MS WinXP Media Center

[ZChem]

Hi.

I'm looking to get a desktop replacement (see other thread in hardware for my "needs"). I am interested in getting one that has MS Media Center edition so I can record my home movies to DVD.

Does anybody have any experience with this? Are there any other laptops that come with MS Win XP Media Center besides the Toshi's? does it work well, or is it a nightmare?

Thanks in advance.

[Brian]

There's plenty of software out there to let you do this, you don't need Media Center. Media Center is designed more to be a central repository for all your media and is better suited for a home-based computer, rather than a notebook.

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

[ZChem]

Thanks Brian...Can you suggest some software (and I assume hardware as well) that would allow me to connect my VCR to my computer and burn DVD's? Appreciate it.

[Brian]

I'm actually not the right person to ask on this topic. Video compression is not even close to my thing. Anyone else?

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

[Sequoia225]

I am planning on doing the same thing. I know Roxio has a Media Creator that seems like it would help in this but Im not hip yet on what everyone is using other than Mac people are using IDVD.
But read this article about some software that does some of what Media Center does and perhaps better.

http://start.earthlink.net/newsarticle?cat=2&aid=308024639_5311_lead_story

Let me know if this link doesnt get you there.

I think though all you need to put your VHS tapes to DVD is a convertor for the VHS machine out to firewire (to get into your hard drive) and some video editing program. Again, I dont know what everyone is using yet. I dont think you need Media Center Ed for this though.

dave