Designing Applications for Windows Media Center

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In the past, interaction with applications on personal computers was accomplished primarily by using the keyboard and the mouse. Windows Media Center provides another option: interaction with a computer that works like interaction with a television, by using a remote control. The user can now be some distance away from the display of the user interface and from a mouse and keyboard, and still access all application functionality.

Creating a user interface that works equally well with mouse, keyboard, and remote control requires a deeper level of thinking of how to present computer-based information. Compared to a keyboard and mouse, the remote control is smaller and easier to use; however, it provides a more limited form of user input. And while the greater viewing distance afforded through remote control use provides a more comfortable experience for enjoying digital entertainment, it necessitates a new visual design style to ensure clarity, coherence, and readability.

In adapting the principles of information design for this new medium, it is important to consider the user's expectations. In some ways, the Windows Media Center experience is more like watching a television or interacting with a video game than using a computer. As a result, users expect a richer, more dynamic, and animated experience. They expect that the input device will make their experience simpler, not more complicated. They may also expect applications to be more convenient, simpler to learn, and easier to use than applications controlled by the keyboard or mouse.

This section describes considerations for designing applications for Windows Media Center. For more information, see the following topics.

Topic Description
Goals Lists the design goals for a Windows Media Center application.
Design Process Summarizes the basic steps in the design process.
Navigation Describes how the user should be able to move the focus within a page and browse from one page to another.
Design Challenges Summarizes different types of design challenges.
General Considerations on Page Layouts Gives general recommendations for page design.
Avoiding Interruptions Describes points to consider when displaying notifications that interrupt what the user is doing.
Designing for the TV Display Discusses design issues that should be taken into account in applications that may be viewed on a television screen.
Aspect Ratio, Output Resolution, and Scaling Describes considerations for sizing your Windows Media Center application for optimal viewing.
Focus and Highlight Shows examples of focus and highlight in a design.
Fonts, Text, and Readability Provides guidelines for selecting text sizes and fonts that look good in Windows Media Center.
Graphics and Images Describes requirements and recommendations for graphics and images used in applications.
Avoiding Placing Transport Controls on Pages Explains why most transport controls should not be placed on pages.
Selectable Items Describes recommendations for the design and layout of items that can be selected by using the remote control.
Colors Describes how to use TV-safe colors.
Avoiding Pop-up Windows, New Windows, and Dialog Boxes Describes how and why to avoid displaying pop-up windows and dialog boxes.
Using Animations Gives general recommendations for the use of animated screen elements.
Maintaining Your Brand Provides guidelines for selecting colors that incorporate your brand identity.

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