I know this might not be in the right forum but of people running this XP Media Center Edition, how are you liking it? Would you recomend it to someone else? I want to know because I am going to get a new Computer soon and I need to choose between XP Pro and XP Media Center. Thanks in advance!

It looks just like regular XP and the Media Center is almost like another app you can run. It is very slick in general, video, streaming media, etc. I like it.

Dave

I like it as well. You lose nothing as far as I know by getting the Media Edition version, over reg XP

stumped,

The Media Center Edition is based upon Windows XP Home. If you need the XP Pro features, you can't have Media Center Features.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find anywhere on Microsofts web site that shows a good synopsis on what is different between Home and Pro. Imagine that, Microsoft doesn't really try to help buyers make informed decisions!

I believe Pro supports some of the active direcectory features that Home does not. I know that XP Pro supports encrypion of directories for different users as well as different permissions. In home different users don't really have different permission levels. (In home, any user can look at any other users info.) There's much more difference than this, but in a home environment, the ability to set permissions for different users, can be nice. (I have it when the kids inadvertantly resize the task bar, delete menu items, etc, and then I get to fix it. I can disable these things in pro, and take away their rights to change them.)

from my observation the local networking cababilities are not as robust in the Home version.

I do not like Home. I have it on one of my office PC's and there are little quirks, beyond the scope of this post, that annoy the hell out of me.

Actually (running XP Media Center Edition here), it is based off of Pro rather than Home edition... at least my laptop is. (XP Home cannot join a domain... XP Pro can, among many other differences.) Personally, I love it but then... I'm a geek. It's proven to be more stable than I expected... Actually, I haven't crashed the O/S yet. Hmm.... that must mean I'm not trying hard enough. If you guys are really interested, I'll post the differences between Home, Pro, and MC.

It's based on Pro, and there's no reason NOT to include it if you're going with XP Pro. In fact, I think every integrator should have at least some experience with MCE. Might fit into your business model, or at least you'll be better equipped to sell AGAINST it if you don't want to sell it yourself.

Benn using mine for over a year; few crashes been solved by upgrading firmware of video card... I'm using it as PVR and just love it

Are any of you using it with satellite as opposed to off air or cable? Does the channel changing work as neatly for the PVR functions?

Also has anyone tried it with a cable card equipped TV?

Microsoft says otherwise Julie! Please look under the feature that says "All the Benefits of Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP SP2". It clearly says in the description column "Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 is the first consumer OS built on top of the Windows XP Home and Service Pack 2 (SP2) foundation"

[Link: microsoft.com]

Where is the info you have Julie that says it's based on Pro? I'd love to be wrong here. It would mean Microsoft did something right for a change. This is another reason I think It's based on home ;-)

Well, I'll be damned. Here is the definitive answer: The previous version (MCE 2004) was build right on top of XP Pro, but with the launch of MCE 2005 as an OEM operating system, it became its own OS right between XP Home & Pro. There are only a few things XP Pro has that MCE 2005 does not, including the ability to join a network domain.

From what I've read it's just slightly shy of Pro. I'm debating whether to base my next work computer off it, since it's got all that remote stuff. :-)

Maybe we can get MS to sport RC users a copy to play with. My local wholesaler wants $126.00. Listed below is a press release available to system integraters.

Description
Guide opens TV Program Guide to display available channels and programs. Live TV launches full-screen live TV.*



*TV tuner card with FM radio capability required for live TV and radio functionality



When you offer your customers Windows XP Media Center Edition on the PCs you build. In September of 2004, Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition will be available for preinstallation on Media Center PCs in the System Builder Channel.* At the same time, Microsoft Hardware is introducing a Microsoft-branded Media Center remote control and IR receiver for System Builders to integrate into their Media Center PC configurations. Microsoft Windows Media Center Edition delivers advanced computing plus easy-to-use integrated digital entertainment that your customers can enjoy when and how they want. Suddenly their entertainment is available through one simple interface, and accessible using a single remote control.

