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Thread: Best software for a HTPC

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    Best software for a HTPC

    Now built my HTPC which is running fine but wanted to know what choice i had with regard to software as im running windows media at the mo but wanted to know if theres anything better??

    Also having probs playin AVI files comes up with a surragate error and closes player,tryed with various players but always the same outcome??

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    Lovely chap dangel's Avatar
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    Re: Best software for a HTPC

    Remove any codecs you have installed and then try this: http://shark007.net/
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    Re: Best software for a HTPC

    out of curosity what case have you used for your htpc?

    i was looking at a slim one which would fit under my tv and also wisper quiet

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    Re: Best software for a HTPC

    Media Portal is usually rated pretty highly, might be worth a try as a replacement for MCE. It's a lot more customisable, got a fair few more options although some people don't think it's as nice looking. Worth checking out though.

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    Re: Best software for a HTPC

    Windows Media Player with the free MediaBrowser add-in works well, and also has the "wow" factor to show your mates.

    If you're not interested in TV, there is XBMC and for TV itself you can't get much better than DVBViewer (but the HTPC functionality is not that good).

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    Re: Best software for a HTPC

    I use mediaportal atm and i think its much better then other offerings... Very customisable, loads of plugins for different things and unlike in the past I've found the latest release to be very stable

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    Seething Cauldron of Hatred TheAnimus's Avatar
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    Re: Best software for a HTPC

    Quote Originally Posted by crazyfool View Post
    I use mediaportal atm and i think its much better then other offerings... Very customisable, loads of plugins for different things and unlike in the past I've found the latest release to be very stable
    Have you used MediaBrowser thou?

    MediaBrowser just has that looks better, but more important to me, feals better to use!
    throw new ArgumentException (String, String, Exception)

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    Re: Best software for a HTPC

    MB on VMC for me too - can't really get on with MP (i hope v2 is a lot better)
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    Re: Best software for a HTPC

    The COM Surrogate error is related to windows trying to create Thumbnails for your video files. Google the error message and you'll find the solution, I can't remember exactly what it is. Switching Data Executuion Protection off for Nero I think.

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    Re: Best software for a HTPC

    There's been a big discussion on this recently.

    Here it is: http://forums.hexus.net/audio-visual...ternative.html

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    Re: Best software for a HTPC

    VMC with Mediabrowser ftw! Can get loadsa small apps which also extend the functionality.

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    Re: Best software for a HTPC

    Thanks for all the feedbck will check out suggested software.

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    Re: Best software for a HTPC

    I'd give SageTV a try. Its really good and has a ton of options, compatible with a ton of tv tuner cards and very customizable/hackable.
    Also PowerCinema is a decent suite too, however it lacks a true program guide (or did in the earleir versions)

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    Re: Best software for a HTPC

    I use Beyond TV for Windows only. But unfortunately, its not free...

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    Re: Best software for a HTPC

    I used mythtv ages ago and it seemd really nice but can be a bit daunting to set up.

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    Re: Best software for a HTPC

    K-Lite Mega codec pack. If your files dont play after installing this then the format doesnt exist

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