Which Should I Choose, Linux OEM or Win Vista HP?

[nickjw]

Hi All -

I've been researching HTPC a ton this weekend and have looked at most of the options out there. Mainly in depth research of Windows MCE, MythTV, LinuxMCE, and now Sage. Sage seems to have the best solution, so unless I find something to make me change my mind, I'm going with Sage.

However, I'm curious which version I should buy, Windows (for use with Windows Vista Home Premium) or Linux for use with Ubuntu or Gentoo. I'm an avid Linux user and work on it at my 9-5, so I'm not worried about setting it up. I am however, worried about hardware compatibility. All other things equal, I'd use Linux as it matches my technical expertise, and I don't have to pay for WinVista.

Required in my setup:
+DVD
+OTA HDTV (i.e. with an antenna)
+Analog Cable setup (without box)

Nice to have:
+Ability to add a Blueray drive later on (too expensive right now)
+Support for boxes in other rooms

Can I use the Linux version and enjoy the free broadcast HDTV channels in my area in addition to my analog cable television? Which card is best for this?

If my HTPC has a DVD drive in it, is it simple to make this work with Sage, or do I need to use an external application? Can this work with Blueray in Windows? I don't think Blueray will be supported in Linux soon...

Any pointers are appreciated, I've got quite the headache after researching all this.

[nickjw]

OK, spent more time researching threads and honestly looks like Windows Vista Home Premium is the better option for ultimate compatibility. As this system will be for Sage only, nothing else, sitting in the entertainment center with a nice HTPC case.

Any other thoughts?

[gplasky]

I actually stuck with Windows XP Pro on the server with lots of drives. That's in the basement. HD Extender in the living room attached to the 43" plasma.

Gerry

[jerryt]

Battling a problem with stuttering video with CC's and VMR9. Filed a bug report with SageTV and they wrote me today and suggested I go back to XP from Vista.

So what does that tell you?

[nickjw]

Ouch, I'm not even sure I can buy XP, but even as bad as vista might be, why would I pay for an OS that won't have updates in a year or less (I'm guessing?). XP is like 5+ years old?

[gplasky]

Service Pack 3 for XP is available now as a release candidate. Soon to be officialy released.

Gerry

[BobPhoenix]

Originally Posted by nickjw

Ouch, I'm not even sure I can buy XP, but even as bad as vista might be, why would I pay for an OS that won't have updates in a year or less (I'm guessing?). XP is like 5+ years old?

We still use Win2000 at work and it is still supported - although when the lease runs out they will all be XP or Vista. So I doubt that XP support will go way too soon.

[nickjw]

Originally Posted by jerryt

Battling a problem with stuttering video with CC's and VMR9. Filed a bug report with SageTV and they wrote me today and suggested I go back to XP from Vista.

So what does that tell you?

Can I just use XP Home or do I need XP Pro?

Thanks,
Nick

[nickjw]

Originally Posted by gplasky

Service Pack 3 for XP is available now as a release candidate. Soon to be officialy released.

Gerry

Thanks for the info guys. I went ahead and took the plunge. Just plunked down some cash for this system at newegg, and bought XP home and the HVR1600+SageTV combo...

Deep down, I'm disturbed I just paid $89 to MS for XP home. Alas, I need the DVD playback to be seamless and I'd like to use BlueRay at some point, maybe. BTW, this will be the only Windows box in our house... 2 Linux computers (laptop & desktop), 1 linux embedded router, and 1 iMac G5 .

Nick