what XP edition !!! very confused

[Barn owl]

I am in the UK. I will soon need to buy a new computer. The company I
normally buy from is offering as standard the XP media edition of windows.
I have a choice of the standard home XP edition also. Makes no difference to
the cost.

Question.. Is there a downside to choosing the "media edition". In other
words are there facilities in the standard XP home edition that cannot be
found on the "Media edition"???. I can't say at the present that I need much
of the do dar offered on the "media edition" but cannot predict what I might
need in the near future as TV and media toys multiply at an alarming rate.
.

I have looked and looked at the microsoft site explaining all about the
media edition. What I cannot establish from those sites is if there is any
important differences between the two options.

If the media XP edition does all and more than the standard XP edition then
why does Microsoft offer two different home versions!!! If I choose the XP
home edition I sacrifice the advantages of the media edition. What if
anything do I sacrifice if I choose the XP media edition...!!!. Sorry to
sound so confused but that is just what I am. "Confused" .

As I have said the links to explanation the operating systems fail to answer
my basic question..Does XP media edition have all of the facilities of the
XP home edition.

I note that other adverts I see that they are thus far not promoting the
media edition.....Should this be a clue.......Regards.....

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I am in the UK. I will soon need to buy a new computer. The company I
normally buy from is offering as standard the XP media edition of
windows. I have a choice of the standard home XP edition also. Makes
no difference to the cost.

Question.. Is there a downside to choosing the "media edition". In
other words are there facilities in the standard XP home edition that
cannot be found on the "Media edition"???.

No. XP Home is a subset of XP Professional, and XP Professional is a subset
of Media Edition, with one exception. There's only only one thing in
Professional that's not also in Media Edition, and that's the ability to
join a domain. Since that's not in Home either, you lose nothing by choosing
Media Edition over Home.

 

[Anando [MS-MVP]]

Hello,

Windows XP Media Center Edition is a subset of Windows XP Professional. It has all the
functionalities of a Windows XP Professional machine, alongwith the Media Center capabilities. More
information about Windows XP Media Center Edition here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/evaluation/features.mspx

The only function that you might miss in a media center pc is the ability to join a domain. You can
only join a domain under Windows XP MCE during the initial installation of the operating system.

Five editions of Windows XP compared
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/evaluation/compare.mspx

--

Anando
Microsoft MVP- Windows Shell/User
http://www.microsoft.com/mvp
http://www.mvps.org


Folder customizations
http://newdelhi.sancharnet.in/minku

Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

 

[Yves Leclerc]

No. XP Home is a subset of XP Professional, and XP Professional is a subset
of Media Edition, with one exception. There's only only one thing in
Professional that's not also in Media Edition, and that's the ability to
join a domain. Since that's not in Home either, you lose nothing by choosing
Media Edition over Home.

You have it wrong! Media Edition is a subset of XP Professional. In the
normal Media Edition, you can not "join" a Windows Server domain.

Media Edition is "geared" to be a storage of all your media files (audio,
video etc..) If you have all the correct components, then you can also use a
Media Edition as a Personal Video Recording (PVR) system.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hello,

Windows XP Media Center Edition is a subset of Windows XP
Professional.

A typo, I'm sure. You mean "superset."

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

You have it wrong!

No, I don't. .

Media Edition is a subset of XP Professional.

No it's not. It's a *superset* of XP Professional. It has everything in XP
Professional (with one exception) plus the extra media-related features.

In
the normal Media Edition, you can not "join" a Windows Server domain.

That's correct. That's the exception that I noted above, and that I also
stated in my original post in this thread, quoted above.

 

[Anando [MS-MVP]]

Actually no, i meant "Subset". I could not find any official link confirming this, but it is
confirmed by Cnet. I quote:

"Microsoft today officially launched its Media Center OS into the Australian market at an event at
Domayne in Alexandria. The OS, which is a subset of its core Windows XP operating system, offers
integrated multimedia functionality ..."

http://www.cnet.com.au/desktops/pcs/0,39029439,40001806,00.htm
13th October, 2004.

--

Anando
Microsoft MVP- Windows Shell/User
http://www.microsoft.com/mvp
http://www.mvps.org


Folder customizations
http://newdelhi.sancharnet.in/minku

Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Actually no, i meant "Subset". I could not find any official link
confirming this, but it is confirmed by Cnet. I quote:

"Microsoft today officially launched its Media Center OS into the
Australian market at an event at Domayne in Alexandria. The OS, which
is a subset of its core Windows XP operating system, offers
integrated multimedia functionality ..."
http://www.cnet.com.au/desktops/pcs/0,39029439,40001806,00.htm
13th October, 2004.

Well, it says that, but it's not correct. It's a superset. It has everything
in XP Professional (with the exceptions that it can't join a domain and
can't connect to a wireless network) plus the extra media-related features.

Read here: http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/editions/xp-pro/media.mspx

 

[Anando [MS-MVP]]

Well, Windows XP MCE can join a domain only when you are setting it up and installing it. During the
installation setup prompts if you want to make the machine a part of a domain or a workgroup.

