Registry settings that can be used to configure advanced Media Center options

There have been a couple of posts by myself and Matt Goyer listing some of the registry keys and values that TweakMce changes behind the scenes to configure advanced options within Windows Media Center.

I decided that it would be worthwhile to post all of the registry keys and values that can be changed via TweakMce in case you are running a beta build of Windows Vista and cannot install the current version of TweakMce, or if you would like to change these Media Center settings without needing to download and install TweakMce or resort to a registry monitoring tool such as RegMon to reverse engineer these settings yourself.

Skip Forward Interval - Enter the number of milliseconds you want to skip forward when you press the skip button. (1 second = 1000 milliseconds)

  • Registry key - HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\VideoSettings
  • Registry value - SkipAheadInterval
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD

Skip Back Interval - Enter the number of milliseconds you want to skip back when you press the replay button. (1 second = 1000 milliseconds)

  • Registry key - HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\VideoSettings
  • Registry value - InstantReplayInterval
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD

Storage Location For Recorded TV - Enter the path for the storage location for recorded TV.

  • Registry key - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Service\Recording
  • Registry value - RecordPath
  • Registry value data type - REG_SZ

Watched Folders For Recorded TV - If you have recorded TV stored in multiple locations enter the folder path below. You can enter one folder path for each line below. Example: C:\Recorded TV

  • Registry key - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Service\Recording
  • Registry value - WatchedFolders
  • Registry value data type - REG_MULTI_SZ

Notification Before A Recording Starts - When you are watching TV a notification appears before the channel is changed to start a new recording. Enter the number of milliseconds to show this notification before Media Center changes the channel to begin the recording. (1 second = 1000 milliseconds)

  • Registry key - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\VideoConstants
  • Registry value - RecorderStartWarningTimeout
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD

More Info Panel Timeout - Enter the number of milliseconds to show the More Info panel while watching TV or DVD. (1 second = 1000 milliseconds)

  • Registry key - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\VideoConstants
  • Registry value - InfoBarTimeout
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD

Seek Bar Timeout - Enter the number of milliseconds to show the paused seek bar while watching TV or DVD. (1 second = 1000 milliseconds)

  • Registry key - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\VideoConstants
  • Registry value - SeekBarTimeout
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD

Seek Bar Rewind and Fast Forward Timeout - While watching TV or DVD pressing REW/FWD displays the seek bar. Enter the number of milliseconds to show the seek bar when transitioning from REW or FWD to normal playback while watching TV or DVD. (1 second = 1000 milliseconds)

  • Registry key - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\VideoConstants
  • Registry value - SeekBarBriefTimeout
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD

Seek Bar Slow Motion Timeout - Enter the number of milliseconds to show the seek bar when video is in slow motion playback while watching TV or DVD. (1 second = 1000 milliseconds)

  • Registry key - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\VideoConstants
  • Registry value - SeekBarSloMoTimeout
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD

Enable Overscan - Some televisions do not display the full Media Center user experience. Do you want Media Center to pull in critical UI elements?

  • Registry key - HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\MCE.PerUserSettings
  • Registry value - marginSaved
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD
  • Registry value data - 1 = enable overscan; 0 = disable overscan

Bottom Margin - How many units should Media Center pull in critical elements from the bottom of the screen?

  • Registry key - HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\MCE.PerUserSettings
  • Registry value - marginBottom
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD

Top Margin - How many units should Media Center pull in critical elements from the top of the screen?

  • Registry key - HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\MCE.PerUserSettings
  • Registry value - marginTop
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD

Right Margin - How many units should Media Center pull in critical elements from the right side of the screen?

  • Registry key - HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\MCE.PerUserSettings
  • Registry value - marginRight
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD

Left Margin - How many units should Media Center pull in critical elements from the left side of the screen?

  • Registry key - HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\MCE.PerUserSettings
  • Registry value - marginLeft
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD

Enable My DVDs - Media Center has a new DVD gallery with cover art and descriptions called My DVDs. Do you want to enable My DVDs? This setting is only available in Update Rollup 2 for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 and later.

  • Registry key - HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\DvdSettings
  • Registry value - ShowGallery
  • Registry value data type - REG_SZ
  • Registry value data - Gallery = enable My DVDs; Play = do not enable My DVDs

Autostart Enhanced DVD Content - Some DVDs include bonus content enhanced for Media Center. Do you want to automatically start the content?

  • Registry key - HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\AutoScan
  • Registry value - _autoPlayMCLEnabled
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD
  • Registry value data - 1 = automatically start; 0 = do not automatically start

DVD Notification Timeout - Enter the number of milliseconds that you want to view the notification that a DVD has been inserted and is about to automatically start playing. (1 second = 1000 milliseconds)

  • Registry key - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\VideoConstants
  • Registry value - DVDNotificationTimeout
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD

Search Depth - My DVDs Gallery will search all locations that you have added to your My Videos space. How many levels deeps should it search for DVD content? This setting is only available in Update Rollup 2 for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 and later.

  • Registry key - HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\DvdSettings
  • Registry value - FolderSearchDepth
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD

Search Network Locations - My DVDs Gallery will search all locations that you have added to your My Videos space. Should it include network shares and folders in its search? This setting is only available in Update Rollup 2 for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 and later.

  • Registry key - HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\DvdSettings
  • Registry value - SearchNetworkFolders
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD
  • Registry value data - 1 = search network folders; 0 = do not search network folders

Show DVDs In Drives First - My DVDs Gallery can display DVDs that are loaded in drives as the first items or sorted in with the rest of your DVDs. Should DVDs that are loaded in drives appear first? This setting is only available in Update Rollup 2 for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 and later.

