I have been wanting to start this thread for a while but haven't been able to find the time (started it nearly a month ago...). My goal here is to create a single thread that users can visit to get information on different media center Software (I will call MCS unless anyone has a major objection or have patented this!!!) out there, as well as allow current users to share their experiences, what enhancements they are using with their applications, updates, etc... Especially considering I am seeing new members every day and the MSS is being used more and more as a streaming device, I thought this may be helpful. What I want to avoid is to make this thread a troubleshooting area. There are threads already started for specific applications that I will try and link to where hopefully users can answer questions. There are also the forums of the MCS' which have a great wealth of knowledge. This thread is obviously geared towards the HTPC crowd, but really anyone who has a desktop pc and wants to tinker around may find this useful as well.

To give you a little background, I currently have 2 HTPC's that I am using as my main media extenders. I will also at times use my desktop PC to view media content. My HTPC's run Vista x64 and my desktp pc runs Vista x32. All my content is loaded on my MSS and streamed across my house Via Cat5e. What I am looking for is the holy grail of MCS' and my requirements are as follows:

- User friendly and streamlined interface
- High WAF
- Integration of online content
- Ability to handle a large variety of file extensions - mkv and vob (dvd structure) a must
- High degree of customization
- Minimal, if any, code writing
- Wow factor (using fanart, etc)
- And of course, stable

Currently I am running/have run the following MCS ( I will include next to the application the applicable thread if available):

- Vista Media Center
- SageTV
- GBPVR
- XBMC
- Media Portal (viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2600)
- Zviewer
- Boxee (viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2598)

Also, some interesting threads out there:
- HTPC Building viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2512
- WHS Building (for those who may go an alternate route to the MSS) viewtopic.php?f=7&t=3023
- Video Formats viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2731
- Archiving dvds viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2973
- Streaming HD content viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1259

One thing I will mention is that I have ZERO experience with recording live tv, so please anyone who is doing this feel free to chime in. I hope to get this set up soon, but currently I do not have the wiring needed where my desktop PC is (which is the only PC that has a tv tuner card). Also, some of the MCS I have spent minimal time with, so I do not know all the bells and whistles that are out there. At the same time though, I think this is a good test because I think for most of us the goal would be to only have to spend a few minutes setting up the MCS (set it and forget it). Others I have sadly spent hours and hours tinkering with!!!

OK, so now that I got this little introduction out of the way I will start posting over the next few days my thoughts and some screen shots of the various MCS that I have used.

UPDATE 4-Mar-09

I have put together a brief summary of the different software below. I couldn't get the columns to line up well so I had to do in excel and make a jpg file. As things come up I will try to keep this updated.

_________________
Cheers,
Damian

DIY WHS - 12.5TB and growing, too many gadgets to list

Did you read the MediaSmartServer blog today?
Blog - http://www.adigitalhomeblog.com
"Like a midget at a urinal, stay on your toes!" - Lieutenant Frank Drebin

Vista Media Center

The software that most people are probably familiar with is VMC. It is technically "free" in that most new Windows O/S software comes bundled with it. At face value it is a fairly straightforward and user friendly system and does not take long at all to set up. Online content is decent (MSNBC, Nat Geo, etc...), most file formats are supported (via hacks), and navigation through the menu structure is painless. When I first started with VMC I thought it was great, until I started seeing what other software was out there. Where I find VMC falls short is:

- Need to do hacks to get expanded file support (mkv/mp4/vob)
- Limited online content
- Without using MyMovies, your DVD library (if ripped as vob keeping dvd structure in place) must be viewed from a different Menu then other videos (mp4s, mkvs, mpeg, avi, etc...)
- Limited customization
- Not crazy about the main menu layout

EDIT 4-Mar-09 - If you read on further in this thread you will see that my opinion of VMC has changed completely, in large part due to MediaBrowser and SecondRun.

As most people know, MS is working on Windows 7, which is supposed to (hopefully) improve on VMC. For further information you can visit Paul Thurrott's website (http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/)

Some add ons/hacks that can be done:

- MP4 registry patch - http://a8t8.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!25 ... !156.entry
- MKV registry patch - http://a8t8.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!25 ... !220.entry
- How to enable DVD Librbay - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/930526
- MyMovies Add on - http://www.mymovies.dk/
- Radio Plugin - http://radiotime.com/partners/mediacenter.aspx Added 28-Jan-09
- Plugin Index - http://www.thehtpc.net/plugin-index Added 28-Jan-09
- MediaBrowser - http://www.mediabrowser.tv Added 4-Mar-09
- SecondRun - http://www.secondrun.tv Added 4-Mar-09

Also, on x64 I used to get a horrible stutter when playing back mkvs/mp4s. To correct this, I had to do the following:
- After installing ffdshow tryouts 64-bit, edit Video Settings. Select output (bottom left of options list), and when the properties to the right show up, deselect yuy2 and select nv12.

