Windows Vista Media Centre dual boot Vista

After a lot of contemplation I hope to install Vista but am definitely not installing the Beta version on my new computer. I have this setup and don't want to upset anything with XP even though I know the computer has enough power to cope with it.

I have decided (mainly for my own peace of mind) to purchase a computer for beta testing the OS completely independent of my computer.

I found posts on the forum re: dual boot and am pleased that I would be able to partition the drive on the computer and install Vista there.
I have a few setups in mind and know it would be fine with XP Home or Pro installed. Given this will be another computer would it be possible to install Vista if I had Media Centre 2005 as the OS of the computer - would Vista install to a partition on this version of Windows?

Thanks in advance for any advice. MC would then give me an alternative OS rather than another version of XP. I know it installs as a completely different operating system but just wondering if there would be more chance of conflicts if it was Media Centre

 

Thanks Pete
I may end up with an XP computer but wanted to keep my options open.
The OS will just be an OEM as I have my full version of XP Pro on my actual computer. No matter what I will back the hard drive up before installing Vista.

When I was looking about I wondered if I could make more use of the computer using a version I didn't have already.

The one I use for beta testing will be a test PC for future use or it will be a computer for my sister's kids.
I have looked at ones without any OS pre-installed so this may still be an option although finding the spec wasn't just as easy. It is difficult as I have just had my own built and knew exactly what I wanted, for this one I have to keep in mind it is for testing and doesn't need 'everything' I would normally want