xp professional vs. media center edition

[Guest]

I am about to buy a new computer. What OS to buy is my question given that
I want to be able to join a domain and have support for raid hard drives and
I want to be able to use the media center software to be able to have a tv
tuner supported options. Based upon my read of your string of text, it does
not appear as though I could get the system with Media Center and then
upgrade to Pro and still retain the functions of media center? What is
suggested?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I am about to buy a new computer. What OS to buy is my question
given that I want to be able to join a domain and have support for
raid hard drives and I want to be able to use the media center
software to be able to have a tv tuner supported options. Based
upon my read of your string of text, it does not appear as though I
could get the system with Media Center and then upgrade to Pro and
still retain the functions of media center? What is suggested?

You can use a TV Tuner without Media Center Edition. Been doing it for
years.

You can join a domain using MCE - but only at installation or with a hack
that is supposedly out there.
You do not (found this out today) have "cached logons" with MCE - but unless
you lose connectivity to your domain (that you would have had to join at
installation or hacked the OS to join) - that shouldn't be an issue.

Personally - I would get Windows XP Professional if I needed to join a
domain and use better third-party applications to use my TV Tuner.

http://www.videohelp.com/

 

[Ron Sommer]

To join a domain, you need XP Pro.
So, your question is How do I get a TV tuner for XP Pro.

 

[Malke]

I am about to buy a new computer. What OS to buy is my question given
that I want to be able to join a domain and have support for raid hard
drives and I want to be able to use the media center software to be
able to have a tv
tuner supported options. Based upon my read of your string of text,
it does not appear as though I could get the system with Media Center
and then
upgrade to Pro and still retain the functions of media center? What
is suggested?

You will need to make a decision about what you really want. It is
unusual to want a work machine to have Media Center functionality. If
you want a work machine that will be a domain member, buy XP Pro.
Otherwise, buy MCE. I would suggest buying Pro because you can always
put in TV tuner hardware which will have associated software.

Malke

 

[Guest]

Thanks, it seems the right choice is XP Pro and a third party tuner...now
I'll have to do some homework there.