Recomend a decent media centre software.

[cerbrus2]

Hi peeps,

I am looking for some decent Media centre software, that is capable of doing music, and video. Is there anything thats better than the built in windows one?

 

[Vicey]

Plex - It is the best. And free!

Some things that make it so good:

1. They have a Server and a Client. The Server can sit on your Windows/Linux/OS X Server and continuously index your content

2. The server can be used to stream video live to your iPad, iPhone or Android device

3. You can use the Server on your HTPC itself or just use the Client on the HTPC which can index content itself too.

4. It really does "index" content. Meaning Plots, Video Covers, Actor Information, IMDB Ratings and more are all viewable

5. It plays everything as it has robust codec support and does work with DXVA for GPU acceleration of SD and HD video

6. Very nice interface, easy to use and customisable - You can disable menus for content you don't have.

And that is all there is to know. It is just a fantastic media centre solution. I can't rate it highly enough really. I've tried the Windows Media Centre, I've tried XBMC, I've tried Boxee and although those three are good they don't come anywhere near to touching the simplicity and power of Plex. Give it a try.

 

[dugdiamond]

Media Player Classic (part of the K-Lite Codec suite....FREE) <--- i use this

or

VLC media player

 

[cerbrus2]

Plex - It is the best. And free!

Some things that make it so good:

1. They have a Server and a Client. The Server can sit on your Windows/Linux/OS X Server and continuously index your content

2. The server can be used to stream video live to your iPad, iPhone or Android device

3. You can use the Server on your HTPC itself or just use the Client on the HTPC which can index content itself too.

4. It really does "index" content. Meaning Plots, Video Covers, Actor Information, IMDB Ratings and more are all viewable

5. It plays everything as it has robust codec support and does work with DXVA for GPU acceleration of SD and HD video

6. Very nice interface, easy to use and customisable - You can disable menus for content you don't have.

And that is all there is to know. It is just a fantastic media centre solution. I can't rate it highly enough really. I've tried the Windows Media Centre, I've tried XBMC, I've tried Boxee and although those three are good they don't come anywhere near to touching the simplicity and power of Plex. Give it a try.

Thanks m8 this looks great the option to stream stuff to my phone is also a big plus point. Cheers m8.