Windows XP Media Center Edition

This is for those who have or at least know about the Windows Media Center Edition. I'm looking at getting a Dell xps140 with the MCE. I'll definate use it for at least a little bit of media (watching and creating dvd's, music, photos, etc). But is it really worth it? I think i can get basically teh same setup as a 630m without the MCE for a bit cheaper. Those of you who have it... Do you like it? I wasnt planning on gettin teh tv tuner, but is that worth getting if i get the MCE? Will my notebook have enough to successfully run it all? I'm plannin on just a 512 ram, with like 80 gigs. From what i can tell the MCE does some sweet stuff, but have you found that you like it? Can you access alot of it without the remote? Any info and feedback would be great. Thanks.

 

Well, XP MCE is basically a gloified version of XP Home - nothing too special. I'd only get it if you have a TV tuner, otherwise it's pretty pointless.

 

Thats kinda what i was thinking. Does the MCE give me any extra stuff besides the TV Tuner?

 

Window MCE is actually based on XP Pro, but with the addition of Media Center. The only thing it doesn't do that XP Pro can do is hook up with Active Directory domains. This pretty much means you can't use it in a corporate environment, but as a normal home user you'll be fine assuming you use Workgroups for your network and not domains.

 

Not really - Maybe a small face lift in the interface (smoother lines and textures), but nothing dramatic. There are a few extra security features, but again, nothing major. In addition to a TV tuner, XPMCE also has a MP3 player, a PhotoViewer, and a built in DVD player. You can also burn recorded TV shows to DVDs which is nice. How much are you paying for the upgrade form XP Home? If its less than $50, I say go ahead and do it, otherwise, don't.

 

Yes, but its a crippled version, with out all the security/other added features that XP Pro has.

 

I hate to correct you xAMD, but I don't want Chance to get the wrong idea about MCE. It is every bit as powerful as XP Pro (because it is the same code). The only thing it is missing is the ability to connect to an Active Directory domain. I guess this means it is "crippled", but that word kinda makes MCE sound like a weak OS. It is not.

The security features I believe you are referring to is the Active Directory. This allows administrators to assign enterprise wide policies(security) and deploy programs and critical updates to an entire organization. You will not be able to connect to an Active Directory domain with MCE.

If you plan to use your laptop at work and they use an Active Directory domain then you will not be able to connect. Otherwise, your MCE experience should be exactly the same as XP Pro.

On the plus side though, MCE adds some neat media features, most notably the ability to have up to 4 tv tuners.

 

The difference actually is like around $150. I think. At least thats the price difference that i get when i customize the 630m and xps140 to basically the same specs and compare.
So does the xphome not have the capability to view dvds, do mp3s, or view photos?

 

XP home does have the capability to view dvd's, listen to music, etc. MCE is just more of entertainment environment, where Home and Pro are more productive. The only thing is that you can't use a TV tuner with XP Home/Pro.

Personally, if you aren't going to be using a TV Tuner, I would just stick with XP Home.

 

Not really - all XP MCE is XP Pro minus most all the security features and networking features. Then it has the XP Media Center tacked on. Believe me, for that much extra money, XP MCE is not worth it. My dad has a Qosmio G25 with XP MCE, and the only difference in the OS is that it has a slightly more streamline appearance and Microsoft Media Center.

Here's the difference that XP MCE has over XP Home:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/evaluation/features.mspx

 

I'm a little confused .. active directory domain? .. does the media edition not have networking? .. can it connect to the router? .. and do the file sharing stuff with other computers? .. you know how the "SharedDocs on XYZ" come up in the "My Network Places" ..

(I'm a little worried because my new Inspiron 6000 has just shipped .. it's with the Media Edition .. and I work over the network all the time .. sharing files and all) ..

Bilal

 

Here's an excellent post of the difference between Home and Pro.
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_home_pro.asp

As far as I'm aware all of the features that Pro has over Home are also in MCE except the ability to connect to an Active Directory domain.

All the security features are still in place in MCE: separate administrator and restricted access accounts on a machine, encrypted file system, and all of the rest of the stuff listed there.

I wish I could find a nice link for you guys with the differences between Pro and MCE, but for now you'll have to just take my word for it. I'll keep looking though.

 

Well, XP MCE IS just a gloified version of XP Home (or as others say, a toned down version of XP Pro). Unfortunately, XP MCE cannot be used at a workplace environment, due to its lack of networking features that XP Pro have.

 

I've heard from other people on the NBR.com say that XP MCE isn't Pro + Media Center. Its more like XP Home than it is XP Pro, and has more than just the networking ability disabled from it.

 

I'm sorry but I'm not very computer savvy .. umm .. so what you're saying is that the shared docs and stuff won't work .. how about the remote desktop?! .. I guess I'll just have to re-format and install the regular XP ..

I have a Windows XP cd that came with another laptop (don't ask why I need two laptops!) .. it's a dv1000 .. would I be able to install that windows version on the other laptop? .. or do they only work with the computer they came with?! ..

