, Popcorn Hour and Western Digital Media Center. Some versions of Windows also include media center capabilities, and there are a number of Linux distributions, like MythBuntu, that can be used to convert a PC into a media center.

This guide reviews and compares media centers, provides tips on how to setup your own, and provides troubleshooting advice as well as other helpful tips.

Linux Media Center XBMC - Coming to Linux from XBoX Hacks XBMC (XBoX Media Center) was released in 2002 for Microsoft’s XBoX, and was then ported to other platforms. In this article we see how it fits in as a Linux media center...	Watch Live TV with Media Center If you want to watch television on your PC, your computer must have a television tuner, access to a television signal, and the right Windows edition....
Freeware for Windows Media Center There are many freeware software programs available for Windows Media Center. Find out whether you have Windows Media Center on your computer and learn which freeware is best for this...	MobiMote Review MobiMote is a Wi-Fi based Windows Media Center remote for your iPhone. Control Windows Media Center from the comfort of your couch, bed or anywhere else. Full access over all playback...

Linux Media Center XBMC - Coming to Linux from XBoX Hacks

XBMC (XBoX Media Center) was released in 2002 for Microsoft’s XBoX, and was then ported to other platforms. In this article we see how it fits in as a Linux media center....

How to Copy a VHS Tape to DVD Using Your Media Center PC

It's a myth that HP Media Center PCs running Vista don't support copying analog video and audio signals from the front-panel inputs. Hauppauge "WinTV" tuner cards have long supported analog...

How to Choose the Best Home AV Receiver

The A/V receiver is an important part of a home theater system. Some folks prefer to select a higher-end A/V receiver that offers high output, many different surround sound modes, and easy switching...

Buying Guide and Recommendations: Mini ITX & ATX Home Theater Computer Casing

Cases for Mini ITX and ATX motherboards are designed after the compact body of those motherboards. They are also perfect for use in other applications like a desktop computer with a compact CPU or a NAS...

What is an Alternative to Windows Media Center?

Windows Media Center comes packaged with certain versions of Windows XP, Vista and 7 - however it is famously unreliable, refusing to connect to media extender devices that it has moments later sent movies...

Windows Media Center Errors and What You can Do About Them

Yes, we agree that having problems with your Media Center spoils your wonderful day. Especially if that is about the TV (tuner) card, it becomes even more painful. How about...

Windows Media Center Tips, Tutorials and Troubleshooting Guide

With Windows Media Center, your computer becomes a television, DVD player, music player and more. This guide will help you learn how to set up and enjoy all the features WMC has to...