Windows Media Center makes it really easy to watch TV on Windows Vista (Windows Vista Home Premium or Ultimate) with a built in Guide that lets you browse TV shows and movies and schedule recordings of your favorite ones. Many PCs today come with TV functionality built in via TV cards. But not all Windows Vista PCs come equipped with TV capability. Unlike a few years ago - adding TV functionality to your PC is very easy. Let me share my experience in adding TV functionality to one of my PCs.

AMD brings TV capability to your PC through their ATI TV Wonder products. Some of their products are PC cards that must be installed inside the actual PC - and others are USB devices that can simply be plugged in to a USB port. I picked up AMD's ATI TV Wonder 600 USB TV tuner - which is Certified for Windows Vista. This small USB device lets you plug in a coaxial cable for TV capability or use an antenna for free over-the-air television -

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A couple of days ago, my old wireless desktop set (mouse and keyboard) had its receiver die on me. So I had to go out and grab another wireless desktop set for my PC. Microsoft offers some great wireless desktop sets but I decided to go with Logitech's Cordless Desktop S 510.

The Logitech Cordless Desktop S 510 is Certified for Windows Vista and has some great features:

• Fast 27 MHz wireless performance.
• Programmable F-Keys that can be set to open favorite applications, websites, or files.
• One-Touch Controls that let you access music, video, volume, email, and the Internet.
• Power Management lets you go longer with a low-battery light and auto-off.
• Tilt Wheel plus Zoom allows you to go side to side or in and out on photos, websites or even spreadsheets.

I took some Unboxing shots to share.

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This year at CES we’re partnering with PodTech to provide ground transportation specifically for bloggers attending CES via the Windows Vista Media Center Express.  This is an executive-class coach with a distinctive, custom exterior design, so you’ll know it when you see it.  We dreamed up the Media Center Express as a way to help bloggers get between the CES BlogHaus at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino and CES 2008 at the Las Vegas Conference Center, while also providing them an entertaining, hands-on experience with cool technology — and of course refreshments — en route.  (If you’ve ever been to CES, then you know how difficult it can be to negotiate the Las Vegas streets while competing with the 150K other people in attendance.)  We’ve equipped the bus with PCs and hardware showcasing some of the best aspects of Windows Vista, namely, Windows Media Center and Certified for Windows Vista devices. 

If you’re coming to CES, register for the BlogHaus so you can take advantage of the Media Center Express.  Meanwhile, check out the set-up of hardware on board:

• Dell XPS 420

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Ever in need to search for a Certified for Windows Vista device? I’ve got the site just for you. A few weeks ago I needed to find some Certified for Windows Vista devices in a specific category: printers. I was directed by a friend to the Windows Vista Hardware Compatibility site where they offer a searchable and categorized database for both Certified for Windows Vista devices and Works with Windows Vista devices. Check it out. I found exactly what I was looking for.

I also stumbled upon the “Look for the Logo” Gadget for Windows Sidebar which allows you to search for Certified for Windows Vista devices right from your desktop. Even better, the gadget was developed by gadget master Donavon West.

2 great resources for Certified for Windows Vista devices!

In New York City this week, Microsoft has invited over 200 members of the press to visit the Windows Consumer Experience Space at Peter White Studios. There, they will get hands on demos of scenarios that both Windows Vista and Windows Live together enable for consumers. The scenarios at the Windows Consumer Experience Space include demos of the Windows Live apps (such as Windows Live Mail and Windows Live Photo Gallery), gaming on Windows Vista, and Windows Media Center and its home entertainment capabilities.

Windows Senior Product Manager Craig Cincotta gives us a tour of the Windows Consumer Experience Space where folks will come through for their demos:

Video: Windows Consumer Experience Space Walk-thru

One of the scenarios being demoed is the ability to create panoramic shots in Windows Live Photo Gallery. I absolutely love this feature and decided to go down to Times Square and take a few shots to create a panoramic view of Times Square during both during the evening and during the day. It is an amazing experience standing at Times Square especially at night with all the neon signs

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In New York City this week, Microsoft has invited over 200 members of the press to visit the Windows Consumer Experience Space at Peter White Studios. There, they will get hands on demos of scenarios that both Windows Vista and Windows Live together enable Read More……(read more)