Best Media Center Software - Cost is not a factor

[dm_0001]

I have an HTPC built and running. I'm slowly building a collection of videos which are DVD rips in mpeg-2, mp4, avi, and mkv format. I'm looking for the best software to manage my collection. Cost is not a factor.

I don't plan to do any streaming. I do plan to keep Vista unless something is mind-blowingly better on another OS. I've played around with MCE on Vista but haven't gone into it too deeply. I'd first like some opinions before I start testing on my own more thoroughly.

I also do not have a TV capture card. I don't plan on getting one either.

[rallynavvie]

That's odd that you wouldn't want to add a tuner to your HTPC. That's most of the fun with an HTPC is grabbing your shows while away or being able to record one while watching another. Vista MCE also supports HD programming and so if you have digital cable you could use an HD tuner to record HD content.

You should play with MCE more on Vista to understand the video playback options. The one thing I didn't like about Media Center playing back ripped video as opposed to the original DVD is that it doesn't really allow for chapter points. Plugins like ComSkip leave chapter markers where commercials have been cut out but that's about it.

Check out the forums at www.thegreenbutton.com for more plugins and options for Media Center.

[yoda313]

I agree with rallynavvie keep trying media center. I have vista premium and media center and like it. It's not perfect but its very good.

I'm amazed how much the tv functions are tivo like in their layout - actualy I like the four channels per grid for the viewing guide as apposed to tivos layout.

[StinkyWheaselTeats]

There are a number of programs that can work with the media that you own.
Depending on your level of computer expertise-- or if you want a professional installer to help you there are a variety of options to consider.
I’ve personally used Windows Media Center and several DVD/Media cataloging programs that work with it.
There are low cost and easy ways to get things up and running quickly and more sophisticated ways.

Ideally, I’d love to have a system based on Cinemar on-line’s line of software.
DVDLobby & MusicLobby etc.
The interface is Adobe Flash based and can be operated by a touch screen or another PC.
I think for this you need to know a little programming or work with an installer though.
You can also add on the system to control your lights, temperature etc.
http://www.cinemaronline.com/
http://www.cinemaronline.com/products.html

I’ve also used earlier versions [not the current version of My Movies (free to end-users) that will not only catagorize your media but launch it within Media Center. Like the other programs it displays all the cover art from the DVDs and it also works with Sony Firewire DVD Changers as well as Changers using Serial Control.
http://www.mymovies.dk/

For now just so I have something, I rip all my DVDs to the hard drive and often convert them to Xvid using Auto Gordan Knot.
I then launch them within Media center or Movie Collector (Movie Cataloging software)
http://www.collectorz.com/movie/
I use Movie collector add-ons to automate the process. Movie collector also works with DVD changers and CD carousels– however the interface isn’t as slick.

Alternatively you can google “media front end” or try www.avsforum.com
I agree with the above poster, thegreenbutton.com is also a great resource for media center

Also, I would say if you don’t have a tuner card– then you probably don’t have a remote
These programs work much better with a remote (usually adds about $25-30 to the cost of a tuner card.
Your experience of media center will be much better with a remote.

[dm_0001]

Thanks for the advice. I'll give those a try. I did play around with MyMovies and it seems great if you want a free product but I got really turned off when I couldn't make certain changes like increase the DPI on the video covers unless I "donated".. great software for those that don't want to spend lots of money but I don't really like it so far. I also had some weird install issues that aren't resolved.

I do have a remote. I was going to buy one but instead I already had an XBOX controller for my PC. I found another piece of software called xpadder (http://www.xpadder.com) which converts it to a remote for Vista or specifically MCE.

I really don't need or want a TV tuner. I get most of my shows from the newsgroups using http://www.newzbin.com. Its easier that way for me since I don't have to worry about scheduling anything.

[rallynavvie]

I guess I've not upgraded MyMovies from back when it was slimmer. Now it seems to have a lot more features. I didn't know there was a pay-to-upgrade option available now but if it's simply better res on the DVD thumbs I'm sure it's storing them as a BMP or JPG file somewhere that you can just swap out with a higher res version.

If you have a decent internet connection then using a service like that is OK. However if you ever want to watch the local news or see a sports game live or with enough delay to skip commercials then the tuner is going to be handy. That and you don't have to worry about not having enough seeds to get the show in a timely manner or worry about the quality of the download. If you have digital cable then your recording is going to be near perfect.

