Janie -

Microsoft sells WinXP in several "packages," one of which is the Multimedia version. There is a sort of hierarchy that starts at the bottom with a "Starter" edition - sold only in undeveloped countries, "Home" common in the US, up to "Professional." The "special packages," like Multimedia piggyback onto either Home or Pro, or some intermediate mix, and add features specialized for "Home Multimedia."

I have seen some magazine "breakdowns" of how the various versions relate to the basic Home and Pro, but can't seem to find any of them at the moment.

The Microsoft site for the Media Center edition may give you some help; but it's pretty much meaningless ad-speak to me. The "Properties" link on the left sidebar is as close as I found to actually sort of approximately imply something about what maybe the system may do.

From previous info - its at least as good at the core as "Home," but has some added bells and whistles and go-fast stripes. It may include some of the Pro features not included in basic Home, but I can't cite any meaningful differences unless/until I can find one of those old articles. I am pretty sure it's a "version" that can only be bought as an OEM installation - preinstalled on a machine. You can't walk into a local store and get it off the shelf, unless the marketing has changed recently.

John