Although the webpage mentions that Winodws XP MCE cannot join a Wi-Fi network, but I am not too sure
of it. Specially since the following update which adds WPA2 capability is also available for Windows
XP Media Center Edition:

Update for Windows XP (KB893357)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...4d-e7c1-48d6-95ee-1459234f4483&displaylang=en
--

Anando
Microsoft MVP- Windows Shell/User
http://www.microsoft.com/mvp
http://www.mvps.org


Folder customizations
http://newdelhi.sancharnet.in/minku

Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

Actually no, i meant "Subset". I could not find any official link
confirming this, but it is confirmed by Cnet. I quote:

"Microsoft today officially launched its Media Center OS into the
Australian market at an event at Domayne in Alexandria. The OS, which
is a subset of its core Windows XP operating system, offers
integrated multimedia functionality ..."
http://www.cnet.com.au/desktops/pcs/0,39029439,40001806,00.htm
13th October, 2004.

Well, it says that, but it's not correct. It's a superset. It has everything in XP Professional
(with the exceptions that it can't join a domain and can't connect to a wireless network) plus the
extra media-related features.

Read here: http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/editions/xp-pro/media.mspx

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

Anando [MS-MVP] wrote:

Hello,

Windows XP Media Center Edition is a subset of Windows XP
Professional.


A typo, I'm sure. You mean "superset."

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup



It has all the functionalities of a Windows XP
Professional machine, alongwith the Media Center capabilities. More
information about Windows XP Media Center Edition here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/evaluation/features.mspx

The only function that you might miss in a media center pc is the
ability to join a domain. You can only join a domain under Windows
XP MCE during the initial installation of the operating system.
Five editions of Windows XP compared
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/evaluation/compare.mspx


I am in the UK. I will soon need to buy a new computer. The
company I normally buy from is offering as standard the XP media edition of
windows. I have a choice of the standard home XP edition also.
Makes no difference to the cost.

Question.. Is there a downside to choosing the "media edition". In
other words are there facilities in the standard XP home edition
that cannot be found on the "Media edition"???. I can't say at the
present that I need much of the do dar offered on the "media
edition" but cannot predict what I might need in the near future as
TV and media toys multiply at an alarming rate. .

I have looked and looked at the microsoft site explaining all about
the media edition. What I cannot establish from those sites is if
there is any important differences between the two options.

If the media XP edition does all and more than the standard XP
edition then why does Microsoft offer two different home
versions!!! If I choose the XP home edition I sacrifice the advantages of the
media edition. What if anything do I sacrifice if I choose the XP
media edition...!!!. Sorry to sound so confused but that is just
what I am. "Confused" . As I have said the links to explanation
the operating systems fail to answer my basic question..Does XP
media edition have all of the facilities of the XP home edition.

I note that other adverts I see that they are thus far not
promoting the media edition.....Should this be a clue.......Regards.....

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Well, Windows XP MCE can join a domain only when you are setting it
up and installing it. During the installation setup prompts if you
want to make the machine a part of a domain or a workgroup.
Although the webpage mentions that Winodws XP MCE cannot join a Wi-Fi
network, but I am not too sure of it

Yes, I'm suspicious of that statement too.

But all other XP Professional features also exist in MCE, so Professional
is--with that exception or two, as I said--a subset of MCE.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

. Specially since the following
update which adds WPA2 capability is also available for Windows XP
Media Center Edition:
Update for Windows XP (KB893357)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...4d-e7c1-48d6-95ee-1459234f4483&displaylang=en

Actually no, i meant "Subset". I could not find any official link
confirming this, but it is confirmed by Cnet. I quote:

"Microsoft today officially launched its Media Center OS into the
Australian market at an event at Domayne in Alexandria. The OS,
which is a subset of its core Windows XP operating system, offers
integrated multimedia functionality ..."
http://www.cnet.com.au/desktops/pcs/0,39029439,40001806,00.htm
13th October, 2004.

Well, it says that, but it's not correct. It's a superset. It has
everything in XP Professional (with the exceptions that it can't
join a domain and can't connect to a wireless network) plus the
extra media-related features. Read here:
http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/editions/xp-pro/media.mspx --
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

Anando [MS-MVP] wrote:

Hello,

Windows XP Media Center Edition is a subset of Windows XP
Professional.


A typo, I'm sure. You mean "superset."

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup



It has all the functionalities of a Windows XP
Professional machine, alongwith the Media Center capabilities.
More information about Windows XP Media Center Edition here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/evaluation/features.mspx

The only function that you might miss in a media center pc is the
ability to join a domain. You can only join a domain under Windows
XP MCE during the initial installation of the operating system.
Five editions of Windows XP compared
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/evaluation/compare.mspx


I am in the UK. I will soon need to buy a new computer. The
company I normally buy from is offering as standard the XP media
edition of windows. I have a choice of the standard home XP
edition also. Makes no difference to the cost.

