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First let me thank you lehmden, and netexplorer for you feedback. I had intended not to reply again to this thread, but felt some clarification was in order.

I only use WMC for live TV. That's it. I don't use playready (which is an EPG (requires internet)). No pictures, movies, music, nothing else, so in fact (for MY purposes) WMC is fully functional 'ootb' as you abbreviated

MKV, mp4 etc. are handled by ffdshow and other codec's (ie. AC3) and Videolans' native support, so no worries about videos on that computer. Music is handled by Winamp. Pictures are handled by internal Win7 support.

Much of your post is simply a misunderstanding about my computing use and needs. This thread was NEVER meant to be an attack on Mediaportal, OR a direct comparison between WMC and Mediaportal.

BTW I think Mediaportal is a very nice program, albeit not mature.

Rather, I wished to EXEMPLIFY the differences between large scale commercial integration, and open source. NOT an argument about how I choose to use my computers.

I have been waiting about 20 years for open source to 'break the barrier' and make things simple enough for regular folks. Let me clarify. I am computer savvy, Windows savvy, ms dos savvy, but waaaay to old to learn nix console language. And, I might add waaay to busy. I banged my head on a desk, 16 hours a day for 20 years. I've done my bid.

I have wanted for YEARS to kick MS to the curb. Don't get me started.

The point I was trying to make is that large scale commercial integration, proprietary systems, and such typical software, are less flexible, but 'generally' more stable, reliable, and just plain simple to operate.

--> LARGE COMPLICATED <-- Open source programs tend to be vastly more flexible, however they tend to be more complicated, less stable, and more difficult to operate.

I have used VLC for many years, which is open source, but I only use it for video files. nothing else, and I have had many bouts with its functionality, and figuring out ten billion options!! LOL!

That said, open source has immense potential, and some projects have come to maturity, while many have not.

KEEP IN MIND I SPEAK FROM A MICROSOFT PERSPECTIVE!!.

persons who are fluent in nix, I think have much fewer problems with open source. Probably because most open source originates from a nix perspective.

As far as the games I play, I don't play online multiplayer games, and lets just say that any internet connection required to play said games is relived of duty.

There have been several suggestions here that I am seriously taking into consideration to remedy my issues, and I thank you all for taking the time to reply. I will not be setting up another standalone pc for sensitive data. I have enough pc's. Seriously. Too many.

A dedicated TV is at the top of my list; However I doubt any USB drive will give me the 2hr buffer I have on WMC. Another $400 TiVO is out of the question.

If anyone is interested, I really only have '4' issues with WMC, which are relatively minor.

1) WMC HAS to have focus. God, it steals it every time you close a window. Hitting the window key or alt-tab works but but its really annoying when your working with multiple windows, and you 'x' a window out.

2) A popup when you insert ANY removable media. USB, Optical, 'virtual drive' etc. Turning off Autoplay DOES NOT work. And if you don't 'x' it out in about 7 seconds, it WILL autoplay! LOL! I Lose my TV buffer that way

3) Channel button on the remote doesn't wont unless WMC has focus. So to change channel, I have to Alt-tab.

4) WMC goes into standby. Would be nice if WMC had -> 'a checkbox' -> 'prevent standby when WMC is running'

Thats it. Those are the ONLY real problems I have with WMC. I have multi-monitor setup (4), so the TV just runs while I do work, or play games. If I need I can pause/unpause rewind etc without changing window focus.

So, because its so simple, and functional, you can see why many people, including myself, are still using it.

Lets not forget that my hardware is accurately detected and implemented.

Open source will have a hard time competing against an onsite qualified team of paid professionals.

And BTW I HAVE purchased several commercial packages over the years to replace WMC. The others I forget, but the last was jRiver. Don't remember the problem. Either the tuner wasn't recognized, or the remote didn't work. What I can say is that it was simple and easy to use.

Anyway, if you want to talk about the benefits/drawbacks of 'open source' .VS Commercial/proprietary software, I would be more than happy to talk.

However my computing uses/needs are not likely to change.... much. Unless of course I can find a simple effective solution.

no attacks All friendly here.

