Media Center Plugins

[dawtcalm]

Started finding some cool plugins for media center and wondering if anyone else has any recommendations?

So far using:

MyMovies (http://www.mymovies.name/)(free) - to rip and archive your DVDs to your HD
VideoRedo (http://www.videoredo.com/) ($50) - to edit your video, has automatic commercial detect and delete
XmRadio (http://www.hanselman.com/blog/XMSatelliteRadioForWindowsMediaCenterPC.aspx)(free ) to listen to XM radio if you subscribe
Anyone know of a good free alternatives to VideoRedo (to delete commercials automatically? anyone use DVRMS Toolbox?)

here's some other lists:
LifeHacker (http://lifehacker.com/software/media-center/8-killer-windows-media-center-plugins-212345.php)
IndiaTimes (http://smbzone.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1654013.cms)

or... Media Center Alternatives (http://www.jakeludington.com/media_center_pc/) if MCE isn't your thing...

[Exmortis]

I use comskip with SageTV to detect commercials.

[kibboy]

I've been thinking about dabbling with Media Center. Maybe a few of you current users could help me out with some questions:

What’s an ideal Vid Card to have for MC?
I think I need an external box (receiver) as well correct? What one is good for this?
For Rogers HD, does the OS handle this?
I’ve heard you shouldn’t go wireless with because it’s too much data to transfer. Does this mean your computer has to be close to the TV, or can you run cable wires (USB wires?)?

Thanks,
kibb

[rileydog]

I've been thinking about dabbling with Media Center. Maybe a few of you current users could help me out with some questions:

What’s an ideal Vid Card to have for MC?
I think I need an external box (receiver) as well correct? What one is good for this?
For Rogers HD, does the OS handle this?
I’ve heard you shouldn’t go wireless with because it’s too much data to transfer. Does this mean your computer has to be close to the TV, or can you run cable wires (USB wires?)?

Thanks,
kibb

if you have a TV card on your computer...then your computer is your tv...just run your cable,satallite or antenna to the tv card

[kibboy]

Actually, I was hoping to have my TV as my TV and my Computer as the receiver and PVR. It appears I need an extender of some sort.

[rileydog]

Oh, if you want HD ..you need to go from your antenna (cable or sat) to your
HD box..then to your tv card

[rileydog]

Actually, I was hoping to have my TV as my TV and my Computer as the receiver and PVR. It appears I need an extender of some sort.

Oh...I think you can do that..hang in you'll get an answer soon I'm sure

[Exmortis]

Oh, if you want HD ..you need to go from your antenna (cable or sat) to your HD box..then to your tv card

Can't do that without some very expensive hardware. HD out of any receiver box is HDCP protected via HDMI and taking the input from analog component requires a massive machine. The best thing is to go OTA, but that depends on your location. To my knowledge, no cable or satellite provider allow capturing over Firewire yet.


Actually, I was hoping to have my TV as my TV and my Computer as the receiver and PVR. It appears I need an extender of some sort.

That's what I have. A network access is really needed so the computer can download EPG data daily and if you have features like YouTube, XM/Sirius Radio, etc, the machine will need net access. My HTPC has 4 tuners inside, but I don't use them much lately as I get all my shows via torrents lately.

[rileydog]

[QUOTE=Exmortis;215772]Can't do that without some very expensive hardware. HD out of any receiver box is HDCP protected via HDMI and taking the input from analog component requires a massive machine. The best thing is to go OTA, but that depends on your location. To my knowledge, no cable or satellite provider allow capturing over Firewire yet.



Thanks , I have my rogers cable going to my computer and can record or watch live from channels 3 to 70....have a HD box on another set (42" LCD TV)...and a digital box(300+ stations but no HD) on Bedroom tv.

Was thinking i could add a HD box to the computer set up and record the high-end HD movie stations, but i won't bother...Thanks again Exmortis