Windows XP Media Center Edition (MCE) popularity grows

The long-awaited Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 PC range, which is set to change the way people experience digital entertainment in the home and on the move, will be made available through retailers in time for the Christmas period.

In conjunction with local original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and system builders, Microsoft South Africa is introducing its vision of ‘digital entertainment anywhere’ with the availability of selected new hardware, software and services, to meet the escalating demand by consumers for what is undoubtedly the first choice in the digital entertainment experience.

Jonathan Hatchuel, Windows Client business group manager at Microsoft South Africa, points out that local retailers will be stocking up on Windows XP Media Center Edition PCs for the Christmas season, although the product is already available today.

“With approximately 5 000 copies of Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 already sold in South Africa since its October launch, consumers are already experiencing the benefits of this release of Windows XP in their homes today,” he says.

The first iterations of Media Center Edition PCs will be available to consumers through OEMs such as Emerald, Eurotek, Mecer, Packard Bell and Proline, and sold by retailers countrywide including Digital Planet, Dion, Game, HiFi Corporation and Incredible Connection stores.

"Customers may also contact system builders PC Game World and Media Center Services with enquiries pertaining to the availability of Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005,” he adds.

Media Center Edition based PCs – which offer a simple, convenient way to enjoy digital photos, music, recorded and live television, and movies – will be made available in a variety of sleek new form-factors specifically tailored to the living room environment, including portable media devices and digital content services that provide a wide choice of entertainment options in the home.

“However, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 is not only valuable in the lounge. Many consumers are already replacing their home computers with PCs running Media Center Edition 2005 in standard PC cases; they’re not necessarily linking these PCs to their home entertainment systems. The benefits of the new music, digital photo and digital video features alone are winning consumers over to the new version of Windows XP,” he adds.

“Media Center Edition 2005 makes it easy for consumers to centrally store and manage all their music, photos, movies and television shows, while experiencing entertainment from various places throughout the home through the use of Media Center Extenders. Also available are a variety of portable music players offering seamless integration with Windows Media Player, allowing consumers to take their recorded television, music, videos and photos with them wherever they go,” Hatchuel concludes.

Eurotek
Emerald
Mecer
Packard Bell
Proline
PC Game World
Media Center Services