Free EX Version Upgrade
MCE-CS EX is currently under development. A Pre-release version is available for registered MCE-CS Standard Customers free of charge. All standard licenses purchased before the release date of January 15, 2007 will receive a free upgrade to the final version of MCE-CS EX. Pre-release updates will be made available to registered users leading up to the final release date.
Compatibility
MCE-CSis compatible with Microsoft XP Media Center Edition 2005 Update Rollup 2, or Microsoft Windows Vista RTM (release to market).
Two way IP & RS-232 Control Protocol
The MCE Server runs as a background service on Windows XP MCE, and Windows Vista. It provides real-time feedback and media control for all functions of an MCE Computer using a robust, two way TCP-IP communications protocol. A control system client can manipulate the transport, navigation, and media library features of MCE through a local area network, or remotely through the internet.
Multiple Instances and Media Center Extenders
Multiple instances (user sessions) can be browsed and controlled including those sessions belonging to Media Center Extenders. A network consisting of a Media Center Computer and multiple extender devices can all be controlled through the same server instance residing on the host MCE computer. This is extremely valuable for multi-zone, multi-room applications. Since each user instance on an MCE computer can maintain an individual media library, personalized media collections can be maintained and accessed by end users.
Media Transport and Metadata Feedback
MCE Server provides control systems with real time transport feedback and meta-data for music, video, DVD, and television media such as album, artist, title, duration, genre, release date, composer, chapter, director, rating, channel, station id, program guide title, and more.
Browse Music, Movies, Recorded TV, Videos, and Pictures
MCE-CS provides a rich interface for browsing and searching the MCE computer’s media library by genre, album, DVD, artist, actor, rating, play list, title, ,and more. Media can be randomly accessed for instant playback or added to the play-queue at any level. (ie, the command ‘PlayGenre “Jazz” Queue=True’ instructs the server to add all jazz titles in the media library to the queue without interrupting the currently played media)
Album and DVD Cover Art
Display album and DVD art on your device for the currently playing media, or provide album and DVD art in the browsing interface. MCE Control Server provides a HTTP image host and sends your client a URL to the cover art.
IR-Remote Control Emulation
Command the server to issue any IR command available on the MCE Remote Control.
Transport Control
Command and receive feedback for play, pause, stop, skip next, skip previous, random (shuffle), and repeat transport controls.
Direct Access MCE Interface Navigation
Control systems can command MCE Server to randomly access most areas of the MCE Interface. Commands are available for direct navigation to Start, MyMusic, Music Albums, Music Artists, My Pictures, My TV, Recorded TV, start a Slideshow, and many more. Refer to the MCE Server TCP-IP Protocol document for a complete list.
Real-Time Event and Navigation Feedback.
MCE Clients can issue a command to the server to subscribe to real-time events within the MCE interface. These events can be used for real time touch-screen feedback, even when the user is interfacing directly with the MCE box. Events are sent for transport controls, navigation, start-up and shutdown, and more.
MCE Interface Messages and Prompts
MCE-CS can send messages and prompts directly to the MCE Interface for display on the TV. Display Caller ID, Alarm Zone status, prompts, and any text message to Media Center's television interface. Users can be prompted to select from multiple choice options and the response is sent back to the control system for processing.
