Vista as a reaplcement to MCE

[Synchro]

I have ordered my copy of Vista and I'll be installing it when I get home.

What I'd like is a heads up from anyone who has been looking to use it as a replacement to XP with its MCE frontend (or XP with another front end)?

I have been an avid MCE user for about a year now. It sist in my Lounge and the whole family use it.

I'm trying the RC1 Vista release with a view to.....maybe replacing MCE.

1) What extra fetures will Vista provide?

2) What features will I not see in Vista, that MCE does provide?

3) Anything else that you may think of?

Ta,

Syn

[originalbadboy]

All I can say is .. its Beta so dont be surprised if it doesnt work properly!

MCE on Vista looks a lot nicer , and quicker as well , but until the final version arrives its possibily as useful as a chocolate fireguard ...

From personal expereince (not tried RC1 for MCE), when I have tried MCE with the hardware I have, it would always blue screen after about ten minutes of live TV. (But as stated that was Pre RC1, so things may have changed since then).

Not to mention the fact that the Beta will run out in June 2007, so you will be looking at a re-install either then ,or when the final version arrives. (Doesnt bother me, but some people arent 'tweakers')

[Synchro]

Ta,

Aye, not bothered about it running out in June, if I've got on well with it till then, i'll deffo be changing over to it.

Does it have a Media Centre type interface, or do you just use media player type programs, for music and video, then another program for TV?

[Stiggy]

Does it have a Media Centre type interface, or do you just use media player type programs, for music and video, then another program for TV?
Yes, it has a slightly revised Media Center interface, which I think looks pretty, but seems harder to navigate to begin with!

Have you checked your hardware will work OK? You can download the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/upgradeadvisor/default.mspx) before you install. What TV card do you have?

A final tip: set it up for dual-boot if you can, then it's easy to go back to your old MCE if you need to.

[tinners]

Guess it depends what you want to use it for. RC1 is much stabler than the Beta releases IMO.

I have a fair amount of "tweaks" and additional plugins etc. on my MCE which dont work on Vista. This is the main reason I wont be moving until these functions become ported to Vista.

That said the interface is really nice (when you get used to it) and looks great on the 360 connected to my HDTV.

[Sandman]

I am using vista rc1 right now and it is MUCH better than the earlier beta versions released in the public trial program. It has MCE built in and the new interface looks much better in my opinion. I cant seem to find a way to switch off the option of monitering my "my music" folder though which is a pita as I like to have total control over my media library. I have dual boot set up with XP MCE as my tv cards are not yet supported (dual blackgold digital cards).
Give it a go, I am sure you will like it.

[Synchro]

Yes, it has a slightly revised Media Center interface, which I think looks pretty, but seems harder to navigate to begin with!

Have you checked your hardware will work OK? You can download the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/upgradeadvisor/default.mspx) before you install. What TV card do you have?

A final tip: set it up for dual-boot if you can, then it's easy to go back to your old MCE if you need to.

Thanks.

Yeah dual boot was what I was thinking (on a seperate HDD).

[rosco99]

I have just read Paul Thurrot's article on Vista RC1. He has done both a Fresh install and an XP upgrade. Apparently many programs that wouldn't work or install on the Fresh install worked on the Upgrade.

[Synchro]

I have just read Paul Thurrot's article on Vista RC1. He has done both a Fresh install and an XP upgrade. Apparently many programs that wouldn't work or install on the Fresh install worked on the Upgrade.

Thats not what I'd come to expect. Do you have a link please?

[Pbryanw]

Thats not what I'd come to expect. Do you have a link please?
Here's a link to the article:

http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/winvista_rc1_03.asp

I think the part rosco99 was talking about is after the heading - It's Alive: Say hello to Franken-PC - on the page linked to above.

[Singh400]

Take what he says with a pinch of salt.

[Synchro]

Aye, having read it, I'm still not one for upgrading Windows installations.

[Synchro]

Its arrived and I'll be insatlling it ona 2nd HDD tonight :D

[Synchro]

Installed it fine after having problems with RC1 not working with SLI setup :(

Havent had much time to "timker" with it yet ;)