WebProNews

An update to the software company's Windows XP Media Center edition will allow Xbox 360 owners to grab content from PCs.

Via the Update Rollup 2 available from Microsoft, XP Media Center 2005 customers can equip their PCs to stream content like videos, music, and high-definition or standard television to TVs with a Xbox 360 attached. HDTV screens will be needed to display high-definition content.

Microsoft has high hopes for its next generation gaming console. That includes making it more central to the home entertainment systems in many households. For places with a Media Center PC in place, Microsoft has made more changes available beyond the Xbox 360 connectivity.

One big change adds support for an additional HDTV tuner to a Media Center PC. This will allow recording of two digital shows at the same time, which can be either ATSC digital or HDTV. An updated Away mode will complement the recording technology by letting the PC perform them in low-power mode.

Microsoft also announced via press release some additions to Media Center's Online Spotlight feature. Game xStream, a streaming game service, and new channels from Comedy Central and MTV will join AOL and others on the Media Center service.

David Utter is a staff writer for WebProNews covering technology and business. Email him here.