A PC is the short form of the term personal computer that could be fixed with an Intel – compatible microprocessor. It is also referred to as the IBM PC since the first personal computer produced was the IBM. On the other hand, a media centre is a computer system with such software that has been adapted so as to be able to play different entertainment media. This media can either be in stored in forms such as MP3, MPEG, and DVD, MP4 or, cable broadcasts or streaming data from the internet. A media centre personal computer therefore, refers to a PC which has been modified both in a hardware and software manner so as to be able to conveniently be used as a media viewing device or system. It is obtainable in software form such as windows media centre, living room PC, MCPC, TV- centric PC, Window XP Media Centre among others, which are installed onto a PC in order to transform it into a media centre.
The purpose of a media centre PC is to enable one to enjoy entertainment from the computer and the television in the same space. The digital entertainment is obtainable in various forms such as in live television, digital music and videos as well as photos. Having assembled all these forms of entertainment together, one is then able to access their entertainment choice simply by using the remote control. The main idea of a media centre PC is convenience and an undisturbed entertainment. It effectively condenses the number of equipments that one needs for entertainment into a single P.C .This has been hailed as one of the greatest innovations of modern times and has revolutionized the entertainment industry. One is able to watch, rewind and record all interesting programs.
Other than integration of television and PC, the media centre also enables one to receive and store digital media files saving costs and portability. The concept of media centre PC is different from the home server but sometimes serves the same functions. Other than entertainment, the media centre PC is also used in professional applications such as mobile phone sales professionals, in-flight or room entertainment that has a voice an on demand system, the automotive entertainment industries systems such as limousines and car stereo. The manufacturers are still continually looking for a means to improve on it and have recently made the media centre PC even smaller.