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Message: <blockquote data-quote="BonzaiDuck" data-source="post: 1291771" data-attributes="member: 169717">Thank you for your response.  I have the version 2 MP download, but have not yet installed.   I SHOULD (?) be able to install more than one media-center software, unless I need to create a server for access by front-ends or web-front-ends with other devices.  I don't remember any collisions between multiple media-center HTPC software.    The new TV arrives on Friday, and I must have a way of installing it so that it accesses my ROKU initially, and allows me either of two ways to connect the HTPC.   I can simply reconnect the 25' HDMI cable to the new TV, for instance, circumventing the ROKU.  Or I can "cast" HTPC content to the ROKU, now verified by installing an app on the ROKU for a different media center software that cost me $70.  I've had Cyberlink Media Suite in old versions for years.  So I tested the PowerDVD Essentials free/trial version, and quickly decided it was worth buying.  It seems to substitute adequately for WMC:   I can play any of 300 DVR recordings -- movies and TV shows collected over the last ten years.  There is no long a tuner card in the HTPC, and I discarded my SiliconDust HDHomeRun Prime tuners because I could no longer get Premiums from my Spectrum subscription and Spectrum cableCARDs.  Even so, DVR content recorded from the SD HDHRs plays perfectly well from the HTPC even with the SD hardware taken out of the configuration.  300 WTV files is a lotta movies.  I have a huge Classical/Rock/Jazz/Folk/"Other" music collection of MP3 files.  I have a photo collection.  I won't get into the specifics about the PB centerfolds 1957 to 2002.  But I have that and a photo collection.   So PowerDVD gives me all the media center functions and DVD play etc. that I had with WMC.  I may want to add another recording device that gives me OTA recordings.  I already have a networked Tablo feeding the ROKU part of the system.  But to record like we did before or during WMC popularity, I'll need an ATSC-NTSC tuner card.  Tablo records, playable on the ROKU.  It would be nice if I could record to my PC from streaming subscriptions, but I cannot see how to do it at the moment.  But there's enough content to warrant having the HTPC without DVR, not to forget it's ability to play DVD and Blu-Ray.At this point, I need to confirm whether I can cast to ROKU and still play through another HDMI port with the PC's 5.,1 speaker system (alternately, of course).  Casting through the ROKU only plays through the TV's speakers -- or I can later connect the appropriate HDMI port to feed my Onkyo Receiver.  I could also pass the HTPC through the Onkyo and then to the new TV with HDMI.  I'm just not that eager to do all of these things, with some vague worries about it.So "here's the clincher" about it all.  I have done the research and found the software utility that should let me change the mapping of my WMC green button remote.  But until I have more confidence about it, I'd rather choose at first which software will prevail with this WMC remote remapping.  I will be sure to give Media Portal 2 a look-see.  May G** D*** Jack Valenti and his nitpicking freedom-robbing Media Nazis.  And to hell with his DRM and HDCP also.[I'm slowly learning to dislike the 21st century.  But aging seniors need their TV, since half their friends are suddenly dying or going vegetable with strokes and dementia.  So yeah.  DRM and HDCP suck, and being Old sucks, too.  But in your sunset years, you ought to get your movie, TV and MP3 audio in full 5.1 surround.   That should be the last step, and it also predetermines certain choices.  Right now, I only get the 5.1 with playback through the HTPC.  Casting to the ROKU means I'd have to ditch the PC speaker system and configure the ONKYO receiver, giving me 5.1 for streaming subscrips, HTPC casting, or Tablo OTA.</blockquote>

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