If you want to turn a PC into a media centre that will allow you to watch and record TV, browse your MP3s, photos and videos, you'll need to get the right software. Until recently, Microsoft's XP Media Centre edition was your best bet, but Vista Home Premium and Vista Ultimate now both contain the new, improved Vista Media Centre. There is a third option though, in the guise of PowerCinema 5.
Open the box and you'll find a PCI hybrid TV card included, which is able to pick up analogue or Freeview digital broadcasts. Installation is easy and the software quickly identified all the Freeview channels. The supplied mini-aerial is useless, though - throw it in the bin and connect the card to a rooftop aerial if you want good results.
PowerCinema has all the functions you'd expect, but in addition to the familiar TV, music, DVD, radio and photo options there are also weather reports and news broadcasts. However, the news pieces are just shown as a web page, so if you're too far from the TV or monitor, the text is illegibly small. You can't even tell the software where you are in the world, so the news reports aren't always relevant to the UK.
PowerCinema looks similar to XP's Media Centre software, but is nowhere near as slick as Vista's interface. It's also aggravating that the electronic programme guide is only free for a stingy 30 days - at least Microsoft doesn't charge for such basic functions.
Actually using PowerCinema is a fairly pleasant experience, but although both XP and Vista's Media Centre software have their minor annoyances, they're still better than CyberLink's efforts. But we admit that is missing the point a little, if you have XP Media Center edition, Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate then use the great Media Centre software that you already have. If you aren't lucky enough to have that option PowerCinema is the closest you're going to get without installing a whole new operating system.
System Specifications
Multimedia software
Verdict
A good alternative to Microsoft's Media Centre. Microsoft's efforts are better, but CyberLink's PowerCinema is still a viable option.
Author: Paul Wardley
Computer Buyer Online