Software recommendations for BM replacement

[johnny_swindle]

I purchased BM a while back and only used it for the occosianal DVD (it did take some work to make that function). I have expanded the capabilities of my box that houses the tuner cards and would like to have music and photos available for use.

I have read through several of the post about that various users have done to over come the short comings of BM. With that said, I would like to record/play the TV shows with Beyond TV, and also play/stream music and do slide shows (for special functions).

What combination of programs would you recommend and why? I desire to keep Beyond TV and add other programs and try to make the integration as seamless as possible.

[purduee]

BeyondTV + meedio.

www.meedios.com

Meedio - Free, lots of plugins, very active community for resolving issues.

Only drawback is that you'll need to purchase DVD playback software for the DVD features (or find that free PowerDVD software that came with your graphics card/DVD/computer/etc.)

[johnny_swindle]

Interesting.........

Tell me how you intergrated ByondTV and meedioS. I am ready to move Beyond TV to the next level.

Originally Posted by purduee

BeyondTV + meedio.

www.meedios.com

Meedio - Free, lots of plugins, very active community for resolving issues.

Only drawback is that you'll need to purchase DVD playback software for the DVD features (or find that free PowerDVD software that came with your graphics card/DVD/computer/etc.)

[Maximo]

I just found meedio and I have to say that it look exciting!

[ZetaVu]

I use media portal, I can launch btv as a command from media portal (I don't install the tv engine in media portal) but mostly I just use my remote to switch between the two as needed.

I do need to look at Meedios again, haven't visited it since old meedio

[y2kbug]

I've been using BM since Dec 2005 and all of the sudden I get the error "Beyond Media was unable to create the graphic environment". I submitted a ticket and got a reply, but it did not resolve my problem. I use BM only to watch DVD ISO's using the excellent plugin DVD Library, but I'm thinking about dropping BM altogether. Does Media Portal or Meedio have a similar feature/plugin to DVD Library?

Thanks

[ZetaVu]

Nothing as good as DVD library, one of the reasons I'm pushing for BTV to start integrating BM plugins. I think you can mount dvd iso's and play them with MP. I just convert them to xvid files.

BTW, tried meedios, massive resource hog on my system, I'll play with it some more but not nearly as nice of a footprint as MP.

[richt]

Originally Posted by y2kbug

I've been using BM since Dec 2005 and all of the sudden I get the error "Beyond Media was unable to create the graphic environment". I submitted a ticket and got a reply, but it did not resolve my problem. I use BM only to watch DVD ISO's using the excellent plugin DVD Library, but I'm thinking about dropping BM altogether. Does Media Portal or Meedio have a similar feature/plugin to DVD Library?

Meedio has a plugin "meetvshows" that far exceeds anything else I've used or looked at. Similarly there is a plugin for movies that provides information and artwork. Take a look, I think you'll be impressed.
Warning - There is a significant amount of set up work required to get Meedio working with these plugins, but well worth the effort.

[y2kbug]

Thanks for the advice zetavu & richt. I'll download Meedio and tinker around with it this weekend.

[tommax]

Meedio Ultimate + BTV would get my vote

[SmokeWatcher]

Originally Posted by y2kbug

Thanks for the advice zetavu & richt. I'll download Meedio and tinker around with it this weekend.

How did the weekend go? I just rebuilt my HTPC (see sig) and am thinking of using MeediOS in place of MediaPortal as the frontend. I was using version 0.2.2.0 of MP before and I'm pretty sure it's no longer available....never tried the newer versions. Did the install and BTV intergration go well?

[tmar89]

Just started with Meedio Ultimate and after a painful few days, I finally got the hang of it. Now I'm just looking into how to integrate BTV in Meedio so I can switch between the two.

[cfaslave]

Originally Posted by tmar89

Just started with Meedio Ultimate and after a painful few days, I finally got the hang of it. Now I'm just looking into how to integrate BTV in Meedio so I can switch between the two.

I'm pretty sure Meedio has a plugin that helps with the BTV/Meedio integration.

[tmar89]

Originally Posted by cfaslave

I'm pretty sure Meedio has a plugin that helps with the BTV/Meedio integration.

Switching Between Apps:
http://www.meedios.com/maid/detail.p...A-BCA89745D213

Show Importer
http://www.meedios.com/OpenMAID/deta...-980FC8B411C3}

and the thread
http://www.meedios.com/forum/viewtop...&highlight=btv

Looks like you're right!
BTW, have you ever done a review of Meedio on your website?

[cfaslave]

Originally Posted by tmar89

http://www.meedios.com/maid/detail.p...A-BCA89745D213

Looks like you're right!
BTW, have you ever done a review of Meedio on your website?

Not really. When I first started GeekTonic I was using Meedio with BeyondTV and wrote a little about it but nothing to speak of. Funny, I've gone from Meedio, added BeyondTV, then switched from Meedio to Beyond Media for the front-end stuff and now seeing other switch back to Meedio again. Strange circle huh.

Here's what I think of Meedio. It's an awesome, flexible program that can do a lot. It has a group of dedicated Meedio developers who have done a great job with the plugins. It has borrowed and developed some really nice UI skins and stuff since I left years ago too. I like Meedio better than Media Portal personally. But for me, I wanted the integrated HTPC and that's why I moved to SageTV for my primary HTPC. SageTV is not perfect by any stretch, but it was the right one for me.

I actually have the latest Meedio installed on my test rig so I'll make a point to write some more about it - I think others would really like what Meedio can do - and their coming-soon MeediOS program looks like it might be really nice too.

Off the top of my head the Windows-based BMedia replacements include:
SageTV (both TV and HTPC)
GBPVR(both TV and HTPC)
Media Portal (both TV and HTPC although I don't recommend MP for TV/PVR)
Meedio (some day they'll release the newer MeediOS but for now the current Meedio works good)
XBMC
Xlobby
Boxee (Windows version coming in the next few weeks)

Am I missing any Windows alternatives?