MediaPortal 2.5 / 1.36.0

Overview

MediaPortal is a powerful software that converts your computer into a home theater, giving you a centralized interface in which you can manage and play every type of media imaginable, from music playlists/radio, to pictures, DVDs, and even television shows. It is truly unlike any other media player you've ever seen, serving as a DVR, media library, online radio, DVD player, weather/news provider, and even a game center!

Installation

With a file size of only about 24 MB, MediaPortal downloads in an incredibly compact package considering the extensive functionality it offers. The setup process is made to be just as simple as the user interface navigation, so anyone who can control a television set or a media player can complete the installation.

Interface

The MediaPortal user interface is almost too good to be true, with futuristic designs and a user-friendly layout that is similar to that of a videogame. This software offers a specialized interface for every type of entertainment, with videos, pictures, and album art displayed in an interactive wall format that is enjoyable to browse.

Pros

• Serves as a free DVR, letting you watch and record two different television shows simultaneously using a single DVD/ATSC TV card. In addition, it supports an unlimited number of TV cards, unlike Windows Media Center. Carries all the features of an advanced DVR (TiVo) and more

• Lets you add TV Guide data from several sources, including DVB signals and XMLTV Guides. Your TV Guide is displayed in an interactive interface similar to that of a digital cable television guide. You can even search the guide based on program name, genre,and channel.

• Using MediaPortal as a dedicated TV server you can watch television on all of your computers even if you only have a TV card installed in one. In other words, the computer with MediaPortal installed will act as a dedicated TV server, and the other computers can pick up the signal using the Media Portal Client software

• Play and organize DVDs/videos in an interactive library. You can even create your own playlists. Media portal is compatible with every type of video file

• Can play every type of music file in existence, even OGGs. Lets you create playlists and organize your music library by artist, track, album, genre, alphabetical order, and more. The software automatically downloads artist/album details to accompany your MP3s.

• Instantly apply playback effects to music. Utilize the built-in Bass Engine or fine-tune your audio experience by controlling output levels, crossover, and buffer size. Even supports gapless playback and up mixing(to Dolby Digital 5.1 or 7.1).

• Utilizes Digital Signal Processing (DSP) to provide the clearest audio possible

• Compatible with WinAmp and VST audio plug-ins

• Listen to radio broadcasts, organize your favorite stations, record your favorite radio programs, and add radio guides using an FM tuner or a web-based Radio EPG

• Quickly check the weather and browse the web from directly within your MediaPortal

• Display all of the photographs on your computer in a variety of views, from slideshows to three-dimensional walls

Cons

• With so many advanced features it can take days to fully appreciate the functionality - not a minus in my opinion

Alternatives

The most formidable competitor to MediaPortal is XBMC (XBOX Media Center), with Boxee and Windows Media Center being popular alternatives as well. XBMC offers many of the same features as MediaPortal with an interface that many prefer. Boxee offers seamless integration with social networks so sharing content is a breeze. Windows Media Center is a more basic solution, and it is limited to only one TV card, whereas MediaPortal supports an unlimited amount. Overall, MediaPortal offers most of the same features as the aforementioned competitors, and is capable of expanding through plugins/extensions.

Conclusion

If you want to bring your computer entertainment experience to the next level, MediaPortal provides an incredible interface in which you can organize, edit, record, research, and play every kind of media.