XP Pro vs XP MCE 2005

[xMax]

For media playback related operations, like encoding and decoding, which OS would be better?

Clearly MCE is the right choice if the user plans on hooking up their system to a home theater or all these other devices, as XP Pro is the right choice for advanced security and serious networking. But im not looking at either of those functions, im simply looking at the performance between the two for general use. To be specific, lets say media encoding and decoding. In that category, would they be the same?

I know that XP MCE 2005 is actually XP Pro with added features. And the nice thing about it is that its very recent, as opposed to XP Pro SP2 which may be a little older. Which makes it more attractive.

 

[spyordie007]

Assuming you have no intention of using the MCE applications they are going to be identical for performance/capabilites in media encoding/decoding with [insert 3rd party application of your choice].

I know that XP MCE 2005 is actually XP Pro with added features. And the nice thing about it is that its very recent, as opposed to XP Pro SP2 which may be a little older. Which makes it more attractive.

XP MCE 2005 has basically the same feature set as XP Pro SP2 (minus a couple of relativily minor things). Since they are both built on the same codebase MCE isnt really any "newer" (though it does have a new theme )

 

[xMax]

Great response 007.

 

[Gaffney982]

xMax, I second that.

I have a HTPC and my gaming compy in my sig. The HTPC uses MCE05 and my gaming rig uses XP SP2. I really see nothing different between the two except for the obvious interface differences. I'd stick with Xp Sp2, it's reliable (relatively speaking of course) and most everything is compatible with it, hardware and software.

 

[spyordie007]

I was on Dell's site today specing a machine out and noticed something that might be useful. They offer XP MCE 2005 for the same price as XP Home.

If I were buying an OEM machine for myself right now I would probably get XP MCE because of the non-MCE features (the MCE services can be disabled easily enough).

Just a thought for you if you are planning on making a purchase.

 

[xMax]

"If I were buying an OEM machine for myself right now I would probably get XP MCE because of the non-MCE features (the MCE services can be disabled easily enough). "

Thats the same reason why i would get MCE, for everything it has other than that media center program, which is actually not much at all. For me, its the built in windows media player 10, the nicer theme, and thats about it. But i could easily get a nice theme for pro and i could more easily download and isntall windows media player 10, which sort of makes it a useless buy.

But im curious, how can one disable the MCE service?