Microsoft's discontinued Media Center suite can now unofficially...

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    Microsoft's discontinued Media Center suite can now unofficially...

    Microsoft's discontinued Media Center suite can now unofficially...


    Posted: 07 Sep 2015

    Windows Media Center was an entertainment system software that originally arrived on Windows XP. After XP, the media suite was subsequently included in Windows Vista and Windows 7. But, when Windows 8 arrived, the suite was no longer included and required a separate purchase. For Windows 10, Microsoft discontinued the entertainment software but did introduce Windows DVD player, as a replacement. The app was offered free for some, but those who did not qualify were charged with $14.99.

    Despite this, a couple of users over at the MDL forums have found a workaround that lets you install Windows Media Center right on your Windows 10 PC. This reportedly includes Insider builds 10240 and 10532. The project was in the works for quite some time now and has just recently come to fruition.

    Windows Blog Italia has documented the steps on how you can bring back the media software back to your PC. It should be noted, though, that this is not officially authorized by Microsoft and is a workaround provided by enthusiasts - so we advise users to proceed with caution.
    Source
    labeeman's Avatar Posted By: labeeman
    07 Sep 2015


  1. Posts : 419
    Win 7 Pro/32, Win 10 Pro/64/32
       #1

    I'm not an insider....I guess that makes me an Outsider. Eh?
    I've spent a bunch of $'s on my PC sound system and I do like to watch videos and play music once in a while.
    And when I do, I like for it to sound good.

    So tonight I downloaded the latest version of VLC Player. Just like Windows Media Player, out of the box, (so to speak) it's pretty weak in the sound quality dept. But just like WMP, it has a sound equalizer and sound compressor that when properly set makes my PC sound system 'Rock the House'. Most of the sound of music comes from the center frequencies of the equalizer, so that's the way I set it.
    Tonight I played several mp3's and mp4's and I thought the sound quality was just fine. (after I adjusted the equalizer)
    Obviously, all the negative feedback about the sound quality on VLC, comes from those who don't have the knowledge of how to set up an equalizer. I'll bet their WMP didn't sound very good either. Eh?

    So for those who want to play music and videos on Windows 10, give the VLC Player a look.

    Cheers Mates!
    TechnoMage
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,546
    Windows 10 Pro x64 RS 10586.586
       #2

    Hi!
    Thanks for your post!

    Tested without any sucsees! Error 5. Whatever it is?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 37
    xx
       #3

    Well VLC and MPC-HC can fill in those gaps for windows media center, if you are watching anime in windows 10 (which i doubt)

    Give KCP with MPC-HC a try here:
    KCP - Kawaii Codec Pack

    Or go with VLC:
    VideoLAN - VLC: Official site - Free multimedia solutions for all OS!
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 472
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit v1803 build 17133.73
       #4

    AIMP this is an audio player, extremely customizable with all the bells and whistles you will ever need. user since 2009.
      My Computer

  5.    #5

    Thanks Beeman, it works great. Quick and easy to install.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 630
       #6

    COMPUTIAC said:
    Thanks Beeman, it works great. Quick and easy to install.
    I tried installing with no success, I am using VMPlayer I suppose that is what is causing the problems
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #7

    Hi there

    For REMOTE audio use Logitech media server (Free) -- works on most smart TV's, those things like Google TV sticks etc (and mobile phones).

    For those who appreciate GOOD audio --handles FLAC too.

    Unless you are forced to use Terrestial TV only --who needs Windows Media center any more --many other alternatives - especially when streaming to remote devices.

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 480
    Windows 10
       #8

    While I used to play a lot of stuff through WMC, I now use Kodi for movies, VLC for Videos and Groove for all my music in the cloud.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 630
       #9

    jimbo45 said:
    Hi there

    For REMOTE audio use Logitech media server (Free) -- works on most smart TV's, those things like Google TV sticks etc (and mobile phones).

    For those who appreciate GOOD audio --handles FLAC too.

    Unless you are forced to use Terrestial TV only --who needs Windows Media center any more --many other alternatives - especially when streaming to remote devices.

    Cheers
    jimbo
    I for one still need it. Our entire household is setup with it. You seem to think there are all of these alternatives for WMC, when that is not the case. It is the ONLY, let me repeat, the ONLY software that will play encrypted media at this time. Kodi, MediaBrowser (EMBY), MediaPortal, Plex, none of these do, with exception to Kodi, none of the others even support .vob files, the VIDEO.TS containers.

    Yes, VLC, MPC play .vob files, but they are not media centers, nor are they a library software.

    I wish everyone could get it through their heads, at the uniqueness of Windows Media Center, yes there are look alike's, but they simply do not do what WMC does. I wish those who don't even use it, would stop making generalized comments on it.
      My Computer


 

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