EDIT I should mention that I am having issues with VMC on my x32 PC right now. Ever since I set up my Xbox360 as an extender on VMC I get a lot of error messages about the Media Center Extender Service is not working. Basically yesterday VMC crapped out on me completely and told me I needed to shut down my pc, so I am thinking I need to do a clean reinstall

And now for some screenshots:

Main Menu Layout:


MediaBrowser:





SecondRun




MyMovies:

MyMovies Interface:


MyMovies Alternate Interface (MyMoviesBrowser):

_________________
Cheers,
Damian

DIY WHS - 12.5TB and growing, too many gadgets to list

Did you read the MediaSmartServer blog today?
Blog - http://www.adigitalhomeblog.com
"Like a midget at a urinal, stay on your toes!" - Lieutenant Frank Drebin

SageTV Media Center

Out of all the software this is the one I am currently using the most. The software runs for $79.95 and I think covers a years worth of upgrades (the website states "We reserve the right to charge for future upgrades but most minor upgrades will be available at no charge."). SageTV has a very robust community, and although it is geared more towards PVR users, it still makes for a great program. There is I think a 21-day trial period available as well. I originally started using SageTV when I purchased their extender as the SageTV Media Center was required to be installed on the host pc in order for the extender to work (an Add In for WHS was available as well, I should note that SageTV's latest extender can run as a standalone and is not dependant on the SageTV Media Center software). My one complaint with SageTV is that online content is still limited (although Netflix add on is available). I have experienced some issues with playing back hd content on my x64 that I don't experience in my x32 Vista, but I think this may be a codec issue. Overall, I am very happy with this software and would recommend to at least give the trial a shot (it may be hard for some to bite as there is other software that is quite comparable to SageTV that is free). I should throw out there as well that for me to get SageTV where I wanted it to be required spending some time going through the forums, etc..., which may discourage come people.

Website - http://www.sagetv.com
Supported OS: Windows (including WHS), Mac, Linux
Cost: $79.99 (21 day trial)

Also, many of the changes I made to the SageTV Interface I read up on at this great website (http://www.geektonic.com/2008/11/sagetv ... guide.html)

The changes in particular that I followed were:

http://www.geektonic.com/2008/01/superc ... agetv.html
http://www.geektonic.com/2008/01/superc ... -part.html
http://www.geektonic.com/2008/12/sagetv ... media.html
http://www.geektonic.com/2008/12/sagemc ... dd-on.html

Since I had used myMovies I already had cover art for each movie. To get fanart I went to http://www.themoviedb.org/

Unfortunately I only have screen shots after I made changes:

Main Menu:


Setup Menu:


Weather Snapshot:


Online Content (Youtube):


Online Content (Family):


Online Content (Comedy):


Online Content (Science & Tech):


Music Album Interface:


Videos Interface:


Video Interface w/ Fanart and IMBD Profile:

_________________
Cheers,
Damian

DIY WHS - 12.5TB and growing, too many gadgets to list

Did you read the MediaSmartServer blog today?
Blog - http://www.adigitalhomeblog.com
"Like a midget at a urinal, stay on your toes!" - Lieutenant Frank Drebin

I've been able to record TV using MCE2005, however I have to change the channels manually. I have DirectTV, and the receiver connected to my bedroom HTPC (which has the TV card) uses RF remotes, so the IR Blaster thing doesn't work. If you can live with that, you don't need much in the way of a capture card. Have never dealt with Cable Cards and such.

Also, I have only done this with SD recording, even though the STB is HD. I use the S-video out to the computer and HDMI to the TV. I don't watch live TV through the HTPC.

Nice work, Damian...but could you give us a few details?

_________________
This Space For Rent

I know some people also use the HD-PVR from hauppauge to capture every channel that they can get on their cable box via the analog hole. I am currently content with just using my cable box dvr to record shows so I haven't really explored this option. I gotta think it is only a matter of time before some of the network/movie studios get the cable companies to close that hole...

