For quite a while I have been attempting to build my idea of the ultimate Media Center. I should point out that I do not require music integration. I have, for many years, been using products from Sonos and am delighted with them. Thus far via many installs, re-imagings and many hours have experimented with various operating systems and software:
XBMC via both Windows, OSX and
Ubuntu
Boxee
GB-PVR
Media Portal
Sage TV
Myth TV
And many others
Alas, none of the above options met my criteria:
Must play many video types (.avi, .vob and DVD backup folder structure)
Browse DVD’s by cover art
TV show listings
IMDB information
Easy to navigate and use for non-techies
Can play from my network server (Windows Home Server)
Then later as my needs adjusted. (I ditched my cable/DVR to save money)
Receive analog Cable/Digital OTA signals
Record and play back live TV
Easy to use TV listings Guide
Online Video Content (Hulu, YouTube etc)
Initially I used Windows Vista and the integrated Media Center (VMC). I have since installed the Windows 7 Release Candidate and am over the moon.
I have also added all of these excellent (free/donation) plugins and application:
MediaBrowser – To display my movie/tv files from share drives in a very customizable format.
MetaBrowser – To retrieve the TMDb and TVDb information/cover art/episode image for my video files
Hulu Desktop Plugin – to access Hulu.com content through Media Center and using my remote control
My Channel Logos – to add simple logos to the TV Guide
Life Extender with this conversion script – to remove commercials from recorded TV shows (after they have been converted to DVR-MS from WTV with the script)
I am not quite there yet but my holy grail of the the perfect media center is getting closer. I still need to do or find:
An iPod Touch compatible application to control my media files similar to Remote for iTunes/Apple TV or XBMC iPhone Remote
YouTube and other online video content integration
An easy way to manipulate the 7MC panels/icons to display only what I want them to.
