Media Center PC

[jwhicks727]

I'm considering building a media center PC and so I tried out Windows Media Center in Vista to see how I liked it. I use Windows Media Player for just about all my other media (except for a few weird video files that only work in VLC), so I figured the transition would be smooth. However, nearly all of my video files (most of which are avi's) give an error message saying I don't have the right codec when I try to play them.

I must be wrong, but I was under the impression that once you installed a codec, it worked no matter what media player you were using (ie I shouldn't have to install codecs for Media Center that I have already installed for Media Player). Any insight on this?

Also, any general thoughts on setting up a media center computer? If you have one, what software do you use, and what do you use for a remote?

 

[mooncancook]

Tried XP MCE and went back to XP Pro. Vista maybe later when driver and software supports are mature. I use nothing fancy for a remote - wireless desktop, though I'd like to try using my Wiimote

 

[loup garou]

What codecs do you have installed?

I would recommend uninstalling any codec packs you may have and following the instructions here for configuring FFDShow and Media Splitter. I have my VMC box configured this way and it plays (and thumbnails) anything I throw at it.

Oh, as for my machine, I just use a dell running VMC hooked up to my TV & Receiver. Use the MS IR receiver with a Harmony 680 remote. Not much other software installed, just Vista really, using built-in MS mpeg2 decoder. Works great.

 

[Jules]

Originally posted by: mooncancook
Tried XP MCE and went back to XP Pro. Vista maybe later when driver and software supports are mature. I use nothing fancy for a remote - wireless desktop, though I'd like to try using my Wiimote

what didnt you like about XP MCE?

 

[mooncancook]

Originally posted by: MyStupidMouth

Originally posted by: mooncancook
Tried XP MCE and went back to XP Pro. Vista maybe later when driver and software supports are mature. I use nothing fancy for a remote - wireless desktop, though I'd like to try using my Wiimote

what didnt you like about XP MCE?

Not that I didn't like it, it's just basically the same thing, and since I already have XP Pro SP2, for me it's not worth it. The MCE interface is great for non-HD TV, but for HDTV with at least 720P resolution it's not necessary IMO. But if I'm to buy a new OS for my HTPC I would choose MCE.