Is Microsoft Windows Multimedia Centre OS requisite with a HTPC?

R

remember

New Member
I just finished reading and testing the interactive demos etc. on the Msoft site.
(I encountered a few stupid glitches and was not really impressed with the "media center" presentation. . ., unless of course the other? media center software are worse)

My question is. . . I'm planning to build a media center/HTPC computer system, with Blu-ray recording ability, connected to my sat TV, Quad ESL-63 speakers etc. and I want to know. . . .

Is it necessary to use the Microsoft Windows Multimedia Centre OS if I want to have a media center/HTPC system?
 
I don't know of any other OS that runs in the same kind of way AND will support blueray drives. The other thing to consider is ensure you get a video card that is HDCP compliant or and Blu-ray material will be disabled or downscaled to 480p
 
mediaportal looks and functions exactly the same as media center 2005.

and i'm pretty sure HDCP compliance is a function of the video card, not the operating system
 
So, to jjsevdt,

Are you saying that without the Media Center OS, I will not be able to use the full 1080 x 1920 res ability of the blu ray burner?

I am on the verge of buying the . . .LG GBW-H10N burner.

As far as the video card. . I need to study exactly what that is a little better. I was told I need a TV tuner card, for doing what I want to do, which is directly recording TV shows (including HD vid quality) directly on to my hard drive, for editing, BD disc saving later etc. etc.

Is the Video card the same as the TV tuner card or is there a device that contains both the Tuner card and the video card together? Sorry, I just have questions at this point.

To heyman;

I just googled mediaportal. Wow, there is a lot of reading there to do. So I will just post this and read all that. I like the fact that its open source. Read quite a bit about the "ethics" of open source software and Im definitely inclined to it. Like the name too-media portal. Ok. thanks, I'll be spending most of the day reading that now.
 
mediaportal's free, you can just download it and try it, and then if you don't like it, get a media center pc.....

words are cheap, just try it and see if it works for you.
 
I like your test and trial attitude, especially the fact that its all free.

But wait, what do you mean. . . If I dont like it. . .I can get a media center PC?

I thought that this mediaportal software is just that. . . media center/HomeTheater software... . . . to be used with any PC?

I am planning to build my own computer(not knowing if its going to be inside a HTPC case or tower case or whatever other shape of case available) and I'm obviously still trying to figure out all the components necessary to do everything I want to do.

My main concern is being able to control everything via wireless keyboard/mouse and remote control- hence why I was inquiring about the special media center software.

For instance I don't want to have to race to the computer to click on the icon, to wait for the app. to open, to click on file, to open "operations" and finally click on record etc, when I see something I want to record. Do you know what I mean? I want my computer to incorporate my Sat TV equipment and ease of functionability as well as act as a PVR? you know record instantaneously via remote or even in my wildest imagination, be able to record 2 or 3 shows at the same time or programmed at different times. This is just me wishing for everything.

I want a computer that can do as much as possible-obviously all the normal app's, internet connectivity . . .as well as connectability with my Sat TV system so I can record fast and easy and even my audio system and obviously have easy usability with this system, via remote and a good program like mediaportal.

At the moment I can't do to much, because I'm just working on a laptop, with no video card, or at least not one that is connected in any way shape or form to my satellite TV system(projector & stb(set top box)), but I will download the prog.(mediaportal) now and fool around with it. I'm sure its fine and good, but again, I only lightly commented on what I want above.

I also want my stereo system connected and I have no idea how I'm going to do that. I just bought a pair of used but legendary Quad ESL-63's and was told to make sure I buy a "tube" amplifier(they look like they're from the 19th century), but how the hell am I going to connect that to my fantastical Home Theater computer system? Ok, way off topic for now. I'll see what the mediaportal is like now. Get ready for some more questions.
 
Last edited:
remember said:
So, to jjsevdt,

Are you saying that without the Media Center OS, I will not be able to use the full 1080 x 1920 res ability of the blu ray burner?
Click to expand...

Not necessarily, but the only two DVD playing software titles that can support BD and HD-DVD are Power DVD and WinDVD. I doubt these titles are made to run on any thing but Wihndows. Then there's the driver issues.

remember said:
As far as the video card. . I need to study exactly what that is a little better. I was told I need a TV tuner card, for doing what I want to do, which is directly recording TV shows (including HD vid quality) directly on to my hard drive, for editing, BD disc saving later etc. etc.

Is the Video card the same as the TV tuner card or is there a device that contains both the Tuner card and the video card together? Sorry, I just have questions at this point.
Click to expand...

Yes, the video card is the same as the TV tuner for the HD viewing, but if it's not HDCP compliant you won't be able to display content (BD-DVD/HD broadcast) in the full 1080p resolution or at all. Some devices downscale the picture to 480 and others won't display. This means your computer receiving the signal and the display both need to support HDCP.
 
remember said:
I also want my stereo system connected and I have no idea how I'm going to do that. I just bought a pair of used but legendary Quad ESL-63's and was told to make sure I buy a "tube" amplifier(they look like they're from the 19th century), but how the hell am I going to connect that to my fantastical Home Theater computer system? Ok, way off topic for now. I'll see what the mediaportal is like now. Get ready for some more questions.
Click to expand...

The easiest way to connect a stereo is using an SPDIF (Digital Audio) Cable from your computer to an A/V receiver.
 
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