  • Registry key - HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\DvdSettings
  • Registry value - ShowDiscsInDrivesAtTop
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD
  • Registry value data - 1 = show DVDs in drives first; 0 = show DVDs in drives based on the current sort order

Show Cache File Location - In My DVDs when no metadata can be found for the current disc, the location of the cache file can be displayed on the DVD details page. You can edit this file to include any data that you would like to see displayed on the details page instead. Should the location of the cache file be displayed if there is no metadata? This setting is only available in Update Rollup 2 for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 and later.

  • Registry key - HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\DvdSettings
  • Registry value - ShowCacheLocation
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD
  • Registry value data - 1 = show cache file location; 0 = do not show cache file location

Suppress Eject Prompt - When a 3rd party application (More Programs or Online Spotlight) tries to eject a disc, do you want a confirmation dialog? This setting is only available in Update Rollup 2 for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 and later.

  • Registry key - HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\DvdSettings
  • Registry value - SuppressExtensibilityEjectPrompt
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD
  • Registry value data - 0 = show eject prompt; 1 = do not show eject prompt

Display My Music As Last Viewed - Display my music as I last viewed it sorted by artist, albums, playlists, songs or genres.

  • Registry key - HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\Audio
  • Registry value - fMyCollectionShouldBeSticky
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD
  • Registry value data - 1 = remember last music view; 0 = do not remember last music view

Show Add To Queue Notification - Do you want to be notified every time music has been successfully added to the queue?

  • Registry key - HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\Audio
  • Registry value - fShowAddToQueueSuccessPrompt
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD
  • Registry value data - 1 = show Add To Queue notification; 0 = do not show notification

Enable Universal Remote Control - If you have a universal remote control you may need to enable it. A reboot is required for this setting to take effect.

  • Registry key - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\HidIr\Remotes\745a17a0-74d3-11d0-b6fe-00a0c90f57da
  • Registry value - EnableDebounce
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD
  • Registry value data - 1 = enable universal remote control; 0 = disable universal remote control

Set Remote Control ID - To enable your Media Center to respond to a specific remote control ID do the following; 1. Press and hold the DVD Menu key on the remote then press a number button (1-8) for 5 seconds. Remotes with visible LED signal indicators will blink twice to confirm the change. 2. Enter that same number below. 3. Save. 4. Restart the Media Center PC. Note: To enable Media Center to respond to all remotes use the number 0. A reboot is required for this setting to take effect.

  • Registry key - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\HidIr\Remotes\745a17a0-74d3-11d0-b6fe-00a0c90f57da
  • Registry value - CodeSetNum0
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD

This setting also requires deleting the following registry values:

  • Registry key - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\HidIr\Remotes\745a17a0-74d3-11d0-b6fe-00a0c90f57da
  • Registry value - CodeSetNum1
  • Registry value - CodeSetNum2
  • Registry value - CodeSetNum3

Display Wireless Passwords - When joining a wireless network, do you want to read the password as you enter it or do you want it to be hidden?

  • Registry key - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center
  • Registry value - DontHideWirelessKey
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD
  • Registry value data - 1 = display password; 0 = hide password

Optimize For Display Type - By default Media Center Extender is optimized for display on a traditional TV. However, if you have a LCD or plasma TV you may want to disable this optimization in order to improve picture quality.

  • Registry key - HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center
  • Registry value - TVSkin
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD
  • Registry value data - 1 = optimize for traditional TV; 0 = optimize for LCD or plasma screen

Show Network Congestion Notification - Do you want to be notified on your Extender when there is network congestion preventing good performance?

  • Registry key - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaCenterPeripheral
    Registry value - DisableTransraterDialogs
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD
  • Registry value data - 0 = show notification; 1 = do not show notification

Show 'Not Enough Bandwidth For TV' Notification - Do you want to be notified on your Extender when there is not enough bandwidth to enable a good TV experience?

  • Registry key - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaCenterPeripheral
  • Registry value - DisableMHN
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD
  • Registry value data - 1 = show notification; 0 = do not show notification

Prompt When Navigating Between Secure and Insecure Pages - Should the Extender prompt when navigating between secure and insecure pages within a partner application?

  • Registry key - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaCenterPeripheral\Setup\Internet Settings
  • Registry value - WarnOnZoneCrossing
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD
  • Registry value data - 0 = prompt; 1 = do not prompt

Prompt When Submitting Nonencrypted Information - Should the Extender prompt when submitting nonencrypted information in a partner application?

  • Registry key - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaCenterPeripheral\Setup\Internet Settings\Zones\3
  • Registry value - 1601
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD
  • Registry value data - 1 = prompt; 0 = do not prompt

Prompt On Mixed Content - Should the Extender prompt when displaying a partner application page that contains both encrypted and nonencrypted content?

  • Registry key - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaCenterPeripheral\Setup\Internet Settings\Zones\3
  • Registry value - 1609
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD
  • Registry value data - 1 = prompt; 3 = do not prompt

Adjust Audio and Video Network Priority - Do you want to prioritize a seamless audio experience higher than a seamless video experience when there is network congestion preventing good performance?

  • Registry key - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaCenterPeripheral
  • Registry value - DisableTransrater
  • Registry value data type - REG_DWORD
  • Registry value data - 0 = prioritize audio higher than video; 1 = prioritize audio and video equally