I should clarify that. If you intend to use Windows media centre, only 7 has native h.264 support for hidef imaging upto 1080p.
Any version of media centre prior to 7 will only process standard def with the exception of Vista tvpack plus a downloadable hack. Too much hassle imho.
Outside of that, you will have to go with vendor software. Absolutely nothing wrong with that at all, except it may leave you with a disjointed media solution on the pc. It's horses for courses in the end. Goiod luck.
