[daeken]

I really recommend Kodi (previously XBMC). It's open source, the ecosystem is vibrant, and pretty much everything plugs into it. http://kodi.tv/

[bentcorner]

Alternatively, also check out Plex (http://plex.tv). IIRC it's a fork of XBMC, but in my opinion is more polished and the non-free price is fair for that polish. If you're just using it on one PC you should be able to do that for free.

[mynameisvlad]

I think it was originally a fork of XBMC, but they rewrote from scratch with their new "Plex Home Theater" application.

[markbnj]

Thanks for the recommendations. I looked briefly at Kodi but wasn't sure whether Netflix (my primary source of video entertainment) plugged into it. I'll have another look.

[bentcorner]

Also consider something like a Roku. I mentioned plex earlier, which plugs into the Roku as a "channel" - I use my Roku 3 with Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Plex, and a few other things here and there.

It's not a free replacement like Media Center but it works really really well, and is worth the price if you are a regular streaming media user.

[mynameisvlad]

I believe both Plex and Kodi should have plugins for Netflix. NetfliXBMC should be Kodi's, and Plex should have it as a Plex Channel, which you can set up on the server.

[untog]

But Media Centre has the ability to record DRM-ed cable. XBMC will never have that.

[markbnj]

True, but I really think that's a shrinking sector. I used to have a dual-tuner HDHomerun (and before that several ATI cards), but over time my viewing shifted entirely to services like Netflix. Unfortunately it seems that people who use services like Netflix on a Windows desktop is also a shrinking sector.

[kefka]

There's your first problem: you bought more cable than you needed for your internet connection.

Second problem: you tried to use DRM. See XKCD 488 as to why it's a problem.

[markbnj]

I don't think "tried to use DRM" is an accurate description. They were trying to watch their cable sub on their computer. I did it for years, and it was quite convenient and very high quality, but Comcast slowly encrypted all their offerings, the HD Homerun cable card version was slow to appear, etc., etc. It all just became too much of a hassle and streaming won.

[untog]

you bought more cable than you needed for your internet connection.

What?

Second problem: you tried to use DRM.

I didn't. The cable company did. And plenty of the TV I am able to record is not available to stream on the same day, if at all.

[kefka]

you bought more cable than you needed for your internet connection.

> What?

Cable Internet in the US requires some sort of service to be bought alongside internet. That's usually Basic Cable. My comment was saying that if you bought more than basic cable, you bought more cable than you needed.

Second problem: you tried to use DRM.

> I didn't. The cable company did. And plenty of the TV I am able to record is not available to stream on the same day, if at all.

You can easily get your new via other avenues online. The only exception would be local.

[untog]

Cable Internet in the US requires some sort of service to be bought alongside internet. That's usually Basic Cable.

No it doesn't. In NYC at least you can buy internet through Time Warner without buying a TV service.

My comment was saying that if you bought more than basic cable, you bought more cable than you needed.

Incorrect. I bought the amount of cable service I required in order to watch the things I want to watch when I want to watch them.

You can easily get your new via other avenues online.

Not legally. Live sports in particular.