Trying to convince my dad.

[hool10]

My dad and I just built this huge media center pc. Over a terabyte of HD space and 4 GB of RAM to watch tv on and store shows on too. In the future it will be used in the den as a media center with an HDTV. We recently ran out of how many times we can install XP though. My dad figures he doesn't want the nice looking version of Vista though. He also says that Windows Media Center probably sucks and is willing to spend up to $100 on seperate software that Vista already gives. I said the reviews were good though but he said those people were paid by Windows to say that. :| I told him just to buy XP because that's what he's getting but he want's basic anyways. He was going to use software also that specifically says that can't run on Vista or XP for that matter. He was also going to use a Radeon 9100 on Vista. But for some reason my x800XL runs on his pc not mine so I'm stuck with the 9100 while he gets my card: http://www.halflife2.net/forums/showthread.php?t=117746.
He's trying to use other software also that clearly states it's not compatible with Vista but he says it's compatible and if not he will find a work-around that someone will code.

He obviously doesn't know what he wants and I'm trying to convince him to get the Home Premium instead of the ghetto version of Home Basic.
My mom doesn't even know jack about computers and just goes on ebay but she even says that Premium looks loads better. Should my dad go with Premium or Basic?

 

[63]

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/editions/default.mspx

If you're going to use this as a media center, go with Premium.

 

[giant384]

yup go with premium. imo basic is just a slight upgrade from xp.

 

[Stigmata]

Premium.

 

[63]

Wtf is wrong with you cyberpitz.

 

[DrDevin]

What are you going to use besides MCE?

I would suggest going with:

"Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 with SP2 OEM English W/ Vista Upgrade Coupon"

You get MCE 2005 now and a copy of Vista Home Premium when Vista is released to consumers.

If not it would be a waste to buy XP now when vista is going to be released so soon.

 

[Asus]

Look into the Premium because Vista will be more strict with what recording devices it allows. Such as the new ATI/AMD digital tuner for digital cable requires at least Premium. I have also heard tuners like the analog one I have (ATI 550 chip) won't be allowed to work on Vista at all. We'll see but I bet you'll want the Premium but not because you will be using MCE but because of the DRM needed to get some of that stuff to work.

Do some research on forums that deal with TV capture and Vista.

 

[Iced_Eagle]

Oh my god I can't even stress how much you shouldn't get Basic...

It's very limiting and if you're going to upgrade don't half-ass it and get something you will later ask why you didn't spend the extra money to get the next-step up.

Premium is really the only way to go for home users without going to Ultimate.

 

[Revisedsoul]

how can you run out of amout of times to install xp. i get a messaged every few formats, but i just call the ms number and all set

 

[Asus]

how can you run out of amout of times to install xp. i get a messaged every few formats, but i just call the ms number and all set

Exactly. Just give em a call (number is on the Activate window) and they will activate it over the phone as well as reset it so you can reinstall WinXP a number of times without calling them again.