What does Windows MCE give me?

[Pyramix]

Isn't there software out there that gives me a nice interface (similar to MCE) to browse music, pictures, movies? So, is it worth it for me to spend money on XP MCE or Windows Vista? I'd rather just stick with my current XP Pro version and upgrade to Vista 64 when the support for it is better. Any thoughts?

 

[Pyramix]

I won't have any problems installing a Hauppauge card, right?

 

[Shawn]

Vista's Media Center is much better than XP's. I would never go back to XP because of it.

 

[Pyramix]

I want to move to Vista 64, but I've heard some hardware has problems with it. So, I want to wait maybe a year or so before moving to it. So, what are my options meanwhile? MCE 2005 or just stay with XP Pro?

 

[Shawn]

What kind of hardware problems? Just check to see if all of your hardware has drivers and if it does you are all set. You can borrow Vista x64 from a friend and leave the cd key blank when installing. You can use it for 30 days before it forces you to activate. If everything works and you decide to buy it you can enter your own cd key and activate it without reinstalling. Just make sure you install the version you think that you will buy.

 

[Tegeril]

There is absolutely no reason to use a 64bit media center at this point. The ability for that much RAM is not necessary. Also, many Media Center third party tools are not compatible with 64bit anything.

32bit Vista Home Premium is the ideal media center in my books. I have one

 

[Pyramix]

Okay, so both of you think Vista is the way to go. Is there a reason? What do I get from Vista that I can't from XP Pro in terms of capabilities (and not UI aesthetics).

 

[Shawn]

Check out this thread: http://forums.anandtech.com/me...t_key=y&keyword1=vista

 

[randym431]

If you get into download services like vongo, movielink or others, most integrate nicely into vista mce. The one reason I use mce.

 

[manimal]

Vista mce seems alot more stable now than it was at lauch when I bought it. Check your hardware and see what is not compatible from the get go so you wont have any surprises. I only had to get a new capture card and wireless NIC so it wasnt all bad, the 10 foot interface is great-better than snapstream imo, and being able to use mymovies to catalogue my collection on my hd is nothing short of amazing.


Have fun with your htpc. It will change the way you watch tv and movies if your moving from a set top cable box.