HTPC Software Setup?

[Raduque]

I use 7MC and FFDShow handles the heavy lifting. I'm pretty sure I'm using a build that works with dual-core and uses hardware acceleration. I have AC3 filter installed, but since I switched to HDMI w/audio, I don't know if it's being used anymore.

Suit yourself, I just don't see the point in, after having went through the pain of organising your media folders properly, having to use a crippled player just so I can get that GUI-induced euphoria. To me the home theatre experience is all about the media and simple ways to play them. I think XBMC has a lot of potential to become a good all-around media player (version 11 for instance has some very yummy audio visualisations which have me tempted to ditch foobar), it's just so remote control-oriented at this stage that it hurts its functionality for demanding users like me.

HTPC's are about ease of use, first and foremost. Getting everything integrated and working from a single, usable on TV's, from 10+ feet away User Interface is what's key. I've had people who have never used a computer in their life, pick up my HTPC remote and start watching TV or network-stored movies within seconds. They would not be able to do that your way.

It may take more work in the beginning to setup, but once it's done, the end product works, and works well.

 

[notposting]

Good illustration of the eye of the beholder. What is simplicity?

Depends on if it's me...or if it's the HTPC that my wife can use, hell I've had people come over and not even know there is a PC involved (nice discreet receiver looking case) and a slick interface. Then the ones who aren't MS fans and they still can't believe it.

Hell I find it better browsing through the My Movies plugin through our DVD collection than a bunch of folders...get the covers, synopsis, etc. But I understand other people who know what they have and want and just want to get it on, NOW!

Can't we all just get along???

 

[monkey333]

Powerdvd has a mymovies tab that seems to work ok... I rip my stuff with clown bd and anydvdhd, best money spent for lifetime btw..

 

[KAZANI]

Getting everything integrated and working from a single, usable on TV's, from 10+ feet away User Interface is what's key. I've had people who have never used a computer in their life, pick up my HTPC remote and start watching TV or network-stored movies within seconds. They would not be able to do that your way.

To me that sounds more like dumbed down rather than simple, (kinda like game consoles Vs PC, for gaming) but hey, if it works for you I'm not going to argue too much against it. I just think it's a waste of computing technology to cling on to the old-skool "set-top box" consumer mentality, only now with a more lavish GUI. HTPC's should be taking the interactive experience on the next level, and, quite frankly, I don't see how one can explore all there is on offer out there by pretending his computer is running only one program (XBMC or whatnot) and that the internet is only usefull for retrieving synopseis and disk covers.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

To me that sounds more like dumbed down rather than simple, (kinda like game consoles Vs PC, for gaming) but hey, if it works for you I'm not going to argue too much against it. I just think it's a waste of computing technology to cling on to the old-skool "set-top box" consumer mentality, only now with a more lavish GUI. HTPC's should be taking the interactive experience on the next level, and, quite frankly, I don't see how one can explore all there is on offer out there by pretending his computer is running only one program (XBMC or whatnot) and that the internet is only usefull for retrieving synopseis and disk covers.

I agree 100%.

 

[ockky]

I agree 100%.

I disagree 100%.

 

[monkey333]

To me that sounds more like dumbed down rather than simple, (kinda like game consoles Vs PC, for gaming) but hey, if it works for you I'm not going to argue too much against it. I just think it's a waste of computing technology to cling on to the old-skool "set-top box" consumer mentality, only now with a more lavish GUI. HTPC's should be taking the interactive experience on the next level, and, quite frankly, I don't see how one can explore all there is on offer out there by pretending his computer is running only one program (XBMC or whatnot) and that the internet is only usefull for retrieving synopseis and disk covers.

I would suggest it depends on the targeted user. Idiot proof is what I would like to see for my parents to use. I got tons of movies, but whenever they come over, they look at me like I've slit the atom when I give them instructions. And I tried to make it easy as pie...

 

[rdb4133]

Plex would be another good option as well