windows media center

[bsblfan]

1 1\2 yrs. ago I purchased a sammy 46a750, at that time I wanted it to do alot and I got the matching extender with it , ididn't get the complete hang of it so

I put it on mothballs for a while and to make a short story long my windows media center disappeared from my HP with windows 7 and I cannot retrieve it my computer used to be vista

 

[BMXTRIX]

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/compare

Click the 'Feature Comparison' tab and the only version of W7 which doesn't have WMC in it is 'Starter'. The rest all have WMC in it.

You could always try a separate media server so you don't have to figure out how to hook your PC up to your TV.

 

[krzywica]

WMC is not a very good front end for a media center anyway. Check out XBMC or Boxee, bith of which are completely free add free applications that are open sourced with an excellent support community backing them.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

According to Cnet "...You'll need to install special software, included with the TV...."
http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/samsung-ln46a750/4505-6482_7-32815271.html
WMP needs to be configured to work as DLNA Server, but I find it's annoying.
Try other DLNA servers some even free - Tversity for example

Detailed comparison here:
http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/samsung-ln46a750/4505-6482_7-32815271.html

But if you want to get better media client experience you might want to give Boxee or XBMC a shot, however you need to understand these won't stream to your TV, instead you'll need to install them on small pc and connect it to tv.
Maybe it'll be wise to wait till Boxee Box comes out - anytime soon

 

[Whitey80]

I like TVersity, and also use PlayOn for streaming Hulu at TV resolutions

 

[JonPW]

I just have a nice video card that has two video outs. an nvidia gtx 275. It's aging these days but still respectable.

Anyways I just run the second dvi out to my tv and use my tv as a second monitor. it works quite well.

 

[krzywica]

I just have a nice video card that has two video outs. an nvidia gtx 275. It's aging these days but still respectable.

Anyways I just run the second dvi out to my tv and use my tv as a second monitor. it works quite well.

Well if you are doing that then do you have the internal HDMI cable hooked up to your GTX275 to enable audio and video over HDMI?

 

[JonPW]

No, I have a good audio out card that goes directly to my speakers. Everything is driven from my PC.

I have an audio out going from my tv to my pc which monitors that line and thus my pc plays all the audio from my tv through the speakers that are infront of my tv.

I dunno if that makes any sense. You can get a video card with HDMI tho. I have not used one.

 

[JonPW]

I guess I usually do not use an HDMI out from a video card because I am a gamer. Most high end gaming hardware does not have an HDMI out port. Now a lot of the mid-range cards do - but those are often below the range I would buy for a gaming card.

Also a higher end video card will give you better video playback than a mid-range card, so that is another reason why I prefer the high end to the media range.

That said I do not claim to be an audio expert. I kinda came here more looking for help, than to help, but I know a lot about pc hardware.

 

[JonPW]

Oh I did a little bit of research, nothing much, but this is a very nice gaming card that is also an HDMI card.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102881

I feel it is over-priced for it's chipset however it is a very powerful beast. Keep in mind when installing something like that your computers power supply has to be up to par for it. This would not work on a stock dell or hp machine etc.

 

[dalessandro12]

Oh I did a little bit of research, nothing much, but this is a very nice gaming card that is also an HDMI card.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102881

I feel it is over-priced for it's chipset however it is a very powerful beast. Keep in mind when installing something like that your computers power supply has to be up to par for it. This would not work on a stock dell or hp machine etc.

I didn't look at the specs of this but keep in mind, just because it has HDMI out doesn't mean it does audio over the HDMI. When I built my HTPC, this was the case and I have HDMI for video out and an optical cable for my audio. This may not be a problem anymore with new HDMI versions but it was in the past. Personally, as I don't have any quality issues with video or sound running it this way but it would be nice to have one out (although now I am looking for something that will just play via DLNA instead of having a running computer in my living room).

IMO, Boxee Box is the way to go when available. It has a great interface. I just added over 300 DVD rips to my server and on my client with Boxee - all movie information was automatically configured - DVD cover, cast and synopsis. With WMC, you need to install add ins and configure several things to get this working correctly (I've done it). This is a no-brainer way to do it and I love it. I set it to scan every day so as I add movies they are automatically set up.