MediaPortal: An Alternative to Windows Media Center
You use your computer regularly to watch movies or play Videos, or you have a HTPC with a digital TV card, you should look at MediaPortal in more detail. Unlike the Windows Desktop, this Tool is fully optimized for viewing on a TV or projector and control it by remote control. In addition, you benefit from comprehensive features:
- MediaPortal can store Videos and music files from the Internet, from a network (NAS) or direct from USB-Stick, DVD, or Blu-ray play back.
- Both IP TV and Internet radio is a Tool. Of course, you can also transfer your digital photos to the TV or the screen.
- In addition, MediaPortal is tapping all sources of the Internet to make the Video and music enjoyment perfect. So to each playable Song also download album art and information about title, Album and artist. If available, are even highlighted in the song texts and their German Translation.
- Similarly, the Software loads to existing Videos, the most suitable DVD Cover, a short summary of the plot, a list of participating actors and of course the name of the Director down.
- Almost daily there are new Plug-ins and extensions that you, for example, the weather, the allow remote control via iPhone, iPad, or Android Phone, the video streaming on these devices allow, and much more.
The menu of MediaPortal
To set up MediaPortal
Download the latest Version of MediaPortal from our Download-section download. After Installation, the device can begin.
- The A and O of a Media PC is the TV card. Check if your TV-card is recognized correctly. Otherwise, you will need the drivers to reinstall Windows.
- Start searching now for the channel. Make sure that you have chosen the location and the Provider correctly. The MediaPortal is looking in the right place and finds all the channels.
- You will meet your favorite Channels pre-selection.
- Under the TV Mappings tab in the menu "WebEPG" you can set for each individual channel, where the MediaPortal is to obtain the EPG information.
- MediaPortal can handle almost all of PC remote controls. The fastest means to succeed, if you are using a Microsoft Media Center remote control.
- On the MediaPortal home screen takes you to the television. On the left you can find the current EPG and above the current program in a thumbnail view.
- You have programmed from the EPG, a recording, linked to MediaPortal this recording with the corresponding database entry. Now scroll follow comfortable in your series.
Settings of MediaPortal
In a further practical tip we will show you how to use the Media Center for the Windows 8.1 install.
