I’ve been asked a few times if installing the WMP 11 Beta will improve the performance of the music library in Media Center Edition 2005. Unfortunately the answer is no. However, if you install the Windows Vista Beta 2 you can see the improvements. I’d also love to hear from anyone who has compared the music library performance between MCE 2005 and Windows Vista. Did it improve? Did it improve enough?
PC Magazine has a review of the Sony XL2 system + changer and gives it 4 out of 5 stars, plus an Editors Choice award.
The Sony VAIO XL2 Digital Living System ($2,699.99 direct) is an update to the slickly designed and unique VAIO XL1 system I looked at last year. It continues the company’s path toward Media Center nirvana. Like the XL1, the new XL2 is a MCE PC that easily replaces your TiVo, CD changer, DVD player, and more. It’s perfect addition to your home theater, particularly if you own an HDTV with an HDMI port.
I haven’t played with this system but was glad to read that:
This media changer is noticeably quieter than the first edition. It still makes noises when accessing discs but is much less disturbing in a living-room environment.
In Windows Vista a number of ‘casual games’ designed for Media Center are being shipped by default:
Check them out in beta 2:
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