Windows Media Center brings together all your favorite entertainment for you to enjoy on your PC, on your TV or on the go.

Connect an HDTV-ready display to your Media Center PC

Connect your PC that is running Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 with high-definition TV (HDTV) tuner capability to an HDTV-ready display. You’ll get a clear, high-definition TV image.

Whether you receive a standard or high-definition TV signal, connecting a Media Center PC to an HDTV-ready display often results in a higher quality TV image. However, true HDTV image quality with a Media Center PC (one that includes an HDTV-capable tuner) is possible only if you receive HDTV broadcasts through an HDTV antenna, and you view the images on an HDTV-ready display.

Connect an HDTV-ready display using a DVI or HDMI connection

Both Digital Visual Interface (DVI) and High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cables are standard digital interfaces that you can use to connect your Media Center PC to your HDTV-ready display.

DVI cable

HDMI cable

Check both your Media Center PC and your display to see if they have outputs and inputs for DVI or HDMI cables. Many plasma and high-end LCD displays are equipped with inputs for DVI or HDMI cables—especially if the display is HDTV-ready.

Note: DVI and HDMI are only two of many types of cables that you can use to connect your TV or monitor to your Media Center PC. Refer to your hardware setup documentation or contact the device manufacturer for more information.

After you decide on a cable, it is fairly easy to connect your Media Center PC to the HDTV-ready display. To connect your Media Center PC to your display:

Connect one end of the DVI or HMDI cable to the TV output that is located on the back of your Media Center PC. Some tuner cards may have more than one TV output, so be sure that you connect it to the output that is labeled with HDTV, DTV, or ATSC.

Take the other end of the cable and connect it to the TV input or VIDEO input on the HDTV-ready display.

DVI cable connecting to an HDTV-ready display

Note: Media Center supports up to Two (2) Analog, Two (2) DTV/HDTV Tuners for local channels via over-the-air signal, US only. All other supported regions can support up to Two (2) tuners per computer.