XP vs Vista for new install

[EricandLorrie]

I am going to start a new install from scratch, starting with the operating system. Which way should I go?
My Computer is build.

Vista w/Media Center
XP Home
XP w/Media Center
New Windows 7 Beta

-Eric

[ThePaladinTech]

All Common wisdom I have seen on the forums here indicate that vista adds nothing (well except some headaches)

XP Pro, or XP w/Media Center gives you the capability to remote desktop to your server (can't do that with XP Home)

I have no idea about windows 7 beta

And not to add to your confusion but what about windows home server?

I'd say the popularity of windows OSs for sage would be:
XP Pro
XP Media Center (with the media center disabled)
Windows Home Server
Vista
Server 2003
XP Home

[S_M_E]

I'd go WHS for the server...

[toony]

XP pro SP3 is solid for this, can't comment on WHS never used it....

just looking at Vista scares me

[wjohn]

Originally Posted by enzominator

I'd say the popularity of windows OSs for sage would be:
XP Pro
XP Media Center (with the media center disabled)
Windows Home Server
Vista
Server 2003
XP Home

How does one go about disabling the media center?

Thanks,

[msm]

If your going to use it as a client as well as a server then vista adds EVR rendering, which should make you playback smoother.

[CollinR]

Originally Posted by wjohn

How does one go about disabling the media center?

Thanks,

2 services to disable and thats it.

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by EricandLorrie

I am going to start a new install from scratch, starting with the operating system. Which way should I go?
My Computer is build.

Vista w/Media Center
XP Home
XP w/Media Center
New Windows 7 Beta

-Eric

Recommendations:
Just as server:
Windows Home Server (especially if you'll have PCs as clients)
Client recommendation:
HD200 (over a PC client-but strictly Sage use only)
Just as client (If you choose NOT to use the extender):
Vista (32 bit or 64 bit)
Server/client:
XP Pro (or Vista 32 bit without UAC)


My recommendation is to use a server for SageTV only and put it away from the watching area. Anywhere you have a TV consider putting an HD200. Now if you have a bunch of PCs and want to use them I would go with Vista w/o UAC because EVR will give you a better HD picture.
If I was going to run just one machine for recording and viewing I would recommend XP Pro. If you want to work a little harder and have a newer machine then you could try 32 bit Vista w/o UAC. (without UAC will make it easier for you to configure and edit your setup for tuning and tweaking. 32 bit drivers for your tuners are more plentiful.)

Gerry

[EricandLorrie]

Originally Posted by wjohn

How does one go about disabling the media center?

Thanks,

This worked for me before

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29614

[edbmdave]

First I run Sage on the following Platforms. Vista 64 bit, Windows Home Server, Windows XP MCE, Ubuntu Linux, and Macintosh. In otherwords every platform it is available for.

I run Vista 64bit (Ultimate edition with a minimal install, no media center, no fluff) for my primary sage server. I am extremely happy with it. Vista 64bit has offered me far more stability and performance than XP every did. I have maintained system uptimes longer than the time it takes to release new versions of SageTV itself. Vista has been a wonderful thing. Vista 64 enabled me to do more with the same hardware than I previously was able to do with Windows XP (Media Center Edition with Media Center disabled). I now run client free, only using Placeshifter and 5 HD Extenders (4 HD100s and 1 HD200) and 1 MediaMVP) It also is runing with 5 tuners

I run my secondary (Back Up) Sage Server on a WHS box. I am extremely happy with it, but only use it for feature testing or to hold a functional fallback in the even an upgrade doesn't work. It is EXTREMELY easy to setup and run, if you are starting from scratch and don't mind the thought, I give WHS my highest recommendation. It is just simple. And extremely versital for a home environment (Backups, Storage, Website hosting.. etc..)

My Third Server is on a Ubuntu Linux Server (a Restricted Content Server). I really like it, but it does take a little more to get running. My Linux server is extremely stable, and runs with very little horsepower. (it is an EPIA box, nice and green)

My Mac I use for maintaining skill parity, and sometimes I can work with my media files more efficiently on the Macintosh. (All depends on what I want to get done.) I run a Mac Mini (orginal PowerPC) and it also runs very nicely. I only have one USB tuner on it.

I retired my longstanding Windows XP MCE Server in favor of my Vista 64 bit box. Same hardware, same box, Vista does more, more efficiently, with more stablity and with less overhead or support (mine).

All in all Vista 64, Windows Home Server and Linux run much stabler for me and with less OS grief than I had with all flavors of windows XP. I am personally really looking forward to the next release of Windows Home Server (hopefully on a Windows 7 core) that will let me run it in 64 bit mode with the stablity and ease of support I have seen from Vista.

My recommendation would be Vista if you plan on using it as a client, or don't have access Windows Home Server. If you are going to run clientless (ie. Placeshifter or Extenders) go with Windows Home Server for the easiest installation. Otherwise perhaps consider Ubuntu Linux (If you don't mind a little work..)

Windows XP is by far the least stable OS out of the bunch, but you will find the largest support base for XP in these forums. (You will find good support for any of these here..., but most run XP...)

Also remember Microsoft has declared XP as an End of Life Product.... Why invest the time to implement something you will grow to depend on, on a platform that is in it's last days. You will be forced to replace or deal with the replacement in the not too distant future.....

Food for thought. Hope it helps.

[DLPaddict]

My first computer/HTPC build ever with Vista 32

No issues so far

The picture HD and sound 5.1 DD are great too

[EricandLorrie]

Man you guys are great! Thanks for the responses. Sounds like I need to try and put together a server if I can for the best system. Might try it on Windows 7 and see if it has advantages over Vista (supposed to be more stable and use less overhead) as I am unemployed right now and have time on my hands. I can always reformat if it goes up in flames.