Windows Tools, Help & Guides

Although Internet TV is available in Windows XP Media Center and Vista Media Center, it’s never been well supported and, in Vista Media Center, Internet TV will frequently disappear from the menu (usually when I wanted to watch it.) Thus, this guide focuses on enabling Internet TV through Windows 7 Media Center.

This guide is from the Windows Media Center Customization Series. Learn more about Media Center and find more customizations here.

Note: This guide is written for Windows 7 Media Center. Update: Thanks to feedback I now know Internet TV only works in the US. If you know a workaround, please let me know.

Set up Internet TV in Windows 7 Media Center

To get up and running with Internet TV in Windows 7 Media Center:

1. Open Media Center and click Internet TV.

2. Once you agree to license terms, click Install.

3. The required files the Internet TV will be downloaded. Please wait while these files are transferred to your PC.

4. You now access the Internet TV and are free to browse the shows that you like. The remainder of this guide will show you what can be done with Internet TV.

Get the Most out of Internet TV

Once you have Internet TV configured, you can browse through the different categories and find your favorite shows. I must point out this time that many of the shows listed on Internet TV are not available as full episodes and only clips of the episodes are available. However, I believe that one day Windows Media Center or a competing program will offer full TV subscription where you only pay for what you watch.

I like How I Met Your Mother so I decided to see what was available.

Each clip has a synopsis that gives you some information on what you are about to view.

Before watching the clips you will need to download an Internet TV update if your computer is not using the latest version of Adobe Flash. I’m not sure, why Silverlight is not used for this, but I assume it’s because the services streaming the content use Adobe Flash.

And there you have it: your first clip.

There are a few shows available through Internet TV that let you watch them as full episodes. There seems to be a common theme among the shows — crime shows — so if you like crime shows, you’re in luck.

Iif you have a Netflix subscription you can also stream some movies through Windows Media Center.

Yyou can also catch recent news clips through Internet TV.

An alternative way to see what’s on is to go to the TV guide, which is next Internet TV on the main menu of Windows Media Center.

The great thing is: Internet TV is not just for geeks and caters to everyone; I know my wife will appreciate the Gossip Girl clips available.

Add the Internet TV Gadget to Your Desktop

After setting up Internet TV, the next time you start Windows Media Centre, you will be asked if you want to add the desktop gadget.

I don’t like desktop gadgets I don’t think over will but I know this could be useful for many people.

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