Win10: Bye Windows Media Center! Alternatives?

[GTaudiophile]

What are Windows-based alternatives for WMC?

I am quite enjoying my WMC setup at the moment. I know that NOT upgrading is also an option for my HTPC.

 

[SimMike2]

I'm in the same boat. I use a Silicon Dust HD Prime cable card device, which I love. Supposedly they are coming up with their own WMC alternative, but I suspect it might have a subscription fee. Until I know there is a viable alternative, Microsoft is going to have to pry Windows 7 from my cold dead hands.

 

[RampantAndroid]

Has no one heard of KODI?

 

[JackMDS]

http://www.howtogeek.com/132462/5-alternatives-to-windows-media-center-on-windows-8/

 

[RampantAndroid]

http://www.howtogeek.com/132462/5-alternatives-to-windows-media-center-on-windows-8/

fyi, xbmc == kodi

 

[vailr]

According to Paul Thurott on today's Windows Weekly podcast, Windows Media Center actually can run on Windows 10. It's just that Microsoft doesn't want to support it any longer. So: if you have a copy of the standalone installer, there may still be a way of getting WMC to run on Windows 10.
Note: there are different WMC versions (32-bit & 64-bit), so the appropriate version would need to be used, corresponding to the Windows 10 bit version.

 

[Jovec]

Has no one heard of KODI?

http://www.howtogeek.com/132462/5-alternatives-to-windows-media-center-on-windows-8/

None of which handle m-card tuners for encrypted TV. That is WMC's biggest appeal for many of us.

 

[Red Squirrel]

XBMC on a Raspberry Pi. Best thing ever, small, low power usage, cheap, just leave it on and forget about it, and switch to that input whenever you want to watch a movie.

 

[PliotronX]

Has no one heard of KODI?

XBMC on a Raspberry Pi. Best thing ever, small, low power usage, cheap, just leave it on and forget about it, and switch to that input whenever you want to watch a movie.

Yes and yes. I've actually never installed/used WMC. Since setting up a Plex server and installing Kodi/XBMC on the HTPC and RPi, frankly this news is not a shock.

 

[Mem]

For live tv,a member at a different forum recommended ProgDVD http://www.progdvb.com/

 

[uallas5]

I'm in the same boat. I use a Silicon Dust HD Prime cable card device, which I love. Supposedly they are coming up with their own WMC alternative, but I suspect it might have a subscription fee. Until I know there is a viable alternative, Microsoft is going to have to pry Windows 7 from my cold dead hands.

According to their kickstarter page, it will be $30/year

 

[uallas5]

None of which handle m-card tuners for encrypted TV. That is WMC's biggest appeal for many of us.

QFT

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

Here's the alternative for cable cards & encrypted TV:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1275320038/hdhomerun-dvr-the-dvr-re-imagined

 

[GTaudiophile]

How long will MSFT continue to support the channel guide? That is about all they do right?

 

[bbhaag]

How long will MSFT continue to support the channel guide? That is about all they do right?

That's a good question. Without the channel guide it makes it difficult to record shows. I know my Channel Master dvr uses a company called Revo. Maybe MS will turn it over to a similar company?