Media Control Panel vs Media Server Control Panel Pro/Pro+

Media Control Panel — Media Control Panel is a free, open-source media center software for Windows. It allows you to play videos, music, and view photos from your computer. It has plugin support and customizable skins.

Media Server Control Panel Pro/Pro+ — Media Server Control Panel Pro/Pro+ is a software for managing and automating media servers. It allows central control and monitoring of multiple servers through a web interface.

Media Control Panel offers Play videos, music, and photos, Plugin support, Customizable skins, Remote control support, Live TV support with DVR capabilities (with plugins), while Media Server Control Panel Pro/Pro+ provides Web-based interface for remote management, Support for multiple media servers and file systems, Automated media scanning and metadata extraction, User and permission management, Automated media downloading.

Media Control Panel stands out for Free and open source, Highly customizable, Large collection of plugins; Media Server Control Panel Pro/Pro+ is known for Easy central management of multiple servers, Comprehensive media management capabilities, Flexible user access controls.

Feature	Media Control Panel	Media Server Control Panel Pro/Pro+
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Audio & Music	Media & Entertainment
Pricing	Open Source	N/A

Product Overview

Media Control Panel

Description: Media Control Panel is a free, open-source media center software for Windows. It allows you to play videos, music, and view photos from your computer. It has plugin support and customizable skins.

Media Server Control Panel Pro/Pro+

Description: Media Server Control Panel Pro/Pro+ is a software for managing and automating media servers. It allows central control and monitoring of multiple servers through a web interface.

Key Features Comparison

Media Control Panel Features

• Play videos, music, and photos
• Plugin support
• Customizable skins
• Remote control support
• Live TV support with DVR capabilities (with plugins)
• Online media streaming
• Media library management and metadata scraping
• Audio, video and image codecs support
• Support for external devices

Media Server Control Panel Pro/Pro+ Features

• Web-based interface for remote management
• Support for multiple media servers and file systems
• Automated media scanning and metadata extraction
• User and permission management
• Automated media downloading
• Transcoding media files
• Scheduling media processing jobs
• Notifications and reporting
• API access for automation

Pros & Cons Analysis

Media Control Panel

Pros

• Free and open source
• Highly customizable
• Large collection of plugins
• Great community support
• Supports many media formats
• Intuitive and easy to use

Cons

• Can be resource intensive
• Setup can be complicated for beginners
• Some plugins and skins cost money
• No official support offered

Media Server Control Panel Pro/Pro+

Pros

• Easy central management of multiple servers
• Comprehensive media management capabilities
• Flexible user access controls
• Automates many routine tasks
• Web interface works across platforms
• Active development and support

Cons

• Can be complex for basic home media needs
• Setup requires technical knowledge
• No native mobile app
• Some features require paid add-ons

Pricing Comparison

Media Control Panel

• Open Source

Media Server Control Panel Pro/Pro+

• Not listed