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View Full Version : Windows XP Media Center

undergroundtech
10-16-2004, 03:10 PM
I've notice Windows Media Center is starting to show up at places such as Newegg. Does any one know what the system requirements are for the Media Center (other than the approved media hardware, I'm thinking it shouldn't need much more than XP).

One other thing, has any one figured out how you can buy Windows Media Center alone, with out having to have it bundled with the hardware?
silenze
10-17-2004, 01:35 PM
Hardware: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/evaluation/hardware.mspx

Features: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/evaluation/whatsnew.mspx

It's just a glorified version of XP.
undergroundtech
10-17-2004, 02:39 PM
I found some their selling on ebay, I think I'm going to try and snag a copy and put it on my media PC/ file server. Even though its a lowly 800PIII, I think it should handle it.
KryoNexus
10-18-2004, 08:45 AM
you might have trouble doing that. XP MCE is VERY specific about the hardware it will work with. for instance, i believe it still only supports one specific model of a TV tuner card. make sure you find out if it will be worth it before you purchase it.

as an alternative, you can always install Linux and Myth TV. Anyone who has done a comparison between Myth TV and MCE has always favored Myth TV anyway. besides, it supports a wide variety of hardware and multiple tuner cards.
siq
10-18-2004, 12:18 PM
just gotta know alittle bit of linux first :wink:
KryoNexus
10-18-2004, 12:58 PM
yeh, but shouldn't really be that bad. most of the distros do pretty much everything for you now and the rest you can learn in probably under a week if you wanted to.
undergroundtech
10-18-2004, 03:43 PM
you might have trouble doing that. XP MCE is VERY specific about the hardware it will work with. for instance, i believe it still only supports one specific model of a TV tuner card. make sure you find out if it will be worth it before you purchase it.

It would be nice if M$ would post some specific info for system builders on MCE, I already have a ATi TV Wonder Pro. One would think that if MCE would support anything, it wold be ATi, since they have a dominant presence in the computer media arena with their Wonder line of products.
KryoNexus
10-18-2004, 04:00 PM
you might have trouble doing that. XP MCE is VERY specific about the hardware it will work with. for instance, i believe it still only supports one specific model of a TV tuner card. make sure you find out if it will be worth it before you purchase it.

It would be nice if M$ would post some specific info for system builders on MCE, I already have a ATi TV Wonder Pro. One would think that if MCE would support anything, it wold be ATi, since they have a dominant presence in the computer media arena with their Wonder line of products.

yeh, they don't publicize it cause they want you to buy a MCE certified HTPC from a manufacturer like HP. They do this so that manufacturers will use MCE instead of something like MythTV. This way, they can still corner the market, etc. Oh, and the only card MCE supports is one of the Hauppauge cards, the 1042 i think.
Beemer
10-18-2004, 04:05 PM
[smilie=XXbazooka.gif] [smilie=sign2.gif] lol, I love the new emoticons
silenze
10-18-2004, 04:07 PM
:rimshot:
Caj Darkmoon
10-18-2004, 04:10 PM
For the record, even with fancy smilies, words are still considered a legitimate way of expressing thoughts and opinions in most countries. :)
siq
10-18-2004, 11:11 PM
MOST... countries :lol:
SAMSAMHA
10-18-2004, 11:29 PM
I thought it comes with everything, kind of like an complete OS (well it's a complete OS). I think when you buy them from places like newegg, you must buy it with a hardware, otherwise they won't sell it to you. It should come with 2 discs and you install them like you install normal windows, you need to activate as well.
Caj Darkmoon
10-19-2004, 12:23 AM
I just don't like the idea of it. You know it's goign to run slower, and it does nothing you can't do on your own.
undergroundtech
10-19-2004, 11:32 AM
I just don't like the idea of it. You know it's goign to run slower, and it does nothing you can't do on your own.

True, my PC will all ready do everything that MCE offers. Its just that there are others that are not very PC savvy, & I would like to have all the media features easier to use, so when friends & family are visiting they won't be scared to operate it.
XPTB
10-19-2004, 11:53 AM
True, my PC will all ready do everything that MCE offers. Its just that there are others that are not very PC savvy, & I would like to have all the media features easier to use, so when friends & family are visiting they won't be scared to operate it.

You let friends and family touch your PC? Bold move man

Anyone who comes near my stuff gets the [smilie=5bullwhip.gif]

Except Katti, cause she knows what she is doing
undergroundtech
10-19-2004, 12:37 PM
I don't mind them using the remote on THAT computer, so they can work the TV tuner & the DVD. The keyboard is usually put away, since I can access most of the files I need over the network.
However, most of the time people are scared to even touch the remote, its kinda aggravating when you have a house full of people and someone calls you away from what you where doing, just to get me to change the channels.