Ok I have a blank canvas of a machine just now. I was using XBMC but now wondering if Media Center would be better to use? Along with MC I'm thinking Media Portal to download all the info, covers etc. What else would I need, I will be playing Films mostly MKV, and downloaded content. I want a simple set-up that the wife can use, and a simple set-up to add in films when they have been ripped, I didn't like the manual add to library I had to use a few times with XBMC.
What software do you find useful on your HTPC
- Thread starter Sparky
- Start date
I use mediaportal with the streamedmp skin which includes moving pictures (movie database plugin) and mytvseries (TV series plug in). With these set up your movies and TV aeries are auto added when put in the folders you specify and artwork etc is added.
My 6 year old can use mediaportal without any help. Installation is:-
Install mediaportal
Install your preferred codecs
Specify the codecs you want to use on media portal
Install streamedmp skin
Configure moving pictures and my TV series (check the plugin wikis for help or just Google a guide)
I have tried nothing that would make me change this set up
Also you can use sickbeard to auto download TV progs into the folded where mytvseries is monitoring so they just appear I'm media portal
My 6 year old can use mediaportal without any help. Installation is:-
Install mediaportal
Install your preferred codecs
Specify the codecs you want to use on media portal
Install streamedmp skin
Configure moving pictures and my TV series (check the plugin wikis for help or just Google a guide)
I have tried nothing that would make me change this set up
Also you can use sickbeard to auto download TV progs into the folded where mytvseries is monitoring so they just appear I'm media portal
Soldato
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- 26 Apr 2004
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- Milton Keynes
I use the DSPlayer variant of XBMC, using LAV Filters.
Additionally have mediainfo and mkvmerge and that's about it at the moment.
XBMC has its frustrations (some of which come from it not being primarily Windows based), but it works pretty well when you use external codecs with it, and I can use my android phone to fully control my PC via it's LAN connection, including power up and down
I think it's the decent android remote which keeps me using it as much as anything else!
Additionally have mediainfo and mkvmerge and that's about it at the moment.
XBMC has its frustrations (some of which come from it not being primarily Windows based), but it works pretty well when you use external codecs with it, and I can use my android phone to fully control my PC via it's LAN connection, including power up and down
I think it's the decent android remote which keeps me using it as much as anything else!
See this is where I fall down, the add ons to the specific programs, what do I basically need to watch the films. I've got media centre and going to put media portal on the machine, which I'm guess is really going to be what's running, then what? Codecs what's the difference with what's 'built in' to the added ones?
Maybe I'm just to new to all this and overloading before I get started proper.
Maybe I'm just to new to all this and overloading before I get started proper.
This!
Its just perfect Sab and Sickbeard work aurtomaticallty to download what ever i have set up as soona s its avilable all the media info and meta is handled by it as well.