Advantages: User Friendly, Easy to Use, Value for Money, Comprehensive Operating System. Disadvantages: Poor Documentation, Titanic Struggle Installing Operating System
...like Microsoft have taken a few que's from Apple and have added slightly more functionality to make this a comprehensive media hub that can be linked to other computers in your home.
There's a lot to explore and many settings are attainable but only you will find out what is best for you. This could be the ideal solution if you are looking to tidy up your front room so that you can truly entertain and eduacate yourself/family.
I have no hesitations in recommending Media Center 2005, especially as you'll have to wait until at least 2007 before the next incarnation of Windows is likely to emerge. You have the option of using the XP Professional interface or the more pleasent Media Center one. Don't forget to purchase your Media Center 2005 remote and invest in a decent wireless keyboard and mouse.
One thing I did forget to mention...
Advantages: All-round entertainment system that keeps up with the best. Disadvantages: Graphocs card could do with upgrading.
...OK, Had this machine for a month now and must say i am very impressed. Its not only nice to look at but has endless features and capabilities that will not dissapoint.
First of all its HP so you know you're going to get the good quality and performance. Especially with a pentium 4 3.2Ghz.
So, the good bits:-
Performance: Excellent performance will keep up with the high end machines anyday.
Media: Has a massive 250GB Hard Drive aswell as a very stylish removable hard drive (160GB). It is going to take me a very long time before i run out of space!!
OS: Comes with Media Center 2005 which i have to say suprised me. Its the first time ive tried this OS and would rate it 10/10 any day. I love the fact that i can watch my TV on my pc and navigate with the remote control.
DVD-RW... Up to speed DVD rewrite with a massive bonus...
Advantages: The media center interface, decent codec support, HD movies stream really well. Disadvantages: The DVD player is terrible.
...Okay, the big pull of this DVD player is the built in Media Center Extender software, which once set up runs really well. You need to have vista installed on a PC (which needs to be on for it to work) and you also need a good network connection between the two. I have tried both a 200mbps powerline ethernet network and a wireless N network and for me the wireless network performed better for HD movies, but this will differ for most people so just make sure you arn't relying on a bog standard 54mbps wifi connection.
The built in DVD play is poor to say the least, it doesn't scale DVD's out to widescreen it simply takes the DVD's basic resolution and outputs it to the middle of the screen. I tried watching an old cracker and had to stop as it was displayed as a 640x480 picture in the middle of my 720p HDTV, believe me this looks...
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