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[Gowans]

Seems like everyone and their uncle in my area at the mo are getting android media boxes for Internet TV, streaming etc. in my area.

What's the best current Media Centre to throw on a Windows PC I have connected to my TV.

Ideal I would like the same features these guys have where they steam UK TV etc all grouch the box.

Is XBMC still a thing?

 

[jwk94]

I like the look of wmc

 

[crisdecuba]

Seems like everyone and their uncle in my area at the mo are getting android media boxes for Internet TV, streaming etc. in my area.

What's the best current Media Centre to throw on a Windows PC I have connected to my TV.

Ideal I would like the same features these guys have where they steam UK TV etc all grouch the box.

Is XBMC still a thing?

My preference is XBMC, now called Kodi or Kudi or something like that (Google it). Most flexible platform for my needs, and super easy to use once set up.

 

[Ecto311]

Plex is really good. Best thing is you can use it on xbox one and tweak a ton of settings. I like that it pulls a lot of info on its own when you put in media name. I have mine split into TV shows, movies, and animated so my daughter can tap into the movies we have ripped and never screw with a dvd.

 

[Lazaro]

XBMC has been renamed to Kodi. I think its still great.

I hear Plex is nice and simple alternative to use these days.

Personally I wished Microsoft would bundle Xbox Ones Media features into a new Windows Media Centre App for PC.

 

[Korey]

What's the purpose/advantage/difference of having a media center software over just normal windows?

 

[Rich!]

Kodi (xbmc) is still king

What's the purpose/advantage/difference of having a media center software over just normal windows?

Browsing windows on a home media set up isn't great, you know

I have my main PC set up to my HDTV. It boots up with XBStart set up so that I can access the Windows 8 start menu with my 360 pad. From there I can access Steam (big picture mode) for my games,Retroarch for emulation and Kodi for all my films and music. And I never have to use a keyboard and mouse.

And then in terms of presentation its so much better - album/film poster art, scraped info and dates of release, lovely menus and navigation, etc.

 

[Korey]

Kodi (xbmc) is still king



Browsing windows on a home media set up isn't great, you know

I have my main PC set up to my HDTV. It boots up with XBStart set up so that I can access the Windows 8 start menu with my 360 pad. From there I can access Steam (big picture mode) for my games,Retroarch for emulation and Kodi for all my films and music. And I never have to use a keyboard and mouse.

And then in terms of presentation its so much better - album/film poster art, scraped info and dates of release, lovely menus and navigation, etc.

Wouldn't windows just be easier for file management, browsing the internet, etc?

 

[Metalmarc]

Kodi (formally xmbc, look it up op)

 

[robotrock]

I use Kodi with the Plex add-ons so it can stream movies from my Plex server.

 

[Gowans]

I'll give Kodi a go, it doesn't completely take over the PC right? I can still flip to Dteam Big Piture mode or use chrome right?

Thanks guys

 

[Marty Chinn]

Wouldn't windows just be easier for file management, browsing the internet, etc?

Nope. Windows doesn't scrape media to display things correctly and isn't TV friendly.

 

[captive]

I'll give Kodi a go, it doesn't completely take over the PC right? I can still flip to Dteam Big Piture mode or use chrome right?

Thanks guys

No, it doesn't. Windows IMO is the best media center option. On my windows 8 HTPC I have the Netflix app installed, which is more energy and processor efficient than running it through a webpage. I have Kodi installed. I have Plax but I never use it. ITunes and can hit amazon prime to watch movies as well.

 

[harSon]

XBMC is by far the best option if you're willing to put the time into tweaking with it.

 

[Tomte Arme]

use madvr for better quality image

 

[Marty Chinn]

No, it doesn't. Windows IMO is the best media center option. On my windows 8 HTPC I have the Netflix app installed, which is more energy and processor efficient than running it through a webpage. I have Kodi installed. I have Plax but I never use it. ITunes and can hit amazon prime to watch movies as well.

An Amazon Fire TV is way better for that than a Windows 8 HTPC. As far as I know, you still can't launch Windows 8 apps from XBMC/Kodi and have seamless integration. A Fire TV let's you do that.

 

[Quick]

Kodi (formerly XBMC) with the Aeon Nox theme.

Though, I am looking for a new theme just to refresh my setup.

 

[Nif]

I like Kodi with the Xperience 1080 theme.

 

[captive]

An Amazon Fire TV is way better for that than a Windows 8 HTPC. As far as I know, you still can't launch Windows 8 apps from XBMC/Kodi and have seamless integration. A Fire TV let's you do that.

uh, yea no.
Stuck with amazons proprietary OS.
VC-1 isn't hardware decoded with it.
Doesnt have gigabit Ethernet either.
Its only got two gigs of RAM. And you have to "push" kodi to it because its not on amazons software list. Didn't even bother to see if it could handle 1080p mkvs. Because ive been there done that with an apple tv.

