Protools question(s)

Ok...
Gear:
Akai MPC2000XL
Turntable
Mackie 1604 VLZ pro MIXER

Question(s):
Hi I'm considering hooking my system up with protools, but I'm a bit confused by the whole thing.
Is the M-Audio solution the same as the digidesign solotion? (apart from the hardware)
M-Audio seems like a cheaper/better choise. I can get 8 In's with m-audio which I can't get with digidesign...
What exactly is the Ilok, will it allow me to run protools without any other of their hardware and then let me choose a audio interface myself?

I hope you guys can help. I don't even know if I need 8 Ins in my audio interface when I already have then hooked up with the mixer...

I hope you guys can help...
thanks.

having as many ins as you can afford is always a good idea, because you will always add things to your setup along the way, and you'll find that you'll be kicking yourself later on if you only have two inputs. despite you having a mixer, if you're thinking of tracking out into your computer (which i assume you are, seeing as you're going to get Pro Tools) then it's much easier (not to mention quicker) to run multiple tracks into the computer at once rather than mute the tracks you don't want on the mixer, and track in using stereo ins.

i'd go with the m-audio boxes, they are good quality for the money. the iLok is merely a way of authenticating that you own the software (a bit like a cd key). as far as i know, it (pro tools) won't let you run the software with any other audio interface than the one you bought it with. if you get m-powered, you have to use one of the specified audio interfaces from m-audio, if you get LE, you'll have to use one of the digidesign ones.

hope this helps.

thanks m8. Is there any difference between the two protools versions? or is it simply the hardware?

i think there may be, but check out their website to make sure:

http://www.digidesign.com/