|
Feature Comparison |
MCS |
MCS-EX |
Screen Images |
|
Control Modules
Click Here to View Screen
Images |
AMX, Crestron,
RTI,
HAI |
AMX, Crestron,
RTI,
HAI |
Screen images depict optional Mirage Graphics Package
|
| iTunes |
ü |
ü |
| Microsoft Media Player |
ü |
ü |
|
Microsoft Vista Media Center |
ü |
ü |
| Supports Purchased Music with DRM |
ü |
ü |
| BluRay DVD Playback (requires ArcSoft Total Media Player) |
|
ü |
| Multi-Source with PolyTune |
optional* |
optional* |
|
Control
Media Center Extenders |
optional* |
optional* |
|
Control
Media Center Extenders |
ü |
ü |
|
IP Control
Protocol |
ü |
ü |
|
RS-232 Control
Protocol |
ü |
ü |
|
Send IR Commands |
ü |
ü |
|
Real-time Transport Feedback |
ü |
ü |
|
Real-time
Navigation Feedback |
ü |
ü |
|
Direct WMC
Navigation Commands |
ü |
ü |
|
Browse Music |
ü |
ü |
|
· Now Playing Art |
ü |
ü |
|
· Album Cover Art |
ü |
ü |
|
· Album List |
ü |
ü |
|
· Artist List |
ü |
ü |
|
· Genre List |
ü |
ü |
|
· Title List |
ü |
ü |
|
· Now Playing List |
ü |
ü |
|
· Queue Management |
ü |
ü |
|
Browse Movies |
|
ü |
|
· Browse DVDs |
|
ü |
|
· Browse Movies on HD |
|
ü |
|
· DVD Cover Art |
|
ü |
|
· DVD List |
|
ü |
|
· Actors and Directors |
|
ü |
|
· Release Year List |
|
ü |
|
· Ratings List |
|
ü |
|
· Text Search |
|
ü |
|
Browse Recorded TV |
|
ü |
|
· Thumbnails |
|
ü |
|
· Title |
|
ü |
|
· Channel |
|
ü |
|
· Rating |
|
ü |
|
· Date Recorded |
|
ü |
|
Browse Videos |
|
ü |
|
· Thumbnails |
|
ü |
|
·
Title List |
|
ü |
|
·
Folder List |
|
ü |
|
Browse Photos |
|
ü |
|
·
Thumbnails |
|
ü |
|
·
Display Image |
|
ü |
|
·
Folder List |
|
ü |
|
· Browse
by Metadata |
|
ü |
|
· Date
Taken List |
|
ü |
Compatibility
Media Control Server is
compatible with iTunes, Media Center in Windows Vista, Windows Media
Player, or Microsoft XP Media Center Edition 2005 Update Rollup 2.
Multiple Outputs via PolyTune(TM)
Media Control Server version 2.0 introduces a powerful new option
called PolyTune(TM) which allows a standard 5.1
sound card to produce three controllable sources. A 7.1 card
can provide four audio sources. Each source can be
independently addressed and controlled via the control system touch
panel.
Two way IP & RS-232
Control Protocol
MCS provides
real-time feedback and media control using a robust, two way TCP-IP
communications protocol. A control system client can manipulate the
transport, navigation, and media library features of iTunes or Media
Center through a
local area network, or remotely through the internet.
Browse Music, Movies,
Recorded TV, Videos, and Pictures
MCS provides a rich interface for
browsing and searching the computer’s media library by genre,
album, DVD, artist, actor, rating, play list, title, and more. Media
can be randomly accessed for instant playback or added to the
play-queue at any level. (ie, the command ‘PlayGenre “Jazz”
Queue=True’ instructs the server to add all jazz titles in the
media library to the queue without interrupting the currently played
media)
Album
and DVD Cover Art
Display album and DVD art
on your device for the currently playing media, or provide album and
DVD art in the browsing interface. Media Control Server provides a HTTP
image host and sends your client a URL to the cover art.
IR-Remote Control Emulation
Command the server to issue any IR
command available on the Media Center Remote Control.
Direct Access to Windows
Media Center
Interface Navigation
Control systems can command MCS to randomly access most areas of the
WMC Interface. Commands are
available for direct navigation to Start, MyMusic, Music Albums, Music
Artists, My Pictures, My TV, Recorded TV, start a Slideshow, and many
more. Refer to the MCS TCP-IP Protocol document for a complete
list.
Media Transport and Metadata Feedback
MCS provides
control systems with real time transport feedback and meta-data for
music, video, DVD, and television media such as album, artist, title,
duration, genre, release date, composer, chapter, director, rating,
channel, station id, program guide title, and more.
Real-Time Event and
Navigation Feedback.
MCS Clients can issue a command to the
server to subscribe to real-time events within the WMC interface.
These events can be used for real time touch-screen feedback, even
when the user is interfacing directly with the WMC box. Events are
sent for transport controls, navigation, start-up and shutdown, and
more.
WMC
Interface Messages and Prompts
MCS can send messages and prompts directly to the WMC Interface for display on the TV. Display Caller ID, Alarm
Zone status, prompts, and any text message to Media Center's
television interface. Users can be prompted to select from
multiple choice options and the response is sent back to the control
system for processing.
