Windows 7 Media Centre vs. MediaPortal

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Windows 7 Media Centre vs. MediaPortal

blur

384 posts

Ultimate Geek

#47130 10-Nov-2009 12:40

Hi All, I’m still relatively new around here. Despite having used the forums for information for years, I have only recently broken my silence and started to participate so thank you to everyone for your interaction.

In a previous forum, I had asked the question about dual DVB-S tuners as I wanted to record multiple channels on my Windows 7 media Centre. To my amazement, I was alerted to the fact that MediaPortal was able to do this with a single card. I was stunned to say the least, and couldn’t believe that this functionality was not in Media Centre.

Over the years I had played with MediaPortal on and off, however I always seemed to revert back to Media Centre as it looked better (I’m so shallow!) and was easier to navigate. This new revelation has made me do a complete 180 degree turn on MediaPortal, so much so I have installed the latest version and am playing with it at the moment. suffice to say I am having my share of problems, but that is material for another topic.

Are there any other pros or cons that I am missing? I have to say that I still like the look and feel of Windows 7 Media Centre better than MediaPortal, and I also like the way it seems to seamlessly integrate into the OS. However the ability to record multiple channels with one DVB-S card and be able to record back-to-back programs on different channels properly is likely to tip me in favour of MediaPortal.

Any other comments or thoughts?

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#271625 10-Nov-2009 13:21

Just to clarify the recording of more than one channel at a time with Mediaportal.
It can only record multiple channels at the same time if they are on the same transponder, with one DVB-S card.

So on 12456 you have TV3, TV3+1, C4, Stratos, Cue, Prime, Parliement and Te Reo.
On 12483 you have TV1, TV2, TVNZ6, TVNZ7 & Maori.

So as an example you can record TV1 & TV2 at the same time but not TV1 & TV3.

I have two DVB-S cards in my WHS so could record all channels at the same if I wanted to.

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

mattyboy2

84 posts

Master Geek

#271634 10-Nov-2009 13:41

Yeah that's about the only thing I miss from Mediaportal now that I'm running Win7 MC. I'm using an HVR2200 which has dual tuners so I can currently record 2 channels at once, but as explained, with Mediaportal I could record up to 3 at once (and maybe 4? never tried).

Right now it only happens about once every 2 weeks or so that I need to record 3 shows at once so it's not such a dealbreaker for me. What is annoying is that often only the end of one recording overlaps with the start of another and MC refuses to record the second show... I wouldn't mind if it started recording as soon as a tuner became available but it doesn't let you do that.

Anyway if I were in your situation I would buy extra tuner cards or USB tuners and stick with Win7 MC rather than try to get Mediaportal going. I had no WAF at all with Mediaportal.

-Matt

blur

384 posts

Ultimate Geek

#271671 10-Nov-2009 15:24

Thanks for the clarification on the channels needing to be on the same transponder. This actually makes MediaPortal slightly less appealing now that I have learned that under some permutations I?d still need two tuners anyway. This said, I am still surprised that Microsoft still haven?t added this functionality into their software. Perhaps this is something that will get Serviced Packed at some point?

Regs

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Snowflake

#271823 10-Nov-2009 20:45

blur: Thanks for the clarification on the channels needing to be on the same transponder. This actually makes MediaPortal slightly less appealing now that I have learned that under some permutations I?d still need two tuners anyway. This said, I am still surprised that Microsoft still haven?t added this functionality into their software. Perhaps this is something that will get Serviced Packed at some point?

don't hold your breath waiting for it.... while it sounds like a 'must have' feature, its a lot less useful in markets where there are a lot more channels and more transponders being used. Also, additional tuners are comparatively cheap in other markets.

You can buy dual tuner dvb-t and dvb-s cards presently - that means two channels off any transponder. If you buy a second card you could then have four tuners recording four channel off any transponder. I wouldnt be surprised if the major vendors even came out with four tuner cards in the near future.

Regs

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Snowflake
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blur

384 posts

Ultimate Geek

#271836 10-Nov-2009 21:22

Hey Regs - the sad thing is I'm based in Gisborne so there is no DVB-T transponders...

kiwijunglist

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#271852 10-Nov-2009 21:51

Do make mediaportal look pretty i recommend you install 'StreamedMP' (which includes My TV Series / Moving Pictures)

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Dingbatt

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#272059 11-Nov-2009 15:05

kiwijunglist: Do make mediaportal look pretty i recommend you install 'StreamedMP' (which includes My TV Series / Moving Pictures)

I followed your recommendation and installed StreamedMP although because I am running MP RC4 (due to video card limitations) I used version 0.8 rather than 0.9 which appears to be recommended for MP1.1.0.
It is indeed a slick skin and very pleasing on the eye. In fact until MP2 makes an appearance it rivals 7MC in appearance for me.
A couple of comments tho':
I now have to access all my "Recorded TV" files in "My Videos" instead. The "Recorded TV" option still appears in the MP menus and it would be nice if it could point to "My Videos" instead. I can rearrange my universal remote to go to "My Videos" but it would be nice to have the screen options reflect the same.
Any clues on a source of info to do this would be appreciated

. Also a remote code to start MovingPictures from within MP.

