Compatibility
Compatible with Microsoft XP Media Center Edition 2005 Update Rollup 2, or Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium or Ultimate.
Two way IP & RS-232 Control Protocol
MCE Server runs as a background service on Windows XP MCE or 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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
