Movie perfection: Media center software and streaming
Coming up next issue (258, on sale 26th September), we’re hacking around Windows Media Center to rinse more from this beast. If you haven’t yet upgraded to Windows 7 or not using one of the enhanced editions of Vista then you’re not completely out of luck as long as opt for an alternative media center package. And today I’m doing just that, with much research, sifting and effort here are the best free Windows Media Center alternatives at this very point in time.
Follow these links for our other ‘issue 258′ web packs:
Download from here
GeeXboX
A lightweight Linux distro striped down and customised into a basic media center platform. Its interface is all menu lists bearing nothing in a way of a flashy interface, while media playback is catered by Download from here
JRiver Media Center
In this sea of freebies here comes a lone paid for media center option. There’s really nothing new on offer here that you can’t get elsewhere in different guises. That’s not say it’s not worth taking a look at, the 30-day trial provides plenty of usage to judge whether it has something worth splashing out for the 50 dollar price tag! (trial version)
Download from here
Miro
Miro an interesting combo of video/audio media playback and management, legal torrents, topic based video/podcast feed downloader, and store front (supporting Amazon MP3/app store and Android app store). It’s hard not to make comparisons with iTunes in both appearance and operation, but boasting a host of additional features. (free version)
Download from here
Mythbuntu
Mythbuntu is an operating system based on Ubunto, cum media center solution. It’s ideal for dedicated HTPC boxes as it’s completely free, thus offering a decent saving in the overall build costs. (free version)
Download from here
TV-Browser
My first of two wild card entries made it into our list here today, but an interesting find nevertheless. TV-Browser is an electronic TV guide supporting over 1000 channels and radio stations. Once selected your chosen channels are displayed in neat columns, showing all the programmes for the current day. Click a programme and up pops another window with the detailed show description, plus the option to set a reminder or tag it to your favourites list. If the data is available, TV-Browser can retrieve schedules for the weeks ahead. (free version)
Download from here
Windows Media Center
If you’re running Windows 7 then we’ll assume it’s Home Premium edition at the very minimum, in which case you already have all you need to turn your PC into a fully fledged Media Center for playback and streaming across your network and Xbox console. Okay Mr Smug, if you think I’m going to leave you be, you’re dead wrong. WMC can be tinkered with in many ways to extend functionality with plugins. For starters check out Media Browser, Media Center Mail, TwitterMCE, Download from here
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Posted on Thursday, September 1st, 2011 at 9:02 am under Web Packs. You can subscribe to comments. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.
Tags: Splash Damage
