Which media centre hardware/software?

Cuchulain · 6 Jan 2012 at 14:59

Hi folks, hope this is in the right place. I need a bit of advice on what to use to as a media centre, I'm looking to play various formats from an internal and external drive, memory sticks/cards and over ethernet.

So far I've tried XBMC, both Windows and Linux/Live and it's ok, some of my MKV's are a bit jumpy under windows despite it running a powerful machine and some of the stuff I've ripped from my DVDs (despite being lower resolution) freezes up occasionally.

I've tried Mythbuntu, didn't get on with it, too fiddly.

I've got a Sumvision Cyclone 2 and it plays everything perfectly but unfortunately the remote is so bad you need to be a foot max. away from it for it to function and it has no ethernet.

Any other suggestions? Needs to have a 10 foot UI as it's only for TV usage.

cheers.

Mark M · 6 Jan 2012 at 15:24

I cant be of a huge help as Ive over ever tried Windows Media Centre and XBMC and once I got the hang of XBMC it seemed to do everything and more I want. Ive recently just ditched the PC and switched to an ATV2 running XBMC but probably not what youre after if you need to connect usb drives etc to it directly.

Castiel · 6 Jan 2012 at 23:30

I use Serviio....works great on my Sony bluray player....just increase the socket buffer for 1080p MKV and it's sorted.

Bobmunkhouse · 7 Jan 2012 at 12:07

I use media portal and have done for years....always does the job...

Glaucus · 7 Jan 2012 at 12:47

Tbh I'm waiting for cotton candy to be released.
http://www.fxitech.com/products/

Mobile os is effect for media station. No ugly box and just link up to Ethernet/NAS.

Also nice and easy to get a cheap 7" android tablet as a full on touchscreen remote.

In the meantime ill probably give raspberry pi a go as its so cheap.