The wait is over, the new version of Media Browser for Windows 8.1 is here.

https://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/media-browser/ad55a2f0-9897-47bd-8944-bed3aefd5d06

Even though the app has a lot of cosmetic improvements such as rotating backdrops, more artwork used etc etc, the biggest changes are under the hood. Playback is vastly improved and performance is even better.

Here's a list of the biggest changes

Playback

• Support for HLS streams, providing a more reliable transcoding solution with less playback errors.
• Support for external subtitles without transcoding
• New player look and feel

Features

• Channels are now supported. Just enable some channels on the server and enjoy them on your windows 8.1 device.
• Playlists are now supported, just go into the music hub and you'll find them.
• Multiple backdrops. The app now use all the backdrops that you have for your items and fades nicely between them
• Fewer buttons, the resume button is gone and replaced with a flyout. Just hit play, if the playable item can resume the options will be shown
• The change user option has moved up to the top left corner of the main screen

Languages

• Two more languages have been added, Spanish and Kazakh