P a g e
|
14
L
ISTENING TO
Y
OUR
M
USIC
S
TEP
1
:
B
UILD YOUR MUSIC LIBRARY
You can use either Media Center or Media Player to specify which folders on your computer or on your
local network contain digital media files. When you do so, the digital media files in these folders are
added to the music library for you to play. If you add or delete these audio files, the music library is
automatically updated.
Media Player or Media Center
?
Your Black Box
™
comes with two different programs for playing back your music — Media Player and Media
Center. You will find them both in the Start Menu and in the lower tray of the Desktop. Both programs share the
same music database, so you do not have to worry about where your music is stored. Both programs will be able
to play everything in your collection. So the question is which application to use. This is not a permanent choice.
You can, and probably will, use one application for certain tasks and the other application for different tasks. So
let’s examine how they differ.
Media Center
While Media Center is a Windows application, it uses something known as the “10-foot GUI” (graphical user
interface). This is best when used with either a larger monitor (such as an HDTV) or a touch-screen. It forgoes
many of the standard computer interfaces and provides a more user-friendly environment. While you can perform
many of the same tasks in Media Center as in Media Player, some have been removed (such as detailed editing of
your collection) because they would be difficult to perform in this environment. If you are using a touch-screen or
large-screen monitor with your Black Box
™
, then Media Center is generally the better environment.
Media Player
Media Player is a Windows application. It looks, feels and acts just like any other Windows application. As such, it
is best used with the keyboard and mouse while you are sitting in front of the computer screen. There are many
options in Media Player, and it provides an easy interface for inputting and editing your music collection. While
you are building your collection, Media Player is probably the better choice to work with your music.
Remember that both Media Player and Media Center share the same database of music. Changes made in one
application are reflected in the other. You can easily jump between the two programs without worry. So which
application should you use? In the end, the answer is personal preference. Feel free to play with them both to
determine which one you like better.
