Entertaining

Go big with Windows Media Center! View your photos in a cinematic slide show, browse your music collection by cover art, easily play DVDs, watch and record TV shows, download films and project your home videos – then pass the remote to let friends and family join in the fun. With Windows Media Center you can sit back and enjoy your entertainment on your TV and stereo from the comfort of your sofa for a complete home entertainment experience.

Share big, beautiful pictures and home videos in their full-resolution glory on your TV screen. With Windows Media Center you can access your entire digital photo and video library with the click of a remote control – and you can even add your own soundtrack to set a party vibe. Then use the remote to send your pictures via email or burn them to a DVD.

Enjoy your memories, larger than life.

Navigate and play your music collection with just the click of a remote control. With Windows Media Center and a compatible remote you can quickly search and select tracks visually by album art, or by artist, album title, song, year or genre. Pass the remote and give friends the chance to mix and play their favourites, too.

Get more from your music.

Schedule showtime on your time. Windows Media Center makes it simple to get your favourite TV shows on your own terms. Use the built-in television guide and compatible remote control to find, watch, record and pause live TV on your desktop PC, mobile PC or a TV screen. You won't miss a single episode of your favourite show!

Take Windows Media Center to the next level and enjoy your digital entertainment on TVs throughout your home with Xbox 360 wirelessly connected to your PC. This way you can play your slide shows, music and recorded television on the big screen while your PC is in a different room of your home. Or choose a TV or set-top box that has support for Windows Media Center built right in.

Expand your entertainment with Xbox 360.

Use Windows Movie Maker to blend photos with home videos to create rich, personalised productions complete with soundtracks, titles, credits and creative transitions. With Windows Media Center, you can project your production to your home theatre and share it with a hand-picked audience.

Make a masterpiece.

Then burn your photo slide shows and home movies to a professional-looking video DVD with Windows DVD Maker and watch them on a standard DVD player or PC whenever you like, or share them with friends and family.

Use Windows Media Center to put more playtime into family time with cool new Games for Windows titles like Chess Titans and Mahjong Titans that you can enjoy together on your TV.

Get into the game.

Play the next generation in gaming, with hyper-realistic visuals and incredible performance – from simple to spectacular, there are Games for Windows for every age and ability, on your PC or online. And with DirectX 10 included, Windows Vista will be able to run the latest, most graphically advanced games. Plug an Xbox 360 controller into your PC and use it to play your action games the way they were meant to be played.

When you're ready to play, you won't have to spend extra time looking for the game you want. Games Explorer makes it easier to find, start and manage your PC games. It's also the place to learn more about your games by reviewing game data, including content ratings. Publisher links connect you directly to websites where you can download the latest game updates.

Find and manage your games with ease.

Windows Vista also offers faster, more stable connectivity to make it easy to join any number of online gaming communities – so you can play against your best friends or meet new ones.

You can also fill your home with music using the media sharing feature in Windows Media Player 11. Stream your digital music collection to PCs, digital media receivers and other devices connected to your home network in any room of your house – or multiple rooms.

The new Windows Media Player 11 also gives you new ways to build, organise and enjoy your music collection. Use it to rip CDs to your PC, get new tracks or a subscription with an online music service or enjoy an easy connection to your portable devices.

A whole new look and feel.

1. Windows Media Center is available in Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate. TV playback and recording features require an integrated or external USB TV tuner. Supports up to two TV tuners in all supported regions subject to Windows Vista compatibility with local TV standards; additional DTV/HDTV tuner support is available in the US and South Korea with compatible hardware. To enjoy all the benefits of Windows Media Center, Internet access is recommended; for some features, such as the electronic programme guide it is required. Internet service provider subscription or other service fees may apply. The electronic programme guide is not available in all regions or countries. DVD burning, TV features and remote control support may vary by manufacturer and/or require additional purchases. Support for the Media Center Extender or Xbox 360 will require a wired or wireless home network and additional compatible networking equipment.

2. Internet service provider subscription or other service fees may apply.

3. Chess Titans and Mahjong Titans are available in Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate.

4. Additional compatible networking equipment may be required to set up or access a wired or wireless home network.