By the end of this year, Microsoft would like you to see a pop-up menu linking all the devices in your home when you switch on your living room television.
The PC could eventually be replaced by a TV
It has designed a Media Centre-equipped PC which will store digital pictures, home videos, and music, act as a digital video recorder, and play DVDs in a living room friendly package.
Microsoft Windows XP Media Centre Edition has been available in the United States since late last year but adapting it to work with European television standards is taking time.
The company promises a launch in the UK, Germany and France this year.