Windows 7 Media Centre
So the new windows 7 media centre has been put into alpha release. Although this is only the alpha version, and things are still going to change, there are some really nice features that windows 7 media centre has that are new.
Virtual Channels – if you don’t have a TV tuner there will be virtual channels you can watch media off the internet. This allows you to watch google and youtube videos, as well as online TV episodes through streaming sites.
Touch Compatibility – the new media centre will be able to be controlled by touch. In my opinion this is a useless feature, because unless I grow really long arms and my plasma TV becomes touch compatible, I don’t really see it being useful for my HTPC. I’ll be sticking to my remote. But I suppose if you are using it on a touch compatible laptop or something, it would be pretty cool.
Easier – well I haven’t actually used it, but this is what they say. Hopefully it really is easier to set up and use.
There are some other cool features which although they don’t change the experience of using windows media centre, are pretty cool nonetheless. Read more
HTPC Front End
There are two definitions for a HTPC front end. The first one is the software interface that you use to run your HTPC. This means the interface that makes it easy to play your movies, watch TV, access you photos and listen to music etc.
The 2nd definition of a HTPC front end is when you have networked PCs, and the front end is the computer or media extender you use the access the more powerful backend HTPC which runs everything.
In this article we will be using the first definition, and outlining some of the popular front end HTPC programs: Read more
Which HTPC Linux Distro is Best?
For lots of people Linux is their operating system of choice for their HTPC. Why? Because it’s free. Most people don’t want to pay for windows again just for their HTPC (it’s expensive).
Although it will take longer to set up if your new to Linux, once it’s all set up you probably won’t have to fiddle with it again (unlike your normal PC that does everything, your HTPC has a set task, and once you’ve set it up to do this, you can just happily use it).
The main program used on Linux for HTPCs is MythTV, which provides everything you need to use Linux as a HTPC Read more
Choosing a HTPC Operating System
There are many options when choosing an operating system for your HTPC. Each different operating system has many options, and it can be quite confusing trying to pick which one is best. Here we outline some of the features of each operating system, and why you would want to use it. Read more