Chessbase purchase questions

I am contemplating getting the Chessbase 15 Download package for 119.90 EURO, but have a few questions about it.

1. Does it come with a free engine? Or if not, can I just slap Stockfish on there?

2. I understand  that doesn't come with a database of games. Are there free databases of games I can use instead or is the Mega 2019 really good and with annotations?

3. If you buy the Mega 2019 database of games, does it expire after 1 year or do you get to keep all those games forever without renewing?

4. With the Live-DB, does that expire after 1 year or do you get access to that forever without having to keep a subscription going?

I bought an earlier version of Chessbase about 5 years ago but I presume I can't use that for an upgrade price.

Thanks,

Jon

1. Does it come with a free engine? Or if not, can I just slap Stockfish on there?

It comes with a Fritz engine, but you can add an engine if you wish to.

2. I understand that doesn't come with a database of games. Are there free databases of games I can use instead or is the Mega 2019 really good and with annotations?

There are TONS of free game databases you can get.  I get the weekly games from theweekinchess.com.

3. If you buy the Mega 2019 database of games, does it expire after 1 year or do you get to keep all those games forever without renewing?

You get the automatic updates for a year, but you get to keep the games forever.

4. With the Live-DB, does that expire after 1 year or do you get access to that forever without having to keep a subscription going?

That you get forever.

Hey IMBacon, thanks for answering those questions. They were a bit fuzzy in my head! I'm going to use it to do some annotating of my own club games, so I can improve. Think I might put up the ponys for this one.

I'm wondering why you would ever need a Mega Database or the theweekinchess.com ones if you always have the Live-DB forever. Doesn't that have millions of games?

For the live db to work, you have to be connected to the web.  Where as having a installed db of games, you dont need an internet connection to access them.