![]() ![]() Users should not have to pay for the privilege to pay for the software, especially when Microsoft has said that Windows 8 Media Center will not be very different from the one in Windows 7 and will only contain minor improvements. Alternatively, if they are going to limit Media Center to be a Pro version only feature, it should be a free download. For example, they should unbundle Media Center, and allow users of any desktop (not RT, in other words) Windows 8 version to purchase it. Microsoft should go with one method or the other, not both. It just seems downright greedy of them and is a big disservice to Media Center’s faithful users. I have no problem paying for the Media Center pack, but I do have a problem with Microsoft artificially limiting who has the right to purchase it to begin with. Due to Windows 8 Pro essentially being the Ultimate Edition of previous Windows versions, it is definitely going to cost more than the base version, and that is rather disconcerting. What is confusing (and what I find infuriating) is that users will only be able to purchase the Media Center pack if they are using the Pro version of Windows 8, leaving home users out of luck. Windows Media Center in Windows 7 – TV Guide The Media Center pack will be made available for purchase and download using the “Add Features To Windows 8” control panel option–what was known as Windows Anytime Upgrade in previous versions of Windows. According to an article at, Microsoft is going to unbundle Windows Media Center for Windows 8 into a separate downloadable Media Center pack with a currently unknown price (so far, I’m disappointed but still willing to accept it). Yet, when I read a bit of news concerning Windows 8 and WMC over the weekend, I was not happy at all. It is even a feature that I would pay for should Microsoft unbundle it. With that said, it is still a niche feature and I understand that not everyone needs or wants to use it. Windows 7 became that much more valuable once I was able to utilize Windows Media Center. I have to say that the setup is really solid, I have all the expandable DVR space I could want, and the WMC interface is so much snappier than any cable or satellite set top box I’ve ever used. About a month ago, I got a CableCard from Comcast (after a week of… well, let’s just say it’s not a pleasant experience) and after pairing it with the HDHomeRun Prime and my Windows 7 machines, i was able to watch and record TV on any of the computers in my house as well as on the living room TV via an Xbox 360 acting as a Windows Media Center extender. ![]() Windows Media Center has a relatively small user base relative to the number of general Windows users, but they are a vocal and enthusiastic minority. It was then rolled into the general release of Windows Vista and then into many editions of Windows 7. The program debuted as a special edition of Windows called Windows XP Media Center Edition.
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