Windows Media Center in Windows 10 - Windows 10, 8, 7, XP etc.

Just wondering if there is any interest/possibility of developing a method of running WMC in Windows 10. There really is no alternative for a total media center package that DVRs copy-protected content from a Cable-Card tuner.
There was some interest in it on MyDigitalLife forum (http://forums.mydigitallife.info/th...on-Windows-10-final-amp-possible-alternatives), but that seems to have fizzled.
Waiting and hoping and NOT upgrading to 10 unless there is a solution.
Thanks!
Mike

I am also very interested in this myself. Build of Windows 10 by build of Windows 10, I have been capturing the packages for Windows Media Center with "Aunty Mel's Cheap And Nasty SxS Package Extractor" into cab files, now if I try to run these using the Dism.exe tool, it gives me a version mismatch error that wont allow me to install them.
Now is there a way to force or HACK these packages to be installed on current builds ? If so, we might just need the eshell.exe patched to skip the kernel check and we should be able to get it running. The otherside of it is, guide data, Playready and the other components for WMC, the old Media player is in Windows 10, so the media libraries in WMC should work fine.
If you think you MIGHT be able to do it or want to try and would like access to one of these that I captured, hit me up via PM and I will share a folder so you can access it. I don't want to publicly post them due to MS possible reading this forum.
Any thoughts that could actually make this happen ?

I don't have any hacking skills, but I'd definitely be very interested.

[deleted]
never mind. misread

Agreed
I too would love to see a solution for this. I use WMC for linking my Xbox and other streaming devices to my computer, and it's also a great media player. I know there was an upgrade for windows 8 and 8.1 that was a separate package that allowed users to install Windows Media Center after installing windows, as it didn't come with it by default. It installed like a regular program, and WMC was up and running after a restart. Maybe they'll have an update like this for Windows 10?
Though upon its initial release, here's what Microsoft had to say on the matter:
quoted from here as well as other microsoft official sites...
"A number of commenters are reporting that the Windows 10 upgrade tool does warn you that you're about to lose Windows Media Center. Microsoft doesn't exactly hide the fact that Windows 10 forcibly deprecates Media Center, but the information isn't in the most obvious of locations either. If you visit the Windows 10 upgrade website, and then click the "Windows 10 specifications" link in the small print at the bottom of the page, there's a big list of deprecated features. Media Center is the main one, but you'll be dismayed to hear that Solitaire, Minesweeper, and Hearts have also been removed. Now, the good news: if your computer had Media Center before the upgrade (most versions of Windows 7, or Windows 8/8.1 with Media Center), you will be credited with a free copy of Windows DVD Player. In practice, this means that most people upgrading from Windows 7 will have access to the Windows DVD Player app for free, while most Windows 8 upgraders won't. Likewise, if you bought a full Windows 10 Home or Pro licence, or a new Windows 10 computer, you won't be eligible to download the DVD Player app for free."
So basically, the WMC replacement costs $15 and ONLY plays DVDs. And unless you're upgrading from a previous version of windows that had WMC on it, you have to pay the $15 for the DVD Player app (It's FREE and included otherwise). I personally have nothing good to say about the DVD app, it's bland and useless compared to other DVD player applications with more features and a smaller pricetag.
Bring back Media Center!!

Looks like over at MDL they got it running, No live TV or recorded shows yet but, they got WMC running on Windows 10, it's a step in the right direction....
http://forums.mydigitallife.info/th...on-Windows-10-final-amp-possible-alternatives

Nice! I will be very happy if they figure this out.

I would love an option to stream content from my Win10 PC to my XBOX 360. I had done this with Wun7/Win8, but WMC was getting so tough to work with that I stopped using it. When it worked I loved it, but I had so many issues with WMC on Win8 that I am not sure it can be a reliable tool on Win10.

