Andrew Grant Runs Down Reasons to Stay with Media Center 2005

re: Andrew Grant Runs Down Reasons to Stay with Media Center 2005

Jaxim — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 02:08:16 GMT

Looking at Vista Media Center in the stores sure didn't "wow" me. There weren't many new features in the new version. And the few new features there are, seem to be incomplete. Just from what I've read and tested out, Vista Media Center seems to be on the same level as MCE2005: not a step backward, but far from being a leap ahead. The folks at Microsoft really need to add more programmers/designers to the Media Center team if they want to win the war over what computer company gets to play in living room's of the American family. Currently that's still Media Center for me, but I'm hoping to see some "Wow" factor in the coming months (as a service pack) or else others (i.e. Apple) may start catching up.

re: Andrew Grant Runs Down Reasons to Stay with Media Center 2005

Richard — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 21:38:46 GMT

I was running Vista Ultimate for a couple of months on my HTPC but the pain of lack of drivers and the relatively slower performance has caused me to go back to XP MCE 2005.

I actually prefer the XP MCE over Vista's MC.

Other than the lost eye candy I couldn't be happier. A pox on Vista and its DRM crap.

re: Andrew Grant Runs Down Reasons to Stay with Media Center 2005

Aaron — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 20:24:16 GMT

I too have seen them on Woot. But his rationale is bit misleading if Woot is his source for buying sub-$100 extenders.

Similarly, X360's "can" be bought for under $200 if you wait for the next Microcenter sale. And an X360 at $200 is a better deal compared to a V1 extender for $100 (IMO).

re: Andrew Grant Runs Down Reasons to Stay with Media Center 2005

chrisl — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 19:20:05 GMT

v1 Extenders have shown up twice on Woot.com over the past month or two. Other than that, I'm not sure. They generally go for more than $150 on eBay.

re: Andrew Grant Runs Down Reasons to Stay with Media Center 2005

Aaron — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 18:54:13 GMT

Well, here's the other side of the coin:

I've been running Vista for months now and I would never go back to MCE 2005. I really like the new interface. I've also gotten so accustomed to the new refinements that MCE2005 just seems clunky to me now. The new plugins that are being authored show a lot of promise and many contain functionality that's impossible in MCE2005.

Of course I got my license for free, it runs perfectly stable on my system, it's the Ultimate version, and I already had an X360.....so Andrews reasons are 100% invalid for me. Some of them are very subjective to begin with.

I'd also be curious as to where he recommends purchasing wireless V1 extenders for under $100.

Aaron

re: Andrew Grant Runs Down Reasons to Stay with Media Center 2005

Jedster — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 18:36:06 GMT

Very nice blog entry, Chris. I have to agree with you -- I'm sticking with MCE2005. I'm disappointed because I like Vista in almost every way -- except for its Media Center. In addition to all the points you made, the new Vista Media Center interface isn't simple and elegant like MCE2005. There are some nice improvements, to be sure, but on the whole there are too many bells and whistles, and that really detracts from my user experience. Especially since there are no new features, I'm sticking with MCE2005.