Windows Media Edition

[lyoness]

I've been searching for the best full product operating systems that will match what I want to do with the computer I'm building. From reading the description, Windows Media Edition sounds like it would be exactly what I'm looking for, however, I've heard mixed reviews. I want to be able to play and record CD's and DVD's, watch TV and record shows, some gaming, photo editing, etc. Can anyone tell me if there are any real problems with Media Edition, or is there something else I should be looking at? Along with the fun stuff, , I also need to have office applications such as Excel, Word, Spreadsheet, Powerpoint, etc for work. Possibly running a home based business or working from home.

[EzyStvy]

Media Edition is just XP with a few more bells and whistles. It's picky about tv cards so you need to make sure what you get will work with it.

[macko72]

Yes it is just XP but media centre build in is working very fine and you can organise and play all sorts off media files as well as connect to a Tv etc. !!!

[reboot]

Yes it is just XP but media centre build in is working very fine and you can organise and play all sorts off media files as well as connect to a Tv etc. !!!

You don't need MCE to do that.
Get regular XP, save some money. Purchase a good PVR such as a Hauppauge PVR-250 and get something like GB-PVR or Mediaportal (both free).
You can then run the computer as a standalone PVR, and still do your Excel, surfing, email, games, whatever.
You also won't have the troubles of MCE recording everything into MS's proprietary format, then trying to convert it to a "regular" mpeg-2 if you want to create DVD's.
You also save money by being able to purchase any TV/Capture card, and not have to get an MCE version.

IMHO MCE is MS's way of selling their OS to companies like HP and Sony for their MCE only computers...not for anyone else that doesn't know better

[Marke522]

ZipZoomFly has the OEM version right now that includes the remote and reciever. You will want that, it's pretty cool. MCE is built on a PRO engine, and at Newegg it actually costs less than PRO.

I don't think he would be wasting money at all, in fact if he wanted to go with PRO this would be a better decision.

Microsoft Windows XP Media Center 2005 - OEM $ 125
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-311&depa=0

Microsoft Windows XP Professional with Service Pack SP1a - OEM $151
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...102-143&DEPA=0

Microsoft Windows XP Professional Single Full Version OEM $134
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=604631

Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Single Full Version w/Remote Control and Receiver $ 148
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...=604650-604651

[reboot]

OK, so MCE is cheaper. I still wouldn't go near it.
Proprietary DRV-MS format for saved/captured video, ugly and non-versatile capture software...
If you want to get anything captured onto a DVD, MCE is going to make it as difficult as possible, whereas XPSP1, and some good software can make it too simple.
I wouldn't go around recommending MCE to anyone, until you've tried it for a week or more, WITH a capture card, DVD burner, TV out hooked up, etc.

[Marke522]

Actually I'm installing it on another computer right now.

Asus A8N-SLi Deluxe, GeForce 6800 Ultra, Athlon 64 3800+, Audigy 2 ZS, evga NVTV, 2 WD Raptors 74 GB, 1 GB Kingston Hyper-X.

Should be sweet when it's all said and done. Got stuck after assembly cause I couldn't find the raid drivers on the cd. I'll get back to work on it tonight or tomorrow.

My Lite-On DVD RW came with a copy of WinDVD so maybe that would have been all I needed, that along with an All In Wonder. But the interface for MCE is pretty neat.