Windows XP PRO or Windows MCE

L

lokodezine

New Member
I am getting a pc thorugh Monarchcomputers.com and was planning on getting a tv tuner for my pc with MCE, but seeing that Monarch does not offer a remote control with their TV Tuners (unless I get the Radeon All Wonder card, but heard that is not that great) I am questioning it.

I will be moving in about a month or two and was plaining on getting a large screen tv, but the only thing that is a plus with the tv tuner on your pc is that you can record shows without having to get tivo, etc.

My question is do the tv tuners that work for Windows XP perform just as well as the ones with MCE?

Also programs that say for OS: Windows 98/2000/XP does that mean they do not work with MCE? or is MCE considered XP?

Also any pros or cons to one or the other?
 
Windows MCE is simply XP Professional + the media center application.

I think its better than TIVO... It sure is cheaper!
I have a year old TV Tuner and the quality is still very, very good.
The MCE application has a wonderfull TV Guide and Recording shows is quite easy..

I am actually planning on buying a second TV Tuner because of course while you record something on a particular station you can not switch to another station... (when I bought my tv tuner they did not have dual TV Tuners (that might be a better buy now...)
 
mikee said:
will win xp media center work with any tv tuner card?
Click to expand...

Remember, the MCE application is built around WIN XP so (I would assume) any TV Tuner that works with Win XP will work with MCE.... But there are no absolutes in the world of computers... Best thing to do when you find a tuner you like, research or call the company and find out if its compatible with MCE.
 
what if you dont have a tv tuner or plan on getting one... still any benefits of MCE over XP?

Also can tuners perform just as good on XP as MCE?
 
lokodezine said:
what if you dont have a tv tuner or plan on getting one... still any benefits of MCE over XP?
Click to expand...

Well, theres My DVD, My TV, My MUSIC, My PICTURES, My VIDEOS.... The best part of the application is My TV.
Also can tuners perform just as good on XP as MCE?
Click to expand...

Well, I do not know. I have only had a TV Tuner in this computer (with MCE).
 
lokodezine said:
what good is mytv if u dont have tv tuner?

And what is MYTV that adds to having a tv tuner>?
Click to expand...

That is the point... Originially Microsoft only wanted to sell MCE with multimedia computers that have tv tuners...

MyTV is basically DVR... There is a TV guide like interface that you can search for shows up to 2 weeks in advance. You can record shows or series.. etc...

Anyway, I think if you do not have a TV Tuner and do not plan on purchasing one there is no real need for MCE. Windows Media Player (and the many other similar free products) have all the other features of MCE (picture viewer, video viewer, music player...)....
 
I would be in the same boat as you loko, i have satellite so i cant plug that into the card, but MCE is cheaper then XP pro alone, but its built off of xp pro. so if you arnt going to use any of MCE's features, you will still be making out since its cheaper.

and MCE is the only os that can support dual tv cards.
 
using MCE or not have nothing to do with your enjoyment.MCE just a combination of XP and a software named media center.some software to wath tv effects better than media center such as WinDVR.buy a tv card with tivo cost you a few money,maybe only about $20
 
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