okay, need some schooling on this Vista craze (POLL INSIDE)

[MisterJackson]

Okay, I just did a fresh install of XP Pro on a new build HTPC the other day, but I've since got my hands on a free copy of Vista Business and was wondering if it's better to use for this application, or should I just stick with XP Pro for now.

BTW, my hardware will support Vista.

I don't yet know the major differences between the versions of Vista, so is there something that Vista Business lacks over the others? Would a different version of Vista all together be a better bet for a HTPC?

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[Shawn]

Use Vista Home Premium. If you must use XP then use XP MCE. I would not use Vista Business or XP Pro for a HTPC. You are going to have to use 3rd party software if you do so it doesn't really matter what OS you use.

BTW, Vista's Media Center is better than any 3rd party software I have used. You can upgrade Vista Business to Vista Ultimate.

 

[MisterJackson]

Originally posted by: Shawn
Use Vista Home Premium. If you must use XP then use XP MCE. I would not use Vista Business or XP Pro for a HTPC. You are going to have to use 3rd party software if you do so it doesn't really matter what OS you use.

BTW, Vista's Media Center is better than any 3rd party software I have used.

Yeah, I plan on using 3rd party apps for the HTPC part if I keep XP Pro. After reading up on Media Center vs. XP Pro plus 3rd party apps that's the way I decided to go.

However, I do know Vista has MCE built in, so it wouldn't hurt to have that.

As for your suggestion of Home Premium vs. Business can you please specify why? I need to know what the major differences are (does Business not have MCE????).

and remember, my copy of Vista Business is free , Home Premium is not! At least not until my Action Pack subscription for that comes in

 

[Shawn]

No, Vista Business does not come with Media Center.

Differences:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/choose.mspx

 

[Shawn]

Also check out this thread: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=38&threadid=2008191&enterthread=y

I posted a ton of Vista Media Center screenshots.

 

[MisterJackson]

Originally posted by: Shawn
No, Vista Business does not come with Media Center.

Differences:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/choose.mspx

Yeah I just googled that....thanks for the link though.

Is it any good for the purpose of setting up a file server (mainly media storage and video decoding) in my home network?

I'm just itching to install it on something and want to use it in the best possible application.

 

[Shawn]

Yeah, I just shared the recorded tv folder and my roommates can play any of the shows I record. They are both using XP Home and have no problems playing files recorded with Vista's media center. The nice thing about media center is you can buy Media Center Extenders and be able to access all of the recordings from your HTPC on any TV in the house which has a media center extender hooked up.