What features will Symphony include?
Symphony will be a minor release, similar to XP MCE 2004 (codenamed Harmony). I first discussed this release with a representative of Microsoft’s eHome Division in January 2004, and although the company isn’t going to deviate from its low-key approach to promoting MCE updates, we can safely bet that Microsoft will address some key customer requests in the new version. These requests–which might or might not make it into the next version–include High-Definition Television (HDTV) support (complicated by divergent standards in different international markets), multiple-tuner support (for recording two shows at once), support for different video formats, and radio recording. So what won’t you see in the next release? The software won’t be available as a standalone product (i.e., you can get it only as part of a Media Center PC), as before, and won’t be available to new international markets.
