xp media center vs home, pro

[cracklingice]

Ok, so my clients new computer is on media center and I think I like it. I may use it on my new computer, but first wanted to find out some more about it. Is media center based on either OS? Will using media center prevent me from doing things that I could do in either OS (such as Pro's encryption and use of mmc snap-ins)? Will media center slow down my gaming experience? Since I use my computer for DVD and TV media center seems to be a good choice. Bring on the facts and opinions.

[dantheman]

Media Center edition is basically Home edition with some added features. If you can do something in home edition, it can be done on media center edition. Gaming shouldn't be effected too much, if any at all. I know my friend games on his computer which has media center edition, but I really couldn't tell you if it slows down gaming performance. My guess would be that if it does, the performance drop won't be substantial. If you can put media center edition's features to use, go for it.

[cracklingice]

They need a pro version then because I want snap-ins and encryption too. Or even better, offer media center as something along the lines of a plus pack.

[AMDfan]

I was told by a guy in PC World that it was an expansion for any XP OS. He also said that MS is releasing a new media centre at the start of next year and that its prob worth waiting for.

[AKHandyman]

Which is another reason for waiting for AMD's release of AM2 socket tech and the new ATI R580 GPU ... :D

[cracklingice]

What is a Media Center Extender?
Windows Media Center Extender devices are used to connect Media Center PCs with TVs and monitors in the home, extending Media Center experiences to any room in the house. You can also connect an Xbox 360 with Media Center Extender technology to your PC running Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 through your wired or wireless home network, and access all of your TV, music, photos, movies, and Online Spotlight content through the Xbox 360
Can I connect a new PC running Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 to a work network or domain?
While you can access network resources on a work network or a domain, you cannot join a Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 PC to the domain. PCs running Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 are designed specifically for home use. Windows XP Professional features, specifically Domain Join and Cached Credentials (Credentials Manager for logons) are not included. As a result, you will be prompted for your logon user name and password to access network resources after you reboot or log back on to the PC. In addition, file shares or network resources that are set to require a domain-joined PC for access will not be available. Remote Desktop and Encrypting File System support are still included.

Sweet - I am so getting it.