Review : Windows XP Media Center Edition was designed for home entertainment. The entertainment functions of the Media Center are available in Vista Home Premium and Vista Ultimate.
The Media Center, in edition to its media uses it retains most of the same functions as the XP Home version such as the ability to run other Microsoft programs, play games, check email and explore the Internet.
This OS is extremely easy to use and you can operate many of its functions from a remote control. It is intended to be connected to a home entertainment system and displayed through your television, although you can purchase a media center PC, laptop or portable that also comes with Windows XP Media Center.
With this operating system, you can easily edit and organize video, audio and photos, as well as access online content such as movies, Internet radio stations and podcasts. It can display album art plus thumbnail images of your personal video clips. With a wireless keyboard you can even IM from your couch while you are watching a TV show.
In order to use this OS to its fullest potential you need compatible hardware such as a television and stereo that can connect to a PC, remote control, wireless keyboard and mouse as well as high–speed Internet.
The Media Center, in edition to its media uses it retains most of the same functions as the XP Home version such as the ability to run other Microsoft programs, play games, check email and explore the Internet.
This OS is extremely easy to use and you can operate many of its functions from a remote control. It is intended to be connected to a home entertainment system and displayed through your television, although you can purchase a media center PC, laptop or portable that also comes with Windows XP Media Center.
With this operating system, you can easily edit and organize video, audio and photos, as well as access online content such as movies, Internet radio stations and podcasts. It can display album art plus thumbnail images of your personal video clips. With a wireless keyboard you can even IM from your couch while you are watching a TV show.
In order to use this OS to its fullest potential you need compatible hardware such as a television and stereo that can connect to a PC, remote control, wireless keyboard and mouse as well as high–speed Internet.
Home and Office Use:This is a good OS for home use if you intend to use your PC for entertainment. However, if you only need a computer for basic home computing, then an economy computer with the XP Home version would be a more inexpensive choice.
Unless you plan on watching movies at work all day, this is not the operating system for you. This OS is intended for entertainment and doesn’t offer the high level of security and networking that businesses require. On the other hand, it can run office applications and is compatible with 12 languages and Unicode.
Unless you plan on watching movies at work all day, this is not the operating system for you. This OS is intended for entertainment and doesn’t offer the high level of security and networking that businesses require. On the other hand, it can run office applications and is compatible with 12 languages and Unicode.
Multimedia:
This OS installed in a powerful media PC and connected to your entertainment system is the best you can get for home entertainment. With this combination you can share personal video or funny clips with your friends and family on a big screen TV. It can play music, games and music videos and you can display and edit album information. It can also download movies from the Internet and can be used to chat or share images.
XP Media Center can also perform basic computing functions such as run Microsoft office programs and popular media programs like audio, video and photo editing software. This OS is compatible with portable devices as well as digital cameras.
Keep in mind that media use requires a top of the line computer, you will likely not be happy with the performance of a low end model. When shopping for a media center PC look for a fast processor (2.8+ and preferably a dual), a big hard drive (250GB+), a GB or more of RAM and a good graphics and sound card. You can also find media server models that offer memory capacities in the multiple terabyte range. Additionally, if you have dial up it could take an exceptionally long time to download a movie from a movie service. If you plan on using your media PC for this purpose you will want to get high–speed Internet
XP Media Center can also perform basic computing functions such as run Microsoft office programs and popular media programs like audio, video and photo editing software. This OS is compatible with portable devices as well as digital cameras.
Keep in mind that media use requires a top of the line computer, you will likely not be happy with the performance of a low end model. When shopping for a media center PC look for a fast processor (2.8+ and preferably a dual), a big hard drive (250GB+), a GB or more of RAM and a good graphics and sound card. You can also find media server models that offer memory capacities in the multiple terabyte range. Additionally, if you have dial up it could take an exceptionally long time to download a movie from a movie service. If you plan on using your media PC for this purpose you will want to get high–speed Internet
Security: This OS offers basic security functions like a firewall, pop–up blockers, antispyware and antivirus elements needed for basic computing. However, it does not offer the high level of security needed for networking business computers.
Networking:
This OS is not designed for office use, so offers few networking features. But it can communicate with an Xbox 360 so you can in a sense “broadcast” your media from your media center PC to an Xbox connected to another television. This requires the additional purchase of a Media Center Extender set–up box or Media Center Extender for Xbox.
Ease of Use:
This OS is remarkably easy to use and can be operated with a media center remote control or from a wireless keyboard and mouse. It provides large, easily identifiable visuals to make navigation effortless.
Windows Media Center XP is ideal for its intended use, it comes preinstalled and updates are free. The only impractical aspect of this OS is that it requires an above average PC to run it to its fullest potential, which can get costly. Additionally, Vista Ultimate and Home Premium will include all of the media center functions and much more if you are not in a hurry.
This OS will work with a media center laptop. If you want a laptop for media use, keep in mind that few laptops will run your media as well as a high–end media PC. However, laptops are beginning to emerge with dual processors, graphics accelerators and TV tuners.
Windows Media Center XP is ideal for its intended use, it comes preinstalled and updates are free. The only impractical aspect of this OS is that it requires an above average PC to run it to its fullest potential, which can get costly. Additionally, Vista Ultimate and Home Premium will include all of the media center functions and much more if you are not in a hurry.
This OS will work with a media center laptop. If you want a laptop for media use, keep in mind that few laptops will run your media as well as a high–end media PC. However, laptops are beginning to emerge with dual processors, graphics accelerators and TV tuners.
Technical Help/Support:
Although this program is easy to use and you should not encounter many problems, Microsoft does not offer as many help topics for this OS as it does for XP Professional.
Summary:
For media this is the best operating system previously available. If you enjoy the elements of the Media Center select Vista Home Premium when you upgrade or Vista Ultimate if you want to use your computer for business and entertainment.
For media this is the best operating system previously available. If you enjoy the elements of the Media Center select Vista Home Premium when you upgrade or Vista Ultimate if you want to use your computer for business and entertainment.
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