View Full Version : Best Media Center Software?
|MaguS|
07-04-08, 07:44 PM
So im looking to build a Media Center so I can watch all my anime and movies far easier but don't know what MC Software to use. I was thinking Vista Media Center Edition but I heard it has issues with some of the lesser common formats like mkv and ogm. Anyone try the windows version of XBMC?
No idea if this is good or not since I've never checked it out myself, but here's a link to it anyways: http://www.team-mediaportal.com/
nekrosoft13
07-04-08, 09:22 PM
linux version of XBMC is in better shape, but windows version is slowly getting better.
once it get a bit better, i'm throwing out the xbox, and building a cheap HTPC
|MaguS|
07-04-08, 09:50 PM
Bah linux...
Haven't used linux in a long time, have they ever fixed the poor ntfs support?
So im looking to build a Media Center so I can watch all my anime and movies far easier but don't know what MC Software to use. I was thinking Vista Media Center Edition but I heard it has issues with some of the lesser common formats like mkv and ogm. Anyone try the windows version of XBMC?
MKV works fine for me on Vista Media Center. Have not used OGM though so I can't say but, you can usually get the codecs going and work it from there.
nekrosoft13
07-05-08, 12:29 AM
MKV support might depend, depend what stream it uses.
bacon12
07-05-08, 02:18 AM
Bah linux...
Haven't used linux in a long time, have they ever fixed the poor ntfs support?
NTFS 3g is the package that allows to read write NTFS. I haven't had any issues with the newer versions, but in the past it was a crapshoot.
If I were building one I would go with mythdora there is pages of documentation/tutorials and it works very well.
stevemedes
07-13-08, 02:22 PM
im using vista media center on my HTPC and it works great. works great with my tv tuner, i stream ripped DVDs over 802.11g from the other room also. google "the green button" for a website dedicated to media centers
crainger
07-15-08, 09:10 PM
Vista Media Centre is working great here. Beagle watches a lot of anime and she hasn't had issues, well a few but that's due to the Media PC's GPU dying a slow death I imagine. Poor 6800GT. ::(:
Runningman
07-16-08, 03:03 AM
ORB, i love the remote access features and ability to run remote commands in an easy to use interface.
So im looking to build a Media Center so I can watch all my anime and movies far easier but don't know what MC Software to use. I was thinking Vista Media Center Edition but I heard it has issues with some of the lesser common formats like mkv and ogm. Anyone try the windows version of XBMC?
well, the media center in Vista comes with Vista Home Premium and Ultimate. so you dont need to get a specific version of windows. you can still get Win XP MC OEM discs too.
Bah linux...
Haven't used linux in a long time, have they ever fixed the poor ntfs support?
i still dont trust the NTFS write feature, but read support works great.
i think you will be surprised to see how far mainstream distros (like ubuntu) have come with respect to installation and setup. give it a try.
Buenamos
07-16-08, 06:13 PM
We've had our Media Center up and running for about a year now and it's awesome! I picked up a AMD 4200+ on sale for $40, a cheap mobo, 1gb RAM, 6800 ultra, and 4 hard drives and everything is silky smooth. We originally had Vista Media Center on there but it would struggle with the HD mkv rips. We tried everything to get it running right but it just wouldn't, no matter what media player was running the file. As soon as we put XP on it ran it just fine, 720p and 1080p rips.
I have no clue why it would make a difference but it definitely did!
bacon12
07-16-08, 06:36 PM
I have no clue why it would make a difference but it definitely did!
DRM :thumbdwn:
stevemedes
07-17-08, 10:53 AM
I have no clue why it would make a difference but it definitely did!
im guessing the 1gb of ram and 6800 ultra. 780g would have played any file with a 4200+ just fine i think. i have a 4000+ and all HD files play fine.
I don't understand the need for media center software if you use a HTPC. I just share my folders from the server onto my network, map them on the HTPC and use VLC to play. I haven't had any problems with MKV or anything with a 3800x2, 1gb RAM, and Radeon x550.
stevemedes
07-17-08, 11:13 AM
I don't understand the need for media center software if you use a HTPC. I just share my folders from the server onto my network, map them on the HTPC and use VLC to play. I haven't had any problems with MKV or anything with a 3800x2, 1gb RAM, and Radeon x550.
the real need is tv and guide programming
I don't understand the need for media center software if you use a HTPC. I just share my folders from the server onto my network, map them on the HTPC and use VLC to play. I haven't had any problems with MKV or anything with a 3800x2, 1gb RAM, and Radeon x550.
VLC ftw.
LurkerLito
07-17-08, 05:21 PM
I already have a mythTV linux box setup and it rocks as a Media center but I am unhappy with it's noise. But I plan on changing it around once I get some money for a 4 terrabyte RAID 5 array to store all my recordings on and then do something like this:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2176025602905109829&hl=en
Buenamos
07-17-08, 05:34 PM
I don't understand the need for media center software if you use a HTPC. I just share my folders from the server onto my network, map them on the HTPC and use VLC to play. I haven't had any problems with MKV or anything with a 3800x2, 1gb RAM, and Radeon x550.
A nice clean interface where you don't have to worry about having a mouse and keyboard in the living room. We just use the Media Center remote and it works really slick. If there is anything I need to do I can control the computer using VNC. Personally I'm not a fan of VLC. I used to be but it seems it would randomly have sync errors and honestly, windows media player 11 is a huge step up from what it was in the past. I really like it.
Windows Media Center, bar none.
The Vista version is MUCH slicker, but the 2005 version has worked out better long term with regards to mystery bugs and TV Card compatibility, even with new hardware.
A nice clean interface where you don't have to worry about having a mouse and keyboard in the living room. We just use the Media Center remote and it works really slick. If there is anything I need to do I can control the computer using VNC. Personally I'm not a fan of VLC. I used to be but it seems it would randomly have sync errors and honestly, windows media player 11 is a huge step up from what it was in the past. I really like it.
I just have a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard for it. The remote would be nice though. I have too many remotes as it is. I need the Logitech remote. Do the Logitech remotes work in place of the Media Center one?
Buenamos
07-18-08, 10:44 PM
I just have a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard for it. The remote would be nice though. I have too many remotes as it is. I need the Logitech remote. Do the Logitech remotes work in place of the Media Center one?
Not exactly sure if they do. We also have a bluetooth keyboard and mouse but it seems like our bluetooth is a bit picky sometimes and the remote works 100% of the time.
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