HTPC operating system/ software

[Slinkie]

Hi Folks,

I currently have a HTPC that I use as a freeview recorder/ bluray and HDD player. I have windows vista installed and use Vista media centre for everything except for HD media for which I use power dvd.

The pc is playing up a bit so I am going to wipe the operating system and reinstall but before I do I wanted to check if there was better software for me to use. Can I use Windows 7 trial and does it have a media centre? I'd eventually get the full version when I need to but I might try it out if it is in anyway better than vista.

Are there any open source OS's that are good for media players or any software that I can use instead of VMC ? It's a bit annoying having to switch between power dvd and VMC, can anything support Blu ray and HDDVD playback natively?

Thanks

Matt

 

[Slinkie]

I was just going to post a question about media portal.

So it's safe to assume using anything but windows won't play hi def optical media?

Is there anyway to integrate media portal with powerdvd? I don't mind having to use powerdvd still for blu rays etc but I'd like it to launch and stay on top etc when I need it rather than me having to open it up manually, inset the disk and play etc while making sure media centre is stopped. It gets a bit annoying when you are trying to do all of that with just a remote.

 

[Slinkie]

All those using windows 7, are you using the beta version that runs out in March next year? Does it have media centre in it? I have a upgrade voucher but I won't get the disc for a while but I have a copy of the test version