Microsoft releases Windows XP media centre

Microsoft has launched its Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 home entertainment operating system in Europe and the US.

The company also revealed that Dell and Sony have joined its 40 existing partners - which include Gateway, HP and Toshiba - that will begin shipping Media Center 2004 PCs.

Jim Allchin, vice president of the platforms group at Microsoft, said: "We've moved from designing feature by feature to designing complete scenarios that influence not just software but hardware and services requirements."

Microsoft cited recent research which claims consumers are increasingly using PCs as home entertainment hubs.

The company also announced that it has signed up content providers including CinemaNow, Movielink and Napster to provide remote control access to online digital content such as on-demand music and movie subscription services.