Windows Windows Media Center for Windows 8 to cost $12.79 for US?

[Megatron]

As we have reported before, Microsoft has elected to make the Windows Media Center feature for Windows 8 a paid add-on for Windows8. However, the early adopters who buy the Windows 8 upgrade, or a PC that has Windows 8 already installed, are supposed to get the Media Center download for free until January 31, 2013.

Microsoft has yet to officially confirm what it will charge for Windows Media Center after that date. However, a recent rumor claimed that in Europe, Microsoft will charge about 10 euros for the add-on. Now a new report from Windows8Core.com claims that the US price for the Windows Media Center add-on will be $12.79. The proof comes from a series of screenshots showing how Windows 8 Pro RTM owners can upgrade to Windows Media Center.

As we have reported before, the Windows Media Center add-on for Windows 8 will be the only official way to add DVD playback support for Windows Media Player. Microsoft will also not allow users to boot up directly from Media Center in Windows 8. Microsoft is also not offering any Windows Hardware Certification Kit (HCK) support for TV tuners and remote controls, which will make supporting such devices for Windows 8 and Windows Media Center more complex.

Source: NeoWin
Original Source: Windows8Core.com

[Trotter]

No worries here... I never have used MS's Media Center anyway.

[strollin]

Does anybody actually use Media Center? I've played with it but never found any practical use for it.

[KSoD]

But if you watch DVD's on your PC, you will have to spend the money to get it. Win8 has that ability removed without Media Center.

[carnageX]

Unless you use other software (e.g. VLC player) to watch movies.

[KSoD]

Can also just install KLite as well. Yes there are free ways to do it, but if you stream to XBOX 360 then Media Center will be something you need. TVersity, PlayOn and that are not free and much more expensive to purchase than Media Center.

[Yami]

I did wonder how they were managing to cut down the price of licenses by quite a bit; I suppose cutting out stuff like this is a sensible idea since not everyone would use it.

[Fat.Clown]

I actually disabled windows media center/player entirely on my computers... no loss here.
WMP Classic and VLC plays everything.

[c0rr0sive]

Xbox can stream from PLEX and XBMC these days if I remember right, plus it works with XBMC perfectly fine. Media Center = useless when there are dozens of far superior FREE alternatives.

[NickVad]

To make Windows 8 even more unpopular, Microsoft announces that Internet Explorer, MS Paint, customizable screensavers, etc. will each cost an additional $10 on Windows 8.

-_- Yeah, I never saw much use for WMC.