R.I.P., Windows Media Center
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Easy enough to upgrade and then go back to your previous OS if you don't like what you see. There is nothing saying you have to stay on 10 once you upgrade. Not that I've seen. Seems to me free upgrades means more will kick the tires. Those that haven't already that is.
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Hi there
If you like WMC why not simply keep a small dedicated VM with just that application. Current VM software is far superior these days -- decent graphics / 3D is perfectly possible from a VM now.
While specialized gaming might still be beyond the capabilities of most VM systems - things like movies / TV / video streaming are perfectly decent when run from a VM --I run a movie streamer (Mezzmo) quite OK from a VM. Ensure your Wifi / LAN (better) performance is adequate though -- 2mb/s is about the MINIMUM for acceptable performance.
A small dedicated VM will use fairly small resources from the Host so it's a perfectly OK way of doing these things.
I run a VINYL CUTTING studio totally from an XP VM -- no problem at all when using a Windows 10 or Linux Host.
Cheers
jimbo
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Dude, thanks for that tip! It will not replace WMC for those using it with a TV card for live TV and DVR, but for me it is perfect. I had never heard of Emby before reading your post and then Googling it, now I have it installed and it is fantastic :).
Its called FilmOn Tv, its free for the most part but the quality of the video sometimes has a lot to be desired.
FilmOn is nice, I use it for live UK TV. Its Android app has the Chromecast support making it a piece of cake to watch British TV here on a big screen TV.
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You really can't expect Microsoft to support every tiny thing forever. There are so many alternatives to WMC these days, it just doesn't make any sense for them to keep it around. The vast majority of people out there have their own dedicated DVR's or Roku's or AppleTV's or whatever... I personally use TiVo and would never bother with anything else.
However, there are still plenty of apps out there, and i'd bet several of them are a lot better than WMC.. but of course a lot of it comes down to personal preference.
YES I do expect support, on this one.... I Paid a hefty price to upgrade all my systems to use WMC, I expect them to honor my commitment, in using it.
And Cable Cards are/were designed around the WMC model, nothing compares to it. Silicondust, MAY develop software (which I have hoped forever they would). Honestly, the only reason our household uses Windows was because of Media Center, but no more. You can't even play a DVD , burn or Rip CD's any longer. Windows has become a prime example of the "Peter Principle", they have stripped it down, torn out the guts, and promoted it to the level of incompetence.
Tell me exactly, what is on the market that replaces WMC as well, for cable card usage. Nothing. Because I have looked.
It is just like everything else with M$ they say it will be around, and BAMM, they abandon it. The only thing, I can trust about them, is that they will NEVER keep what they have produced.
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As usual a comment from a Mac user who only give useless comments.
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Hi there
If you like WMC why not simply keep a small dedicated VM with just that application. Current VM software is far superior these days -- decent graphics / 3D is perfectly possible from a VM now.
While specialized gaming might still be beyond the capabilities of most VM systems - things like movies / TV / video streaming are perfectly decent when run from a VM --I run a movie streamer (Mezzmo) quite OK from a VM. Ensure your Wifi / LAN (better) performance is adequate though -- 2mb/s is about the MINIMUM for acceptable performance.
A small dedicated VM will use fairly small resources from the Host so it's a perfectly OK way of doing these things.
I run a VINYL CUTTING studio totally from an XP VM -- no problem at all when using a Windows 10 or Linux Host.
Cheers
jimbo
Don't need to Jimbo. Windows 7 has five more years. I have 2 x 8.1 licences with media center licenses. Pretty much takes care of me for about 8 years or so. I also own Workstation 11 and have numerous virtual machines. Media Center is a truly outstanding piece of work and like I said there are more users of Media Center than there are of Windows Phone and probably Windows 8 come to think of it. I have 12 computers of various ages and types all running 7 and 2 running a dual boot to 8.1. I'll manage. Now what is this Windows as a service about?
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How can free be a hard sell....
Free as in hard sell. Why would I change? I lose functions, I lose Aero. Ten adds data mining, a stupid interface that makes your eyes bleed. God awful icons. Windows 7 is the best OS Microsoft have made yet. I paid some serious money for 7 and I am not going to give it all up for a free untested OS that tracks your every move. Adverts will be targeted to you. I may be old school in this regard but the purpose of an operating system is to interface between the user and the computer. Windows 10 does that and a hell of a lot more.
Good luck displacing Windows 7, Microsoft, it's still growing • The Register
Last edited by Indianatone; 05 May 2015 at 12:40.
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Dude, thanks for that tip! It will not replace WMC for those using it with a TV card for live TV and DVR, but for me it is perfect. I had never heard of Emby before reading your post and then Googling it, now I have it installed and it is fantastic :).
I don't use a tv card right now. I thought it did live TV 
It is really nice, I use it to stream to my Roku.
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I Paid a hefty price to upgrade all my systems to use WMC, I expect them to honor my commitment, in using it.
Now, that's the best objective argument I've read yet.
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YES I do expect support, on this one.... I Paid a hefty price to upgrade all my systems to use WMC, I expect them to honor my commitment, in using it.
They are not removing it from the software you purchased. They are not dropping support of it in Windows 7, 8, or 8.1. It's childish to expect someone to support something that has such a tiny user base, which they have gave very strong signals was on its deathbed for at least 3 or 4 years... They were going to drop support in Windows 8, but kept it around for 8 and 8.1. It was clear that you should be looking for alternatives.
And Cable Cards are/were designed around the WMC model, nothing compares to it.
I use a CABLECARD with my TiVo just fine, and it's amazing. I can view my shows on my PC's, on my Tablets (Android and iOS and Windows 8), and I can do remote scheduling, multi-room viewing, and a whole host of features that WMC can't possibly dream of without a lot of extra help.
Tell me exactly, what is on the market that replaces WMC as well, for cable card usage. Nothing. Because I have looked.
TiVo. A dedicated device is a lot better in this case.
It is just like everything else with M$ they say it will be around, and BAMM, they abandon it. The only thing, I can trust about them, is that they will NEVER keep what they have produced.
They've supported this for.. oh.. 15 years or so... They've clearly communicated their wish to kill it off for the last 5... i'd hardly call that "BAMM, abandoned".