-Stonebrook

<blockquote data-quote="Stonebrook" data-source="post: 1244462" data-attributes="member: 162870">First let me thank you lehmden, and netexplorer for you feedback. I had intended not to reply again to this thread, but felt some clarification was in order.I only use WMC for live TV. That's it. I don't use playready (which is an EPG (requires internet)). No pictures, movies, music, nothing else, so in fact (for MY purposes) WMC is fully functional 'ootb' as you abbreviated <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile&nbsp; &nbsp; :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />MKV, mp4 etc. are handled by ffdshow and other codec's (ie. AC3) and Videolans' native support, so no worries about videos on that computer. Music is handled by Winamp. Pictures are handled by internal Win7 support.Much of your post is simply a misunderstanding about my computing use and needs. This thread was NEVER meant to be an attack on Mediaportal, OR a direct comparison between WMC and Mediaportal.BTW I think Mediaportal is a very nice program, albeit not mature.Rather, I wished to EXEMPLIFY the differences between large scale commercial integration, and open source. NOT an argument about how I choose to use my computers.I have been waiting about 20 years for open source to 'break the barrier' and make things simple enough for regular folks. Let me clarify. I am computer savvy, Windows savvy, ms dos savvy, but waaaay to old to learn nix console language. And, I might add waaay to busy. I banged my head on a desk, 16 hours a day for 20 years. I've done my bid.I have wanted for YEARS to kick MS to the curb. Don't get me started.The point I was trying to make is that large scale commercial integration, proprietary systems, and such typical software, are less flexible, but 'generally' more stable, reliable, and just plain simple to operate.--&gt; LARGE COMPLICATED &lt;-- Open source programs tend to be vastly more flexible, however they tend to be more complicated, less stable, and more difficult to operate.I have used VLC for many years, which is open source, but I only use it for video files. nothing else, and I have had many bouts with its functionality, and figuring out ten billion options!! LOL!That said, open source has immense potential, and some projects have come to maturity, while many have not.KEEP IN MIND I SPEAK FROM A MICROSOFT PERSPECTIVE!!.persons who are fluent in nix, I think have much fewer problems with open source. Probably because most open source originates from a nix perspective.As far as the games I play, I don't play online multiplayer games, and lets just say that any internet connection required to play said games is relived of duty.There have been several suggestions here that I am seriously taking into consideration to remedy my issues, and I thank you all for taking the time to reply. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile&nbsp; &nbsp; :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> I will not be setting up another standalone pc for sensitive data. I have enough pc's. Seriously. Too many.A dedicated TV is at the top of my list; However I doubt any USB drive will give me the 2hr buffer I have on WMC. Another $400 TiVO is out of the question.If anyone is interested, I really only have '4' issues with WMC, which are relatively minor.1) WMC HAS to have focus. God, it steals it every time you close a window. Hitting the window key or alt-tab works but but its really annoying when your working with multiple windows, and you 'x' a window out.2) A popup when you insert ANY removable media. USB, Optical, 'virtual drive' etc. Turning off Autoplay DOES NOT work. And if you don't 'x' it out in about 7 seconds, it WILL autoplay! LOL! I Lose my TV buffer that way <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite3" alt=":(" title="Frown&nbsp; &nbsp; :(" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":(" />3) Channel button on the remote doesn't wont unless WMC has focus. So to change channel, I have to Alt-tab. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite7" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue&nbsp; &nbsp; :p" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":p" />4) WMC goes into standby. Would be nice if WMC had -&gt; 'a checkbox' -&gt; 'prevent standby when WMC is running'Thats it. Those are the ONLY real problems I have with WMC. I have multi-monitor setup (4), so the TV just runs while I do work, or play games. If I need I can pause/unpause rewind etc without changing window focus.So, because its so simple, and functional, you can see why many people, including myself, are still using it.Lets not forget that my hardware is accurately detected and implemented.Open source will have a hard time competing against an onsite qualified team of paid professionals.And BTW I HAVE purchased several commercial packages over the years to replace WMC. The others I forget, but the last was jRiver. Don't remember the problem. Either the tuner wasn't recognized, or the remote didn't work. What I can say is that it was simple and easy to use. Anyway, if you want to talk about the benefits/drawbacks of 'open source' .VS Commercial/proprietary software, I would be more than happy to talk.However my computing uses/needs are not likely to change.... much. Unless of course I can find a simple effective solution.no attacks <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile&nbsp; &nbsp; :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> All friendly here.