Software Review: Windows XP Media Center 2005 Edition!

**Splash-X** · 05-13-2006, 01:15 AM

Here are two links for all of you with questions as to how MCE works:

Short video about what MCE and a HTPC is

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/m...MCE_102704.swf

and

Test drive MCE, flash interactive demo of MCE:

http://www.microsoft.com//windowsxp/...MCE_102704.swf

Yes, you can add your own programs to the menu in MCE but MCE is limited TWO apps and they have to be coded via HTML. For more information search for the MCE SDK framework, it comes with a demo. Since IIS is running on MCE you can make it a webbased app via ASP.NET, ASP, or PHP to do just about anything you want.

**MCE_BEGINNER?** · 05-13-2006, 04:36 AM

Thanks,

that was a lot of help

MCE_BEGINNER?

**MCE_BEGINNER?** · 05-13-2006, 05:00 AM

hi everyone, again

do you think this system would work as a media center ?

hard drive : hitachi deskstar 7k 500gb

mobo : socket T asus P5AD2-E Deluxe ATX

Graphics : PCI-E x16 128MB ATi Radeon X700PRO

Sound : Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Zs

Memory : Corsair (2 x 512) 1GB

DVD-RW : Plextor PX-716AL 16x DVD-RW Duel layer IDE

Case : ahanix MCE601 HTPC Case comes with 350w psu

TV tuner/Capture card : nebula digiTV master digital television pci card

CPU : Intel Pentium D 805 Duel Core processor with em64t 2.66ghz

vfd for case : parallel VFD for HTPC Case

PC remote : soundgraph imon 2.4g rf remote and reciever

i did want the microsoft remote but cant find it anywhere

**Splash-X** · 05-14-2006, 12:18 AM

1.) How many RPMs in the hard drive? SATA or IDE? You will probably be better off getting two 250GB SATA drives and using the on-board RAID to make a single 500GB drive.

2.) I prefer nVidia chipsets but there isn't anything wrong with ATI. If you are spend the cash on the video card go 256MB

3.) Sound is only as good as your output link so be sure you use optical cables.

4.) A DVD Writer is a DVD Writer. My advise, get a generic burner (Sony, LG, Liteon) and save some money for an upgrade somewhere else.

5.) Did you go to the Microsoft MCE website where compatible tuners are listed with ratings? You'll find out about the pros and cons of each. Toms hardware also had a good analysis of different tuner cards with output side by side to compare. I've tried both ATI and Happauge PVR-150MCE and I prefer the PVR-150MCE. I couldn't get my hands on the nVidia tuner but I'm still trying.

6.) Microsoft remote can be purchased from Newegg.com , search for mictosoft remote, get the OEM w/ receiver for $39.99

One major point of intrest is what type of TV signal you will be using, cable, cable with cable box, satellite, etc. There ARE limitations of MCE in the TV area, such as:

Cable TV - If you hook up a cable line directly to your MCE you will only be able to watch the channels you would normally be able to watch without a cable box. No Pay Per View, Movie Channels, or HD channels.

Box Top (Satellite or Cable w/ a Box) - This gets tricky. You'll probably want dual tuners (watch something, record something else or record two things and watch something you've already recorded). Problem? You'll need two receivers. Another problem? You'll need IR blasters to change the channel on the receiver. The Microsoft remote comes with two IR blasters to do it.

**MCE_BEGINNER?** · 05-14-2006, 07:20 AM

splash-x,

i can only use 1 harddrive because thats all the space that case has its an sata hardrive

spec of harddrive

Capacity - 500 GB
Spindle Speed - 7200 RPM
Interface - IDE/EIDE
Internal Data Transfer Rate - 817 Mbit/s
External Data Transfer Rate - 133 MBps
Seek Time - 8.5 ms
Buffer Size - 8 MB
Average Latency - 4.17 ms
Interface (Detailed) - DMA/ATA-133 (Ultra)
Sound Emission - 31 dB

-----------------------------------------------

the tv signal is going to be analogue for the normal tv and i will be attaching my free-to-view box

**MCE_BEGINNER?** · 05-14-2006, 07:48 AM

this is the sound system i was thinking of getting with it here the link

http://uk.nextag.com/Trust-8110B-7-1...RE-PRICES-html

**MCE_BEGINNER?** · 05-17-2006, 06:13 PM

yeh i now relize that, that sound system is ****e and i need one that is optical lol any thanks for advice

**Genesisfactor** · 06-26-2006, 10:46 PM

You know, i don't know if anyone said this yet, but a while back MS offered a free upgrade to MCE...and i kinda snagged it...i'm going to run the upgrade now. I saw what it did on my friend's computer and it looked pretty hot. I'm workeding if using StrokeIT or the ShuttelXpress i can make it do exactly what i want it to. If AIVMS will work with it....i think i just have to wait for a new car to install to...

**Arathranar** · 06-26-2006, 10:55 PM

Where can we find info about the free upgrade!?

**Splash-X** · 06-26-2006, 10:56 PM

Originally Posted by Genesisfactor

You know, i don't know if anyone said this yet, but a while back MS offered a free upgrade to MCE...and i kinda snagged it...i'm going to run the upgrade now. I saw what it did on my friend's computer and it looked pretty hot. I'm workeding if using StrokeIT or the ShuttelXpress i can make it do exactly what i want it to. If AIVMS will work with it....i think i just have to wait for a new car to install to...

What upgrade was this? I am aware of the MCE SDK that is a set of examples of how to use HTML to make your own interface. Since MCE can have IIS installed you could also use PHP, ASP, ASP.NET, etc to develope custom web interfaces.

I'm definatly intrested in hearing what upgrade this was so I can check it out.

BTW: Vista's MCE interface is a major improvment to XP 2005 MCE.