Anybody have XP Media Center 2005 Edition?

Regarding XP Media Center 2005 Edition - Media Center in general.

I know it has 'media' features - but is the OS basically like using XP?

Any cons to having Media Center in terms or general Windows XP or gaming use?



I'd agree with that - I haven't got much of a clue about this product.

I am currently browisng through here:
http://www.gamepc.com/labs/view_content.asp?id=xpmce2005&page=1&cookie%5Ftest=1&MSCSProfile=95385A1F52DEA1A229D5B37542054464BDC37CA2AA0B6D6E587BAC0480972A4B0334642DE0345AC66EDFDF97891BB839FE3FA013EEDC82E3F7036F811185EB51670DD14889F0BBABE9700B4C7BD4FA15DC17AC2C3156B4BF96817C48A276B26657381AF1E43F8C3E5EC9F914BF2DA0F6B9A47BD0DE493F99E4612DD0953D260265FC7B285137492B

Not my fault is is a long link.

The computer I bought my kids for Christmas has this. I had a bit of a wobble when I got it out of the box - I thought it was some knocked down, cheapo version. Seems to be pretty much the same on the surface, although a couple of the Start menu choices are different - it doesn't have My Network Places for instance (have to go through Control Panel), My Computer isn't a desktop option...

Errr...

Basil

It's a hybrid of XP Home and XP Pro with a media player utility added on.

Everything looks exactly the same as XP until you launch the media center, at which point it comes to the fore and presents the familiar (you have seen screenshots, right?) interface which you can use your mouse, or the media center remote to control. Whilst it is a full-screen app that takes over the PC - a swift click on the shrinky icon (top right) will put it in a windows, enabling you to continue to multitask.

It's just a fancy media player with a swish interface.

My advice is if you use it, install PureVideo. I have a Vista Ultimate install which has a version of media center included and DVD playback is truly awful quality without PureVideo.

Also, it's reasonably nice, but I'll stick to using PowerDVD due to it letting me muck about with settings.

Hi,

I've got Windows Media Center Edition 2005 and I can honestly say it is exactly the same as Windows XP Professional - the only difference I can find is that it doesn't let you log-on to a DOMAIN however I believe there are hacks on the internet that allow you to do this.

It's best to think as Media Center simply as a pre-installed add-in application for Windows XP.

Anymore questions, just ask,

Seb

If it's anything like the other versions of XP, then My Computer will become a desktop option after switching to the classic start menu.

/Never used XP Media Edition myself

Well, my new computer is coming with this installed on it. I did this as the Vista upgrade is free. If I went for standard XP I'd have to pay for Vista.

I was worried that this thing might be slower than XP. I was concerned that it might run more processes, etc.

If it pretty much looks like and operates like XP then I will be happy.

From what I gather, it's pretty much like XP Home except it has some extra multi-media junk pre-installed, including remote control support.

It is exactly like using XP.

Gaming use, no. It's not too hot for "Media Center" use tho' - probably better to just get regular XP with a bunch of Cyberlink products (they'll probably ship with your TV tuner/capture card).

It does. But XP SP2 already runs so rediculously many servicew that you CPU isn't likely to notice 2 more.

Excellent.