I am new the HTPC world. Would much appreciate if someone could let me know how to get a copo of Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
Ok, you can to buy the O.S. as OEM by it's self, at most pc stores. I'm from Australia, but I did a quick search at newegg.com and they sell it there, lots of other places will too. You'll also need to buy the mce remote, forget about using your tv tuner's one. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16832102311 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16880100851 In Oz, I'd pay about $150-170 for the O.S. and about $55 for the remote, so those prices look alright if you're in the U.S. I'd look through ebay too, you might pickup a good bargain (just watch out for those cheap MCE imatation remotes, get the real MS one). You'll need a video card that does directx 9 and tv tuner that has bda drivers and a hardware mpeg2 encoder onboard. Building an MCE machine isn't pain free, but it's worth it. Before you buy anything, read through some of these sites. http://www.thegreenbutton.com http://www.xpmce.com http://www.xpmediacentre.com.au P.S. you might want to have a look through the official MS MCE site too, and grab one of their sexy new MCE keyboards with onboard mouse when they come out very soon too. much better than a normal wireless Kb. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/default.mspx Cheers, have fun.
Thanks for the information. I have seen one advert in Australia for around $190 - where have you seen it for less?
Hey Keilor, Are you an Aussie too? Looks like the price has risen a bit since I last looked, $190 seems to be the going rate in Australia. I did see these two stores have it for $177 & $179 respectively. http://www.cwsydney.com.au/ (go to software/microsoft O.S.) http://www.hardlynormals.com.au/product_info.php?products_id=975 shopbot and staticICE are good places to check out prices too: http://www.staticice.com.au/ http://www.shopbot.com.au/ Hope that helps, and if you're an aussie, hit the www.xpmediacenter.com.au forums and readup, lots in there. Cheers.