Trying Windows 7 Media Center . .

[six_storm]

So I've been working XBMC like crazy for a year and I've become a little picky with it; some little things are pissing me off. For example, the only skin that is visually appealing and somewhat complete is Aeon. But Aeon is a little slow when scrolling through lists of media.

I looked around today during lunch and found that someone had decked out Windows 7 Media Center using MediaBrowser. And wow, it looked pretty good. I had decided that I could give W7MC a try, plus I needed to upgrade Vista to 7 ;)

After an hour, I installed Windows 7, updated the PC and got MediaBrowser ready to use.

So far things are ok. I really like the clean look and ease of use, but dang is it SLLLLOOOWWW. It took me about 30 minutes to find the right x64 codecs to play MKVs and it finally works.

Anyone else using W7MC and MediaBrowser or another add-in? Also, are there any YouTube plugins for W7MC?

[Eliminator]

is there a specific reason you need to use media centre? i just use media player classic and ffdshow and it plays just about everything

[six_storm]

is there a specific reason you need to use media centre? i just use media player classic and ffdshow and it plays just about everything

I want to control everything by a remote, not keyboard and mouse. I also need something easy to use for my wifey and family when they use it.

I'm still not sold on the W7MC+MediaBrowser solution . . . but I need to give it a good solid try before ditching it and going back to XBMC.

[einstein_314]

haha, I spent 4 hours this weekend getting all my x64 codecs working properly. At one point I was sooo close to just reinstalling with Win7 x86. But I'm glad I didn't give up. When you say W7MC is Sloooowwww what do you mean? What is slow about it? Mine is way faster than it was on Vista.

I'm also using MediaBrowser like you are and that's it. Plays all my Bluray rips and HD TV Shows with DXVA (bluray 1080p .mkv's use about 7-10% CPU usage).

I'm not using any other plugins so I don't know about YouTube.

[einstein_314]

I want to control everything by a remote, not keyboard and mouse. I also need something easy to use for my wifey and family when they use it.

I'm still not sold on the W7MC+MediaBrowser solution . . . but I need to give it a good solid try before ditching it and going back to XBMC.
Let me know if you have any specific questions about MediaBrowser. I've been using it for quite a while now. I'm convinced it's better than XBMC. I played around with XBMC a while back and it didn't do it for me. I've found MediaBrowser to be much more stable and easier to use.

[six_storm]

Let me know if you have any specific questions about MediaBrowser. I've been using it for quite a while now. I'm convinced it's better than XBMC. I played around with XBMC a while back and it didn't do it for me. I've found MediaBrowser to be much more stable and easier to use.

Good to know man. MediaBrowser is what's slow. I have about 100 movies, some 480P AVIs, some 1080P MKVs. And just scrolling through my library is laggy and slow. And each movie I test out or play, it just gets slower and slower to where I think it's locked up.

Also, the first load of MediaBrowser is slow too. I have to go into my movie library, go back out and then back in to get everything to load properly. BTW, I'm running to latest version of MB.

[einstein_314]

Good to know man. MediaBrowser is what's slow. I have about 100 movies, some 480P AVIs, some 1080P MKVs. And just scrolling through my library is laggy and slow. And each movie I test out or play, it just gets slower and slower to where I think it's locked up.

Also, the first load of MediaBrowser is slow too. I have to go into my movie library, go back out and then back in to get everything to load properly. BTW, I'm running to latest version of MB.
I presume you have it fetching the metadata from the internet? Maybe it's still doing that in the background? I have downloaded all my metadata with metabrowser (found in the mediaBrowser forums or www.themetabrowser.com (http://www.themetabrowser.com).

There is a bug in the current version that causes the window focus glitch where you have to go in, back out, and back in again. When you go in the first time you'll notice the counter at the top says 0|# (# = number of movies). They're working on it apparently.

