You can enjoy high-definition entertainment on your PC that is running Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. When you connect a high-definition TV (HDTV) antenna to a Media Center PC that is equipped with an HDTV tuner card, you can experience:- Digital-quality video with widescreen support: Watch local TV broadcasts in HDTV quality—up to 10 times the quality of a standard TV signal.
- Theater-quality audio: Enjoy the booming bass and crystal clear 5.1 surround sound that is available with many primetime programs.
- HD personal video recording: Pause, rewind, and record local, over-the-air TV programs in HDTV just like you do with standard TV programs.
- Digital TV Program Guide: Easily find listings for local HDTV channels that are integrated with the standard TV listings in the Guide on your Media Center PC.
- Antenna signal strength: A built-in signal strength meter helps you tune your antenna to get the most channels possible.
Whether you're buying a new Media Center PC or planning to upgrade your digital entertainment system, you have two options when it comes to making HDTV a reality in your household. You can purchase a new Media Center PC with built-in HDTV or, if you already have a Media Center PC, you can upgrade it with compatible HDTV hardware.
No matter which option you choose, the following three-step process will help you get started with HDTV:
- Check that you can receive over-the-air HDTV in your area.
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and DecisionMark have set up two easy-to-use Web sites at CheckHD and AntennaWeb where you can find information about HDTV availability in your area and what kind of antenna may be required.
- Make sure that Update Rollup 2 for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 is installed on your Media Center PC.
Go to Windows Update to get the latest updates for your Media Center PC, including Update Rollup 2 for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. - Check to see if you have the correct hardware for HDTV. The following table describes the supported hardware.
| Buy a Media Center PC with HDTV support |
Complete Media Center PCs with HDTV support are available from the following computer manufacturers: Alienware, HP, Niveus, and RicaVision. |
| Upgrade your Media Center PC to support digital TV (DTV) or HDTV |
Depending on your hardware, you can upgrade your Media Center PC to support HDTV. First, make sure that your PC meets the minimum processor, memory, and graphics requirements to support HDTV. If your PC meets the system requirements, then buy and install an HDTV tuner card that has the "Designed for Windows XP Media Center Edition" logo on it. |
| Note: Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 supports up to two analog TV tuner cards or two DTV or HDTV tuner cards for local channels by using an over-the-air signal in only the U.S. All other supported regions can support up to two tuners on each PC. |
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