HTPC software? OS?

FlyingFish · 29 Aug 2010 at 19:03

Ive just built up a htpc for downstairs

And have a few questions to help improve the experience.

Following specs:

Asus P5QL/EPU mobo
Intel E7200 cpu
ATI 3870HD
500Gb Samsung F2 5400rpm quiet HDD
2Gb OCZ memory
Wifi card
Windows 7

I have everything running and installed, and have been playing around with Windows Media Center, and just now XBMC. I would like to get straight to the action as fast and as simply as possible

I was wondering what programs people are using for their HTPC's or even OS's.
Something fast and easy but also flexible too.

Already I've gone off Windows Media Center slightly as K-Lite media player plays nearly everything visually better, but its a bit old school and requires the windows OS.

I like XBMC, and have tried the XBMC Live from a usb stick. Quick and handy, but probably not making use of the hardware, and certain parts are a bit screwy with my wireless keyboard touchpad.

Also would it be a quicker system (boot up/operation etc) with Windows XP rather than Win7?

Cheers
Mick

theheyes · 29 Aug 2010 at 19:24

FlyingFish said:
Also would it be a quicker system (boot up/operation etc) with Windows XP rather than Win7?

Nah, you have plenty of RAM and if anything the reverse would be true.

As for your other questions I'll have to let somebody else answer as I have very little experience with media centre PCs. I'd give Linux a try if I was building one for myself but if you already have a Windows 7 license for the box then you may as well stick with it (and it will probably be a lot more convenient)

Wossi · 29 Aug 2010 at 21:34

http://www.mediabrowser.tv/

Plenty of plugins available also to make it look how you want.

I have it and love it.

BubbySoup · 29 Aug 2010 at 23:50

I use MediaPortal and have done for several years. Well worth a look.

chipps101 · 29 Aug 2010 at 23:54

i use windows 7 with mediabrowser and the harmony plugin, takes a bit of setting up but once its all done it looks and runs great.

pepp77 · 30 Aug 2010 at 00:01

I use Windows 7 Media centre with haali media splitter and ffdshow installed. I also have TMT integrated. It plays everything I throw at it and is fully controlled by my harmony one (configured with a cyberlink remote profile).

I looked at Media Browser and Media Portal but decided not to use them and just stuck with Media centre.