Is the Windows Media Center in Win7 good or should I stick with VLC Player?

[bluesjunior]

I have just built a new 64 bit PC and have upgraded from Win XP Home Edition to Win 7 Home Premium 64. I knew my old PC like the back of my hand and used VLC PLayer as the default. The last two years on that PC I never even upgraded WMP from the version that was installed from the CD-ROM and unchecked every file box on it in order for VLC to be the default.

On this Win7 install there is an actual option to choose the default audio/video players and I have again chosen VLC Player as my default. However I have read some good things about the Windows Media Center installed with the OS and wondered what you guys thoughts are on it. Does it have a place on my new build or should I just keep on using VLC?.

[George]

Hi bluesjunior,

I assume you are in fact talking about Windows Media Center (WMC) and not Windows Media Player (WMP). These two are different applications.

While VLC Player is rather a Media Player replacement it does not offer typical Media Center features. As a media player I personally favor VLC over WMP in regards to videos. For music files I use AIMP instead of WMP. WMP just sits on my PC but does nothing really. If you were satisfied with VLC I do not see any reason to switch.

When it comes to Media Center software I clearly recommend XBMC instead of WMC. You can read more details in our Best Free Media Center Software article.

[bluesjunior]

Thanks George,
You are correct in that I meant WMC and not WMP. I am still getting used to Win7. What exactly do WMC and XBMC do?. I read the link but am not sure if it is a media player or just a filing system. Could I use XBMC in conjunction with my preferred choice of VLC Player?. I am not using the PC through the TV but just through my desktop monitor. Forgive me for probably seeming naive but I am 60 years old and learned my few PC skills on Win XP before deciding to build this new PC with Win7 as the OS.
George.

[George]

Hi bluesjunior,

Media Center software usually offers three core features:

1. Organize your media (image, audio, video)
2. Play your media
3. Large font/object GUI suitable for big screens

Additional features come into the game depending on the individual product:

1. Collect media info from the Internet
2. Stream media from the Internet
3. Record media from the Internet
4. Customizing (skins, sounds, etc.)
5. and more...

I have a computer connected to my HDTV. On that computer I only use XBMC for browsing and playing all my media - images, music and video. XBMC offers collection and streaming from the Internet as well and is (in my eyes) by far the must usable, intuitive and visually attractive media center software for free.

XBMC plays slide shows of my family fotos, it plays my music collection (browseable by artist, genre, title, etc.), it plays videos (all formats) and also offers add-ons so you can view Apple Movie Trailers, Youtube videos, your favorite news channel, etc.

So, on my big screen TV I only use and need XBMC.

On my personal computer where I work with files mainly, managing my libraries I use VLC and AIMP. Double-clicking a file to quickly listen to it or view it is quicker with those applications.

Hope that explains it a little better.

[Jojoyee]

Originally Posted by George

I have a computer connected to my HDTV. On that computer I only use XBMC for browsing and playing all my media - images, music and video. XBMC offers collection and streaming from the Internet as well and is (in my eyes) by far the must usable, intuitive and visually attractive media center software for free.

Earlier I tried to connect my desktop PC to two display devices, one is LCD monitor and the other HDTV, via a video splitter. It doesn't work well.

Is there a PC with dual video output and good software to manipulate which to display and all that? A notebook always comes with the built-in display and one video output but most likely the resolution of two display devices differs, not a good solution too.

[George]

Hi Jojoyee,

laptops these days usually come with an HDMI output (and an addl. VGA output). Using HDMI is the best way to serve an HDTV. You can set your reoslution then to something your TV can display best. You can also see the same picture on your laptop screen if you configure it that way.

I am using a separate computer for my TV, currently that is a MacMini. I have it a few years now and will replace it soon. I could never get used to OSX really and am longing for a Windows based TV computer. But there never was a real alternative. Now there seem to be one with the Dell Inspiron Zino HD. I am getting it next week I hope.

[Jojoyee]

Thanks George. That's a pretty good device. Currently I'm using a separate media player device with harddisk storage and HDMI output to HDTV but it lacks a direct control from a PC. I'll be looking for those better devices during the next upgrade.