Windows MCE 2005/Vista Home Premium to Run HTPC?

[UseItNow]

Hi folks, sorry to trouble you but I need to pick your brains!

Do you need to use Windows MCE 2005 or Vista Home Premium on a HTPC? Or could you basically use XP Home/Vista Business and the iMon iMedian software with the VFD from Soundgraph?

Would I be right in thinking that MCE/Vista Home Premium give the better media centre usage/control as opposed to just XP Home/Vista Business plus iMedian type software?

As you have probably guessed I'm a HTPC noob and need a bit of clarification on this.

Thanks All!

[this_is_gav]

MCE/Vista HP are probably the best for standard TV viewing/recording, but the lack of customisation options mean there are better alternatives for a more rounded HTPC user (other videos, music, pictures, etc). Media Portal, GB-PVR being 2 free options for Windows which can be used on any XP or Vista license and MythTV the obvious (perhaps only?) Linux choice.

[s_kinton]

As mentioned there are many alternatives, but if you're looking at MCE 2005 or Vista then Vista wins hands down for me. Vista fixed a lot of minor annoyances and was a big step forwards imo.

The decider is whether you're hardware can run it smoothly. Whats the spec of your HTPC?

[UseItNow]

Media Portal, GB-PVR being 2 free options for Windows which can be used on any XP or Vista license and MythTV the obvious (perhaps only?) Linux choice.

Wasn't aware of these two softwares, will look further into these, thanks for clearing up the confusion also on whether XP MCE or Vista HP was a must. Linux, out of the question unfortunately, heard about MythTV.

As mentioned there are many alternatives, but if you're looking at MCE 2005 or Vista then Vista wins hands down for me. Vista fixed a lot of minor annoyances and was a big step forwards imo.
The decider is whether you're hardware can run it smoothly. Whats the spec of your HTPC?

Thanks for the feedback on both OS and their capabilities/reliability.
Like I say, I'm a noob, taking in all the information at the moment. However, I have an idea on the parts I might be using:

Antec Fusion 430 or an OrigenAE HTPC case
Definitely Core2Duo CPU, probably E7200, when it comes out
Either of G45/P35/P45 chipset motherboard, like the look of the P35 DFI LanParty on Scan at 80 quid but looks an overkill as such?
2Gb DDR2 Ram, have some Ballistix somewhere, or some Geil/GSkill
ATI Radeon HD3650/HD3850 - No Game Playing at ALL! + benefit of sound over HDMI
500Gb/750Gb HDD - WD or Samsung F1s
Blu-Ray Optical Drive - ATM looks to be the LG drive
TV Tuner/Capture Card - HD Format
PSU: Probably Corsair HX520W, Enermax Pro82+ 385W or Liberty 400W

How does that look? All advice welcomed and appreciated, thanks.

[this_is_gav]

If you're not gaming drop the HD3850. There's no point, just wasting money and power for nothing. Even the HD3650 is over the top in a media PC. Grab a HD3450. There are passive low-profile options out there now too if small and silent are considerations.

DFI for a media PC? They're just overclocking boards aren't they? I'd grab an Abit myself - rock solid.

Can't fault anything else there.

[Agent]

And you can get a Abit with things like uGuru which can really make a difference in a media PC noise wise