[nekrosoft13]

six, upgrade to latest DX build of XBMC and don't use the original Aeon, get Aeon hitched by Ekim, best verison of Aeon skin

Plus the new Alaska skin is looking great.

[six_storm]

I presume you have it fetching the metadata from the internet? Maybe it's still doing that in the background? I have downloaded all my metadata with metabrowser (found in the mediaBrowser forums or www.themetabrowser.com (http://www.themetabrowser.com).

There is a bug in the current version that causes the window focus glitch where you have to go in, back out, and back in again. When you go in the first time you'll notice the counter at the top says 0|# (# = number of movies). They're working on it apparently.

Thanks for the info, I may have to try that out. I noticed that unless I went into say a TV show's folder, it wouldn't download the metadata until then. I guess I can use an external metadata scraper.

Hopefully by the time I get home from work, my HTPC will have done all of the automated crap it needs to do and be calmed down.

six, upgrade to latest DX build of XBMC and don't use the original Aeon, get Aeon hitched by Ekim, best verison of Aeon skin

Plus the new Alaska skin is looking great.

I did try the latest DX version and video won't play, only audio and a black screen. Haven't dived into it very much yet.

Alaska does look great but it's extremely alpha, still needs some work imo. Aeon Hitcher looks good too and works well, but it's still a little slow when browsing media.

[Q]

I ran MCE 2005 for years with hardly any problems. Then again, I used it as a DVR and not an all in one media player.

When I upgraded to W7, I decided to try to get integrated playback for all media. It was an absolute nightmare with x64. I went to 32 bit, which is fine for a media center box, installed Shark codecs and everything works instantly and like a charm.

[six_storm]

I ran MCE 2005 for years with hardly any problems. Then again, I used it as a DVR and not an all in one media player.

When I upgraded to W7, I decided to try to get integrated playback for all media. It was an absolute nightmare with x64. I went to 32 bit, which is fine for a media center box, installed Shark codecs and everything works instantly and like a charm.

I'm using Win7 x64 with Shark Codecs. Things are working great so far, just the navigation is slow in MediaBrowser. But as Einstein suggested, I'm going to try an external metadata app.

[nekrosoft13]

I did try the latest DX version and video won't play, only audio and a black screen. Haven't dived into it very much yet.

Alaska does look great but it's extremely alpha, still needs some work imo. Aeon Hitcher looks good too and works well, but it's still a little slow when browsing media.

what is the build you tried, currently using 24368 and no issues, i rarely had issues with DX build, just in the early days when DX was made as an option.

When switching from opengl build to dx build it is good idea to start over with settings.

also don't use Aeon Hitched, it not updated anymore try Aeon Hitched by Ekim.

as far as browsing speed, really have no idea what you are talking about, I have only 10 movies as those are regulary rotated, but i do have over 120 TV Shows with over 4,500 episodes, not counting over 80GB of music.

and everything is grabs meta info from the net.

[six_storm]

what is the build you tried, currently using 24368 and no issues, i rarely had issues with DX build, just in the early days when DX was made as an option.

When switching from opengl build to dx build it is good idea to start over with settings.

also don't use Aeon Hitched, it not updated anymore try Aeon Hitched by Ekim.

as far as browsing speed, really have no idea what you are talking about, I have only 10 movies as those are regulary rotated, but i do have over 120 TV Shows with over 4,500 episodes, not counting over 80GB of music.

and everything is grabs meta info from the net.

I went here (http://sshcs.com/xbmc/) and downloaded the latest DX Version build. No video playback, just audio.

I have around 100 movies, 100 or so TV episodes, and around 20GB of music. Just when you go through movies in the any view, it just staggers and takes a while to go through them.

If W7MC doesn't work out for me in the next week or two (like I said, I want to give it an honest try), I'll go back to XBMC.

[einstein_314]

I went here (http://sshcs.com/xbmc/) and downloaded the latest DX Version build. No video playback, just audio.

