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How To HTPC Windows Media Center

Media Center Quick Tip – Color Code the Guide

At the Digital Media Zone we love Windows Media Center! One of the reasons we love it so much is that it just looks gorgeous on a big HDTV. Even if you never customize it at all it looks great, but there are easy ways to make it look even better. One such way is to add a bit of color to the TV programming guide. There is a simple option built right into Windows 7 Media Center that will change the background color of television programs within the guide based on what type of show is being aired. If it’s a movie, it will be purple. News programs are more of a beige color. Sporting events are green, etc. Fortunately it’s very simple to enable this splash of color. Just follow the screenshots below to find the setting.

Guide Colors:

  • Purple – Movies
  • Green – Sports
  • Light Blue – Kids & Family
  • Orange – Specials
  • Yellow – News

Instructions

First select Settings under Tasks

Media Center Quick Tip - Color Code the Guide

Select TV in the Settings menu

Media Center Quick Tip - Color Code the Guide

Select Guide

Media Center Quick Tip - Color Code the Guide

Select Guide Page Options

Media Center Quick Tip - Color Code the Guide

Check Apply colored backgrounds to shows, based on their category

Media Center Quick Tip - Color Code the Guide

Now look at your guide!

Media Center Quick Tip - Color Code the Guide

Author

  • Media Center Quick Tip - Color Code the Guide

    Josh has been writing software since his parents brought home their first computer. His love for gadgets and technology eventually spurred a passion for home theater technology. After starting the DMZ, he received Microsoft’s MVP award for Windows Media Center. Even though the beloved home theater PC platform is all but dead he continues to tinker with consumer entertainment technology. He’s a life-long gamer and DIY smart home enthusiast. He co-hosts the Entertainment 2.0 podcast with Richard Gunther and the DMZ’s gaming podcast, Story Players, with Joe DeStazio.

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About the author

Josh Pollard

Josh has been writing software since his parents brought home their first computer. His love for gadgets and technology eventually spurred a passion for home theater technology. After starting the DMZ, he received Microsoft’s MVP award for Windows Media Center. Even though the beloved home theater PC platform is all but dead he continues to tinker with consumer entertainment technology. He’s a life-long gamer and DIY smart home enthusiast. He co-hosts the Entertainment 2.0 podcast with Richard Gunther and the DMZ’s gaming podcast, Story Players, with Joe DeStazio.