Media Centre Software?

I have a decent IBM laptop spare which I want to put in "the stack"
running through the flat panel/surround connected to the home
network/storage. This to play music and video stored on the network HDD,
some email and msn, possibly if I find an external tuner some recording.

I had naively been planning to use Windows Media Centre as the user
interface, thinking it was a free XP add-on. I find that it is only
supplied now pre-installed on OEM hardware. Oh don't you love M$.

So what other software options are recommended.

 

Good god man, it has to be free FFS

 

You can buy it - but it is (apparently) very choosy about the hardware
you use it with.

apparently you want to go here http://myhtpc.net/




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Dnc

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Ones I've tried:

MediaPortal: http://www.team-mediaportal.com/
GBPVR: http://www.gbpvr.com/

I've used them as full on PVRs with a sat card. For you use they may be
over top but worth a try because they are very self contained and easy
to install/remove.

 

Media Portal.

http://www.team-mediaportal.com/

 

What's your point? Mine was simply that MCE might install but doesn't
always function properly with older hardware. Readup on most MCE type
forums and you'll soon get the jist.



--
Dnc

B12, ZZR11
A6 2.5TDi V6 Quattro Sport
MIB#26 two#54(soiled) UKRMMA#26 BOTAFOT#153 X-FOT#003

 

Or you could install Vista RC1

which is free to a good home ATM

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/preview.mspx

 

Thanks, think I'll try GBPVR first

 

Have you upgraded recently? It's even better than it was. I'm actually
going to make a contribution.

 

apparently not

Today is a big day for the team here at Meedio; we have sold most of
our technology to Yahoo!

You will no longer be able to download or buy Meedio from this site and
the Meedio Support Center will be closed effective immediately.

HTH

Paul.

 

Is there any benefit

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www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

"you may purchase an OEM version of an operating system from a Microsoft
System Builder, subject to the requirement that you purchase hardware
with that OEM version of the product."

What's the point in buying an OEM package? The licence is just as
invalid as if you'd downloaded it off a Warez site and used a hooky
serial. [1]

I trust you don't do the same in your "professional" capacity...?

[1]
http://download.microsoft.com/download/4/e/3/4e3eace0-4c6d-4123-9d0c-c80436181742/OSLicQA.doc

 

I've put that on the lawyer's PC, and can I get it to record things? Can
I bollocks. It just creates a tiny (60k or so, iirc) file and decides
the job's done. The EPG isn't really stunning, but for live tv it's
working ok, just won't record.

 

Ummm... there was a new release around the start of this month, I think.
But it might not make that much different for you; I don't think I'd
upgraded for nearly a year.

 

I'll have to get some proper logging going. Easier for now to just use
the proper pvr i have plugged into the main telly.

 

Well they *should* only sell it to you when you buy the hardware.

Well I certainly do, when I buy the hardware.



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Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 75 TS 156 TS S2
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

Ummm the GB PVR website seems to be down ATM. Any chance of putting it
up on the gmail drive or have you FTP

 

I installed it today - it does seem to be quite media orientated
(only catch is that it self destructs in July next year)