_________________
Cheers,
Damian

DIY WHS - 12.5TB and growing, too many gadgets to list

Did you read the MediaSmartServer blog today?
Blog - http://www.adigitalhomeblog.com
"Like a midget at a urinal, stay on your toes!" - Lieutenant Frank Drebin

Boxee

Boxee is probably one of the newer kids on the block, and there is a lot of hype around them. From what I have read, Boxee is an offshoot of another popular program, XBMC. Boxee has beta programs available for Linux, Mac, and AppleTV, and just recently released an Alpha version for Windows. To use their software, you need to sign up on their website. I only recently got invited to try out the Alpha version for Windows, so I haven't had too much time to test out. From what I have seen though, there is a great deal of promise and this program is getting more towards what I would consider utopia. One thing it does not have is PVR capabilities (at least from what i have seen), but that is something I am currently not using. What makes Boxee so interesting is that they have integrated some of the big players right now in online content (Hulu, CBS, the WB, Netflix and of course my favorite, Apple Movie trailers). This combined with the ability to play almost every media format holds a lot of promise. Also, it appears that Boxee attempts to pull all the cover art, movie and music descriptions, etc automatically (as opposed to something like SageTV where I had to gather that information myself through 3rd part apps). Another thing that is neat is that if Boxee can locate a trailer for your movies, it will provide you a link to view. You can also create a patchstick with Boxee to install on your AppleTV which opens up AppleTV to a lot more content and formats then Apple supports out of the box. That being said, Boxee is still in alpha/beta stage, so there are prone to be a lot of bugs encountered by users. And as I have mentioned I have not had enough time to play around with. I really like the idea that I can let Boxee pull in much of the media content details (art, commentary, etc...), I need to dig around to see if I can customize this at all. I have Boxee as not quite there yet but one to really keep a close eye on, especially as they emerge out of alpha/beta status.

Website: http://www.boxee.tv
Supported O/S: Windows, Mac, Linux, AppleTV
Cost: Free (must register)

Main welcome screen (sorry, snipit came out a little dull):


Menu/Settings Screen:


Online Content:


Online Content (Hulu):


Picture Interface (Back when I could actually draw!!!)


Music Interface:


Music Interface w/ Album Details:


Video Interface:


Video Interface w/ Video Details:

_________________
Cheers,
Damian

DIY WHS - 12.5TB and growing, too many gadgets to list

Did you read the MediaSmartServer blog today?
Blog - http://www.adigitalhomeblog.com
"Like a midget at a urinal, stay on your toes!" - Lieutenant Frank Drebin

It is going to be VERY interesting to see what comes out of CES this month as there are evidently a number of companies announcing "Broadband HDTVs" (TVs with both coax and LAN connections (for "direct" internet).

I had started to think about streaming some video but am now beginning to think that continued procrastination may be in order.... (Wonder how long THAT will last!)

_________________
....JBick

EX475, 2 GB, LE-1640
PC1: Vista-->W7 Ultimate/32, (D-Drive RAID-5 Array)
PC2: Lenovo Laptop, Win XP Home SP3
2xLinksys WRT54G v1.1 and 2xNetGear GS105 Gbit switch

I agree, it should be interesting. I wouldn't be surprised to see some of these Media Center Software companies go into some sort of partnership with HDTV companies (no sense in the TV companies throwing all their resources into developing a feature rich interface when several companies have already invested a lot of time and money with). LG just announced HDTV's that will be netflix enabled out of the box (http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/05/lg ... and-hdtvs/). ZeeVee is also announcing a new product ZvPro to build off of network via coax (http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/03/la ... the-zvpro/). Intel is looking to get into the act (http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/05/in ... very-hdtv/). To me the key is 1) make it easy (i.e. affordable) to stream content throughout the home and 2) create software that is feature rich yet can be operated by the most novice of users.

_________________
Cheers,
Damian

DIY WHS - 12.5TB and growing, too many gadgets to list

Did you read the MediaSmartServer blog today?
Blog - http://www.adigitalhomeblog.com
"Like a midget at a urinal, stay on your toes!" - Lieutenant Frank Drebin

Not to divert dbone's thread, but HP had the MediaSmart TV's a couple years ago that did this, albeit not as featured as we'll likely see with Netflix and YouTube support expected in some of the recent offerings. I guess my point is that I'm less than enthused about this, I don't want to have to buy a new TV when my built-in extender/streamer becomes obsolete in a year or two.

_________________
Alex Kuretz
Remote Notification: Monitoring and alerting for your Home Server via email, Twitter, text message, RSS, push notifications, and on your Mac desktop
Have you tried our Add-Ins? If so, be sure to Rate them at WeGotServed.

I think that illustrates the point that this is all one helluva stew...thank God Damian can keep track of it all, but it is just mind boggling all these different formats, devices and software.