I have around 100 movies, 100 or so TV episodes, and around 20GB of music. Just when you go through movies in the any view, it just staggers and takes a while to go through them.

If W7MC doesn't work out for me in the next week or two (like I said, I want to give it an honest try), I'll go back to XBMC.
You might try disabling internet fetching of metadata and see if it stops lagging. You probably will have missing metadata (since it's not downloading it anymore) but at least you'll know if it's that that's causing the problem.

What's the specs of the rig you're running it on? The one in your sig?

Any other background tasks going on involving the hard drive? My HTPC has a C2D E7400, 4GB ram, integrated geforce 9400, etc and I have no staggering. My only problem is the loss of focus bug. I find it's the worst right when you start up mediaBrowser. If you wait 30s after starting it and then try to enter movies or TV Shows it seems to work a lot more.

The reason I love using W7MC (with media browser) is it's just that much more integrated into windows. I don't need to use a program like eventGhost to remap remote keys to program functions. It all just works (with a logitech Harmony One remote).

[six_storm]

You might try disabling internet fetching of metadata and see if it stops lagging. You probably will have missing metadata (since it's not downloading it anymore) but at least you'll know if it's that that's causing the problem.

Can you tell me where to uncheck that option? Is it in the Wizard or in the program itself?

What's the specs of the rig you're running it on? The one in your sig?

The RAM is different . .

http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=32517&stc=1&d=1218048591

Thread: HTPC (http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=117420)

Any other background tasks going on involving the hard drive? My HTPC has a C2D E7400, 4GB ram, integrated geforce 9400, etc and I have no staggering. My only problem is the loss of focus bug. I find it's the worst right when you start up mediaBrowser. If you wait 30s after starting it and then try to enter movies or TV Shows it seems to work a lot more.

The reason I love using W7MC (with media browser) is it's just that much more integrated into windows. I don't need to use a program like eventGhost to remap remote keys to program functions. It all just works (with a logitech Harmony One remote).

There are no other background apps minus Microsoft Security Essentials.

I like the integration of WMC too. With XBMC, I am using IR Media Suite and it works pretty good for the most part.

One thing that is a little disappointing about all of these media center apps is that none are anywhere close to perfect. I guess I'm being way too picky though lol.

[einstein_314]

Can you tell me where to uncheck that option? Is it in the Wizard or in the program itself?

It's in the program itself. Launch MediaBrowser, goto settings, and there's an option to disable online fetching or something like that (can't remember the exact wording). That will make it only take metadata that is stored with the media.

The RAM is different . .

http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=32517&stc=1&d=1218048591

There should be no problems with that computer running it. (A least I wouldn't think so...)

Thread: HTPC (http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=117420)


There are no other background apps minus Microsoft Security Essentials.

I like the integration of WMC too. With XBMC, I am using IR Media Suite and it works pretty good for the most part.

One thing that is a little disappointing about all of these media center apps is that none are anywhere close to perfect. I guess I'm being way too picky though lol.

I'm betting it's the caching going on in the background. I can't think of anything else it would be.

Yeah the little things bother me too. But then I remember that these programs (MediaBrowser, XMBC, etc) are free. I can't expect them to be as perfect as a program a huge company spends years developing and then charges me for it.

[six_storm]

I didn't get much time to mess around with my HTPC last night, but I did get to install MetaBrowser and get that process started. I'll post more impressions later tonight.

[six_storm]

After an extremely busy week, I finally got some time to run an Ethernet cable from my office to my living room. Now I can order server parts, build it and stream my media to the HTPC. I haven't messed with the software stuff any more but I will today.

[six_storm]

I'm getting to the point to where I don't think Metabrowser+Mediabrowser is working for me. For some reason, Metabrowser just stops working, won't display the fan art, won't scrape for metadata, etc. It's like it's falling apart.

I think I may stop wasting my time with these two apps and move on to something else, like Boxee. Yes, it's basically XBMC but I just wanted to give it a good try.

