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Building HTPC need frontend software

C

CSSmitty

Limp Gawd
Joined
Nov 7, 2003
Messages
248
My dad has been begging for a HTPC to play all of videos I have. No TV tuner needed and I can pick the hardware myself. This system will be hooked up to a 30" LCD TV via DVI.

All I need is frontend software that can play any (XviD, DivX, etc) type of video. I assume that any of the MS MCEs can't play these videos??? The other thing I need is a remote that integrates with the software very well. Being able to custom program the remote (like in xlobby) but something that is easy to navigate with a remote. I am under the impression that Xlobby isn't easy to use with a remote.

Thanks,
-C
 
WinXP MCE, supports divx/xvid or any other codec you have on your computer.

As for remote, I like the Remote Wonder by ATI, it's not completely compatible with MCE but it's very programmable.
 
Jeriko_Cherry said:
WinXP MCE, supports divx/xvid or any other codec you have on your computer.

As for remote, I like the Remote Wonder by ATI, it's not completely compatible with MCE but it's very programmable.
Click to expand...
Thanks,
I will give that a shot then.
 
I'm a big fan of Sage. Plays everything great. I liked Mediaportal alot but stability wise it's still lacking.

I actually use Sage with a 16:9 plugin that makes it look pretty much like mediaportal.

I use the Microsoft MCE remote. Works great. A lot of the reviews say the batteries runs out quick but mine have lasted a pretty good amount of time now.
 
I'll second the meedio suggestion. Much more customizable than MCE, and it should work with any remote (it works fine with my mce remote.) It can take a while to get it set up right, but is worth it in the end.

 
Completely free: Xlobby and Media Player Classic.
$30 or so: Xlobby and Zoomplayer.

After you config those all you have to do is DL FFDShow and Dscaler 5 and you're all set.
 
meedio essentials is absolutely the best front-end i have ever used. definitely worth the money.
 
CSSmitty said:
What is a good remote for meedio?
Click to expand...

It should work with any remote - it's pretty customizable. It works pretty good out-of-the box with my MCE remote, but there's also an MCE remote plugin which I'm going to try out.

There's always the Girder or HIP route if the meedio configuration won't pick up the remote commands.

 
nah, dont get the mce remote.

it depends on how much you want to spend, but if you want a tv turner, id recommend getting the hauppauge pvr150 bundle (non mce version). it comes with a good remote.

otherwide, id say go with the logitech harmony series of remotes, or the i-mon.

check out what they have at www.pcalchemy.com
 
The MCE remote is much nicer than the standard hauppauge one imo. The logitech and the firefly are other ones to consider as well. I much prefer my MCE remote to the ATI Remote Wonder I had previously.

 
I've heard really bad things about the ATI remote and logitech harmonies aren't exactly the most economical choice but yes, great remotes.
 
I use the One For All universal learning remote. Meedio has very basic keyboard commands, so I just had the remote learn some keystrokes from my IR keyboard and it's fine. URC8910 was like $20 on ebay. Plus it's backlit and will control all my other stuff too. TV, receiver, etc.
 
farscapesg1 said:
Does no one like the Snapstream Firefly remote? I personally love mine.
Click to expand...

I haven't used the firefly, but from the pictures it just looks ugly, and waaaaay too many buttons (making it complicated.) I have a keyboard/mouse for the heavy stuff, Meedio + a simple remote for when I want to sit on the couch and watch movies/tv etc.

If my wife can't figure out the thing in 2 seconds, I'm not going to be able to buy it. :rolleyes:

 
revo2001 said:
I've heard really bad things about the ATI remote and logitech harmonies aren't exactly the most economical choice but yes, great remotes.
Click to expand...

I'm a fan of the ATI Remote Wonders, I've got two of them. They have 6 programmable buttons along with all the other default buttons so navigation is pretty easy and since they are RF they have a decent distance to them, can even go through walls. There is also plugins for them so they work better with popular software (like PowerDVD, Winamp, Powerpoint, etc.)
 
IanG said:
I haven't used the firefly, but from the pictures it just looks ugly, and waaaaay too many buttons (making it complicated.) I have a keyboard/mouse for the heavy stuff, Meedio + a simple remote for when I want to sit on the couch and watch movies/tv etc.

If my wife can't figure out the thing in 2 seconds, I'm not going to be able to buy it. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I had a firefly and loved it too. But it isn't backlit and it is RF. I wanted one remote for all of my stuff.
 
I ended up using MCE2005 and the MCE remote. Everything works and I am really impressed so far.

There are two issues however:
The fast-forward & rewind buttons on the remote don't work.

I have some HD videos in .ts files that won't play in MCE. They play fine in media player classic.

Thanks,
-C
 
df12 said:
Does it play in WMP10? if no, then you need a codec.
Click to expand...

support for a couple of movie formats isn't available in windows mce.. codec or not.
 
IDversusEGO said:
I had a firefly and loved it too. But it isn't backlit and it is RF. I wanted one remote for all of my stuff.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the lack of a backlight is really annoying. As for the RF vs. IR thing, I hate IR :mad: Sure, it would be nice to have everything controlled by one controller, but when the TV or stereo reciever can't ever pick up the signal from the IR controllers I already have (the ones that came with them), it doesn't make me want to go out and pick up a "universal" IR controller to try to get it to work with everyhing.

As for the difficulty level, I'm blessed with a Engineer for a wife. She may not be as technically savvy when it comes to computers, but she can handle more difficult setups than most people.
 
CSSmitty said:
I have some HD videos in .ts files that won't play in MCE. They play fine in media player classic.
Click to expand...

Can you rename the files to .mpg extension and see if they'll play. Not sure if it'll work, but they should have an mpeg2 stream in them which wmp might be able to figure out.

 
IanG said:
Can you rename the files to .mpg extension and see if they'll play. Not sure if it'll work, but they should have an mpeg2 stream in them which wmp might be able to figure out.

Click to expand...

The .ts files are MPEG-2, but renaming them to mpg doesnt work.....
 
You sure you have an MPEG2 codec installed, one thats MCE certified? MPC has it's own built in so naturally it'll play it.
 
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