Windows Media Center

Background
Windows Media Center (originally just Media Center and abbreviated as WMC) is a defunct digital video recorder and media player created by Microsoft. Media Center was first introduced to Windows in 2002 on Windows XP Media Center Edition (MCE). It was included in Home Premium and Ultimate editions of Windows Vista, as well as all editions of Windows 7 except Starter and Home Basic. It was also available on Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8.1 Pro as a paid add-on, before being discontinued in Windows 10, although it can reportedly be unofficially reinstalled using a series of Command Prompt commands.

1st Logo (October 29, 2002-April 14, 2009 [end of production])


Visuals: The screen fades to the WMC background at the time with the Media Center logo appearing (the text appears word by word). The logo flies out of the screen, transitioning to the menu.

Variants: Certain builds have different animations.

Technique: 2D animation.

Audio: A held synth note, then a very echoey synth hit. Prior to 2003, the synth note was removed and the synth hit is way less echoed.

Availability: Can be seen when WMC is opened on Windows XP Media Center Edition, which was not released to retail.

2nd Logo (February 2, 2006-October 22, 2010 [end of production])


Visuals: On a black background is the Windows Vista "orb" logo with a green orb rather than its usual blue, shining, with the text "Windows® Media Center" on the right of the orb, zooming out. It zooms out again and transitions to the menu.

Technique: 2D animation.

Audio:
 * Windows Vista build 5310: Same as the last screen.
 * Windows Vista builds 532?-538?: An edited version of the last screen, only playing the synth hit, but you can briefly hear the synth note.
 * Windows Vista RTM: Some ambience, followed by a 3-note guitar theme, ending with a 2 note synth chime, which can somewhat be heard.
 * Windows 7 build 7055 or 7057: Same as the next screen.

Availability: Can be seen when WMC is opened on Windows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate.

3rd Logo (October 22, 2009-October 2014 [end of production] May 2015 [discontinued])


Visuals: On a blue background, the Windows Media Center logo, this time with the wordmark under the orb, shines and zooms out, it zooms out and then transitions to the menu. A similar concept from the previous screen.

Variants: When Windows Media Center is opened for the first time, various screenshots from the program zoom out alongside the logo, when the logo sets place, the text "Welcome to Windows Media Center" & "The best way to experience TV on your PC." appear below. Below all this is a button that says "Continue".

Technique: 2D animation.

Audio: A majestic orchestral piece. Availability: Can be seen when WMC is opened on Windows 7, 8, or 8.1.
 * In order to have WMC on Windows 8 or 8.1, you have to pay for it.
 * It can also be seen on Windows 10 or 11, if the program is installed through a series of unofficial commands.