Or in the DELL's Windows installation CDs .. if you do a fresh re-install .. is there an option where you can just install the regular windows and not the media edition?

Bilal
[email protected]

 

Unfortunately, companies block-out other comapany's OS installation disks - you will most likely not be able to install the OS from you dv1000 on you new Dell. There isn't an option to install a regular XP Home Edition instead of XP MCE - you've got to stick to what you've bought. If I were you, I'd cancel the order from Dell and re-order with XP Pro.

 

xAMD, if your info is based on what you've heard others say in the forums then you should stop arguing this point. You're just gonna give Chance a false impression of MCE. It is anything, but crippled.

These relatively generic statements like, "MCE is lacking security and networking features" is very very misleading. As far as I'm concerned all the security features in Pro remain in MCE. The only networking feature that is missing from MCE is the ability to connect to Active Directory domains.

I hate to beat a dead horse, but I'd hate Chance to be driven away from MCE because of a false impression that it was "crippled".

As for Active Directory domain Camel, it's a hierachical collection of objects of three types: services, people, and resources. Basically, it allows system administrators to manage all of these. This is not something a normal user will ever have to deal with ever. Only network administrators will ever play with that stuff.

MCE does have networking. Most home users setup networks using Workgroups. It can do all the things you mentioned Camel. Don't be worried about that.

The only thing networking-wise that MCE can not do is connect to an Active Directory domain. All this means is that MCE was not made for a workplace environment.

Which flavor of windows is right for you? If you want to use a TV tuner, get MCE. If you plan on using your computer for work get XP Pro. If you have no interest in either of the above get Home. Do not be afraid of MCE, it is not crippled.

 

Well, I don't want this to escale into a shouting/cursing match between the two of us, but the fact remains that I believe what I've heard from other members on NBR.com - XP MCE isn't XP Pro. Yes it has some of XP Pros security/networking features, but not all of them by any means. I have to disagree with you, kingjimmi on this one. My dad has XP MCE, and I've compared it side-by-side with XP Home. There aren't many USEFUL security/networking features over XP Home. I'm sorry if we confused you Chance - I'll give you the quick overview of each OS:

1.XP Home- The basic XP Windows - it has security enchancements with SP2
2.XP MCE- IMO , basically XP Home with Microsoft Media Center. There are a few enchancements over XP Home, but not anything that will allow you to function in a work environment. It is mainly for entertainment
3.XP Pro- For office/work purposes. This edition of Windows has all the networking/securtiy bells and whistles.

Paul Thurrott's Take on XP MCE
Five Editions of XP Windows
XP Comparison (Pro v. Home)

 

I wasn't trying to start a fight with you. I was just discussing the facts. Also, I respect the opinions of others on this forum, but in regards to MCE I don't think you were fully informed.

If you believe Mr. Thurrott's article explaining all the differences between Pro and Home to be true then I can not see how you can continue to champion the idea that MCE is just the Home edition + media features as MCE has every single added feature that Pro has over Home except for the ability to connect to Active Directory domains.

Here is a link from Microsoft. It is a transcript of a chat between users and the designers of MCE.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/chats/transcripts/05_Jan20_mce.mspx

I'll quote the pertinent parts.

Q: What networking features does media centre have?
A: The same ones that Windows XP Professional has, except for the domain joining capability, which is no longer available in MCE2005. Instead, MCE2005 allows connecting Media Center Extender Devices, which Windows XP Professional does not.

Q: Is media center a different operating system??
A: Media Center 2005 is built on Windows XP SP2 and offers all the features of Windows XP Pro except the ability to join a domain and credential caching. You get the great MCE experience which is great for a residential user.

So, it appears I was not completely correct when I said there was only one feature missing from MCE. There are two. Credential caching is the one I did not know about. This is the mysterious security feature that xAMD was alluding to. Credential caching is basically a way for the OS to store your passwords. Some may say this is inherently unsecure, keeping passwords on your disk. They actually had problems with it in Win98, but have licked all security flaws with it supposedly. One note though, this is basically a convenience feature. It makes it so you don't have to type in your pw all the time. It adds no actual additional security.

I hope this post ends any further confusion as to what exactly MCE is and is not. I agree with you xAMD on one point, MCE is not intended for a work environment.

Chance, I think MCE is great if you don't have Tivo. Even if you do have Tivo, it's still nice. It turns your computer into a media center(yeah completely stupid remark considering it is called media center edition, but I don't really know any other way of explaining it). Your system should be able to run it fine. The remote is just for convenience, so you don't have to get off the couch to raise the volume or fast forward, etc. You can access every single option w/o the remote. If you don't plan on getting the TV tuner though, don't bother with MCE. It wouldn't be worth the price of admission. And remember, don't expect it to play nice with your corporate network.

 

If your intersted in Windows MCE consider Media Portal...it's free.

http://mediaportal.sourceforge.net/