# Need Advice: Windows XP Media Center vs Media Portal

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-windows-xp-media-center-vs-media-portal/386454>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 2, 2007, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-windows-xp-media-center-vs-media-portal/386454 "2007-01-02T19:49:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![kelly5078](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6f9a4e/32.png) [@kelly5078](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kelly5078)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2007, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-windows-xp-media-center-vs-media-portal/386454/1 "2007-01-02T19:49:54Z")

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My wife just ordered a new computer with XP Media Center Edition. I’m thinking, well, that could come in handy, but I’d really prefer a professional OS on the thing.

The question (well, questions): Would installing Media Portal over XP Professional give me the same capabilities as Media Center Edition? Or should I put two OSs on the thing, a pro one for general use, and Media Center when someone wants to do the TV stuff? Or is there yet a better way?

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**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2007, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-windows-xp-media-center-vs-media-portal/386454/2 "2007-01-02T20:05:38Z")

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[QUOTE=kelly5078]  
My wife just ordered a new computer with XP Media Center Edition. I’m thinking, well, that could come in handy, but I’d really prefer a professional OS on the thing.

The question (well, questions): Would installing Media Portal over XP Professional give me the same capabilities as Media Center Edition? Or should I put two OSs on the thing, a pro one for general use, and Media Center when someone wants to do the TV stuff? Or is there yet a better way?  
[/QUOTE]

I don’t know for sure, but;  
I thought this is where Vista steps in, no?

Q; What can’t you do with Media Center that you would like to do?

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**Author:** ![kelly5078](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6f9a4e/32.png) [@kelly5078](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kelly5078)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2007, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-windows-xp-media-center-vs-media-portal/386454/3 "2007-01-02T22:14:01Z")

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I don’t really know what Vista will have.

My problem is that I don’t really want to be using a consumer OS. I have access to the professional OSs, which are considerably better than the consumer offerings in all respects.

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**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2007, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-windows-xp-media-center-vs-media-portal/386454/4 "2007-01-02T22:45:20Z")

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Windows Vista product editions with several charts breaking it down by features and estimated price:

> **[ITPro Today: IT News, How-Tos, Trends, Case Studies, Career Tips, More](https://www.itprotoday.com)**
>
> IT Pro Today Homepage

If you’re purchasing the PC from a major retailer, they should give you a coupon to upgrade to Vista for a lot less than buying it retail.

Media Center is included in Home Premium and Ultimate editions.