Just found... WinXP Media Center Edition

XaCoSo · 11-13-2003, 06:51 AM

I know some of you will kill me for posting this, but.... here it is:

I've just have found this new edition of Windows XP:

=> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/

You can try a small demo here:

=> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/m...rs/default.asp

What do you think? Complete integration with the OS... It looks fine for me......

Defiler · 11-13-2003, 08:29 AM

Welcome to the forums!!!

I've been using MCE 2004 wor a few weeks now an love it. Works like it's suposed to, rips CDs from within the app, and looks cool.

Things I don't like are: It's a little slow when first starting (but I can deal with it), and it doesn't play Quicktime files.

I personally wouldn't use anything else at this point.

parawing742 · 11-13-2003, 08:37 AM

How did you get a copy of MCE? I thought it was only available to system intergraters. Or do you have a MSDN subscription?

sweetrobot2k · 11-13-2003, 08:55 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Defiler

Welcome to the forums!!!

I've been using MCE 2004 wor a few weeks now an love it. Works like it's suposed to, rips CDs from within the app, and looks cool.

Things I don't like are: It's a little slow when first starting (but I can deal with it), and it doesn't play Quicktime files.

I personally wouldn't use anything else at this point.

I certainly was impressed by the demos- this looks to have the perfect software interface for my 15" touchscreen lcd. Also, the package seems complete- my only worry, as u mentions, is the startup speed-i am going to test first with regular xp sp1, with some software for car media playback that starts up with windows, aand compare with XP media center.

XaCoSo · 11-13-2003, 09:02 AM

Defiler thanks for the answer !

So, I've got a few questions for you:
- Does it play divx files (with the proper codecs installed)?
- It's possible to use another "Media Player" integrated, like BSPlayer? I've got a few multilenguage-subtitled divx movies, and I can't switch between audio streams on WMP!!
- How does the DVD player work? Do you need extra software or it comes with the Win MCE?
- If I get the "Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 Upgrade", can I install it over a pc with WinXP Pro SP1 and it will work, or do I need the original WinXP MCE?¿
- And last, who will it work smoothly with a P3 866MHz?

Thanks again!

Defiler · 11-13-2003, 09:04 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by parawing742

How did you get a copy of MCE? I thought it was only available to system intergraters. Or do you have a MSDN subscription?

MSDN.

Defiler · 11-13-2003, 09:17 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by XaCoSo

Defiler thanks for the answer !

So, I've got a few questions for you:
- Does it play divx files (with the proper codecs installed)?
- It's possible to use another "Media Player" integrated, like BSPlayer? I've got a few multilenguage-subtitled divx movies, and I can't switch between audio streams on WMP!!
- How does the DVD player work? Do you need extra software or it comes with the Win MCE?
- If I get the "Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 Upgrade", can I install it over a pc with WinXP Pro SP1 and it will work, or do I need the original WinXP MCE?¿
- And last, who will it work smoothly with a P3 866MHz?

Thanks again!

Yes it plays Divx files.

The other player would not be integrated but you can put a shortcut for any app
in a "Other Programs" DIR. under the Start menu and you can get to it from within MCE. When you select the proggie MCE will minimize and open the other app. Ahh. Another thing I don't like is when you exit out of the other program MCE does not maximize back. More of a nit pick but still I think it should do so.

The DVD player works like a DVD player. HA. Umm...regardless of what is playing, ie. MP3s or a Video off the HD, when you put a DVD in a window pops up and asks if you would like to watch the DVD move. You have all the normal controls from the remote, ie FF, FR, play, stop, etc. Yes it does require a codec to play DVDs, but I just installed the nVidia DVD player, free DL from the nVidia web site, and it just uses that codec. I have an ATI card and it still works fine.

You need the original MCE CDs. It's 2 CDs and you need to do a fresh install because it will ask for the 2nd CD in the middle of the install. Then after that you can do all the driver and Windows XP updates and then install the 2004 Upgrade which BTW looks much more polished then MCE Ver. 1.

I don't know if it will work smoth on your setup. You can see my setup in my sig.

Defiler · 11-13-2003, 09:22 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by sweetrobot2k

I certainly was impressed by the demos- this looks to have the perfect software interface for my 15" touchscreen lcd. Also, the package seems complete- my only worry, as u mentions, is the startup speed-i am going to test first with regular xp sp1, with some software for car media playback that starts up with windows, aand compare with XP media center.

Well the start up time wasn't what I was talking about. It's the time it takes when you first select "My Music". If you have a lot of MP3s, I have about 4500, the time it takes when you select "My Music" to the time it takes to bring up the list is about 2 to 5 seconds, but after that, if you wanted to play something else, it's almost instant. Again just a nit pick and hopefully/prolly something that could be fixed in the future.

XaCoSo · 11-13-2003, 09:33 AM

Wow! That's a fine answer

Thank you very much Defiler. Just one more question, do you use it with a 7" Touchscreen? If the answer is YES, it's easy the read-touch the letter-buttons? Not wanted to ask this, but I was trying to acces your setup webpage on your signature and it was impossible!

Defiler · 11-13-2003, 09:58 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by XaCoSo

Wow! That's a fine answer

Thank you very much Defiler. Just one more question, do you use it with a 7" Touchscreen? If the answer is YES, it's easy the read-touch the letter-buttons? Not wanted to ask this, but I was trying to acces your setup webpage on your signature and it was impossible!

Hmm...pulled up fine for me. Odd??? Anyway, yes I have a 7" screen but it is not Touchscreen. I use a creative remote for 95% of the controls. The other 5% would be the GPS software which I use the Touchpad and Keyboard for. And the screen is set to 1024 x 768 and I have the ATI software set to overscan to fill the screen up. It's very easy to read and would prolly work ok for touchscreens for the basic functions but maybe not for the FF, FR, stop, pause, and Vol + and -. Those controls pop up in the corner when the mouse is moved though.