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More => Old Versions => Media Center 16 (Development Ended) => Topic started by: adamsp70 on July 04, 2011, 01:04:12 pm

Title: Which Windows Version is Best?
Post by: adamsp70 on July 04, 2011, 01:04:12 pm

It's time for an upgrade (hurrah!)

Currently got my eyes on an ASRock Vision 3D HTPC which comes without OS. Given that i can get free copies of Win XP, and the machine will only every be showing MC (so no need for any fancy Win 7 GUI) - is there any reason i *shouldn't* use XP?

Any reason that might mess up Blu-ray disc playing, or any other possible driver inconsistencies?

Any advice, as always, gratefully received.....
     Paul

Title: Re: Windows Versions
Post by: tls62dk on July 04, 2011, 01:12:56 pm

Can't give you advise on XP, but I have the Vision 3D with an Intel i5 processor, running Windows 7 64 bit. It runs like a dream. I cannot imagine XP would make less great.

TLS

Title: Re: Windows Versions
Post by: BryanC on July 04, 2011, 02:43:12 pm

Quote from: adamsp70 on July 04, 2011, 01:04:12 pm

Any reason that might mess up Blu-ray disc playing, or any other possible driver inconsistencies?

I have seen issues on the board about Windows XP directshow decoder problems, as well as some issues with madVR.

Title: Re: Windows Versions
Post by: fitbrit on July 04, 2011, 03:19:37 pm

If you want the best audio and video quality, you should go with Win7. Bitstreaming of HD audio with XP is.... well difficult if not impossible, the last time I tried.

Title: Re: Windows Versions
Post by: Alex B on July 04, 2011, 06:51:44 pm

XP works for me. Audio playback is bit perfect (if I want it to be) and I have no problems with the DirectShow filters I use. In general, the audio/video quality is depended of other things than the OS.

Though, I don't play the original blu-ray discs on the PC, just ripped files that work fine (usually avc in mkv).

My advice would be to try XP since you already have it. Buy Windows 7 only if necessary. I once created a list of the features that I like better in XP, but I don't have it with me now. I'll try to find it when I am back home.

Title: Re: Windows Versions
Post by: fitbrit on July 04, 2011, 09:18:17 pm

Alex, are you able to bitstream TrueHD and DTS-HD MA?

Title: Re: Windows Versions
Post by: gvanbrunt on July 04, 2011, 10:52:06 pm

Windows Vista has substantial improvements in Media. For example it can give priority to Media content to reduce skips etc. It has built in DVD decoding. It has more reliable Audio and Video drivers as they are no longer Kernel Mode. It has WASAPI for better audio etc.

Yes it has a lot of warts, but most of those disappeared with win 7. Win 7 no longer mirrors GPU memory in RAM like Vista and XP so there is another media improvement.

XP is always a choice, but with vendors including Microsoft rapidly discontinuing support for it, you may run into issues. However older hardware may run better with it.

Title: Re: Windows Versions
Post by: glynor on July 05, 2011, 10:36:43 am

IMHO once you go Win7 you won't want to go back to XP.

Title: Re: Windows Versions
Post by: JimH on July 05, 2011, 10:38:10 am

Quote from: glynor on July 05, 2011, 10:36:43 am

IMHO once you go Win7 you won't want to go back to XP.

I agree.

Title: Re: Windows Versions
Post by: adamsp70 on July 05, 2011, 01:19:12 pm

 :D

Thanks guys - great advice.....