MrDaggs said:
I too would love to see a solution for this. I use WMC for linking my Xbox and other streaming devices to my computer, and it's also a great media player. I know there was an upgrade for windows 8 and 8.1 that was a separate package that allowed users to install Windows Media Center after installing windows, as it didn't come with it by default. It installed like a regular program, and WMC was up and running after a restart. Maybe they'll have an update like this for Windows 10?
Though upon its initial release, here's what Microsoft had to say on the matter:
quoted from here as well as other microsoft official sites...
"A number of commenters are reporting that the Windows 10 upgrade tool does warn you that you're about to lose Windows Media Center. Microsoft doesn't exactly hide the fact that Windows 10 forcibly deprecates Media Center, but the information isn't in the most obvious of locations either. If you visit the Windows 10 upgrade website, and then click the "Windows 10 specifications" link in the small print at the bottom of the page, there's a big list of deprecated features. Media Center is the main one, but you'll be dismayed to hear that Solitaire, Minesweeper, and Hearts have also been removed. Now, the good news: if your computer had Media Center before the upgrade (most versions of Windows 7, or Windows 8/8.1 with Media Center), you will be credited with a free copy of Windows DVD Player. In practice, this means that most people upgrading from Windows 7 will have access to the Windows DVD Player app for free, while most Windows 8 upgraders won't. Likewise, if you bought a full Windows 10 Home or Pro licence, or a new Windows 10 computer, you won't be eligible to download the DVD Player app for free."
So basically, the WMC replacement costs $15 and ONLY plays DVDs. And unless you're upgrading from a previous version of windows that had WMC on it, you have to pay the $15 for the DVD Player app (It's FREE and included otherwise). I personally have nothing good to say about the DVD app, it's bland and useless compared to other DVD player applications with more features and a smaller pricetag.
Bring back Media Center!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had WMC on Win 8 and the store is trying to charge me the 15 bucks

Doubt these will amount to much since interest seems pretty low, but who knows?
Doesn't hurt to "sign" them, anyhow.
https://www.change.org/p/microsoft-bring-and-update-windows-media-center-to-windows-10
https://www.change.org/p/microsoft-save-media-center-in-windows-10

i dont know how but i have installed windows media player version 12 ( 12.0.10011.16397 more preciously) and it run perfectly like under my previous windows 7 and windows XP...
P.S. :
i can not show you screens or a video because i can not yet post external links. sorry.

LDL- said:
i dont know how but i have installed windows media player version 12 ( 12.0.10011.16397 more preciously) and it run perfectly like under my previous windows 7 and windows XP...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We're talking about Media Center, not Player. Media Player already comes with Windows 10 and doesn't have to be installed. It's just not the default app for opening media any more.

MDL forum got it working: http://forums.mydigitallife.info/th...n-Windows-10-final-amp-possible-alternatives/
Someone posted a thread here too: http://forum.xda-developers.com/windows-10/development/windows-media-center-rtm-10532-t3196076

Im using a free program called serviio as a media server on windows to to stream to tv via dlna ... works well

Not sure if you guys have seen this or tested it. I have not personally test the solution yet.
m.windowscentral.com/install-media-center-windows-10

That's the same hack the_scotsman posted. Works quite well from my experience.

Related

Vista Sideshow Media Center remote control on Blackstone

Hi,
Just wondered if anybody has managed to get the Microsoft Vista Sideshow Media Remote Control working over bluetooth on this phone? I keep getting an error whenever I try to access my Music or Recorded TV using the Blackstone which crashes Sideshow on my phone. It seemed to work fine on my Kaiser device I was using before. I realise sideshow for windows mobile is still beta but it would be intresting to know if other people are having the same problem?
Its a shame that it doesn't work yet as it would make an awesome way to control the media center without having any need for a remote.
Also I was wondering if anybody knows of any X10 home automation control software that works with the Marmitek CM15 Pro attached to my media PC in development? It would be great if there was a Vista Sideshow gadget that was working so I could control my lighting and media through one piece of software on the device if the bugs get ironed out?
Thanks
Ben
got the same error, i think, whenever i try to access my media library the app quits with an IndexOutOfRangeException. which is a real shame as this looks like a great idea.