Question.. Is there a downside to choosing the "media edition".
In other words are there facilities in the standard XP home edition
that cannot be found on the "Media edition"???. I can't say at
the present that I need much of the do dar offered on the "media
edition" but cannot predict what I might need in the near future
as TV and media toys multiply at an alarming rate. .

I have looked and looked at the microsoft site explaining all
about the media edition. What I cannot establish from those sites is
if
there is any important differences between the two options.

If the media XP edition does all and more than the standard XP
edition then why does Microsoft offer two different home
versions!!! If I choose the XP home edition I sacrifice the
advantages of the media edition. What if anything do I sacrifice
if I choose the XP media edition...!!!. Sorry to sound so confused
but that is just
what I am. "Confused" . As I have said the links to explanation
the operating systems fail to answer my basic question..Does XP
media edition have all of the facilities of the XP home edition.

I note that other adverts I see that they are thus far not
promoting the media edition.....Should this be a
clue.......Regards.....

 

[HeyBub]

I am in the UK. I will soon need to buy a new computer. The company I
normally buy from is offering as standard the XP media edition of
windows. I have a choice of the standard home XP edition also. Makes
no difference to the cost.

Question.. Is there a downside to choosing the "media edition". In
other words are there facilities in the standard XP home edition that
cannot be found on the "Media edition"???. I can't say at the present
that I need much of the do dar offered on the "media edition" but
cannot predict what I might need in the near future as TV and media
toys multiply at an alarming rate. .

I have looked and looked at the microsoft site explaining all about
the media edition. What I cannot establish from those sites is if
there is any important differences between the two options.

If the media XP edition does all and more than the standard XP
edition then why does Microsoft offer two different home versions!!!
If I choose the XP home edition I sacrifice the advantages of the
media edition. What if anything do I sacrifice if I choose the XP
media edition...!!!. Sorry to sound so confused but that is just
what I am. "Confused" .

As I have said the links to explanation the operating systems fail to
answer my basic question..Does XP media edition have all of the
facilities of the XP home edition.

I note that other adverts I see that they are thus far not promoting
the media edition.....Should this be a clue.......Regards.....

It's really easy to eliminate the confusion. Relocate from UK to, say,
Canada or the US.

Presto! Problem solved.

 

[Richard]

No, I don't. .




No it's not. It's a *superset* of XP Professional. It has everything in XP
Professional (with one exception) plus the extra media-related features.




That's correct. That's the exception that I noted above, and that I also
stated in my original post in this thread, quoted above.

Professional lets you run a motherboard with two processors or a dual core
processor.

Richard.

 

[JJ]

Your the MVP and I'm not, but I have two HP PC's one running XP Medai
Center Edition 2004 and one running Media Center Edition 2005.

It has been my understanding that MCE 2004 was based on XP Pro and MCE
2005 is based on XP Home.

No. XP Home is a subset of XP Professional, and XP Professional is a subset
of Media Edition, with one exception. There's only only one thing in
Professional that's not also in Media Edition, and that's the ability to
join a domain. Since that's not in Home either, you lose nothing by choosing
Media Edition over Home.

John "J.J." Jackson

 

[JJ]

As I said above its my impression that MCE 2004 is based on XP Pro and
that MCE 2005 is based on XP Home.

Anyhow, I have both and the PC that is running MCE 2005 is a dual core
Pentium.

Professional lets you run a motherboard with two processors or a dual core
processor.

Richard.

John "J.J." Jackson

 

[alandjjewell]

And I was confused *before* I started readings these posts...!
Perhaps someone could help me with the answer to a very simple question
(I'm a very simple person): if the difference in price were negligible,
why would someone choose MCE over Home or vice versa?
(I think my question is a subset of the original poster's
question...)

 

[Lem]

And I was confused *before* I started readings these posts...!
Perhaps someone could help me with the answer to a very simple question
(I'm a very simple person): if the difference in price were negligible,
why would someone choose MCE over Home or vice versa?
(I think my question is a subset of the original poster's
question...)

It's really pretty simple. "Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 is only
available pre-installed on computers sold by PC manufacturers." These
typically are called "Media Center PCs."
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/howtobuy/default.mspx

Such Media Center PCs often have extra hardware that works with the extra
features included in Windows MCE, such as TV tuners, remote controls, and
DVD burners. For example, Gateway says that, at a minimum, a Media Center
PC should have 512 MB of RAM and a DVD-ROM, a CD-RW/DVD combo or a DVD±RW
drive. Gateway recommends 1024 MB RAM, a DVD±R/±RW drive, a TV tuner and
remote control, and Intel® Pentium® D Processors with dual-core processing.

So, if you really could get a real "Media Center PC" that was negligibly
different in price from a non-Media Center PC, the answer would be clear --
get the one with the fancier hardware. Who knows, you might even get
interested in burning your own collection of The Sopranos. Of course, PC
vendors often install MCE on low-end hardware and call the result "Media
Center ready" or "entry level multimedia" (see, e.g.,
http://tinyurl.com/bfaav). What that means is that you can go out and buy
hardware upgrades, and if you do, your OS will have the features to use
them.