By Ishant GuptaPC TO BECOME MEDIA CENTRE
If
you have an HD TV and an old PC, you can easily create a multimedia powerhouse
using some free software. Let’s understand the basic steps and software
involved in this procedure.
Some Special Tips
To easily
recognize your media files, you should save them in different folders like
movies, photos, music etc.
Download
the Renamer and add batches of files to it. This will automatically see the
information in the file and rename it accordingly.
You can
install the Ember Multimedia software and easily download the cover art and
other information from media store.
From the
media center programs, select any one and then allow it to create a
personalized library from your media.
You can
install Plug-ins to add more functions to your media center. You can also use
it to change your presentation.
You
can use various accessories for your PC like wireless keyboard and add on hard
drives.
EXTRA
SOFTWARE
1. Ember Media Manager
Ember
is a scraping tool. This is best for XBMC. This scans your media and gives
ratings for DVD covers, fan art, posters, wall papers and movies using the
IMDB. This information is stored with the media files. You can download it from
http://goo.gl/QRwrb.
2. Media
Companion
You
can use this to collect information about media files. For example if you
extract a DVD from a DVX file, you get a digital file. Media companion uses the
file name to extract information about DVD covers, movies and posters. This
makes your work easy. To download this, go to http://goo.gl/NRnUO.
3. The
Renamer
If the
name of your media file is too long you can use this software which will rename
them in batches. You only have to use drag and drop for this. The Renamer uses
data from Google and other databases like TV.com and IMDB.com. To download
this, go to www.therenamer.com.
MEDIA
CENTRE SOFTWARES
1. XBMC
This
is available for Windows, Linux, OSX and IOSand is considered to be good
software. You can use this to stream photos, movies, TV series and music. This
contains a built in scraper. This tool helps you to search and download
information related to your media. XBMC can play all popular audio/video formats.
It can also play directly from the CD/DVD. It can also play files stored in the
zipped archive.You need to download it and inform it where you have stored your
media files. Initially it may take time but later on the results are fantastic.
You can download it from http://xbmc.org.
2. Windows
Media Center
Windows
media center is linked to Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional enterprise and
ultimate editions. It’s actually quite good but used very less. By default it
looks very plain and simple but you can improve its interface and add new
functions. You can add the Kodak pack and improve the file support. This
supports all media formats and can play internet radio. With the help of this
you can search music on the audio CD and edit photos. If your PC has an
attached TV tuner, then windows media center can record live TV and also
schedule the recording.
3. Media
Portal
This
is a combined form of Windows media center and XBMC. Just like the XBMC it can
play the movies, music, photos and DVD and TV series. It has many plugin and
customization options. This has a scraper that collects information about your
media. If you have a TV tuner then it can record live TV and play the internet
TV like the Windows media center. It also supports the RSS feeds. This also
contains some preloaded system utilities that gives very good output. You can
download this from http://goo.gl/pU73G.
PLUG-INS
/TWEAKS
1. Grooveshark
Radio
If
you like internet radio you can use grooveshark plugin for your XBMC.
Grooveshark contains many free tracks form which you can select and play. It
also offers you a readymade playlists and videos. You can easily search for new
artists in this.
2. Media
Center Themer
Windows
media center looks the same on all Windows PC, but with media center themer you
can change the background font and color. The main aim is to improve the look
of media center. You can add, rename or rearrange the menu items. You can also
recolor all the pictures. To download this, go to www.patchou.com
3. Sharks
Kodak pack
With
the help of shark Kodak packs you can easily play all popular media formats on
your PC. On most multimedia files you cannot see the full color thumbnails.
With this Kodak pack you can easily see it. To download this you need to go to,
http://shark007.net
