Well, compatibility mode works pretty well in Vista. I was able to force install my scanner software and twain drivers for my Epson 1240U scanner. Works like a charm now. Same for the Nero Ultra v6.0 software, so thanks for the suggestions.
I also purchased a Hauppauge HVR-950 TV tuner and it installs and works fine with Vista Media Center. However, it will only function as an OTA HDTV tuner and I can't figure out how to set it up for my analog cable (OTA HDTV signals are weak in basement and I have more channels on the cable). Being a noob with Media Center, I ask the collective of AT forums for help now. Thanks in advance.
My computer is more than adequate for Vista. I've got a C2D E6600, 2GB RAM, and X1900XT 512MB. I love playing games on the PC and decided it was worth looking into Vista for the DX10 support, and the Superfetch/Readyboost features sounded pretty neat too.
So, I did what any red-blooded technophile/gamer would do and went and bought myself a full retail version of Vista Home Premium (figured I could due without the Ultimate features) because I wanted the MCE features. I was on XP Pro, so there was no upgrade version available for me. Anyway, here's the real cost of Vista for me.
Dollar Costs:
1) Epson 1240U scanner no longer supported by native drivers or Epson. ~$100 for something comparable to the 2400x1200@48bit color I'm used to. I find it inexcusable that Vista doesn't even contain some Generic driver for scanners like it does for printers. Maybe scanners are more complex than printers? Update - It works now. Had to force Win2k compatibility mode
2) Acronis v8.0 no longer Vista compatible. v10 upgrade is $30. Update - I like the new version better even under XP. Well worth the money for the upgrade irregardless of Vista.
3) Nero v6.0 Ultra not supported. $50 for the upgraded version. Update - Just ignore the warnings and it works fine.
4) Hauppauge USB2.0 (non-PVR version) not supported, so ~$50-$100 for a replacement. Who knows when Hauppauge will issue drivers for my USB2 model? Purchased a HVR-950 for compatibility/DVR functions and it works like a charm (32bit Vista only currently). On sale this week (2/18-2/25) at Circuit City for ~$68 after taxes and rebate.
FYI, the HDTV codec you have to install under WinXP to get HDTV working in the WinTV2000 application made MPEG playback in WMP11 do an Alvin and the Chipmunks on me...you have been warned. Absolutely no issues running under Vista Media Center though, other than my inability to setup analog cable.
Annoyance Costs:
5) Menus, Control Panel, and even the standard software interfaces have changed. Seriously, at least give me the option of wasting a whole 1/4in of space for my File-Edit-View-etc. menus I've used without issue for years now. Update - Found the option to turn menus back on. Go to classic control panel and look under Folders. On this note, I do love the fact that there is an icon for autoplay configuration in the control panel now. It's nice not to have to edit the group policy to globally disable autoplay.
6) Now I have to custom config all my old games for Creative ALchemy? Thanks MS for ripping out DirectSound and nuking EAX in non-OpenAL games.
7) UAC = great for the security of noobs, but bad for my productivity. The frequency of these messages will just make said noobs completely ignore them (crying wolf syndrome) sadly enough.
8) Logitech dual optical mouse software won't work. I have yet to find a mouse I like as much as this one.
9) UI and Start menu are not as user friendly or efficient as the Luna interface in XP. Totally my opinion there however. Some people like less clutter and I'm the type who has a million icons and folders on the desktop.
10) VIVO is borked on current ATI Catalyst drivers.
Things I liked:
1) It's pretty to look at. I do kinda like the transparency on the windows too.
2) Install was plenty fast.
3) Readyboost seemed to make things nice and snappy. However, my RAID0 + 2GB of RAM really wasn't a slouch to begin with and the performance with Readyboost felt about the same as my XP Pro install.
In short, the only dollar cost I incurred was the $30 for an Acronis v10 upgrade. Money well spent to not have to worry about restoring XP Pro after my venture into Vista. I'll actually hold on to Vista since I got it with lots of freebies I can sell (thanks Best Buy) early this week, and it will get another chance to prove it's worth in a year or so. IMO, 3rd party vendors deserve a lot of blame for such a shabby experience with Vista, but shame on MS for releasing it into the wild without getting 3rd party vendors on the same page with them prior to release.