Why can't things just work? :(

[mullet]

This is why I use MP.

[six_storm]

So I've been trying Boxee out and it's been working just fine! I will convert this from my workstation over to my HTPC and give it a week to try out. It's also nice to have the built in apps too.

[einstein_314]

Well I don't know what to tell you. The combination works fine for me. Mind you, I run MetaBrowser on my win2008 server (where my media is stored, it's installed as a service and monitors my TV Shows and Movies folders). Whenever a TV Show episode or Movie is copied into the folders it automatically downloads all the metadata and images.

How do you have your media stored? For movies they must all be in their own separate folders. The best naming scheme is the movie name followed by the release year in brackets. Any other stuff you want in the name (eg I put 1080p or 720p in the name as well) needs to be in square brackets. For example: "Horton Hears a Who! (2008) [1080p]"

For MetaBrowser to recognize your files you have to make sure the file extensions you use are in the "Valid Extensions" box in the settings otherwise it will skip them. Other than that and adding your folders to look for media...it should work...

[six_storm]

Well I don't know what to tell you. The combination works fine for me. Mind you, I run MetaBrowser on my win2008 server (where my media is stored, it's installed as a service and monitors my TV Shows and Movies folders). Whenever a TV Show episode or Movie is copied into the folders it automatically downloads all the metadata and images.

How do you have your media stored? For movies they must all be in their own separate folders. The best naming scheme is the movie name followed by the release year in brackets. Any other stuff you want in the name (eg I put 1080p or 720p in the name as well) needs to be in square brackets. For example: "Horton Hears a Who! (2008) [1080p]"

For MetaBrowser to recognize your files you have to make sure the file extensions you use are in the "Valid Extensions" box in the settings otherwise it will skip them. Other than that and adding your folders to look for media...it should work...

I have all of my media stored on my main workstation and have mapped network drives on the HTPC. Metabrowser is running on the HTPC.

I did notice that Metabrowser finally started automatically downloading the metadata, but it's still not showing up right in WMC.

Boxee is still rocking and rolling, so I may stick with it. One thing I forgot about was the simple fact that it can run ISOs in a single click without installing DeamonTools for MediaBrowser.

I still haven't configured my Harmony remote but it's on the list of things to do.

Also, I'm replacing my 720P 32" Westinghouse with a 1080P 40" Sony Bravia tomorrow night ;)

[|JuiceZ|]

six_storm let me know how it goes with Boxee. I've been running XBMC Linux for a year and half and just built a dedicated ION N330 box for it earlier this year. It's been very easy for me to manage from my MBP via SSH & terminal. Also run a usenet client on the box that automatically sorts my shows and updates the XBMC library whenever something downloads among other things. Currently switching between the AEON ShowMix & Alaska (night textures) skins. XBMC live also comes with LIRC already configured for MCE remote which can be emulated with Harmony One. The box is connected via HDMI for audio/video to an HK receiver and output to Pioneer KURO. Thinking about upgrading my receiver to either a HK3600 or Denon 2310ci for Dolby volume.

[six_storm]

six_storm let me know how it goes with Boxee. I've been running XBMC Linux for a year and half and just built a dedicated ION N330 box for it earlier this year. It's been very easy for me to manage from my MBP via SSH & terminal. Also run a usenet client on the box that automatically sorts my shows and updates the XBMC library whenever something downloads among other things. Currently switching between the AEON ShowMix & Alaska (night textures) skins. XBMC live also comes with LIRC already configured for MCE remote which can be emulated with Harmony One. The box is connected via HDMI for audio/video to an HK receiver and output to Pioneer KURO. Thinking about upgrading my receiver to either a HK3600 or Denon 2310ci for Dolby volume.

Will do. Boxee is basically a fork of XBMC, so you know how well it will run. I guess what makes it nice is the web apps and the social networking aspect of it. I like to see what my friends watch, listen to, etc.