Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Full Version OEM for PC - 3 Pack (M93-00091)

Pros: Easy to use, installs like any other Windows, highly featured
Cons: Few features missing, Windows-based are inherently unstable at times

Tivo have changed the way we watched TV. However, not everyone wants to pay for the monthly service that goes along with it. The free "basic" is too basic to be useful. So what else is there? For a long time now, PC enthusiasts already knew that ...

Pros: Super easy to use and very fun to have your media "all in one."
Cons: Computer code wont replace hard wired devices...yet.

I recently bought a refurbished Dell Dimension 8400 for mainly business use and part of the package was the new Windows Media Center 2005. In some ways I wish it didn’t come with the media center because, of course, the new toy has to be played with ...

Pros: Easy to use, even fun
Cons: Buy a pre-built system and let someone ELSE deal with the headaches.

Well, we had been talking about it for a long time. I had seen Media Center demoed a few times, and liked what I saw. Being a techno-weenie, I figured that I'd build my own media center computer, and replace my 200 CD jukebox and my DVD player. ...

Pros: Can record TV, good interface
Cons: Records to DVD in DVR-MS format, not DVD VOB, total system price is high

Why did I choose this? I got a DVD recorder when my Sony SLV-81 VCR stopped working, but the DVD recorder had only 4 recording slots. So the DVD recorder went back to Radio Shack, and I got Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Media Center Edition 2005 ...

Pros: Fine just for watching TV, but no way to justify the immense expense.
Cons: Copy protection on broadcast television....The latest new low in consumer options.

Are you looking to set up a digital replacement for your clunky old VCR? Are you looking to copy live TV to your hard drive for editing and burning to recordable media? Well Windows XP Pro Media Center Edition is definitely NOT for you! That's what I ...

Pros: Functions for your computer to be used as an entertainment center hub for your home.
Cons: Compatibility issues with some third party software and drivers hinder productivity usage.

There are some issues with compatibility with this operating system. Some high end software does not run smoothly on this OS. There are also issues with drivers. My Wacom Tablet, Lexmark printer, and some of my programs do not work correctly on this OS.

These items all work without issues on both XP home and XP Professional. Media Center is built on Professional and while some additional functionality for using your computer as an entertainment hub may be nice if that is what you are looking for these added features really are not worth the issues they cause with other programs and drivers for those who plan to use the same computer for productivity.

Pros: automatically download guide, easy to set recording of series, nice UI
Cons: audio of recordings disappears when we use video conferencing software

We love our media center. We don't own a tv, instead we use a tv tuner card. The guide is fantastic and the search capability is great. No need to painfully browse the channels. However, somehow all our recordings lost their audio if we use voip while the recording is on.

Pros: OK PVR, but Microsoft can do better
Cons: Expensive. Very. Limited tech support, very expensive tech support ($30), hogs system resources.

Windows XP MCE was an OK product. Not much different from XP Home, except for the price. I never got to try the PVR because it spewed the BSoD (Blue screen of death) every time I tried to use the actual media center.
After 2 hours, yes TWO HOURS ON HOLD, I decided to scrap it. I returned it, but got charged for tech support fees, even though I didn't speak to a human being.