I know this may sound like a stupid question but do you need a media center pc to Install Windows Xp: Media Center Edition? I want to be able to use the MC functions on my xbox to pause, rewind, record live TV etc. Is there any possibly way?
I have windows media edition installed on a homebuilt semprom 2800. It runs most excellent.
But if you will be using it to record tv, make sure you get a tv tuner card with a hardware encoder. I recommend at least get the hauppgauge pvr-150. a tuner card with a built-in hardware encoder will do all the work instead of the cpu.
So if I buy the card you reccomended and get XP: MCE I should be able to pause, rewind, record and all that good stuff from my xbox the same if I were to have a Media Center PC? Does it cost money to get the TV functions to work? Is it totally free?
EDIT > So, it turns out, you cannot buy or download XP: Media Center Edition seperately. It has to be given to you with the purchase of a new computer. So I guess this idea is down the drian.
That's only partly true. You're suppose to be an OEM to purchase and install MCE, but you can certainly do it yourself. Here's a link if you're interested in buying it.
Also, assuming that you already have access to television (cable or antenna) then you can watch TV on your computer without any additional charge. As for your Xbox, you'll have to setup the media extender features to be able to watch videos on your Xbox streamed from your PC.
As long as the tuner card you buy is compatible with MCE, you'll be good to go. The main reason MS made MCE OEM only is to make sure that all of the parts are compatible. Since MCE doesn't work with every tuner card, they didn't want the average Joe to install MCE and then call Microsoft when it didn't work. You can read more about MCE 2005 from Microsoft's website (link here).
Here's a list of the OEM parts that are approved for MCE (link here). It's an excel spreadsheet, so if you don't have excel you won't be able to view it. The list is probably out on the web somewhere as well.
Well, This is good news then.
I am not old enough to get a credit card so if you didn't mind, could you guyd please recommend a good TV Tuner card to use, preferably one that I can pickup instore since I have no way to pay for it online.
In my opinion, Hauppauge makes one of the best TV capture cards. Since you're looking to use MCE, you should probably choose a kit from the following link.
This kit is guaranteed compatible with MCE, plus it includes a remote control. There are a few models to choose from, but mostly that depends on whether you want a single tuner or a dual tuner card. The dual tuner will allow you to watch one show and record another. I buy most of my parts online, so I'm not sure if you'll find this model in a local store.
