I'm going to install MCE 2005 on an Intel machine (Q9650 quad core) with an ATI HD4850 video card, ATI 650 PCIe combo tuner for analog, Silicon Dust Home Run for dual digital tuning and Auzentech Meridian 7.1 sound card.  I've heard that I will still need an MCE-compatible MPEG decoder.  The list on MS's site shows several possibilities:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/plugins.aspx#DVDDecoder

- What is the best decoder that would satisfy this requirement for my setup? 

- NVIDIA Pure Video seems to be a popular choice, but is it really intended for NVIDIA GPU's?

- Based on their reputation, Intervideo would also seem to be a good choice.  I plan on getting WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-Ray for high def playback.  Would that program provide the needed MPEG decoder for purposes of MCE?

- Or will the codecs that come with my ATI card and tuner satisfy this requirement.

IMHO...With those specs, I would absolutely run Vista.  And Vista includes a Microsoft decoder.

As to video adapter, I do not have experience with ATI, but I have heard some problems with the drivers in these forums.  I would search for posts in these forums specifically with this model #.  But I do know that Nvidia 8500 (~$50) cards and greater work really well under Vista, including HD video acceleration.

Why are you set on MCE2005?

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1: Dimension 9200 - Vista Ult, 2.4GHz Q6600 Core2Quad, 4GB RAM, 160GB, 750GB, 500GB USB, Nvidia 8300GS, PVR-150, HDTV Wonder, Vbox 3560, X360, DMA2100

2: HP m376n - MCE 2005, 2.6 P4 w/HT, 1GB RAM, 250GB, 400GB USB HD, Nvidia 6200, Emuzed MAUI, X360

'cause Vista is nasty :P. I'd go with nvidia's pure platinum.

Actually, I will be dual booting between MCE 2005 and Vista.  I ordered the HD4850 from Newegg, but I'm having second thoughts. Perhaps I should go for a NVIDIA 9600 instead.  Slightly slower than the ATI for gaming, but gaming is a secondary consideration.  Main purpose of the rig is for TV and video playback.

Is the decoder in Vista comparable quality-wise with Pure Video?

If I stick with ATI, is Pure Video the way to go for MCE 2005?

So, going back to the OP's original questions, any help?

Nvidia's pure video is probably the best mpeg2 decoder (you need it for TV/dvd viewing)

powerdvd is pretty ok as well

1 vote for purevideo. Still the best picture I have ever seen on a TV came from mce2005, 5900gt gpu, and the pure video decoder. I have never matched the picture quality from any of the dozen vista pc's ive built.

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Doug Vanden Berg www.vandenbergstereo.com