WinXP Professional or WinXP Media Center Edition?

[stuman74]

For home use, though not sure yet if I'll pipe it into my home theater, is there a preference out there to get WinXP Professional or WinXP Media Center Edition? I've read elsewhere thet MCE is just as good as Pro, but I'd like to ask my fellow Anandtech posters.

Thanks!

 

[DennyD]

MCE is Pro with the multimedia incorporated into it. I use it on my laptop and it's sweeeeet. If you're not going to put it into your theatre system then just stick with Pro.

 

[stuman74]

Originally posted by: DennyD
MCE is Pro with the multimedia incorporated into it. I use it on my laptop and it's sweeeeet. If you're not going to put it into your theatre system then just stick with Pro.

That is great news. I wasn't sure if it was build upon the home edition or pro. I want the security and remote desktop features of pro.

I have a AIW card so MCE probably makes sense then.

 

[Raduque]

MCE works best with hardware tuner/capture cards, like the Hauppage PVRx50/500. ATi AIW cards only have a software encoder, which can be haxed to work with MCE, but I've read that it's not fun or easy to do. avsforum.com has an excellent MCE05 FAQ that you should read before you jump into MCE feet first.

 

[stuman74]

My AIW card is kinda old (AIW 128 Pro). MCE may not be fully optimized to work with it.

Maybe just WinXP Pro? I'm so confused!

 

[Raduque]

I would just get XP Pro and use the ATi TV software then.

 

[stuman74]

Originally posted by: Raduque
I would just get XP Pro and use the ATi TV software then.

Good suggestion. Now I'm just trying to weigh getting an OEM or Retail version.