You can launch Netflix from within xbmc. Not that I care, its easy enough for me to do anything and everything I want within windows because windows is flexible.

Kodi (formerly XBMC) with the Aeon Nox theme.

Though, I am looking for a new theme just to refresh my setup.

aeon nox is my favorite theme.

 

[Marty Chinn]

uh, yea no.
Stuck with amazons proprietary OS.
VC-1 isn't hardware decoded with it.
Doesnt have gigabit Ethernet either.
Its only got two gigs of RAM. And you have to "push" kodi to it because its not on amazons software list. Didn't even bother to see if it could handle 1080p mkvs. Because ive been there done that with an apple tv.

You can launch Netflix from within xbmc. Not that I care, its easy enough for me to do anything and everything I want within windows because windows is flexible.

Umm, yes. You were talking about Netflix, Amazon, Plex, and energy efficiency. A Fire TV excels over a Windows 8 HTPC for these. Gigabit Ethernet is pointless for a streaming client too. The last I checked, it was still hacky to integrate Netflix as I've been down that path before.

 

[captive]

Umm, yes. You were talking about Netflix, Amazon, Plex, and energy efficiency. A Fire TV excels over a Windows 8 HTPC for these. Gigabit Ethernet is pointless for a streaming client too. The last I checked, it was still hacky to integrate Netflix as I've been down that path before.

Can it decode 1080p mkv?

Gigabit isn't pointless when you use the same windows 8 machine for ripping your blu-rays. Transferring files and doing other things that you can do on a PC. Can the amazon firetv do that? No. Ok. Great, thanks for the recommendation.

My point, as it relates to the thread, which by the way is about using some media player like Kodi, on a PC, was that windows 8 is the best option if you want flexibility.

 

[Quick]

I'm running Windows 7 on my HTPC. But I feel like Windows 8 would be a better OS to use on a larger screen. I can already imagine being able to switch between Kodi and Windows 8 apps relatively easy with how Microsoft designed the OS.

 

[Rich!]

I'm running Windows 7 on my HTPC. But I feel like Windows 8 would be a better OS to use on a larger screen. I can already imagine being able to switch between Kodi and Windows 8 apps relatively easy with how Microsoft designed the OS.

windows 8.1 also has this:

http://www.xbstart.info/

 

[Marty Chinn]

Can it decode 1080p mkv?

Yes it can. It handles full BluRay rips without breaking a sweat.

Gigabit isn't pointless when you use the same windows 8 machine for ripping your blu-rays. Transferring files and doing other things that you can do on a PC. Can the amazon firetv do that? No. Ok. Great, thanks for the recommendation.

Where was this mention as a criteria? For the purpose of a media client, it is useless. If he's ripping it to play on the same PC, there's really no need to transfer it over the network. Putting it on a server seems excessive if you only are using the one client. If you're using multiple clients then a Fire TV is better for criteria of Netflix, Amazon, and energy efficiency.

My point, as it relates to the thread, which by the way is about using some media player like Kodi, on a PC, was that windows 8 is the best option if you want flexibility.

Kodi on a PC is irrelevant when it comes to Netflix and Amazon though since you'll be using that outside of Kodi and they don't integrate well into Kodi.

 

[charpunk]

Plex for simplicity and ability to stream to tons of different devices.

Kodi for ability to customize UI.

I've used xbmc for many years and recently switched to plex since it's super easy to stream to devices around my house and when I'm on the go.

windows 8.1 also has this:

http://www.xbstart.info/

Oh wow, totally didn't know about this. Installing this as soon as I get home.

 

[Captain Chaos]

If you want to watch live TV I'd recommend Media Portal.

 

[NekoFever]

I have a dedicated box for XBMC/Kodi and I love it, but I'm not sure I'd recommend it for streaming services like Netflix because it's often a bit of a hack job to get them working. If you're playing locally stored media files or stuff on a network share, though, it's unparalleled. I have all my BDs and DVDs ripped to a NAS and it's awesome.

 

[Rich!]

I have a dedicated box for XBMC/Kodi and I love it, but I'm not sure I'd recommend it for streaming services like Netflix because it's often a bit of a hack job to get them working. If you're playing locally stored media files or stuff on a network share, though, it's unparalleled. I have all my BDs and DVDs ripped to a NAS and it's awesome.

Yeah same. Got it working on my SNES, and its fantastic.