I also purchased a Hauppauge HVR-950 TV tuner and it installs and works fine with Vista Media Center. However, it will only function as an OTA HDTV tuner and I can't figure out how to set it up for my analog cable (OTA HDTV signals are weak in basement and I have more channels on the cable). Being a noob with Media Center, I ask the collective of AT forums for help now. Thanks in advance.
My computer is more than adequate for Vista. I've got a C2D E6600, 2GB RAM, and X1900XT 512MB. I love playing games on the PC and decided it was worth looking into Vista for the DX10 support, and the Superfetch/Readyboost features sounded pretty neat too.
So, I did what any red-blooded technophile/gamer would do and went and bought myself a full retail version of Vista Home Premium (figured I could due without the Ultimate features) because I wanted the MCE features. I was on XP Pro, so there was no upgrade version available for me. Anyway, here's the real cost of Vista for me.
Dollar Costs:
1) Epson 1240U scanner no longer supported by native drivers or Epson. ~$100 for something comparable to the 2400x1200@48bit color I'm used to. I find it inexcusable that Vista doesn't even contain some Generic driver for scanners like it does for printers. Maybe scanners are more complex than printers? Update - It works now. Had to force Win2k compatibility mode
2) Acronis v8.0 no longer Vista compatible. v10 upgrade is $30. Update - I like the new version better even under XP. Well worth the money for the upgrade irregardless of Vista.
3) Nero v6.0 Ultra not supported. $50 for the upgraded version. Update - Just ignore the warnings and it works fine.
4) Hauppauge USB2.0 (non-PVR version) not supported, so ~$50-$100 for a replacement. Who knows when Hauppauge will issue drivers for my USB2 model? Purchased a HVR-950 for compatibility/DVR functions and it works like a charm (32bit Vista only currently). On sale this week (2/18-2/25) at Circuit City for ~$68 after taxes and rebate.
FYI, the HDTV codec you have to install under WinXP to get HDTV working in the WinTV2000 application made MPEG playback in WMP11 do an Alvin and the Chipmunks on me...you have been warned. Absolutely no issues running under Vista Media Center though, other than my inability to setup analog cable.
Annoyance Costs:
5) Menus, Control Panel, and even the standard software interfaces have changed. Seriously, at least give me the option of wasting a whole 1/4in of space for my File-Edit-View-etc. menus I've used without issue for years now. Update - Found the option to turn menus back on. Go to classic control panel and look under Folders. On this note, I do love the fact that there is an icon for autoplay configuration in the control panel now. It's nice not to have to edit the group policy to globally disable autoplay.
6) Now I have to custom config all my old games for Creative ALchemy? Thanks MS for ripping out DirectSound and nuking EAX in non-OpenAL games.
7) UAC = great for the security of noobs, but bad for my productivity. The frequency of these messages will just make said noobs completely ignore them (crying wolf syndrome) sadly enough.
8) Logitech dual optical mouse software won't work. I have yet to find a mouse I like as much as this one.
9) UI and Start menu are not as user friendly or efficient as the Luna interface in XP. Totally my opinion there however. Some people like less clutter and I'm the type who has a million icons and folders on the desktop.
10) VIVO is borked on current ATI Catalyst drivers.
Things I liked:
1) It's pretty to look at. I do kinda like the transparency on the windows too.
2) Install was plenty fast.
3) Readyboost seemed to make things nice and snappy. However, my RAID0 + 2GB of RAM really wasn't a slouch to begin with and the performance with Readyboost felt about the same as my XP Pro install.
In short, the only dollar cost I incurred was the $30 for an Acronis v10 upgrade. Money well spent to not have to worry about restoring XP Pro after my venture into Vista. I'll actually hold on to Vista since I got it with lots of freebies I can sell (thanks Best Buy) early this week, and it will get another chance to prove it's worth in a year or so. IMO, 3rd party vendors deserve a lot of blame for such a shabby experience with Vista, but shame on MS for releasing it into the wild without getting 3rd party vendors on the same page with them prior to release.