What Are Media Center PCs? Powered by Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, Media Center PCs are complete Windows XP PCs enhanced for home entertainment. These computers represent the evolution of home PCs into digital media hubs that bring together entertainment choices and allow your customers to access them with one remote control. Media Center PCs come equipped with all the necessary hardware to deliver powerful computing and an enjoyable home entertainment experience. And with the new Microsoft Remote Control and Receiver for Media Center PC with Windows, your customers can use one remote control to power their TV and Media Center Edition PC.

Media Center PCs are complete entertainment PCs because they include:

· Mid- to high-end processors
· More than enough memory for your customer’s computing and entertainment needs
· High-capacity hard disks
· CD-ROM/DVD drives
· Advanced graphics and audio capabilities
· Networking connectivity

Each new Media Center PC meets the minimum system requirements of Windows XP Professional and may include the following components to enhance your customer’s entertainment experience:

· A Media Center compatible remote control that keeps all of the entertainment on your customer’s computer within easy reach, and complements the keyboard and mouse. Customers can power their TV and Media Center with one remote.
· A remote infrared (IR) sensor that enables the remote control to communicate with the computer, and also controls your customer’s cable or satellite set-top box.
· An advanced graphics card for displaying the best TV experience on your customer’s computer monitor.
· A TV tuner that captures your customer’s television signal from a cable, satellite, or antenna source.
· A hardware encoder that enables your customer to record TV shows from cable, satellite, or antenna to their computer's hard disk.
· A TV output that allows your customer to display Media Center content on a television connected to their computer.

In addition, many of the features of the newest Windows Media® player (Windows Media Player 9 Series) are optimized for Windows XP and are especially useful when installed on a Media Center PC.

Well, leave it to MS to screw that up. I'm running an older version of MCE... hence it being based on Pro. With regard to getting MS software inexpensively... may I suggest the Microsoft Partner program? https://partner.microsoft.com/ - get their software for evaluation and business use (Action Pack)... The only catch is you need to be in this industry. However, if you're seriously considering MCE, why not build your own systems? I know people in this industry tend to be very gun-shy when it comes to computers in installations but really - MCE (at least the earliest version) proved to be very stable and building a system is very easy. Just make certain you use quality components.

There is a full-day Media Center Edition Boot Camp at EHX. The 1/2-day sessions in the past were excellent -- the good, the bad, and the ugly of mce, tips and tricks, and some business considerations.

Prelim agenda:

1. Intro to Media Center Edition
2. Survey of products and services related to MCE
- MCE hardware
- Automation software for MCE
- Exploring MCE plug-ins such as Outlook, Caller ID, and CCTV management
3. Optimizing MCE installations for the home theater
4. How to use MCE as a source for whole-house media distribution
5. Integrating MCE into traditional, proprietary control platforms
6. The business of MCE – how to sell, install and support MCE profitably
7. The dreaded PC service calls – how to handle them, profit from them
8. Technical tips and tricks
9. Video calibration through MCE
10. MCE versus other media servers: A lively debate
11. In the field: How MCE is being used by integration companies
12. The future of MCE and related Microsoft technologies
13. Do the MCE providers care about this channel?
14. Survey of MCE-related products on the EHX show floor

Here is some related reading material:

Windows MCE: The CE Pros & Cons (Published 9/04, before current version of MCE)
Microsoft's Media Center Edition may be right for the living room, but does it make sense for your business? We present both sides of the argument.
[Link: ce-pro.com]

Developers Roll Out H.A. Apps for Windows (again, older story, from 9/04)
Third-party home automation vendors are rolling out plug-ins for Microsoft's Media Center Edition.
[Link: ce-pro.com]

Executive Q&A: Joel Silver (June 2004)
Joel Silver is the founder of the Imaging Science Foundation and co-inventor of Microsoft's Media Center Edition Calibration Wizard.
[Link: ce-pro.com]

Tips, Tricks & URLs for Media Center Edition
MCE is a dynamic platform, but it's a challenge to implement for whole-house applications. For this reason, tips and tricks abound. Here are a few.
[Link: blog.ce-pro.com]