And now, back to dbone

_________________
This Space For Rent

zViewer

This may not fit into the MCS category as it is more of an online content aggregator, but I thought it worth mentioning. I don't know how familiar people are with ZeeVee, but last year they came out with a device called ZvBox. The main interface for the ZvBox is their software, the zViewer. Recently ZeeVee decided to make this software available as a stand alone for beta testing. The zViewer has probably one of the best online content collections that I have come across. The UI is very simple and easy to navigate, and really the layout looks great. My hesitance with zViewer is that it is not a full blown MCS, it does not have an internal player to play my media content (i.e. there is an Application Menu item from where you could launch WMC, ITunes, etc...). I have brought this up with ZeeVee and currently there is no intention to integrate their own internal player, as they rely solely on the content sites own proprietary player. I have no issue with this, but having to toggle between two separate applications (zViewer and one of the MCS) is not ideally what I am looking for and would probably take things down a notch on the WAF. The zViewer is meant to be used with their ZvRemote, but I have not had many problems navigating with my MCE remote. I plan on playing around with this program a little bit more to see if I can get comfortable with having to use a separate 3rd party application to play my media content. IMO the key for zViewer is to stay ahead of the competition with regards to the quality and quantity of online content, as I would see no need to use this program if any of the other MCS was able to integrate the same online content into their software. This is the type of program I could see being integrated into HDTV's through partnerships.

Website: http://www.zeevee.com
Supported O/S: Windows, working on Mac support (not sure if done yet)
Cost: Free (must register or be invited by a current beta tester)

Main Menu


List of Default Applications (I believe you can customize this)


Hulu Interface


ABC Interface


Recently Watched Interface

_________________
Cheers,
Damian

DIY WHS - 12.5TB and growing, too many gadgets to list

Did you read the MediaSmartServer blog today?
Blog - http://www.adigitalhomeblog.com
"Like a midget at a urinal, stay on your toes!" - Lieutenant Frank Drebin

GB-PVR

This program to be honest I have only used a few times. The main focus of GB-PVR is to be a fully featured PVR, but it does handle playing back the usual music/videos/photos. I actually found the interface to be very clean and straightforward. Since I have not spent much time using this program I haven't had a chance to investigate different plug ins available. If I ever get to the point where I am recording live tv on my PC, I would definitely look at this program more closely. Support for online content seems to be very limited (exception being Netflix plugin which appears to be common now among MCS). It also appears there is a setup to work the PCH with GB-PVR (http://gbpvr.com/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Hardware/NMTZ)

Website: http://www.gbpvr.com/
Wiki: http://gbpvr.com/pmwiki/pmwiki.php
Wiki Plugins: http://gbpvr.com/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Plugin/Plugin (I don't own Anime, but very interesting plugin for this)
Supported O/S: Windows Only?
Cost: Free

Main Menu Interface


Picture Library (my Groundhog Smithers lounging on the deck taunting my dogs!)


Video Library Interface


Additional Video Snapshot

_________________
Cheers,
Damian

DIY WHS - 12.5TB and growing, too many gadgets to list

Did you read the MediaSmartServer blog today?
Blog - http://www.adigitalhomeblog.com
"Like a midget at a urinal, stay on your toes!" - Lieutenant Frank Drebin

XBMC

XBMC is probably well known for being a mod on the original Xbox. They recently developed the application for Windows which I have had a chance to test out. I found it to be a little clunky to move through (in its original form without adding plug ins or additional enhancements). I was planning on spending more time with this program and was browsing the XBMC forum to see what was out there. From what I read though development of XBMC for Windows is not a top priority, with much of the focus being placed on the Linux O/S. As such I have decided not to spend much time with this program as I am a Windows based user. This is not a knock on the developers as I think it is great that these programs are being developed free to users.

Website: http://www.xbmc.org
Supported OS: Windows (XP/Vista), Linux, Mac (Leopard/Tiger), Xbox (I don't think you can mod the Xbox 360)
Cost: Free

Main Menu:


Apple Movie Trailers Script:


Pictures Interface:


Videos Interface:


Video Playback:


Awesome Movie Scraper Program (Media Info Plus)

_________________
Cheers,
Damian

DIY WHS - 12.5TB and growing, too many gadgets to list

Did you read the MediaSmartServer blog today?
Blog - http://www.adigitalhomeblog.com
"Like a midget at a urinal, stay on your toes!" - Lieutenant Frank Drebin

Phew....one more to go...

_________________
Cheers,
Damian

DIY WHS - 12.5TB and growing, too many gadgets to list

Did you read the MediaSmartServer blog today?
Blog - http://www.adigitalhomeblog.com
"Like a midget at a urinal, stay on your toes!" - Lieutenant Frank Drebin

Damian, this is a nice resource, thanks for taking the time to put together a nice collection of the available options. Do you have plans to make a high-level Pros and Cons summary table in the first post? I think people could benefit from some guidance in addition to all the info you've provided.

Also, do you have issues with audio/video sync of MKV's in VMC? I have to turn on the FFDShow OSD to get audio and video to sync.

_________________
Alex Kuretz
Remote Notification: Monitoring and alerting for your Home Server via email, Twitter, text message, RSS, push notifications, and on your Mac desktop
Have you tried our Add-Ins? If so, be sure to Rate them at WeGotServed.