I have tried not to hijack the thread but how StreamedMP looks and what it can do, allied to MP's superior recording configurations, makes it a reasonable option at the moment.

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CYaBro

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#272074 11-Nov-2009 16:02

mattyboy2: I had no WAF at all with Mediaportal.

-Matt

Really? My wife uses it more than I do.
My 18 month old even plays with the remote to try and get the wotwots on and can almost do it.
He can turn the TV and client PC on with remote.
Usually ends up recording something though!

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

rhysb

435 posts

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#272089 11-Nov-2009 16:32

Blur, here's a good comparison of them both.
http://thedigitallifestyle.com/cs/blogs/members/archive/2009/03/09/mediaportal-v-media-center-which-to-choose.aspx

dklong

167 posts

Master Geek

#272120 11-Nov-2009 18:21

Hey Mattyboy2...

When you converted from MP to Win7 MCE, did you lose access to all your recorded TV programs or will Win7 read the TS files OK?

Cheers

David

1gkar

722 posts

Ultimate Geek

#272121 11-Nov-2009 18:24

Dingbatt:
kiwijunglist: Do make mediaportal look pretty i recommend you install 'StreamedMP' (which includes My TV Series / Moving Pictures)

I followed your recommendation and installed StreamedMP although because I am running MP RC4 (due to video card limitations) I used version 0.8 rather than 0.9 which appears to be recommended for MP1.1.0.
It is indeed a slick skin and very pleasing on the eye. In fact until MP2 makes an appearance it rivals 7MC in appearance for me.
A couple of comments tho':
I now have to access all my "Recorded TV" files in "My Videos" instead. The "Recorded TV" option still appears in the MP menus and it would be nice if it could point to "My Videos" instead. I can rearrange my universal remote to go to "My Videos" but it would be nice to have the screen options reflect the same.
Any clues on a source of info to do this would be appreciated. Also a remote code to start MovingPictures from within MP.

I have tried not to hijack the thread but how StreamedMP looks and what it can do, allied to MP's superior recording configurations, makes it a reasonable option at the moment.

Firstly, blur: am not trying to hijack thread. Will just answer Dingbatt's question, then disappear

Dingbatt, you can use the StreamedMP editor (shortcut on your desktop) to amend 'RecordedTV' to 'MyVideos'. Any further queries, might be best answered in a new thread.

Also, looks even better with customised pictures for the backdrops on main menu, etc.

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Snowflake

#272203 11-Nov-2009 23:34

CYaBro: My 18 month old even plays with the remote to try and get the wotwots on and can almost do it.
He can turn the TV and client PC on with remote.
Usually ends up recording something though!

My 17mth can turn tv on, start one of her sing song dvds and even skip forward past the songs she doesnt like! So MCE must be easy to use!! (well she gets the combination right maybe 3 out of 5 times anyway :)

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blur

384 posts

Ultimate Geek

#272325 12-Nov-2009 10:45

Hey 1gkar, don't sweat it. I'm interested to hear some of the problems with MediaPortal.

I am having my fair share as I tried to install it on top of Winows 7 64bit and I am having all sorts of issues. The biggest one at the moment is that I can't get my Hauppauge remote control to work at all within MediaPortal. Works fine in Media Centre... Weird...

Any thoughts?

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#272341 12-Nov-2009 11:24

With regards to Mediaportal / StreamedMP skin
Run MP Config -> General -> Choose start with basic screen
Run Start menu -> Mediaportal -> StreamedMP skin editor to customise the main menu
You can have menu items pointing to what ever you want.
To get your universal remote to directly load moving pictures, you need to install shortcut'er plugin and add a keyboard shortcut to moving pictures, you then use your remote to emulate the keyboard shortcut.
Any further questions start a thread on mediaportal forum, and i'll answer there.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

kiwijunglist

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#272343 12-Nov-2009 11:35

you should view this video -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzi1veB9Vn8
I think his setup is a little slow, and mine looks better but gives a very good review of what a proper setup of mediaportal can do.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

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