Vibrant+Zune Pass = Works!

Some forewarning: I tried this a few months ago and it didn't work. I am currently running Bionix-V. I have tried this on two Windows 7 machines and it worked on both. I do mean Zune Pass protected content too, not just the phone showing up in WMP as a syncable device.
Here is what I did:
1. In USB Settings, set it to prompt. Simply setting to Media Player should also work.
2. Connect to PC. In my case drivers where installed as it was the first time I had connected the phone since putting Bionix-V on there. The MTP application should start up automatically and connect.
3. After driver installation the auto-run dialog appears. The top option for me is Sync digital media to this device using Windows Media Player
4. After a few moments you should see the vibrant in the top right corner as a syncable device. The Next Device link will allow you to sync to the SD card.
5. Either wait for the slow as hell media search to find/update media, or simply use Windows Explorer to drag and drop into the right pane.
6. Sync!
7. A subsequent reconnection using this procedure resulted in WMP not finding the device. Repeating steps 1 and 2 was enough for WMP to find the device.
So that's what I did. Depending on response I may come back and put up a better guide. The moral of the story is that it's at least possible, possibly after a bit of star alignment since this previously didn't work. I just did this today so I'm not sure how updating the DRM time-bomb works, worst case is delete/re-add.
confused
I'm confused...
Are you talking about using your Vibrant with the Zune Pass service? (unlimited music downloads $x/mo, DRM makes sure music only plays when subscribing)
Does the Vibrant understand the Zune DRM? (I would find that surprising)
Are you just talking about the Vibrant showing up as a music device in Windows Media?
Robert
I pose the same question....
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Sorry for the confusion.
I do indeed mean that it accepts Zune Pass DRM'd WMA's. The Zune software won't work with it (it's strictly for Zunes). The key is using WMP. I honestly think the whole thing is a loophole in how WMP works with the Zune Pass content. I've used this method on a Cowon DAP for the last year or two. I wouldn't be at all surprised if WMP was actually downgrading the DRM to one of the older, more standard ones. Based on experience with my Cowon DAP though, the DRM is definitely still intact after being transfered to the device.
I'm not sure why it works now when it didn't work before though. Previously WMP wouldn't recognize my phone, even though the MTP app was running.
Further info for you, just checked the details in the default Music Player app on one of the tracks. Media type is audio/x-ms-wma. Further down is a "Right Status" section with the data
Type: Date
Validity: - 2011/3/16 22:44:36
yea, I've been doing this since I first got my phone. The songs do expire if you cancel your subscription or don't sync with Windows Media Player for a while - and there are quite a few songs that won't sync (because of their DRM licenses). It works ok though. Good enough if you want some of your music with you all the time.
Honestly, I love the Zune Marketplace subscription service and have always just been m'eh on my player. Still I find I use my Zune more for music than my phone though because with the player I can have all my music with me. I wish there was an Android Zune app, but we all know that will NEVER happen.
megatherian said:
yea, I've been doing this since I first got my phone. The songs do expire if you cancel your subscription or don't sync with Windows Media Player for a while - and there are quite a few songs that won't sync (because of their DRM licenses). It works ok though. Good enough if you want some of your music with you all the time.
Honestly, I love the Zune Marketplace subscription service and have always just been m'eh on my player. Still I find I use my Zune more for music than my phone though because with the player I can have all my music with me. I wish there was an Android Zune app, but we all know that will NEVER happen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could always use audiogalaxy to stream all your music from your pc to your phone over the network
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Zune Pass
Does this work with Andriod, WMP?

