PowerCinema

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PowerCinema
Basic data

developer CyberLink
Current  version 6
(2008)
operating system Windows
category Home Theater Personal Computer
License proprietary
German speaking Yes
www.cyberlink.com

Cyberlink PowerCinema is a multimedia - software that as an alternative to Windows Media Center is designed and both under Windows and under Linux on home theater personal computers running (HTPC). The software was designed by CyberLink , based in Taipei , Taiwan , which is also the license holder. The latest version so far is PowerCinema 6.

PowerCinema features include playback of DVDs, video files and music, and viewing of photos. In combination with a TV tuner card, PowerCinema enables TV and radio broadcasts to be recorded, either by direct recording or by programmed recording via electronic program guides .

CyberLink offers a retail version of PowerCinema on its website that includes a TV tuner card. In addition, however, more versions of PowerCinema tailored to the needs of OEM customers are sold. PowerCinema can be found on many of the most popular brands of computers, but often under a different name.

PowerCinema is preinstalled on computers from the following manufacturers:

PowerCinema’s main competitor is Windows Media Center.

history

PowerCinema evolved from another CyberLink product called PowerVCR. At the time, PowerVCR was geared towards recording videos with the PC. An early way of recording digital videos was slowly being transformed into an expanded product concept that also included DVD playback. The new, revised interface design was implemented because Microsoft began to promote the concept of the "digital home" with media center PCs at that time.

The first development of PowerCinema can mainly be seen in connection with Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center Edition . Microsoft had set itself the goal of developing and expanding the PC as a replacement for the television set and to turn the PC into a "media center" that bundles and provides television, photos, videos and music in one device. The user should be able to sit on the sofa and without having to get up to zap through TV programs or to browse through music, photos or videos using the remote control. Like the Windows Media Center Edition, PowerCinema also offers the possibility of accessing the Internet and expanding the functionality via plug-ins and other modules.

PowerCinema offers OEM customers a cheaper alternative to Windows Media Center Edition, which is one of the reasons why PowerCinema is pre-installed on so many computers. Another reason is that CyberLink is ready to adapt not only the features but also the design to the wishes of the OEM customers and to give them their names. The first retail version was released in 2004 as PowerCinema 3.

Product development

PowerCinema 1-2 , 2002-3

Product type: OEM

PowerCinema 3 , 2004

Product type: OEM and retail

Modules:

  • Television - digital and analog
  • DVD playback
  • photos
  • Videos
  • music
  • radio

PowerCinema 4 , 2005

Product type: OEM and retail

Modules:

  • Television - digital and analog
  • DVD playback
  • photos
  • Videos
  • music
  • radio
  • Extras - available as downloads

PowerCinema 5 , 2006

Product type: OEM and retail

Modules:

  • Television - digital and analog
  • DVD playback
  • photos
  • Videos
  • music
  • radio
  • news
  • Weather
  • RSS - web feeds
  • Extras - available as downloads

Reviews and tests

Web links