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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 |
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 feature
called PolyTune which allows a standard 5.1 sound card to act as
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.
