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windows 8 metro good for htpc?

post #1 of 9
10/26/12 at 2:44pm
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So I'm building an htpc and I know win 8 gets a lot of crap for its metro setup, but is it in actuality optimal for an htpc setup? I haven't used it personally, and I know xbmc is pretty boss minus the fact that it has a fail video renderer. Anyways, the question/discussion is the benefits and restrictions that would come from using win 8 vs win 7 on a new htpc.
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post #2 of 9
10/26/12 at 7:47pm
I have been using it for a couple of months with my HTPC and I really like it. Definitely worth a try.
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post #3 of 9
10/27/12 at 12:09am
I know you're asking for Windows 8 but I gotta say Openelec 2.0 is out and it's THE media center os everyone is looking for!

http://openelec.tv/news/item/253-openelec-20-released

If you have ever seen XBMC in action, this is a pretty much an easy install, working out of the box media center!
I have been using XBMC for the past 10 years and just can't go to any other, like most people...
I am running it in Windows 7 now but when I will build my htpc that's defenitely what I'll be going for!


Cheers
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post #4 of 9
10/27/12 at 5:17am
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For a pure HTPC (no gaming, surfing, working, just media) their is really no difference between 7 and 8, plus WMC is an add on in 8 (which costs money unless you get in on the free deal).
I have a copy of Windows 8 Pro and a key for the WMC add in I was going to try in my bedroom HTPC just to try it out.
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post #5 of 9
10/28/12 at 8:05pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blupupher View Post

For a pure HTPC (no gaming, surfing, working, just media) their is really no difference between 7 and 8, plus WMC is an add on in 8 (which costs money unless you get in on the free deal).
I have a copy of Windows 8 Pro and a key for the WMC add in I was going to try in my bedroom HTPC just to try it out.

for a pure HTPC linux do the job just as well (unless you need like 3d blueray or something)
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post #6 of 9
10/29/12 at 4:31am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jrl1357 View Post

for a pure HTPC linux do the job just as well (unless you need like 3d blueray or something)
Not in my experience. Getting TV tuners set up and working correctly was a pain in the butt, never could get the WMC remote to work and it just did not flow as well as WMC does for me.

This was 2 years ago, but Windows is much easier to set up for me, and it all just works.
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post #7 of 9
10/29/12 at 4:34am
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Windows just works. And it's cheap. Grabbed Windows 8 for 14.99 + tax a few days ago. 

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post #8 of 9
10/29/12 at 4:36am
Windows + MediaPortal... or I guess XBMC too. Should be no different to Windows 7 in set up.
And the new UI *would* look good (for the split 2 seconds you have it showing LOL) on a nice big canvas.
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post #9 of 9
10/30/12 at 12:54pm
There are quite a few good options out there but so far XBMC on Windows 7 has been working out pretty well for me. I am also working on configuring the rom browser to play some old arcade MAME roms.
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