Microsoft Windows Xp Media Center

[Phillip]

Guys

If I buy a PC with microsft windows xp media center would I still need to buy a TV card turner to be able to view TV on my PC....infact does anybody know what it does coz already I am able to play music in my PC and watch movies and if I wanted to connect my PC to the TV I suppose I'd buy the connection cables.What does the media center do and would i still need a TV Turner card if I buy a PC that has Microsoft windows xp media center?

[techreactor]

Guys

If I buy a PC with microsft windows xp media center would I still need to buy a TV card turner to be able to view TV on my PC....infact does anybody know what it does coz already I am able to play music in my PC and watch movies and if I wanted to connect my PC to the TV I suppose I'd buy the connection cables.What does the media center do and would i still need a TV Turner card if I buy a PC that has Microsoft windows xp media center?

Can play, pause and record live TV.

[InspAbberline]

Mediacenter supports new protection on closed cable systems that prevent capture of premium content. Most people complain about the bad programs included with these computers anyway.

[MikeyBK]

Not all PCs with Windows Media Center come with the TV Tuner card installed. So you'll have to decide if you want it pre-installed on a system you purchase or buy your own, buying your own will give you better options on which tuner card and which capabilities you'd like.

[Phillip]

Sounds to me like all that the media centre gives is some bizzare luxury which maybe is hard to describe. My friend has windows xp and a tv card installed on his PC he still does watch TV and Record shows to watch whenever he likes.

Already I can watch DVDs in my PC......Techreactor pause live tV???

I still dont figure what microsoft media centre can offer that windows xp does not offer...........somebody tell me more do it as if you are a salesperson for microsoft

[atifsh]

in simplest words its a software made to run ontop of xp so u can do all things on tv. means its made to work best on TV. so its like a replacement for ur vcr / dvd / radio /home theater amplifier /..... + u can put 2 tuners in one machine means see one record other.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/evaluation/hardware.mspx

[Should u buy one.... realy depends on ur needs, if it will be used as a pc dont bother gettin MCE]

[Bay_wolf]

If you already have a computer that is powerful enough just buy a hauppauge 150 card and use the freeware GBPVR instead of MCE as it doesn't put protection on it at all. If you have any questions about GBPVR either go to www.gbpvr.com forums or www.byopvr.com forums and the byopvr forums are for anything like MCE or other PVR questions.

bay_wolf

[toomanycats]

I thinking buying into Windows Media Center is giving tacit approval to all the copyright DRM restrictions the world has to offer.

[Phillip]

here is a deal:

i have got an old pc which still operates on Windows NT. A dealer is offering to install and sell me a microsft media centre license for $160....I want to use my PC as a TV for my bedroom.......but still it doesnt make perfect sense to me..if I pay $160 for Microsft Media Center I'd still have to buy a DVD ROM and a TV card for nother $160 which will total $320.



Wouldnt be better instead to upgrade Windows NT to Windows XP, buy a DVD Rom and buy TV Card for $200 insted of the $320 i'd spend if I get microsft media centre?

[Steve83]

Media Center is nothing but a PITA. It's loaded up with some crappy multimedia software that's confusing & largely pointless. It's like having Media Player integrated into the OS, but not as useful.

Buy a good ATI All-In-Wonder card with a built-in tuner (or several) & a good sound card with lots of ins & outs. Everything else can be done with freeware or 3rd-party software.

[MikeyBK]

Wouldnt be better instead to upgrade Windows NT to Windows XP, buy a DVD Rom and buy TV Card for $200 insted of the $320 i'd spend if I get microsft media centre?

You've answered your own decision.

I also agree that Media Center is not essential to do what you want.

[atifsh]

here is a deal:

i have got an old pc which still operates on Windows NT. A dealer is offering to install and sell me a microsft media centre license for $160....I want to use my PC as a TV for my bedroom.......but still it doesnt make perfect sense to me..if I pay $160 for Microsft Media Center I'd still have to buy a DVD ROM and a TV card for nother $160 which will total $320.



Wouldnt be better instead to upgrade Windows NT to Windows XP, buy a DVD Rom and buy TV Card for $200 insted of the $320 i'd spend if I get microsft media centre?

now if ur older pc is not somwhere near 2.0 ghz or above [i dought it is as it runs NT] MCE is useless.

u dont want to spent 160 $ on a piece of software thats soon tobe replaced by vista home premium with better media center function.

also mce 2005 is like xp home edition with almost all its limitatiopns.
i say if u need a tv go buy a small tv, or lcd tv they r not that expensive now.

[Phillip]

Thanks guys. Now I can make a sound decision. I almost made a wrong decision. It helps to come here and consult. I am going to buy you all ice creams, you have done a good job

[Steve83]

OK, thanks. Mail mine with LOTS of dry ice - it's a long way from SA to TN.

[anonymez]

lots of MCE negativity here...

as mentioned it's basically xp home but with an app called "media center" that allows you to watch tv, dvds, music, voip, news, weather etc. IMO it's really the best app for a HTPC. far from versatile but wonderful interface, quite stable and runs rather well on modest systems (basically 2.4GHz+, dx9 compatible graphics card essential). since it uses wmp for both video & audio getting it to play certain formats can be troublesome but are remedied easily with registry hacks and filter merit

i've tried damn near all free offerings. mediaportal would be my choice if it wasn't so sluggish