What is it? MCL is an application thats main function is to display logos in your Windows Media Center guide. It also can enhance your guide in other ways, by minimizing dead space, increasing the number of rows and columns in your guide, and showing/hiding/swapping channel numbers, callsigns, and logos.
What new Guide mods are there in MCL XL over MCL Version 2? Now, you can add up to 12 rows, without shrinking any text or losing information. You can view 3 hours of guide data at once. And importantly, this all works in Windows 8 now.
What new with logos in MCL XL over MCL Version 2? Years ago, we asked the WMC team at microsoft to give us more room for logos before they released Windows 7. But they couldn't decipher their code to do it. Now, we're proud to say that we've figured out how to change it for you. Now you can add logos that are 20% wider than before. We've included a new package of US logos that work in the new wider space. These logos are also twice the quality . Every logo- wide or not- is now 20% more efficiently sized . Big Logos for other countries- specifically Canada and the UK- are pending, however you're free to make your own resized logos now.
Also, we have a new "HD" button. When active, it matches autopopulate as usual. Logos for HD channels go to HD channels, and logos for SD channels go to SD channels. Now, when you inactivate this button, logo or SD channels will automatically match with HD channels, to save space if you don't need the 'HD' indicator.
Why should I download this? The MCL guide makes an HTPC one of the best DVRs out there. It's easy to navigate, easy to read, HD quality text, with customizable guide listings. But your guide can be even better! Adding logos makes channels instantly recognizable- as opposed to seeing APL- you see the Animal Planet logo. Instead of seeing WMAQ, you'll see the NBC logo. It makes navigation much better. As well, changing your guide settings will let you see more rows and more data at once. With the standard comcast DVR, you'll see four rows of channels, and one advertisement. With native WMC, you'll get six rows of channels. With MCL, you'll get up to 12 rows of channels and 3 hours of data at once.
What versions are there? There's only one version this time around: MCL XL. MCL Lite is no longer available. If you are unhappy with the program, we will help troubleshoot, and if that doesn't work, we can offer you a discount. Pricing is $5 for the program, for all your computers. $10 if you're feeling generous!
I heard that MCL is consistently called one of the best add-ins for media center by multiple podcasts, technology news sites and blogs, and it should be the first thing you install on your HTPC. Is that true? Why yes, yes it is. You must be very smart.
Now compatible with Windows 8.1
For more information and pictures, visit the My Channel Logos website!
