MediaPortal is an Open Source application ideal for turning your PC into a media center PC. The latest version of MediaPortal has been released as a “preview” version. From the website:
MediaPortal II is a total re-write of the core application and plugin system. A new core framework allows all parts of the system to be easily replaced or updated, with very little effort and minimal effect to the overall system.
Another major new feature is the new GUI and skin system. After trying WPF & XAML, and finding it was not possible to do many of the things we wanted. We returned to DirectX, and developed a new system from the ground up.
MediaPortal 2 obviously has some work left, especially since it is lacking TV integration. The “Preview” release is meant to show off the progress made so far in the complete re-write.
I have tried the initial version of MediaPortal but quickly started using BeyondTV due to installation errors. I tried it again when the slick Xface skin was released and had some success though I still stuck with BeyondTV. MediaPortal is definitely a software package for the htpc’ers who constantly want to tinker with their media centers. Hopefully MediaPortal 2 will add some more polish and stability.
Tue, Dec 18, 2007
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