Content can be played back on computer monitors or on television sets through the use of devices called Windows Media Center Extenders.

It is possible to view encrypted cable television channels by using an internal or external tuner that supported CableCARD.

A new version of the WMC was included in the Home Premium and Ultimate Windows Vista editions.

Support for multiple tuners was added in later releases and varies depending upon the version of the operating system purchased.

Also introduced to U.S. users was Internet TV, which allows access to streaming content through WMC.

When any of the options is selected, the entries for each are presented in a grid-like structure, with each item being identified by album art, if it is an audio file, or a thumbnail image if it is a picture, a video or a TV recording, and other related options, such as different views for the music collection if "Music" is selected, extend horizontally along the top of the grid.

[5][6][7] The update tweaked the user interface, added support for digital subchannels, QAM, DVB-S and MHEG, and increased the total number of each type of tuner allowed.

It used .wtv files instead of .dvr-ms.[8][9] Beta versions also supported H.264 format but this feature was removed upon release to manufacturing.

[11] The WMC has retained much of the design and feel of its predecessor, but with a variety of user interface shortcuts and browsing capabilities.

When the left or right remote control buttons are held down to browse the library quickly, a two-letter prefix of the current album name is prominently shown as a visual aid.

For television support, the Windows Media Center "TV Pack" released by Microsoft in 2008 is incorporated into the WMC.

This includes support for CableCARD and North American (ATSC) clear QAM tuners, as well as creating lists of favorite stations.

[23] During the 2015 Build developers' conference, a Microsoft executive confirmed that Media Center, with its TV receiver and PVR functionality, would not be updated for or included with Windows 10; thus the product would be discontinued.

Alternatives exist that acquire program information and load it into the WMC EPG data base.

Recordings can be burned to Video DVD or, barring copy restrictions, be transferred to a portable media player.

The menus of Windows Media Center are displayed in a 10-foot user interface suitable for viewing on large screen televisions and can be navigated using various remote controls.

Windows Media Center PCs require a sensor to be able to interact with the remote control.

[33][34] Windows Media Center organizes and displays videos and music found on both local and networked computers.

While playing music, the user can pause and fast forward songs and view visualizations.

In addition, users can organize and play films through the "Movie Library" feature introduced in Windows Vista Media Center.

Through the "Internet TV" feature, users can also stream television and web shows from select content providers.

Presentation Layer includes support for animations, dynamic layout, keyboard/mouse as well as remote navigation.

MCML is used to define the user interface, with animation, text input, navigation, data binding, and local storage support available from the markup itself.

XBAPs are rendered using the vector-based resolution-independent Windows Presentation Foundation component of .NET Framework 3.0.

WMC provides limited support for streaming XBAPs to Windows Media Center Extenders.