-Stonebrook</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Stonebrook, post: 1244462, member: 162870"] First let me thank you lehmden, and netexplorer for you feedback. I had intended not to reply again to this thread, but felt some clarification was in order. I only use WMC for live TV. That's it. I don't use playready (which is an EPG (requires internet)). No pictures, movies, music, nothing else, so in fact (for MY purposes) WMC is fully functional 'ootb' as you abbreviated :) MKV, mp4 etc. are handled by ffdshow and other codec's (ie. AC3) and Videolans' native support, so no worries about videos on that computer. Music is handled by Winamp. Pictures are handled by internal Win7 support. Much of your post is simply a misunderstanding about my computing use and needs. This thread was NEVER meant to be an attack on Mediaportal, OR a direct comparison between WMC and Mediaportal. BTW I think Mediaportal is a very nice program, albeit not mature. Rather, I wished to EXEMPLIFY the differences between large scale commercial integration, and open source. NOT an argument about how I choose to use my computers. I have been waiting about 20 years for open source to 'break the barrier' and make things simple enough for regular folks. Let me clarify. I am computer savvy, Windows savvy, ms dos savvy, but waaaay to old to learn nix console language. And, I might add waaay to busy. I banged my head on a desk, 16 hours a day for 20 years. I've done my bid. I have wanted for YEARS to kick MS to the curb. Don't get me started. The point I was trying to make is that large scale commercial integration, proprietary systems, and such typical software, are less flexible, but 'generally' more stable, reliable, and just plain simple to operate. --> LARGE COMPLICATED <-- Open source programs tend to be vastly more flexible, however they tend to be more complicated, less stable, and more difficult to operate. I have used VLC for many years, which is open source, but I only use it for video files. nothing else, and I have had many bouts with its functionality, and figuring out ten billion options!! LOL! That said, open source has immense potential, and some projects have come to maturity, while many have not. KEEP IN MIND I SPEAK FROM A MICROSOFT PERSPECTIVE!!. persons who are fluent in nix, I think have much fewer problems with open source. Probably because most open source originates from a nix perspective. As far as the games I play, I don't play online multiplayer games, and lets just say that any internet connection required to play said games is relived of duty. There have been several suggestions here that I am seriously taking into consideration to remedy my issues, and I thank you all for taking the time to reply. :) I will not be setting up another standalone pc for sensitive data. I have enough pc's. Seriously. Too many. A dedicated TV is at the top of my list; However I doubt any USB drive will give me the 2hr buffer I have on WMC. Another $400 TiVO is out of the question. If anyone is interested, I really only have '4' issues with WMC, which are relatively minor. 1) WMC HAS to have focus. God, it steals it every time you close a window. Hitting the window key or alt-tab works but but its really annoying when your working with multiple windows, and you 'x' a window out. 2) A popup when you insert ANY removable media. USB, Optical, 'virtual drive' etc. Turning off Autoplay DOES NOT work. And if you don't 'x' it out in about 7 seconds, it WILL autoplay! LOL! I Lose my TV buffer that way :( 3) Channel button on the remote doesn't wont unless WMC has focus. So to change channel, I have to Alt-tab. :P 4) WMC goes into standby. Would be nice if WMC had -> 'a checkbox' -> 'prevent standby when WMC is running' Thats it. Those are the ONLY real problems I have with WMC. I have multi-monitor setup (4), so the TV just runs while I do work, or play games. If I need I can pause/unpause rewind etc without changing window focus. So, because its so simple, and functional, you can see why many people, including myself, are still using it. Lets not forget that my hardware is accurately detected and implemented. Open source will have a hard time competing against an onsite qualified team of paid professionals. And BTW I HAVE purchased several commercial packages over the years to replace WMC. The others I forget, but the last was jRiver. Don't remember the problem. Either the tuner wasn't recognized, or the remote didn't work. What I can say is that it was simple and easy to use. Anyway, if you want to talk about the benefits/drawbacks of 'open source' .VS Commercial/proprietary software, I would be more than happy to talk. However my computing uses/needs are not likely to change.... much. Unless of course I can find a simple effective solution. no attacks :) All friendly here. -Stonebrook [/QUOTE]