Takeaways
The Microsoft Media Center PC program is designed to make it easier than ever before to integrate PC-based video, audio, multimedia, games, and other applications with family entertainment centerson a "big screen" and with home theater audio, no less. To that end, Microsoft includes powerful image-editing and display software; digital video capture and editing tools; and a comprehensive music capture, management, and playback system. Some Media Center PC vendorsmost notably HP, Dell, and Gatewayalso offer additional digital image capture and manipulation tools. Adding a Media Center PC to a home entertainment center might indeed be expensive and something of a chore, but the results can include a lot more entertainment for a family to share.