Ok so for everyone who has used both. Which do you recommend? I have used both and although Microsoft improved Media Center within Windows Vista it still seems like its not quite there yet.

Now the reason why I am asking is in our basement I had an old computer (well not old I built it a few years ago) and it usually just sits there and I turn it on when I need to backup data or grab software from it etc. And to be honest it was simply taking up room with a desk and a 17" monitor. So I carted the desk and monitor up to the guest room where my moms computer is and hooked everything up there (it was taking up room in the basement). So I have a big screen TV and an entertainment unit surrounding it and I decided what the hell I will make a media center box out of it. So I picked up a Wireless keyboard and Mouse combo, the only thing left to get is a video card with DVI out (the spare one I have has a dieing fan so I will get a new one for 80 bucks!) a DVD Burner and cabling to connect it to the 5.1 receiver.

So I just wanted everyones opinion on should I put Windows Media Center or Windows Vista Ultimate on?

And don't just say Vista because its better or nicer give me hard facts why I should do it and come the next few weeks, if I can get the data off onto my laptop I wish to keep for after the reformat I will take pictures (when the camera comes back from repair... dodgy Canon and their bad lenses).

Just so no one misses this here are the specs:

quote:

---

CPU: P4 2.4GHz
RAM: 768Mb (Could be upgraded)
HDD: 2x120Gb Drives
Audio: Soundblaster Live 5.1
Video: ATI Radeon 9800Pro
Motherboard: Asus P4P800

---

Vista Ultimate and an old box doesn't seem to go well together, with XP MCE, you're less than likely to come across something bad.

Just my 2 cents.

P4 2.4GHz
RAM: 768Mb (Could be upgraded)
HDD: 2x120Gb Drives
Audio: Soundblaster Live 5.1
Video: ATI Radeon 9800Pro
Motherboard: Asus P4P800

By saying it is old, I didn't mean its something shitty by any means.

Feel free to change your vote now that you know the specs lol.

quote:

---

Originally posted by matty
P4 2.4GHz
RAM: 768Mb (Could be upgraded)
HDD: 2x120Gb Drives
Audio: Soundblaster Live 5.1
Video: ATI Radeon 9800Pro
Motherboard: Asus P4P800

---

Media Centre is pretty much a theme and a program that has so many limitations because it only supports other Microsoft formats and services. I would get Vista .

Also Vista works a lot better with TV monitors, it handles resolution changes perfectly. On XP I lost screen display on my laptop many times which was frustrating.

Well the TV would be a permanent display. I have actually started the transition the PC is nicely situated in the entertainment center. As I said previously I will take pictures when the camera comes back.

If the computer can run Vista well, then go for Ultimate. Ultimate has media centre software built in and apparantly the Media Centre in vista is a massive improvement over XP.

Also, if you mainly want media centre, why not just go for Home Premium and get yourself something pretty with the money you saved?

quote:

---

Originally posted by saralk
If the computer can run Vista well, then go for Ultimate.

---

I have the RTM Copy of Vista, had it before it was in stores. It has every version of Vista without the requirement of a CD Key when installing. Obviously I can get a CD Key for which ever version I choose to install from a friend who's cousin works at Microsoft. CD Key for $80 wh00p wh00p .

quote:

---

Originally posted by absorbation
Media Centre is pretty much a theme and a program that has so many limitations because it only supports other Microsoft formats and services. I would get Vista .

Also Vista works a lot better with TV monitors, it handles resolution changes perfectly. On XP I lost screen display on my laptop many times which was frustrating.

---

Yeh ShawnZ, I've had both installed on my laptop before. Media Edition on Vista Home Premium and above is not speculator, then again neither is it on XP Media Centre Edition. I've also pointed out Vista works a lot better with external monitors, and a charm with my TV.

Even better!

mythtv isn't an operating system..

I took the leap and tossed Vista Ultimate on... looks like I have some upgrading to do... Somehow it came back with a 1.0 rating which is odd because last time I did it was a 2.5 or something like that... who knows.

quote:

---

Originally posted by matty
I took the leap and tossed Vista Ultimate on... looks like I have some upgrading to do... Somehow it came back with a 1.0 rating which is odd because last time I did it was a 2.5 or something like that... who knows.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by matty
I took the leap and tossed Vista Ultimate on... looks like I have some upgrading to do... Somehow it came back with a 1.0 rating which is odd because last time I did it was a 2.5 or something like that... who knows.

---

The number takes the lowest rating number. You may just have one weak feature of your computer .

Probably not got the ATi drivers working properly? It displays 1.0 if there's no way to benchmark 3d performance. (For the crappy rating)

I would've said get Home Premium as well, since atm, there's nothing amazing about Ultimate. (My Home Premium has Dream Scene, and it kinda sucks anyway ). Except that yer getting it for the same price, so it doesn't really matter.

Home Premium has Media Centre, contrary to what Shawnz said. (At least I hope it's supposed to, since I have it).

XP Media Centre is the suck... the only good thing about that entire "upgrade" is the Royale theme is a bit nicer. But I have it on XP SP2 "normal" anyway.

Hmm seems I´m the only one voting for XP media centre...
Vista can seriously lag your movies if your specs arent high enough...
and it seems to me those specs are pushing it...

Windows vista ultimate along with Transcode 360

and you have a media center that plays what ever you want.



http://transcode360.co.uk/