Software for HTPC/Media Center

[Slick5150]

I've been running XBMC for years now and its been great for what I need it for. The only downside, obviously, is its lack of HD support (due to hardware limitations of the Xbox). So I was thinking of trying some of the alternatives on the PC, however, all of them are geared more towards TV viewing/recording rather than streaming movies & music from my network (which is all I want it for). I tried MythTV, for example, and it really seemed confused by the fact that I didn't have a TV tuner or want to use those functions.

I know XBMC is in the process of being ported to Linux, but in the meantime, is there an alternative out there than is geared towards the functionality of XBMC (media playback) rather than as a DVR?

 

[jtvang125]

Vista MCE with MyMovies plugin.
MyMovies Screenshots

Plays divx, xvid, h.264, x.264 encoded movies and dvd iso just fine with the proper codecs. The plugin is free but vista is going to run you about $120 though.

 

[Slick5150]

Originally posted by: jtvang125
Vista MCE with MyMovies plugin.
MyMovies Screenshots

Plays divx, xvid, h.264, x.264 encoded movies and dvd iso just fine with the proper codecs. The plugin is free but vista is going to run you about $120 though.

Interesting.. I'll have to look into that. I thought MCE was fairly limited, but I guess that plugin opens it up a bit.

 

[Quasmo]

Originally posted by: Slick5150

Originally posted by: jtvang125
Vista MCE with MyMovies plugin.
MyMovies Screenshots

Plays divx, xvid, h.264, x.264 encoded movies and dvd iso just fine with the proper codecs. The plugin is free but vista is going to run you about $120 though.

Interesting.. I'll have to look into that. I thought MCE was fairly limited, but I guess that plugin opens it up a bit.

MCE is completely full featured, there is nothing it cant do. I love it and will stand by it.

 

[ShockwaveVT]

that does look like a nice plug-in

hmm

 

[manimal]

I just set up a htpc in my living room and after the trials and tribulations of getting it all set up and working-tried 4 different cards- I have a setup that I have always wanted. I pop in a dvd and rip it to xvid and have in the last week added my entire 300+ dvd library to a hardrive. Its all accessible by MCE and Mymovies has imported all the box art for all the movies. MCe in vista is a bit more of a PITA than 2005 but with all the pretty things dreamscene can do my friends were ultra impressed with my setup. When I add a combo bd-hddvd drive ill be set for the next few years.

 

[tdawg]

Originally posted by: manimal
I just set up a htpc in my living room and after the trials and tribulations of getting it all set up and working-tried 4 different cards- I have a setup that I have always wanted. I pop in a dvd and rip it to xvid and have in the last week added my entire 300+ dvd library to a hardrive. Its all accessible by MCE and Mymovies has imported all the box art for all the movies. MCe in vista is a bit more of a PITA than 2005 but with all the pretty things dreamscene can do my friends were ultra impressed with my setup. When I add a combo bd-hddvd drive ill be set for the next few years.

How much space did your collection take up when encoded in xvid? This is a great idea and I may implement it with my DVD collection.