High-Definition TV is taking over! And that's a good thing. High-Definition has sharper visuals and is more efficient than analog, and will soon be the standard.  The Federal Communications Commission is requiring that all U.S. televisions and broadcasting be digital by the end of 2006.* This means that home electronics manufacturers must include integrated digital tuners in TVs and TV-receiving devices like DVD/VHS players and digital video recorders (DVRs).

What HD means to you?

• Digital quality video with widescreen support
  Get local TV broadcasts in DTV and HDTV quality up to 10 times that of standard TV signals.
• Theater-quality audio
  Enjoy booming bass and crystal clear 5.1 surround sound available with many primetime programs including movies and popular TV shows.
• HD Personal Video Recording
  Pause, rewind, and record local, over-the-air TV programs in HDTV just like you do standard TV programs.
• Digital TV Programming Guide
  Completely integrated into the Electronic Programming Guide2 (EPG) in Media Center 2005, local channels available in your area are easy to find with the new "DTV" icon.
• Antenna Signal Strength:
  A built-in signal strength meter helps you tune your antenna to get the most channels possible.
• Check Over-the-air HDTV availability
  The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and DecisionMark have set up two easy-to-use Web sites at CheckHD and AntennaWeb where you can find information regarding HDTV availability in your area and what type of antenna may be required.

HD 7.1 Audio

The Shuttle XPC Media Center with the Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit delivers new levels of PC audio unmatched by any other integrated solution. Movies are brought to life with captivating, theater-like, multi-channel surround in up to 7.1 channel configurations. Dramatic 3D positional audio, and sophisticated environmental audio effects deliver a new level of realism to games. Finally, patented CMSS 3D audio technology enables up-mixing of stereo music recordings for improved listening on multi-channel speaker sets, and advanced audio processing dramatically enhances music with features including Bass Boost, Multi-Band Graphic Equalizer, Audio Clean-Up, and more.

Download Thousands of On-Demand Movie Titles and Music Tracks*

Who needs to leave the comfort of home to buy or rent retail when music and video content acquisition is available with the push of a few buttons? The traditional media distribution methods of yesteryear are history. Cable, satellite, and the internet have made a revolutionary impact on the entertainment industry and there is no going back. The unfolding of this medium has changed society, not only with its potential to entertain, but also with its capacity to inform and empower. The entertainment industry has fully recognized the call for on-demand digital distribution.Big studios like MGM, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal Studios, and Warner Bros. have all developed movie on-demand services. And significant progress has been made to legitimatize the on-line music market as well. It is proven that there are endless creative ideas out there, and technology will always play matchmaker between artists and fans.

* Subscription is required to the online services.