Anyone here run a HTPC?

Post by **Gayno** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 8:53 pm

As per title, do you? What's your setup?

I've used Windows 7 Media Centre for the last 3 years for TV recording, and used the Media Browser plugin for movies and TV. However since getting a Freeview HD recorder last year it's taken more of a back seat and no longer used for TV recording.

So I have now been introduced into the world of XBMC and, well............WOW

It's so much more configurable than MCE, much smoother to operate and can be fully controlled via my Android phone

Also, my NAS box which holds all my media also runs a MySQL database to hold all the library information. It also means I can stop a video/movie in one room and resume from that point in another

Post by **Ammo** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 9:18 pm

I never used to use XBMC (Apart from on my orginal Xbox) as at the time it didn't have TV support so I used mediaportal

Gone back to XBMC on the pi though, and using your phone as the remote is excellent, you can browse what you want to watch next and add it to a play list all from your phone while the thing your watching is still playing

Post by **Gayno** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 9:21 pm

Install "Yatse Widget Call Plugin"

It automatically pauses your media when you receive a call, and then resumes it when you hang up. You can also set it to pop up in XBMC with the caller ID

Post by **Ammo** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 9:30 pm

Think I'd be waiting a long while to test that one, don't use the phone much

Post by **Gayno** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 9:31 pm

Even still, cool little feature.

Post by **Vtecmec** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 9:54 pm

I run windows media center 7 on the main TV downstairs, with 3 freeview tuners.

I run a Rpi with Openelec (XBMC) connected to my hi fi for music, which I can control with the yatse app on an android tablet, or the MCE remote if I can't be bothered to boot the tablet.

Upstairs I run an original Xbox with XBMC4XBOX to stream TV and watch iPlayer and stuff.

Over the past 6 years I've run Media portal, XBMC, DVBviewer, Mythbuntu, GBPVR, DVBDream, MCE2005, MCE vista and MCE 7.

XBMC is ok but a bit clunky I find and the TV function is still in development, MCE 7 does everything you need it to, looks great and works without any configuration straight out of the box.

Post by **Gayno** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 11:35 pm

Sounds a nice little setup.

Vtecmec wrote:XBMC is ok but a bit clunky I find and the TV function is still in development

Yeah, although I like the idea of having a remote PC with the tuner to do the recording hidden away. Am going to keep an eye on it for now but may end up with a PC in the loft to do the recording and auto import it into the TV library.

Post by **indigolemon** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 12:03 am

Xbmc on the pi is working out awesome for me. I have a Samsung freesat box for TV, so it just handles music and any other media shared from my PC. £26 all in, couldn't be happier

Post by **Ammo** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 6:06 am

Have you noticed if you have Yatse installed on your phone/tablet if you play a video from facebook etc you can play it on your tv rather than your android device

Post by **indigolemon** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 10:03 am

Ammo wrote:Have you noticed if you have Yatse installed on your phone/tablet if you play a video from facebook etc you can play it on your tv rather than your android device

Yes! And this is also awesome