Need good Media Center type program

[masteroc]

Im basically looking for a program or operating system that will stream all my video and audio from my network nas and play it over the tv. So far i have been using and liking very much XBMC with my modded Xbox. It recognizes every file type that i throw at it and finds all my network drives; however, it is coming to its limits of its processor when trying to play any HD content. In fact it doesnt...thats the problem. So i build myself a media center pc that can handle HD content, the only problem is that im not sure what to put on it. I want something that can recognize a lot of file types (especially .mkv). It does not have to be able to record tv because i will be using fios soon so that will not be possible anyway. I was going to use XBMC for windows, but i see lots of bugs and problems. Are there other media center programs or operating systems that you all would recommend?

Thanks.

 

[KSoD]

Hello,

Why not Windows Media Center? It is included in Vista Home Premium and Vista Ultimate. There is also a MCE edition of XP. But might not find it now that XP is no longer for sale. Other than that there are a bunch of results on google for Media Center software.

Mayube this will be of use:

Home of XPero - XPize homepage

Seems that the development has stopped for now. But there are talks of bringing it back.

Cheers,
Mak

 

[masteroc]

only problem is that Windows Media Center does not easily play .mkv files, which most of my content is in.

 

[KSoD]

Hello,

With the correct codec pack it should. I have installed Klite, Vista codec pack and Ac3Filter and my MCE plays all files. .MKV files are tough. Mainly only VLC plays them. I dont think WMP can play .mkv even with those packs installed. So you might be outta luck.

I have not personaly tried .mkv files as i dont have any. If i did i would test it for you.

Cheers,
Mak

 

[EricB]

I just made me a media server for this purpose. I use vista because it's prettier. I use the latest version of klite pack to play everything. during the klite install, pick the "lot of stuff" option