 

[captive]

I'm running Windows 7 on my HTPC. But I feel like Windows 8 would be a better OS to use on a larger screen. I can already imagine being able to switch between Kodi and Windows 8 apps relatively easy with how Microsoft designed the OS.

yes, it is. Which is exactly why I said it was the best option for a PC. Its literally two seconds to close Kodi and open Netflix.

Yes it can. It handles full BluRay rips without breaking a sweat.


Where was this mention as a criteria? For the purpose of a media client, it is useless. If he's ripping it to play on the same PC, there's really no need to transfer it over the network. Putting it on a server seems excessive if you only are using the one client. If you're using multiple clients then a Fire TV is better for criteria of Netflix, Amazon, and energy efficiency.




Kodi on a PC is irrelevant when it comes to Netflix and Amazon though since you'll be using that outside of Kodi and they don't integrate well into Kodi.

Are you pedantic in every thread you post in, or are you selective?

 

[Marty Chinn]

Are you pedantic in every thread you post in, or are you selective?

What are you talking about? I never disputed that XBMC is king for HTPC software. I fully recommend it. However, a Windows PC isn't always the best option to run XBMC. There is unfortunately no single best solution out there to run XBMC so it comes down to use case scenario. For someone where Netflix, Amazon, Plex, and energy efficiency is a significant factor, a Windows PC isn't the best option.

 

[R10Neymarfan]

Personally I wished Microsoft would bundle Xbox Ones Media features into a new Windows Media Centre App for PC.

Isn't that what they're going for in Win10?

 

[captive]

What are you talking about? I never disputed that XBMC is king for HTPC software. I fully recommend it. However, a Windows PC isn't always the best option to run XBMC. There is unfortunately no single best solution out there to run XBMC so it comes down to use case scenario. For someone where Netflix, Amazon, Plex, and energy efficiency is a significant factor, a Windows PC isn't the best option.

Your being pedantic, per your usual because I quoted Gowans who was asking if Kodi took over the PC. I said no, and then expanded on that and even said IMO that windows 8 is the best option. Given that the OP is talking about a media player PC, and the guy I quoted is talking about a media player PC I think it was fairly obvious I was talking about on a PC? I then talked about the Netflix app and said it is more energy efficient than running through a webpage. Mentioned ITunes and so and and so forth. I thought I was pretty clear that I was speaking about my personal experience with my HTPC.

You then quote me and say that an Amazon fire TV is better, which had absolutely, literally, zero to do with my post. Why, you quoted me to talk about it, I don't know, given that the thread is talking about PCs, not dedicated players like an appletv or amazon firetv. Do you not see how annoying that is?

 

[Marty Chinn]

Your being pedantic, per your usual because I quoted Gowans who was asking if Kodi took over the PC. I said no, and then expanded on that and even said IMO that windows 8 is the best option. Given that the OP is talking about a media player PC, and the guy I quoted is talking about a media player PC I think it was fairly obvious I was talking about on a PC?

Sure and there's no problem with that. I never disputed that. I was commenting on the additional stuff you added.

I then talked about the Netflix app and said it is more energy efficient than running through a webpage. Mentioned ITunes and so and and so forth. I thought I was pretty clear that I was speaking about my personal experience with my HTPC.

And this is where I was commenting on since things like these aren't well done with XBMC on Windows. So before the OP gets the assumption that a Windows PC is good for these things, I was commenting on how these aren't great on a Windows PC. It was adding on to the information you were giving.

You then quote me and say that an Amazon fire TV is better, which had absolutely, literally, zero to do with my post. Why, you quoted me to talk about it, I don't know, given that the thread is talking about PCs, not dedicated players like an appletv or amazon firetv. Do you not see how annoying that is?

It is better for those things which has absolutely to do with the fact that you started talking about Netflix, Amazon, energy efficiency, Plex, etc. Why give the wrong impression that Windows 8 is great with these things when it's not? If the OP cares about those things, it might be of interest to expand looking to realize that there are better options for those things that work with XBMC. If he doesn't care, he can ignore it. My comments are only as irrelevant as you writing about your experience that goes beyond the scope of what he was asking about because again, those things work outside of XBMC.

I'll state again if it's not clear. Netflix, Amazon, and energy efficiency are not great on on a Windows PC. Weigh that in if that's important to you.

 

[BocoDragon]

I'm a diehard user of Kodi (XBMC), but I'm thinking of looking to Plex. It would probably suit my lifestyle better as I no longer feel everything has to be glued into my home theater. I have many devices to watch on.

 

[Gowans]

Thanks guys just installed Kodi, this is fab! It's exactly what people have been peddling around my way to watch streamed content on.

Any guys for setup, looks fab. Ideally just want my PC to boot into this with the option of switching over to steam, vowing my ripped media from my nAS drive with added metadata and also viewing UK TV streams (tvcatcup.com)?