Are you looking for an application that can replace Windows Media Center but support all the advanced Media Center functions simultaneously? If yes, Media Portal is one such free and open-source Media Center alternative program that turns your PC/TV into a very advanced Media Center.
Media Portal Windows Media Center replacement
The application allows you to easily browse its menus with the mouse or use keyboard shortcuts to instantly access some of the features.
Media Portal is divided into four main functions:
My Music – Some advanced features gives easy access to all of your audio files and allow them to be played directly with Media Portal.
My Pictures – Here, with just one click of your mouse, you can access all images stored in our computer, capture screens, digital photos, scanned images, and any other similar files. All the pictures are displayed like a slide show.
My Videos – In this section of the program you can play and create videos listed in your video’s category. It’s possible to play videos in HD (High Definition) too.
My Weather – This section gives you the ability to recompile real-time information about the weather in our city or region from the user’s window.
Media Portal has been designed especially for Microsoft Windows. You can play files that play in Windows. The top-notch performance and good playback quality make it the choice of many media enthusiasts. The Media Center replacement is already available in 30 languages, with ongoing additions. The standard menu, context menu, layouts, and views make it easy to use.
Media Portal Installation:
The installer tool downloads all the software required for easy installation and upgrades. You can save all the downloaded files to deploy on client PCs or other installations.
Media Portal features:
- Watch Live TV or schedule and record
- Play videos, movies and DVDs
- Browse EPG and upcoming programs
- Listen to music and radio
- Stream media, radio, TV to any connected HTPC/PC connected to your network
- View pictures or create slideshows
- Browse all your movies
- Check the weather, news, or information on the web and even play games
You can change the look and feel of Media Portal via its Skins Gallery. The gallery has a highly skinnable interface for users interested in personalizing their media center. For the latest releases, you can check Downloads and Skin Forums. Besides that, Media Portal also supports lots of other third-party plugins to increase the media portal functionality like Web Browser, Outlook software, Skype, etc. All these plugins can be downloaded from the Media Portal Plug-ins Page.
You can get all these from its home page. Works with Windows 11 too.
I am a cord cutter who has happily used Media Center since 2006. I really regret Microsoft’s dropping it from Windows 10. I do not intend to upgrade to Windows 10 until I am certain not to lose any functionality that I have in Media Center under 64 bit Windows 7 Ultimate (including Media Center’s access to a free OTA program guide from which I can choose to record programs listed).
My machine happily sleeps when I’m not using it, and wakes itself up when programs are scheduled to be recorded. Output from the box goes to an AVR via HDMI which sends it the rest of my home theater system. Couldn’t be happier with the installation.
Setting up and similarly using KODI looks like a bad career change to me. At first blush, Media Portal looks like a good candidate as a drop in replacement for Media Center. There seldom are changes from what one is happy with that don’t involve losses. Has anyone encountered disadvantages in making the switch? Can I install Media Portal on the same system I am using Media Center to test it without introducing difficulties?
I would be most interested in recommendations and experiences from folks who have jumped ship and are either happy with what they have as a result or wish they had waited until 2020 for something better to come along.