So, what add-ins still work?

[manielse]

More of a Utility but I highly recommend the Relaunch Tool. https://code.google.com/p/relaunch/

Works really well to launch any webpage or an exe. I really like that it quickly kills a web page like pandora, youtube leanback, etc by just hitting the green button. A decent little web portal btw is http://eclipse.tv/streams.html to add. This will also work well for places such as WWE Network coming soon. From a exe standpoint, I also launch some Android apps using Bluestacks at times. I was also debating on stream a Roku on the HTPC using a Slingbox and the Web-based SlingPlayer but haven't done so yet.

Also, though still a little bit buggy but media center cast is worth noting as it essentially creates a chromecast solution if you want that type of interaction. http://1geek1tool.com/media-center-cast/

[newfiend]

If you like to Game you can also add a Steam Launcher for Big Picture Mode to WMC (using Media Center Studio), It's great to launch Steam on a Big Screen TV from WMC and exit Steam and return to WMC.. I can grab my Xbox Controller for Windows and play all my games from the couch. Hours of Fun and no console needed.
newfiend~

[Polen]

What would be great is to have a Sticky with all these Addons and tools for MC maybe even broke down by Windows version and extender capable.

Great thread for us newcomers.

Thanks,
-Greg

[mistarick]

If you like to Game you can also add a Steam Launcher for Big Picture Mode to WMC (using Media Center Studio), It's great to launch Steam on a Big Screen TV from WMC and exit Steam and return to WMC.. I can grab my Xbox Controller for Windows and play all my games from the couch. Hours of Fun and no console needed.
newfiend~

Sounds great. What kind of receiver do you recommend to use a 360wireless controller with windows?

More of a Utility but I highly recommend the Relaunch Tool. https://code.google.com/p/relaunch/

Works really well to launch any webpage or an exe. I really like that it quickly kills a web page like pandora, youtube leanback, etc by just hitting the green button. A decent little web portal btw is http://eclipse.tv/streams.html to add.

This sounds pretty sweet as well. Sounds like I need to do a bit of experimenting soon.

[barnabas1969]

Sounds great. What kind of receiver do you recommend to use a 360wireless controller with windows?

See this discussion:
http://www.thegreenbutton.tv/forums/vie ... =22&t=6929

I bought this one:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HZFCT2/

[mistarick]

Thats awesome Barnabas. 14 bucks?? Sweet.

Thanks man.

[barnabas1969]

Well, actually, I recommend looking at the "other sellers", and choose the one from Worldwide Sales, with fulfillment by Amazon. It's $20.99, and it's the genuine Microsoft dongle (black, not white like the picture shows). Several reviews state that others were not genuine Microsoft, and they had driver issues.

[mistarick]

I will be sure to do this if my next build can handle some light gaming. Good info, as I would rather have black to match everything else and if its genuine, then there shouldn't be any problems.

[mistarick]

Anyone using mediabrowser3 in wmc? Is it similar to what recordedtv HD does but for movies?

[newfiend]

Anyone using mediabrowser3 in WMC? Is it similar to what recordedtv HD does but for movies?

Yep I use MB3 Classic in WMC. It pulls Metadata, Artwork, Disk art, Cast and Crew Photos and more for Movies, TV Shows, Games, and Music and displays it in a nice GUI for easy playback. There are multiple theme's for Media Browser Classic (WMC version of MB3)

What it does.. http://www.mediabrowser3.com/about/

It used to be an add in for WMC that would pull metadata and artwork etc. and display it in a very nice GUI for the 10Ft. interface.
Now with the reworking of Media Browser to version 3 it has changed for the future. It now not only works in WMC but also tablets, Smart Phones, Roku's, HTPC's and more.
It has a Server that you install on a HTPC or Server PC that will manage your entire media collection from playback to artwork to transcoding to devices that natively can't play back certain file types. (imagine .mkv files streamed to your smart phone or tablet.)

I have been using MB for quite some time and the latest version MB3 is a huge leap forward. It's still a bit of a work in progress and is evolving into quite an amazing experience.
It does take some time to learn and set up but once you have it configured correctly it works great. I have been using it on my main HTPC for about 4-5 months now (MB3) and its been relatively solid.
I really like it, others like PLEX instead.. there are lots of options out there but I think MB3 is on the right track.
Stop by the MB forums and ask all the questions you want. People there are very helpful. http://www.mediabrowser3.com/

newfiend~

[AJNegron]

What's the difference between MB3 and My Movies?

[Sjchmura]

So why use this over xbmc with the windows pvr cable card plugin? You get the massive xbmc, so many plugins, and the live tv is stunning.

Not that mediabrowser is bad, just seems like a plex light without airplay, dlna, or the myriad of plugins.

[clemon79]

More of a Utility but I highly recommend the Relaunch Tool. https://code.google.com/p/relaunch/

Are there any alternatives to this out there? I have been trying to use it over the last couple of days, and to call it "buggy" is an insult to buggy apps. I had to try to make an NHL icon this morning at least six times before it would work without a) throwing a completely unhelpful error and b) eating the image I'd created for it.

When it works, it's quite useful, but my Gawd, my TV almost had half of a keyboard sticking out of it this morning.

[newfiend]

More of a Utility but I highly recommend the Relaunch Tool. https://code.google.com/p/relaunch/

Are there any alternatives to this out there? I have been trying to use it over the last couple of days, and to call it "buggy" is an insult to buggy apps. I had to try to make an NHL icon this morning at least six times before it would work without a) throwing a completely unhelpful error and b) eating the image I'd created for it.

When it works, it's quite useful, but my Gawd, my TV almost had half of a keyboard sticking out of it this morning.

I have had good success with relaunch. I have had it throw errors when trying to import my own images as well. Prior to trying to import your own image (one downloaded off the internet) right click the image file and select properties. At the bottom of the image properties window some images/files from the net will be blocked and there will be a button available to unblock it. Un-block the image and then close the properties window and try adding it to relaunch again. I had this issue pretty recently and that is how I fixed mine.
HTH,
newfiend~