Just switched from Media Portal to Vista Media Centre

DJMK4 · 9 Aug 2008 at 21:11

And althought I havnt really got a chance to tweak it properly. There is one thing that is already bugging the hell out of me.

The picture quality is no where as good as it was with media portal. Picture is slightly pixelated and weird

its quite dissapointing, its not my monitor as it was displaying fine through media portal in XP.

Anyone else had any similar problems?

Also cant seem to get the TV Guide to work in Vista Media centre, just says no data available all the time even though i scanned correctly and downloaded the guides.

monkeysmith · 9 Aug 2008 at 21:13

Afraid I can't offer any help, but why did you switch? Any reason?

edgedemon · 9 Aug 2008 at 21:14

I use media portal - why did you switch?

DJMK4 · 9 Aug 2008 at 21:15

I dont know, Although media portal is a fantastic piece of software, it took a while to configure, and even then it wasnt really stable, had a few bugs here and there, kept crashing, didnt like scheduled recording or power on from hibernation recording. Saying that I have just installed vista on my HTPC and running it through Vista Media Centre, and im seeing just as many bugs with this.

DJMK4 · 9 Aug 2008 at 21:17

I got a sinking feeling in my stomach that I want to make the move back, already!! haha

monkeysmith · 9 Aug 2008 at 21:25

I'm having media centre problems myself, trying to get freesat with a s2 card. Thing keeps crashing on channel scan using mce 2005. Need to try media portal, although doesnt run that well as its a n old box.

Conrad11 · 9 Aug 2008 at 22:08

Actually used to use MediaPortal, but now use VMC and have never looked back - SO SO SO much more stable.

Worked from day 1 and has never crashed.

New TV pack means I get interactive red button stuff and its ridiculously fast compared to a set-top-box.

DJMK4 · 9 Aug 2008 at 22:17

Conrad11 said:
Actually used to use MediaPortal, but now use VMC and have never looked back - SO SO SO much more stable.

Worked from day 1 and has never crashed.

New TV pack means I get interactive red button stuff and its ridiculously fast compared to a set-top-box.

How do you get the TV guide working?

Conrad11 · 9 Aug 2008 at 22:19

It just worked.

I typed in my post code, it downloaded the data and it was there.

I use DVB-T if it makes any difference.

EDIT:

Have you tried removing all the EPG data and starting again?

DJMK4 · 9 Aug 2008 at 22:21

Conrad11 said:
It just worked.

I typed in my post code, it downloaded the data and it was there.

I use DVB-T if it makes any difference.

EDIT:

Have you tried removing all the EPG data and starting again?

Ill have another go at re-configuring it again tomorrow, will post back here if i get any problems.

Slam62 · 9 Aug 2008 at 22:26

Conrad11 said:
Actually used to use MediaPortal, but now use VMC and have never looked back - SO SO SO much more stable.

Worked from day 1 and has never crashed.

New TV pack means I get interactive red button stuff and its ridiculously fast compared to a set-top-box.

Hello

Yes I installed the tv pack, very good. I can record bbc hd until 31 aug as well.

At the moment when I click on the red button I get the interactive screen but cannot navigate the menu, have you managed this?

thanks

Conrad11 · 9 Aug 2008 at 22:27

Slam62 said:
Hello

Yes I installed the tv pack, very good. I can record bbc hd until 31 aug as well.

Why only until 31 aug? What hardware/equipment are you using?

At the moment when I click on the red button I get the interactive screen but cannot navigate the menu, have you managed this?

Will check shortly, I haven't actually used it, just opened it to see how quick it was.

DJMK4 · 9 Aug 2008 at 22:34

Out of interest, what plugins/packs are available for Vista Media Centre?

Conrad11 · 9 Aug 2008 at 23:13

Personally I don't use any plugins but check these forums: The Green Button Forums

The most noteworthy ones are:

MyMovies - movie management.
MyTV - tv series management. (You have to pay for this one - but its very well supported)
Heatwave Vista - weather.
BookmarkIt - bookmark places within videos to resume from.

badbob · 9 Aug 2008 at 23:15

I switched back and forth a few times, from XP MCE, Vista MCE but always gone back to Media Portal. Just find it better for audio/video files especially the music database.

Conrad11 · 9 Aug 2008 at 23:31

I absolutely detest the way MediaPortal does the music section, I don't know what it is, but I just don't like using it and it seems much nicer to use VMC.

badbob · 9 Aug 2008 at 23:33

MP allows you to browse by directory, which works better than Windows MC. Although I still prefer the Squeezebox, as I use a few XML filters with custom browse, use a database but with \A \B etc structure.

Conrad11 · 9 Aug 2008 at 23:42

badbob said:
MP allows you to browse by directory, which works better than Windows MC. Although I still prefer the Squeezebox, as I use a few XML filters with custom browse, use a database but with \A \B etc structure.

Well all my music files are tagged perfectly with album art etc, so I don't have a problem with it.

Supertaff · 9 Aug 2008 at 23:45

You might also want to check out XMBC (http://xbmc.org/), have been playing with it a little lately alongside My Movies and Media Portal

Not sure if it will cure all your problems, but it's another one worth considering.

I've not made my mind up yet as to which one to use and I've got another couple of weeks before I get my HTPC up and running so have some time left to play with them.

Taff

Conrad11 · 9 Aug 2008 at 23:54

Supertaff said:
You might also want to check out XMBC (http://xbmc.org/), have been playing with it a little lately alongside My Movies and Media Portal

Its good, very good, what HTPC applications should aspire too, the creator of MP used to be a XBMC developer.

....but the XBOX doesn't have the power to play high definition content unfortunately and doesn't do TV either.