Best Media Centre Software

McDaniel · 27 Jan 2008 at 17:45

So what does everyone use.

Im currently messing about with this Media Portal, im loving the TV Series plugin however i cant seem to get it to play .mkv files?!

What is everyone else using, and what sort of plugins if you are using them too?

jbloggs · 27 Jan 2008 at 17:47

GB-PVR

skanky · 27 Jan 2008 at 18:59

i use mediaportal, with the tvseries plugin too, it recognises mkv's just fine.

goto MP setup/movies/movie extensions and make sure .mkv is in that list.

McDaniel · 27 Jan 2008 at 19:05

.mkv is in the list :/

must be a codec issue, found a good site with a HTPC guide with loads of tips on setting up Media Portal

this_is_gav · 29 Jan 2008 at 10:54

Care to share that one with me please, as I've never managed to get around some issues with it, and always just end up back on Media Center.

[DOD]Asprilla · 29 Jan 2008 at 11:02

Having messed around with GBPVR and Media portal at the weekend I've decided to use Visa Media Centre with MCE buddy to transcode the dvr-ms files into divx for my Archos.

As a first time user I just found it more intuitive and prettier than the alternatives and it does absolutely everything that I want it to.

leezer3 · 29 Jan 2008 at 11:10

Try J. River Media Centre 12, and you may be surprised

Payware I know, but more than worth the price tag. It's the only app that does fully custom libraries (Video, audio & image), custom viewschemes and a whole lot of other stuff.
http://www.jrmediacenter.com
Also see the forum- http://yabb.jriver.com/interact

-Leezer-

Lanz · 29 Jan 2008 at 11:10

I've used them all and have decided to stick with Vista too.

A must have plugin for VMC is Media Control . you can grab it here http://damienbt.free.fr/

ArchAnGeL · 29 Jan 2008 at 11:20

Vista media centre here as well.
Just a much slicker interface than the others I have tried - far easier for the missus to use

AndyOcUK · 26 Feb 2013 at 00:37

leezer3 said:
Try J. River Media Centre 12, and you may be surprised
Payware I know, but more than worth the price tag. It's the only app that does fully custom libraries (Video, audio & image), custom viewschemes and a whole lot of other stuff.
http://www.jrmediacenter.com
Also see the forum- http://yabb.jriver.com/interact

-Leezer-

This^

Its the nuts. VERY slick and beautiful to look at.

Fully functional 30 day trial here:

http://www.jriver.com/

liamcrane · 26 Feb 2013 at 07:14

XBMC for me with Aeon MQ4 skin

mranderson · 26 Feb 2013 at 07:54

WMC here with win8. Plays all formats without problems but was hoping for an updated or more customizable interface.

Confused · 26 Feb 2013 at 09:25

Holy thread resurrection, Batman!

Anyway, as this thread is bumped now... XBMC

Django x2 · 26 Feb 2013 at 09:54

Win8 MCE with Media Browser here. It's how I've rolled since Vista days tbh

archerz · 26 Feb 2013 at 10:09

liamcrane said:
XBMC for me with Aeon MQ4 skin

yep. been using XBMC for a while now with additional HDMI-CEC controller to allow me to use the menu system from my proper TV remote!

never had any issues with it, just name the file correctly and you'll get artwork/movie information/etc.

feriso · 26 Feb 2013 at 10:55

Seriously - a 5yr bump. I've been using mediaportal fro a good few years but its becoming a pain - mainly because of the instability of the TV side of things so I'm probably getting out of it when Sky is installed on Saturday.

Just CBA trying to stop it going pear shaped after setting up and getting it working it then just starts getting problems for no reason

shame really.

platypus · 26 Feb 2013 at 11:48

Of all the programs I've tried; XBMC has to be the best.

AndyOcUK · 26 Feb 2013 at 19:41

feriso said:
Seriously - a 5yr bump

he he

I thought it was warranted. LOTS happened in 5 years with media!

Interesting to see what people are using now.

GarethH · 27 Feb 2013 at 10:44

http://www.plexapp.com/

lurkio · 27 Feb 2013 at 13:00

I have tried WMC , gb-pvr , npvr and media portal

Media portal was best