If you do decide to look at tuners I'd recommend the Hauppauge ones with the HD capabilities like the 1600 or 1800 so you have more flexibility with the dual tuners.

[ricardouk]

I've played around with MCE on Vista but haven't gone into it too deeply. I'd first like some opinions before I start testing on my own more thoroughly.

I also do not have a TV capture card. I don't plan on getting one either.

Im also looking for something like what you describe and started to look on the web for opinions and videos, and i often got linked to LINUX MCE.... i know....everyone is saying Linux "rules" but after seeing the video....and iits only a video....it looks good

part1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcNwnANrCpw

part2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC-YwwQ1Pkk

[StinkyWheaselTeats]

I’ve found the highest quality covers come from Movie Collector. It seemed much easier for me to learn the program quickly and follow where the cover and back art was coming from. MC is only $40.
You also get the high resolution art from the beginning but only for 50 titles per database
The trick in Movie Col really is to click on the preview link provided and pick the one with the largest and sharpest art. You can also set the default to which source you want your art to come from– I get most of mine from DVDEmpire.
The Cinemar products can use the art from Movie Collector as well as the art from DVD Profiler
http://www.invelos.com/ (<--- Get Profiler Here This is another popular program)
DVD profiler though gives you low resolution art until you pay ($30). It also only will let you store only 50 titles in one database.

DVD Profiler is directly supported in My Movies in that can enter all your data in DVD profiler and you do not have to do it again in MyMovies
One great thing about DVD Profiler is that if the actor or director etc. has a photo on imdb.com their picture will become part of the movie profile
I agree with you about the weird install issues on MyMovies I recently tried upgrading it to the latest version and have not been successful– their forums have many people with similar issues. They don’t appear to allow you to downgrade either.

Also, you can also try this free Vista MCE plug in for Movie Collector (should work like My Movies)
Movie Collector Organizer. (This is in addition to the one already built into Movie Col)
http://tinyurl.com/27zq59
http://mcezone.com/products.php

rallynavvie is right; sometimes you have to find the cover art on your own, as your program of choice may have a plot outline but no cover art. Each program has a limited number of databases that it can search – you can always find alternate places to find cover art then cut, copy, and paste as necessary.

[dm_0001]

I tried My Movies 2 and the install gave me nothing but problems. I've had a tech. support question opened with them for a few days now. It seems like there are lots of problems with ActiveX and security related errors. I scanned thru their other open messages and lots of issues with the SQL database and .NET software...

Anyway, I'm annoyed that I have to donate $$$ to tweak small features such as upgrading the DPI to make the cover art larger/better quality.

I'll give Movie Collector a try. I also found J River media center online.. I'll give that a shot.

I guess what I'm looking for the most is:

1) Integration with MCE
2) the most complete list of videos for automatic update
3) the most intelligent movie finder (I'd like to minimize having to adjust the names because the software can't recognize the title).

[dm_0001]

I briefly tried DVD Profiler and Movie Collectorz and it seems like there is no "auto find" feature like My Movies 2. I would have to manually add all my movies and once I realized that I stopped using them

Same thing with J.River.

I did notice some export/import features but haven't had a chance to explore what I can export/import to and from.

I also looked at the link for the MC Organizer for MCE. That looks verrrry sleek. I had to register an account to download but the website hasn't sent me a confirmation yet. Once I get it I'll check it out.

Is My Movies 2 the only product which links to the Internet and tries to figure out the name based on the folder name and structure?? Or did I just over look a setting in one of these programs?

[redwudz]

I don't use Media Center with my Vista OS, just VLC most times.

I'm trying out Extreme Movie Manager to organize my videos. Mostly DVD rip backups, but also Xvid, MKV, RM and about every other imaginable format. It can scan your hard drives or media and find all your videos, organize them by any of a number of criteria, then go to sites like IMDB or similar and retrieve the DVD information automatically, along with covers and actor photos. Works very well and is reasonably priced, 10 Euros.

I tried quite a few catalogers and it was the one that was able to do everything I needed, along with being easy to use.

It works fine with Vista.

http://www.binaryworks.it/extrememoviemanager/