media center exclusivity on second display

Is there any way that you can give vista the capability of letting the the
user simultaneously use both the typical windows user interface (ms word,
internet explorer, regular windows function) on a primary display (monitor),
and on the secondary display(typically a tv out), media center being
displayed exclusively on that monitor.


The present problem and common scenario is if my roommate wants to watch tv
while i am using the computer for something important. He is out of luck. I
would have to stop what i am doing, open media center and drag it to the
second display (he tv), and maximize it so that he can watch
tv/videos/movies. That puts me out of luck then.

At this point, It is either one or the other.

Perhaps, an option to have media center exclusively function in the
secondary display would work great. Also, since the media center remote
control's up down left and right is the same as the keyboard's up down left
and right, it would be nice if the keyboard commands do not interfere with
the media center on the second display.

I hope this makes sense, this would really solve problems around the house.
I have asked around other forums and this is a common complaint that i'm
surprised was not resolved for vista.

-favian

"Favian" <> wrote in message
news:CC6E6659-46F8-4BC9-BE40-...
> Is there any way that you can give vista the capability of letting the the
> user simultaneously use both the typical windows user interface (ms word,
> internet explorer, regular windows function) on a primary display
> (monitor), and on the secondary display(typically a tv out), media center
> being displayed exclusively on that monitor.
>
>
> The present problem and common scenario is if my roommate wants to watch
> tv while i am using the computer for something important. He is out of
> luck. I would have to stop what i am doing, open media center and drag it
> to the second display (he tv), and maximize it so that he can watch
> tv/videos/movies. That puts me out of luck then.
>
> At this point, It is either one or the other.
>
> Perhaps, an option to have media center exclusively function in the
> secondary display would work great. Also, since the media center remote
> control's up down left and right is the same as the keyboard's up down
> left and right, it would be nice if the keyboard commands do not interfere
> with the media center on the second display.
>
> I hope this makes sense, this would really solve problems around the
> house. I have asked around other forums and this is a common complaint
> that i'm surprised was not resolved for vista.


What you are asking is not possible. The best you can do is make the Media
Centre window as large as possible on the second monitor, but not maximised.
When you are using the keyboard the cursor keys and other controls will not
affect MC as it has to be the active window for them to work.

ss.

"Synapse Syndrome" <> wrote in message
news:OIz$...
> "Favian" <> wrote in message
> news:CC6E6659-46F8-4BC9-BE40-...
>> Is there any way that you can give vista the capability of letting the
>> the user simultaneously use both the typical windows user interface (ms
>> word, internet explorer, regular windows function) on a primary display
>> (monitor), and on the secondary display(typically a tv out), media center
>> being displayed exclusively on that monitor.
>>
>>
>> The present problem and common scenario is if my roommate wants to watch
>> tv while i am using the computer for something important. He is out of
>> luck. I would have to stop what i am doing, open media center and drag it
>> to the second display (he tv), and maximize it so that he can watch
>> tv/videos/movies. That puts me out of luck then.
>>
>> At this point, It is either one or the other.
>>
>> Perhaps, an option to have media center exclusively function in the
>> secondary display would work great. Also, since the media center remote
>> control's up down left and right is the same as the keyboard's up down
>> left and right, it would be nice if the keyboard commands do not
>> interfere with the media center on the second display.
>>
>> I hope this makes sense, this would really solve problems around the
>> house. I have asked around other forums and this is a common complaint
>> that i'm surprised was not resolved for vista.
>
>
> What you are asking is not possible. The best you can do is make the
> Media Centre window as large as possible on the second monitor, but not
> maximised. When you are using the keyboard the cursor keys and other
> controls will not affect MC as it has to be the active window for them to
> work.
>
> ss.
>



I know it is not possible with vista in its current state, that is why I am
making a suggestion to Microsoft. There is no
real limitations to vista and software as long as they can code it and make
updates for the end user.

I mentioned the keyboard and cursor keys being a potential issue. However
there should be a workaround.
Maybe Microsoft can let the user choose to have Media Center always opened
and maximized on the second display, meanwhile all mouse and keyboard
commands are restricted to activity in the primary display. If keyboard
commands could reinterpreted/rerouted differently so that it only affects
activity in the primary display that would solve the problem. There must be
a way to have media center only respond to commands issued from the media
center remote control.

This is a common complaint in the media center community, especially within
the media center 2003 and 2005 community, and the issue has not gone away
since Vista's arrival. In the very least, a solution should be attempted. It
is a feature to brag about.

-favian