Moving on from WMC - What is everyone else doing?

[MadJeff 0]

So, after years of using WMC (Been a daily user since it came out on XP) and a MediaBrowser/Emby user since the beginning, I've finally decided it is time to let go of WMC and move on.

 

So I'm curious what all the rest of the die-hard WMC users have started moving off to and what they consider the best "replacement" app to take over the functionality we had with WMC. To be honest, I'm a bit behind in this as the WMC/Emby combo has worked so well for so many years I've not really kept up with the changes and now feel like I'm out of touch with what's available now. Last time I messed with anything it was XBMC and it was so clunky compared to WMC I never went back to it. =)

 

Current PC is a Windows 7 WMC box running Emby for WMC, as well as Emby Server. It's pretty up to date hardware-wise (i5/8Gb RAM/256Gb SSD) and does a great job running anything we throw at it, as well as transcoding to other devices in the house. All media is stored on a Synology DS1515+ NAS, which also runs Sonarr and does most of the metadata work, with Emby server doing the rest. HTPC is used mostly for movie and TV Show viewing, with some music play. It also streams to several Smart TV's, a Roku3 and misc PC's throughout the house.

 

I want to keep Emby as the back-end server. I know it well, it works awesome, and there is no reason to switch. I'm just looking for a good-looking and easy to use front end that has a high WAF and can handle just about any media type I throw at it. Live TV would be nice and I know lots of people are working on that aspect, and I may just buy an HomeRun to replace the dual-tuner card currently in place. However it's not top priority.

 

Been messing with Emby Theater and it has not been working here, but I realize it's an alpha product right now. Just can't get it to actually play any media, otherwise I would probably just stick with it. 

 

Sorry, rambling a bit. =) Mainly just curious what all the other veteran WMC users have started doing with all the options out there.

 

[swhitmore 781]

I'm using the new Emby Theatre which has been working well for me as a WMC replacement. The only thing I'm truly missing is a way to play a 'pan and zoom' slideshow of my photos. I used to do this regularly when family comes over.

[Tranquil 94]

I'm running KODI on an nvidia shield device. Just great. The KODI Plugin is very mature and stable, Titan skin works well with Emby, I love it and my girlfriend too.

[Ian-Highlander 147]

Running WMC and Emby for WMC on Windows 10 on our main media PC in the living room and on Windows 7 on our bedroom PC (haven't got round to upgrading it yet). TV cards in both machines so we watch and record terrestrial TV on them too (both machines record to a network drive so each can see the others recordings) and WMC ties it all together very nicely indeed. Now it's reliable and fully functional in Windows 10, I have no plans to move away from it. Everything just works perfectly, is all in a similar and familiar interface and the WAF is off the chart because she knows it inside out so brownie point levels are also high.

Edited April 5, 2016 by Ian-Highlander

[MadJeff 0]

Running WMC and Emby for WMC on Windows 10 on our main media PC in the living room and on Windows 7 on our bedroom PC (haven't got round to upgrading it yet). 

 

I just saw on the forum last night that someone had been working on WMC for Win10. I'm tempted, but the concern I have is that something's going to come along and break that with Win10 eventually. =)

[Deathsquirrel 745]

I'm using the new Emby Theatre which has been working well for me as a WMC replacement. The only thing I'm truly missing is a way to play a 'pan and zoom' slideshow of my photos. I used to do this regularly when family comes over.

 

Same here.  People could stare at that screensaver and chat about family memories for hours.  For an Emby user without live TV it's the one thing I miss after leaving that behind.

[CBers 7450]

So, after years of using WMC (Been a daily user since it came out on XP) and a MediaBrowser/Emby user since the beginning, I've finally decided it is time to let go of WMC and move on.

 

Why move on?

 

If MBC still works and Eric continues to support it, keep using it.

 

You'll never find a direct replacement, just lots of devices and apps that just don't quite replace MBC adequately enough

 

I use a Shield with Emby ATV, Tiamat and Kodi on, but none of them replace MBC, but they are all good in their own way.

 

Good luck with what you decide on, if you decide to change your setup.

[JeremyFr79 228]

Due to my reliance on WMC for CableCard, I am sticking with it for the long run.  The machine is Windows 7 Pro, and it's sole task is an HTPC and DVR (with 8 tuners total) Unless someone can come up with support for cable card at some point I'll be using Win7 and WMC for the foreseeable future myself.  Mind you I've got a ton of devices with a ton of clients total, But my Theater Room will remain WMC.

[arrbee99 1815]

I probably missed this bit, but thought I'd ask the obvious and check that the reason ET doesn't play anything for you wouldn't be because you haven't paid for Premiere ?

