View Full Version : Vista Media Center, OR, XP Media Center? Which is the better choice?
I've been setting up a computer to be a media hub in my house.
Currently I've got Windows XP SP3 as the operating system.
We've been watching a lot of hulu, and now streaming netflix, etc. . .
Also using it to look at pics, listen to music.
I want to have Windows Media Center.
The question is should I go w/ Vista Home Premium, or get XP Media Center Edition, which I've found is still readily available.
I have an Intel Core Duo 1.8Ghz, and 2GB of DDR2 (1066 I believe), and a nVidia 9600GT 512MB GPU.
I've been reading online that vista would use a lot of my memory, and I don't want to lose any to just an operating system.
I also see that LG is making a blu-ray/HD DVD/ DVD-RW combo drive. This is something I will probably buy in the next few weeks. I've also got a 1TB HDD on the way.
I'm leaning towards getting the XP Media Center Edition and waiting for Windows 7 to be my next upgrade.
Any opinions?
One other question; does anyone know where to find a 1/8"-to-digital coax (RCA) adapter? I have a sound blaster card w/ a 5.1 output but its 1/8".
Thanks.
JM Anthony
04-27-09, 10:09 PM
I've run both. Prefer the Vista version as it's been rock solid on reliability. YMMV
John
phat78boy
04-27-09, 10:12 PM
I've run all the versions of media center so far and Vista's edition is the best one so far. I will say that Windows 7 is even better and when it is finally released will be much better then Vista's.
Vista Media Center is much better than XP Media Center.
They keep improving things and the main improvements show up in the next version, so newer is better. I bet Win 7 Media Center will be even better as well (though I have not personally used it).
okay thanks.
vista it is.
I agree with Vista as well, and then you can upgrade to windows 7 later.
Well, you could just go ahead and sign up for the Windows 7 release candidate in a few days, use that and then buy 7 Home Premium when it comes out. If you buy Vista now, you will need to buy the upgrade version of 7 when it is released to manufacturing.
If you are planning on buying a new system, you can also wait until July 1 (at least that is what has been said so far, it may change) and buy something with Vista and get a free upgrade when 7 comes out.
Well, you could just go ahead and sign up for the Windows 7 release candidate in a few days, use that and then buy 7 Home Premium when it comes out. If you buy Vista now, you will need to buy the upgrade version of 7 when it is released to manufacturing.
+1
I'm really liking the Windows 7 media center.
Well, you could just go ahead and sign up for the Windows 7 release candidate in a few days, use that and then buy 7 Home Premium when it comes out. If you buy Vista now, you will need to buy the upgrade version of 7 when it is released to manufacturing.
Agree. This is the route I'd go. Wait until May 5th and pull down a free copy of Windows 7 Ultimate RC1. It's a full fledged MS authorized copy with Windows Media Center and it's good until March 2010. No cost to you now and you can then buy a copy of it down the road at a time of your choosing before March 2010. The Media Center in Windows 7 is excellent!!!
BattleZone
04-28-09, 10:10 AM
There is definitely a good step up in quality and functionality from XP MC to VMC, and another good step going to 7MC. For those who haven't used Win7 yet, I'm confident that you'll be very happy when you do.
I have been happy with the MC in 7 so far, I just need to find the best way to get the HR2xs to work with it. I have had spotty results so far and I think I will just have to go back to Tversity. I was just hoping to do it all with MC.
can someone tell me more about getting a copy of windows 7?
Before starting this thread I searched microsoft's website for details about getting it, but only saw the beta release and that its no longer available; which honestly i'm not interested in a beta version that may have some bugs to be worked out. i want something that functions.
this release you guys mentioned on may 5th, is that a full working version? more specifically, are the bugs worked out of this one?
i would be okay with buying vista and then getting win7 after it comes out, but if you guys are saying this may 5th release will be working perfectly, i'll do it.
do you just download it from microsoft.com ?
BattleZone
04-28-09, 04:54 PM
Windows 7's semi-official release date isn't until January 2010, though because the beta program has been going so well, it's possible that it might be pushed up (there's been some talk about October 2009). So until then, there's no "official" released version.
What is being released in the next couple of days is what is expected to be the final beta version: Release Candidate 1 (RC1). The idea of the RC is that no new features will be added, but bugs found will be fixed (as reasonably possible) prior to the RTM (Release To Manufacturing of the "Gold" code). RTM = the code of the official release. Generally, Microsoft releases the RTM about 2 months before an OS is officially for sale at retailers.
So far the Betas have had few bugs. The RC seems to be pretty darn good also, judging by reports all over the web on early copies. Most of the bugs they are dealing with now are things where the graphics in one place are not 100% consistent with other places or adding in/changing help files (plenty still say Vista on them or are not there at all.) The beta for me has been as stable as anything else I have ever used (and I have had good luck with most MS Operating Systems over the years so this is not a backhanded slam). Media Center is wokring real nicely and they have added in many codecs that used to only be available from third parties.
They really did it right this time, IMO.
And yes, if you go back to teh place you found hte beta closed info, I am sure they will have more info up in a few days about the RC, which should hit the public May 5.
sideswipe
04-29-09, 08:51 AM
can someone tell me more about getting a copy of windows 7?
brant check here (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=156996)
i called microsoft today to inquire about an upgrade license from XP to Win7.
I was told that when Windows 7 is officially released (later this year or early next year), there will be no upgrade license available for XP users. I was told it may be offered at a later date, but for now, you will have to pay full price to go from XP to 7.
The problem is that if I install 7, when it comes time to activate it after the release, I'm not going to be able to do it at the reduced price. And waiting for the upgrade license to be available isn't an option, because during that time my computer will be in lockdown.
I was waiting for May 5th until now. I think the safe thing to do is just upgrade to Vista for now. I may then just upgrade to 7 next year.
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