The Extra Vegetables Control4 IP Ethernet driver for Windows Media Center implements the following features:

• Reliable IP Ethernet Control. 
  No bugs or serial ports to use.  The WMC is a completely IP controllable device.  This requires a small free helper program to be installed on the WMC machine.  This is included in the download package.
• Control the WMC on-screen GUI
  WMC has an attractive on-screen GUI that allows the user to select movies, music and even TV and radio if installed in the machine.  The driver provides control over this with the ability to quick-jump to various applications.
• Integrates with the Control4 Media Database.
  Control4's built in media scanning and network drive features make a Control4 system an ideal media aggregator.  Once you've scanned your media Control4 recognizes the WMC as a player for the content and will automatically start a video or movie playing when it is selected.
• Lists all music content on the WMC.
  The driver isn't just for movies.  It also allows selection of all music on the WMC by Artist, Album or Genre in the now familiar 'iPod' listing style.  This makes the WMC integration a true multi-media server.  Cover Art is shown on all Control4 interfaces in the usual places when music is playing.
• Control WMC Extenders.
  The XBox 360 is a WMC extender.  Once you have selected WMC on the XBox you then have the same control over the OSD and movie selection as you do on the WMC PC itself.  Many commercial manufacturers of WMC servers also use WMC extenders as their in-room players.
• Compatible with many commercial servers.
  Many lower cost media servers/players are built on the WMC platform.  The driver should be compatible with these devices provided you can install the communication helper program.  If in doubt please ask the manufacturer to contact us regarding compatibility.
• Map Spare Keys.
  The WMC remote has some keys that do not have direct equivalents on the Control4 UIs.  The driver makes it quick and simple to assign WMC functions to 'spare' Control4 keys.

Limitations

There are currently the following limitations with the driver:

• Control4 2.x Only.
  This driver is only designed and tested with Control4 2.x.  We understand that it can also be used with Contrtol4 1.8.  It cannot be used with earlier versions of the Control4 operating system.
• Does not read media information from WMC.
  The driver does not read movie meta data information from the WMC.  It uses Control4's built in media scanner.  We are looking at using the metadata from the WMC but we have no release date for this functionality.
• Music Listing.
  Music can only be listed by Album, Artist or Genre.  There is no play list function, nor is it possible to view the music queue.
  

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Requirements
The following are required for successful deployment of the driver.

• 'HC' Class Controller
  We do not recommend using this driver with older Media Controllers or Home Theater Controllers.  They may work but the operation may be slow.
• Control4 2.x + HC800 Controller for larger systems
  The introduction of any two-way driver into a project adds to the processor load.  In line with Control4's recommendations we suggest that an HC800 is used for systems of more than three rooms.
• WMC Versions Supported
  This driver is designed for Windows 7 Media Center both 32bit and 64bit versions.  It will not work with older versions of WMC.
  

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Disclaimer

This driver is an independent commercial release by Extra Vegetables Ltd; Microsoft had nothing to do with it so please contact us for support.

Windows Media Center Demonstration