[MadJeff 0]

Been a paid subscriber since the early days when they first started taking donations. =) 

 

I can get Theater to actually play something about every 5-10 tries, but that's a post for the Theater forum. =)

[Deihmos 169]

I am not moving from WMC for Live TV. Nothing works as well as it does plus I use a cable card. I use WMC for live tv then switch to Kodi for videos. That's the best solution for me. I cannot imagine still using WMC to play videos today. Too many issues. 

Edited April 6, 2016 by Deihmos

[Spaceboy 2573]

yeah there is nothing ready in the emby stable yet to ready to even consider challenging wmc

[Tranquil 94]

You'll never find a direct replacement, just lots of devices and apps that just don't quite replace MBC adequately enough

 

I use a Shield with Emby ATV, Tiamat and Kodi on, but none of them replace MBC, but they are all good in their own way.

 

 

What is missing? Its completely different to me. I used MCE many years before and now ended up on KODI. Okay, it took a while to configure but now its the best.

The worst thing on MCE was the not working refresh rate change - at least for me. Change of subtitles, audio streams was only possible with hacks that sometimes worked and sometimes failed. Searching within streams (FW, FB) also only with hacks. No word about skinning.

 

On my KODI setup, all those thinks are working fine. (Also LiveTV with 4 DVB-C Tuner and 2 DVB-S Tuner).

 

For me, KODI is the best media center around. Titan is a very flexible skin which nearly brings all the features of Emby4MCE. (only Videobackdrops are missing atm but I can live with that even it was nice to view).

[AndyBak 17]

Also in the same boat looking for a WMC replacement but to date nothing provides a robust replacement for it's Live TV functionality. If this improves with future Emby updates I'll be cutting over to an Emby Theatre setup.

[MSattler 390]

Using Nvidia Shield's with Google Channel/HDHomerun's for Live TV.

 

For Emby Movies and such I'm using a mixture of Kodi/Emby Plugin on Nvidia Shield or Emby Android App on Nvidia Shield.

 

PC Window's in the house use Kodi/Emby Plugin.

[MSattler 390]

Due to my reliance on WMC for CableCard, I am sticking with it for the long run.  The machine is Windows 7 Pro, and it's sole task is an HTPC and DVR (with 8 tuners total) Unless someone can come up with support for cable card at some point I'll be using Win7 and WMC for the foreseeable future myself.  Mind you I've got a ton of devices with a ton of clients total, But my Theater Room will remain WMC.

 

Really depends on your provider, I am a FIOS user, and Android Devices via HDHomerun View of Google channels can get all channels, same with Emby Live TV.

[MadJeff 0]

Yeah, I think I'm going to have to just buckle down and learn Kodi. =) Any good recommended sites/guides to get me up and running quickly?

[gthrift 64]

I'm testing Emby theater now on my Win7 htpc. The main motivator is that MBPlus broke with the latest server update so I don't get the next up, new, etc anymore.

 

I was sticking with WMC because of live OTA TV but the hdhomerun works well with it so far.

 

I'm considering upgrading to Windows 10 to try to get ESPN and Netflix apps instead of worrying about the smart TV apps and Chromecast.

[CBers 7450]

Yeah, I think I'm going to have to just buckle down and learn Kodi. =) Any good recommended sites/guides to get me up and running quickly?

 

https://github.com/MediaBrowser/plugin.video.emby/wiki

[bluemonkey07 590]

What is missing? Its completely different to me. I used MCE many years before and now ended up on KODI. Okay, it took a while to configure but now its the best.

The worst thing on MCE was the not working refresh rate change - at least for me. Change of subtitles, audio streams was only possible with hacks that sometimes worked and sometimes failed. Searching within streams (FW, FB) also only with hacks. No word about skinning.

 

On my KODI setup, all those thinks are working fine. (Also LiveTV with 4 DVB-C Tuner and 2 DVB-S Tuner).

 

For me, KODI is the best media center around. Titan is a very flexible skin which nearly brings all the features of Emby4MCE. (only Videobackdrops are missing atm but I can live with that even it was nice to view).

Install the tvtunes kodi plugin to enable video backdrops

[Tranquil 94]

Oh cool. I will check it.

[Tranquil 94]

Install the tvtunes kodi plugin to enable video backdrops

 

I tried that addon. Dont know where to find an option for video backdrop in the settings. It offers only tunes. Any hints?

[bluemonkey07 590]

Sorry i can't guide you through it but read the description of the addon "play your soundtrack or video themes whilst browsing your library".

If i remember right you just install the addon then launch the emby addon and select the option to copy themes or something like that.

Anyway it works for me

 

Try searching the Kodi section of these forums or ask Angelblue05 if you can't figure it out

Edited April 7, 2016 by Vidman

[Tranquil 94]

Which theme do you use @@Vidman?

[bluemonkey07 590]

Same as you... Titan