Was gonna install Windows Media Center but wanted to know if I can play Divx on it. Also would I be able to play divx if I hook up an xbox 360?

1/22/2006 11:53:22 AM

how are you gonna 'install' wmc?

1/22/2006 1:53:09 PM

how else do you get it on your computer

1/22/2006 1:54:21 PM

explain this:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/howtobuy/default.mspx

Quote :

" Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 is only available pre-installed on computers sold by PC manufacturers. You can purchase a PC with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 pre-installed at retail consumer electronic stores, direct from PC manufacturers, or through online consumer electronics Web sites."

[Edited on January 22, 2006 at 1:58 PM. Reason : e]

1/22/2006 1:57:52 PM

Quote :

"Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 is an operating system that is only available on Media Center PCs. Because of special hardware requirements, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005-based PCs are available only from Microsoft PC Manufacturer partners."

[Edited on January 22, 2006 at 2:01 PM. Reason : b]

1/22/2006 1:58:52 PM

That statement is not even remotely true:

1. You can buy MCE on ebay.
2. Any microsoft partner can get OEM copies of MCE (and I do, in fact, have one)

1/22/2006 2:04:24 PM

do you have these hardware components that ms is talking about here?

1/22/2006 2:06:32 PM

do you have it installed?

1/22/2006 2:07:02 PM

explain this
http://tinyurl.com/aez5s

1/22/2006 2:07:29 PM

DO YOU HAVE THE PROPER HARDWARE FOR THIS SOFTWARE?

1/22/2006 2:08:27 PM

BECAUSE YOU CANT GET THE HARDWARE YOU NEED UNLESS YOU BUY A DELL

1/22/2006 2:08:51 PM

i am about to call ms right now and sk them about this software.

i understand what you guys are saying here, but why would ms post a blatant lie right on their website

1/22/2006 2:12:24 PM

ms apparently wasnt counting on ebay and microsoft partners selling it

1/22/2006 2:14:34 PM

also, is there anyone here that has actually installed this software on a pc that was not designated to have the wmc version of xp installed on it?

1/22/2006 2:14:41 PM

it says:

Quote :

"Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 is an operating system that is only available on Media Center PCs."

who here has a wmc pc?

[Edited on January 22, 2006 at 2:16 PM. Reason : []

1/22/2006 2:16:25 PM

i know someone that has purchased wmc online and put it on a system he built
its pretty sweet setup with his home theater

1/22/2006 2:20:39 PM

so in oter words, ms has lied... again

1/22/2006 2:23:03 PM

guess so

and to the original topic, i see no reason why you couldnt play divx files

1/22/2006 2:23:33 PM

hate to tell you seedless, but you can buy mce2005, and there is a much larger list of compatible tuners for it, that can also be purchased separately.

1/22/2006 2:55:48 PM

ok, thx neon
i think i will just wait until i get my new pc and get already pre-installed, since i do not know much about the software, yet

1/22/2006 2:57:16 PM

Let me cear some things up:


The OEM version of MCE 2004 is EXACTLY identical to Windows XP Home with the addition of the Media Center software. The media center software does pretty much the same thing as GBPVR or MythTV (for linux). The media center software only supports a VERY SMALL NUMBER of tuners (Hauppauge tuners with MCE in the part number -- PVR 150 MCE and PVR 500 MCE, and a couple other brands) with MPEG-2 encoders. GBPVR and MythTV support a far greater number of tuners, including those without built in MPEG encoders (hauppauge WinTV PVR 150, 250, etc, and other brands).

The final OEM version of MCE 2005 is EXACTLY identical to Windows XP PROFESSIONAL (the prereleased versions were XP home). There are some improvements to the MCE software, but it still only supports MCE branded tuners.

The specially branded tuners are the special hardware referred to by Microsoft. They use a proprietary wrapper (dvr-ms) on MPEG-2 files (which tends to limit cross-platform compatibility).

The absolute best option for building a DVR computer is Linux with MythTV. If you already have a tuner and you didn't buy it specifically for MCE compatibility, then it's more than likely NOT compatible.

The Xbox 360 will only play videos recorded in dvr-ms format as far as I know because the operating system on the xbox doesn't include decoders.


I hope that clears it up.

1/22/2006 4:48:42 PM

Also, if you want to build a Media Center specifically for Xbox 360 compatibility, there's a program that will transcode your video files to ones compatible with the 360. However, at least for the time being I'm pretty sure you need a computer with MCE, SP2, and the recently released update for media center that adds 360 support. However, you could use GBPVR with your non-MCE tuner and transcode your files so you can share them with your 360 via media center.

1/22/2006 4:52:41 PM

One more thing. It is against the agreement between Microsoft and its partners for the partner to distribute the OS as stand-alone. As such, there is no LEGAL way to obtain MCE for your home computer unless you are a Microsoft partner (or action pack subscriber) or you buy a Media Center computer from a partner.



Edit: I didn't answer one of the original questions. Since MCE is just windows XP with another program (and some little added features -- nothing special), you can play ANY format of video on it that Windows XP can play, provided you install proper codecs.

[Edited on January 22, 2006 at 4:57 PM. Reason : ]

1/22/2006 4:55:59 PM