Windows Media Center vs MediaPortal

Struggling to choose between Windows Media Center and MediaPortal? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Windows Media Center is a Media & Entertainment solution with tags like media-player, video-playback, music-playback, photo-viewer, dvr, program-guide.

It boasts features such as TV tuner functionality, DVR capabilities, DVD and CD playback, Photo viewing, Music library, Media streaming, Remote control integration and pros including Intuitive interface, Seamless Windows integration, DVR functionality, Media streaming capabilities.

On the other hand, MediaPortal is a Video & Movies product tagged with media, video, music, photos, open-source.

Its standout features include Media Library for organizing media content, Live TV & DVR functionality, Plugins for extending functionality, Skins/themes for customizing look and feel, Remote control support, Multi-room streaming over home network, and it shines with pros like Free and open source, Great community support, Very customizable via plugins and skins, Works well for HTPC setups, Supports many media formats.

Feature	Windows Media Center	MediaPortal
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Media & Entertainment	Video & Movies

Product Overview

Windows Media Center

Description: Windows Media Center is a digital media player and recorder developed by Microsoft. It allows users to play and view videos, music, pictures, and recorded TV on Windows PCs. Features include a program guide, DVR, DVD playback, and media streaming.

MediaPortal

Description: MediaPortal is an open source media center software designed to manage and play various types of media content including videos, music, photos on home computers. It supports Windows platform and features a 10 foot user interface for easy navigation.

Key Features Comparison

Windows Media Center Features

• TV tuner functionality
• DVR capabilities
• DVD and CD playback
• Photo viewing
• Music library
• Media streaming
• Remote control integration

MediaPortal Features

• Media Library for organizing media content
• Live TV & DVR functionality
• Plugins for extending functionality
• Skins/themes for customizing look and feel
• Remote control support
• Multi-room streaming over home network

Pros & Cons Analysis

Windows Media Center

Pros

• Intuitive interface
• Seamless Windows integration
• DVR functionality
• Media streaming capabilities

Cons

• No longer supported by Microsoft
• Limited to Windows PCs
• Requires specific hardware
• Steep learning curve

MediaPortal

Pros

• Free and open source
• Great community support
• Very customizable via plugins and skins
• Works well for HTPC setups
• Supports many media formats

Cons

• Can be difficult to setup and configure
• Some plugins and skins no longer maintained
• Limited mobile/tablet support
• DVR functionality requires additional hardware
• Not as user friendly as some alternatives

Pricing Comparison

Windows Media Center

• One-time purchase

MediaPortal

• Open Source