Vista Media Centre and Blu Ray...

Skeeter said:
Does Media Centre in Vista support Blu Ray or HD DVD? And if not, are there plans for it?
Click to expand...

Not directly as far as I'm aware.

Arcsoft Total Media Theatre does a better job of things sometimes than PowerDVD, as it integrates in to VMC, whereas PowerDVD doesn't (without some tweaking). YMMV and all that, but I prefer Arcsoft, although I've got both.
 
So.... If I was to get a BD drive that came with software, like PowerDVD or something included, I could make the HD content run through Media Centre? Id rather not have to load up another application. Id like either proper in Media Centre support, or a plugin. The HTPC will only be used with a remote and locked in Media Mode.
 
Thinking about getting a BDROM drive again (now ive got myself a small 1080p HDTV). Is it still a case of buying additional software to play BDs in Vista Media Centre, and if so, is Arcsoft still a good choice.

Does Windows 7 change anything? If BD support is better in 7 I might be tempted to upgrade.
 
Nope, works on 64bit m8 :D
Has played everything I've thrown at it so far, even troublsome discs that refuse to play on my sisters silly Samsung 2500.
 
Skeeter, I run Arcsoft too. It integrates perfectly with Media Center using a remote only.

I know you have a WHS as well, and if you're running MyMovies Arcsoft integrates with that. My BluRays are ripped to ISOs on the server and MyMovies catalogues them with Arcsoft as the player.

This allows me to playback my BluRays on any of my Media Centers and I don't need a BD drive in each machine.

Given your setup it might be an option for you as well.
 
just for reference, I've got powerdvd 7, media centre launches powerdvd automatically when you play a blu-ray, i.e. playback is not integrated into media centre
 
I run Arcsoft with AnyDVD HD and I've never had a problem playing any disc, ever.

It sits in 7MC so nicely too and you can access it through Media Browser rather than having a TMT strip
 
It's so damn expensive, it'll be a while before I can justify spending £150 on a drive and player

They should price it at ~$30, they'd get far more sales
 
The latest version of Powerdvd intergrates into media centre and upscales dvds perfect. I only use Arcsoft to play my HD DVDs as Powerdvd no longer supports them.
 
ChileanLlama said:
Skeeter, I run Arcsoft too. It integrates perfectly with Media Center using a remote only.

I know you have a WHS as well, and if you're running MyMovies Arcsoft integrates with that. My BluRays are ripped to ISOs on the server and MyMovies catalogues them with Arcsoft as the player.

This allows me to playback my BluRays on any of my Media Centers and I don't need a BD drive in each machine.

Given your setup it might be an option for you as well.
Click to expand...

I do have a WHS and MyMovies installed, but the weak link is my shoddy 54g wifi network that appears to be running even more slowly than usual meaning ripped DVDs dont play over the wireless. But seen as a Wifi N network is on the cards its a possibility. If not I would just rip the BD Roms to the HTPC hard drive.

Ill give Arcsoft a look. Cheers
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom