Media Portal

[james636]

Can anyone tell me what Media Portal is and what it does?

[Faustus]

Looks like its the name of a piece of software for HTPC, basicly a PC that works with your TV. Provides TIVO like functions as well as play files on your TV. Photos and other stuff.

Kinda like a TIVO but more powerful.

I think thats what you mean.

[james636]

So are you saying that its a software that allows you to veiw your HD using your TV as a monitor?

[Abbadon]

Oops, wrong app.

[james636]

OK let me ask like this. Given that I can veiw movies, dvds, listen to mp3s, listen to internet radio, and internet TV right now on my PC without media portal, What would I be able to do different if I were to install media portal?

Without media portal, what is it that I wouldn't be able to do?

[Baldrick]

it is not off topic. moving you.

[reboot]

It's not really an app for a PC. It's a PVR.
Hook up your computer to your TV, run mediaportal, and do everything with the remote on the TV.
BTW, you DO need to have a capture card to use it properly.

[Nelson37]

Well, its an app that turns your PC into a PVR.

It's a floor wax AND a desert topping!

Interesting some of the comments think it's wonderful that it is updated every few days, while for me this marks it as something to avoid.

Primary characteristic of many such programs is text and menus that are readable on the TV screen and usable through a remote. Highly user-specific.

[reboot]

Because it's open source, many people work on it.
The daily updates are usually just skins, or adding new tuner cards to it's support, not major programming updates.
It's a BEAST that devours RAM faster than anything I've ever seen, Including windows, but it does have a pretty interface.