Adios Windows Media Center

from JoeUser Forums

 

MS stopped developing WMC back in 2009. Many were hoping for a rebirth/upgrade for Windows 10.

“The software giant is planning to kill off Media Center in Windows 10, meaning any PCs upgraded from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 will lose the feature. Microsoft confirmed the plan in a recent interview with ZDNet.”- The Verge

It’s kind of sad, because I’ve enjoyed it since 2001, using it on large TVs. I really don’t understand why they’re killing it, either. Oh yes I do: Xbox.

Gee. Thanks again, MS. A sucky GUI and no WMC. Those lovely tiles almost make up for them.

Almost.

 

Source:

http://www.theverge.com/2015/5/2/8536141/microsoft-windows-media-center-killed-off

52,766 views 17 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I'm all for new tech stuff and change. After all it will keep coming anyway. I have never knocked win 8 and won't knock win 10. No WMC just helps me to keep my win 7. For what I do it works just fine for me and I know my way around it. All the programs I use work great and the OS works great.

I can see from what I know that many people will want the extra quick loading and speed, 8 and 10 give. For me I don't need it.

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Okay, so when we say Windows Media Center does that also mean that Windows Media Player will not be included in Windows 10?  I was under the impression that they were two seperate functions or options.  

CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

The only problem is that software will continue to change to be compatible with the current OSs...and W7's end of support (patches, etc.) is 2020.

Well, we'll see how it goes. I don't like the looks of W8.1/W10 so far...we'll see how much can be changed.

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 3

The only problem is that software will continue to change to be compatible with the current OSs...and W7's end of support (patches, etc.) is 2020.
End of DrJBHL's quote

Will worry about 2020 when it gets here if i'm still here. :)  It may be up to windows 14 by then and all you do is tell the computer what to open and where to go. That's a good idea then no ugly tiles.

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting DrJBHL


Gee. Thanks again, MS. A sucky GUI and no WMC. Those lovely tiles almost make up for them.
End of quote

Not even close. Those lovely tiles are worse than my first few skins submitted here, which, by the way, were rejected....lol..  X|

 

P.S. Doc, your sarcasm wasn't lost on me.... :grin:

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Windows Media center was actually discontinued with Win 8, though one could purchase it as an extra for a few bucks... if one wanted to.

However, I swapped over to XMBC [X-Box Media Center], now known as KODI... oh and don't let the X-Box moniker confuse you, it is not produced by MS.

KODI, is a free, open source media center with all the WMC features and more... it is also skinnable and has several skins available for download once installed.

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting starkers, reply 6

XMBC [X-Box Media Center], now known as KODI
End of starkers's quote

Thanx for the info, mate!  :thumbsup:

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Boo hoo...I used to like that. Cap'n and KODI to the rescue. Lol

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 7


Quoting starkers,
reply 6

XMBC [X-Box Media Center], now known as KODI



Thanx for the info, mate!  :thumbsup:

End of DrJBHL's quote

You're most welcome, mate. :)   After all, you've pointed myself and many others in the direction of some great software. :thumbsup:

Quoting Uvah, reply 8

Boo hoo...I used to like that. Cap'n and KODI to the rescue. Lol
End of Uvah's quote

Yes, I am the hero once more. :grin:

Last time was when I saved a kitten from a tree... and to show its gratitude it bit my thumb and sank its claws into my scrotum. :(

The next kitten seeking a hero to rescue it can bloody well stay in the fechen tree. O:) :-" :X

Then again, I do have that chainsaw I ordered from 101WaysToRescueACat dot com... it has to be alot easiier than climbing the damned tree, surely.

}:)

Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top

Been using KODI on my iPad for a while now.  Didn't know PC version was available.  Learn something here every day. :)

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Daiwa, reply 10

Been using KODI on my iPad for a while now.  Didn't know PC version was available.  Learn something here every day. :)
End of Daiwa's quote

Yeah, Kodi [formerly XBMC] has been available on Windows for quite some time now.  I've been using it for 3, going on 4 years now and find it to be a great Media Center that meets all my needs.  Not only do I have it on all my Windows machines, I also have a MiniX media player connected to my TV with it installed as the media management software... and being Wi-Fi capable it can stream media content to any device on the network.

And for anyone who hasn't used it as yet, and misses Windows Media Center since Win 8, I recommend Kodi as a more than suitable replacement... and did I mention that it is skinnable? LOL.  I've not looked into that beyond applying the already available skins, but I'm sure there's folks around here who could figure it out.  In fact - hint, hint - maybe we could have a WC based Kodi gallery if skinning it became popular enough.

:) :grin: :thumbsup:

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Shall give it a look...;)

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Just to supplement:

gHacks just published about 3 alternatives to Windows Media Center: http://www.ghacks.net/2015/05/05/top-alternatives-for-windows-media-center/?_m=3n%2e0038%2e1598%2ehj0ao01hy5%2e1not

1. KODI: http://kodi.tv/ and its addons: http://addons.kodi.tv/

2. Media Portal: http://www.team-mediaportal.com/

3. Plex: https://plex.tv/

 

 

:)

Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Jafo, reply 12

Shall give it a look...;)
End of Jafo's quote

 

Thank you, I'd like to see some WC grown skins for Kodi. :)

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 13

Just to supplement:

gHacks just published about 3 alternatives to Windows Media Center: http://www.ghacks.net/2015/05/05/top-alternatives-for-windows-media-center/?_m=3n%2e0038%2e1598%2ehj0ao01hy5%2e1not

1. KODI: http://kodi.tv/ and its addons: http://addons.kodi.tv/

2. Media Portal: http://www.team-mediaportal.com/

3. Plex: https://plex.tv/

 

 

:)
End of DrJBHL's quote

Of the 3, I prefer Kodi myself.  I just feel it is easier to configure and use, but then that's just me.  Others may prefer either Plex or Media Portal, so it's good you've provided links to people can try them all

:thumbsup:

Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top

My opinion is that KODI is hard to figure out (hardly intuitive), then easy to use.  At least the iPad version.  Worth figuring out and I recommend it, but seems needless complicated.

Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Daiwa, reply 15

My opinion is that KODI is hard to figure out (hardly intuitive), then easy to use.  At least the iPad version.  Worth figuring out and I recommend it, but seems needless complicated.
End of Daiwa's quote

Really?  I don't know about the iPad version at all, and I don't know if there's any difference, but I found the Windows version easy enough to use.  Is the IPad version just an app or is it a full version?  I ask because that may be where the difference lies if it is an app version only. 

I have a MiniX media player that has an Android OS, but I believe the installed Kodi version is a full one, with all the bells and whistles... though  I shall have to check which version I have to be sure.

Reply #17 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

The advantages of Plex is it's mobile versions and premium (paid) features.  I love having access to my media library over the internet on my phone from anywhere.