Win.XP Media Center Edition - yet again

[dizzyrambler]

I'm a brand new member and I'm blown away by all the valuable info here! Great work!

As I'm sure most of you are aware - there is a major problem with Windows XP Media Center Edition. XP MCE's video features significantly interfere with the vast majority of audio applications. A rather shocking list of audio hardware and software that is not supported by Win.XP MCE can be found here: http://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/...hp?Index=30163

My question to you is: Do you know of ANY reliable audio soft/hardware that is compatible with XP MCE?

I've heard that changing the sound card on a XP MCE machine can seriously funk it up as well - so that's a double-whammy.
I just wanna track decent sounding vocals and guitar. There must be SOME external soundcards or SOMETHING that'll work.
I can't seem to get answers from anybody - and that's really surprising considering most computer today are being shipped with Win.XP MCE!

Thanks for your time!

[richiebee]

While I do think everyone should avoid MCE for their own sanity, I think the whole industry has over-reacted somewhat. Here is the Sweetwater list and my equipment, or equipment I have used with MCE.

• Digidesign Pro Tools (all versions).
• All M-Audio software and hardware. (my Oxygen 8 works fine through USB)• All Steinberg software. (Cubase SX 3 and Virtual Guitarist 2 both work fine on my system)
• Cakewalk SONAR (all versions).
• The iLok.
• Syncrosoft USB dongles. (Cubase has a Syncrosoft dongle... no problems)
• Focusrite interfaces.
• Lexicon Omega/Alpha/Lambda.
• Edirol interfaces. (I've successfully used a UA-25)
• Alesis USB and Firewire mixers.
• All MOTU hardware and software.
• All E-MU hardware and software.
• Native Instruments software. (I use Kontakt and Absynth, no problems)
• Waves software.
• Mackie Spike. Tracktion has been known to work, but is not guaranteed.
• Novation X-Station series.
• TC Eletric PowerCore series.
• Universal Audio UAD-1 cards.
• All RME hardware.
• All PreSonus hardware.
• All TASCAM software and hardware. (I use a Tascam US-122, no problems)• Blue Snowball and Samson C01 USB Microphones.

If you have a local music store, use it. Buy something and see if it works. If you have problems return it.

Ultimately, you migth consider upgrading to XP Pro or downgrading to XP Home. Annoying, but that's it.

[Atratus]

[/QUOTE] Ultimately, you migth consider upgrading to XP Pro or downgrading to XP Home. Annoying, but that's it. [/QUOTE]


I just bought home, my understanding was that the only difference between home and pro was that pro had better networking features, correct me if I am wrong? I would like to know.

[dizzyrambler]

Thanks RichieBee!

Your list is really helpfull. It's a good starting point for me. I got bummed because the first two audio apps I tried to use ended up crashing my system - but your right, I just gotta use the local stores and do the whole trial and error thing.

I think I'm gonna give the UA-25 a try. Looks like it'll do the job just fine - tho' it is now bundled with Cakewalk, which was one of the apps that didn't work for me - oh well, I'll just find another app. to use with it. I'm also really interested in the Edirol R09 field recorder - I think I'll give that a try as well.

If anyone else has any suggestions or has used other software or hardware with Win.MCE successfully, please let me know. I definitely know I'm not the only one with this issue.

Thanks!!

[brandondrury]

I just bought home, my understanding was that the only difference between home and pro was that pro had better networking features, correct me if I am wrong? I would like to know.

This has always been my understanding as well. I would assume a person would be fine with XP Home.

Besides, the Windows XP Pro networking is generally terrible anyway.

I think the whole industry has over-reacted somewhat.

That seams to be my experience as well. It seams that everyone who has been tricked into using Media Center can gotten around it okay.

Brandon

[richiebee]

XP Pro is a lot more secure. It's definitely not necessary for the majority of musicians.

dizzyrambler - if you don't have any luck with the UA-25, you might consider whether there is something "turned on" in Windows that's causing the trouble. I'm not really sure why manufacturers are blanketly disowning XP MCE without explaining what is causing problems.

R.