Need a tad of help

Me and a small group of friends are working on getting the windows media center from windows 7 running on this beautiful OS. But we have run into a wall. As you most likely know, windows media center needs windows media player to run. WE tried opening it with (to our knowledge) no windows media player on the computer, with a bit of hope. This failed and disappointed us a bit. So we procedded to go get the latest install of windows media player, but as we tried to install it, it said there is a better version already installed. WE dug through every folder and simply cant seem to find this "newer version" of windows media player. And Media center needs an older version of it to run. this means Microsoft is hiding things from us agian much like they did with the win 98 and previews. If anyone can think of where they may have put it or what is causing this install error please tell me.
Thanx

[Q] DLNA Win7

I have the RAZR M and a pc running Win7 x64 Home Premium. I've never used video with my phone and started to read some threads about using the phone with DLNA so I decided to give it a try. I don't even watch videos on my PC but I do have some I downloaded my my camcorder. I'm not having any luck.
I followed the instructions to setup Windows Media Center and Windows Media Player. I can't seem to get any videos to stream to the phone using these instructions:
https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/answers/prod_answer_detail/a_id/89705/p/30,6720,8577
I enabled Media Sharing on the phone and in Windows Media Player I see XT907:1:Windows Media Connect. It downloaded the library from the phone but all I see is "Before you can play items in this library, you must forst be allowed to access the library."
Reading through multiple threads I see there are numerous third party apps but I'm not sure if I need to use one. I guess I need an idiot's guide to getting started. Anyone know of a web page or some instructions to put this together? Thanks.
Edit: I do have some apps disabled but I don't think anything to do with media streaming. I don't have Verizon Backup Assistant setup. Not sure if that makes a difference.

Post Zune - what do you use to play music?

Since Zune is now useless for syncing in WP8, I've decided the time has probably come to uninstall it. However, I'm loathe to let the iTunes virus onto my PC after a bad experience several years ago, so what is the best alternative music player/manager?
What are you using?
I still use Zune because I like the interface but you can also still sync with Windows Media Player.
winamp,foobar, mediamonkey or VLC - take a pick
but i tend to just listen to xbox music and dont use the local storage anymore.. shame actually
but smart dj is just a nice random mode
I agree with sinister1, Zune is amazing. Still using it.
I use Windows media player and Zune, but Zune is much better sounding than WMP.
Sent from the fetal position using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
Winamp has been my choice for the last several years, but I recently decided to try foobar2000. Foobar...... lacks a lot of functionality in comparison to winamp. Still, the majority of Winamp's addons haven't seen updating for over 5 years (literally), and winamp being owned by AOL has some downsides (the installer tries to give you a lot of ****).
I don't think I'm going back to winamp, but that decision is more of a vague whim, since foobar can be very.... patchy. The modular nature of foobar means UI functionality across the program is incredibly inconsistent, even among the default components! People keep assuring me "everything is configurable" but that just doesn't seem to be true, short of writing a component from scratch to make it work the way I want. Still I've managed to overlook these flaws and settle in comfortably, I think.
Mediamonkey is fat. That might not matter on a newer computer, but I'm biased against software with inefficient (bad) programming. (Full disclosure, Winamp's modern skinning engine is fat- don't install that, it's optional, and get an older "classic" skin).
I found this app named MusicBee. I'm in the process of syncing all my music as far as tags once I'm done I will wipe my phone and try to sync using it, I will keep you posted; I have a very large collection so it might be a while.
Too bad someone can't hack Zune and make it wokr for WP8 just like they made WMDC work for WP7.
I used the Windows Phone 8 apps (both metro and desktop versions) and music syncing was pathetic. It also took up too much space and had no playlists. I removed all music from my L920 and set up sync with Windows Media Player. I got all my songs and playlists and increased my available storage by about 10GB. The only downsides are that I don't prefer WMP over Zune (who would??) and now nokias Rinstone Maker doesn't recognize pretty much all the songs as they are WMA and not MP3
Sent from my RM-821_eu_euro1_342 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
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