This makes sense in many scenarios but if you want to run a media center on a single device that stores the media as well, then Plex is not the best choice because of this.Īnother difference to most media center alternatives is the integration with Plex Online. First the Plex server which handles media distribution and streaming, and the the player component which you use to play media offered by the server. Setup consists of two components that you need to install. Plex is a cross-platform player that is available for Windows, Mac, FreeBSD and Linux systems as well as mobile devices, smart TVs and NAS devices. Plugins are managed via the Extensions Manager, a program that you need to run separately from the main media center application unless you install the Extensions plugin which adds them to it. MediaPortal supports plugins that extend the program's functionality further. Setup is not as streamlined as it is in KODI as you handle most settings in a separate configuration GUI that is not integrated well in the main media center application. It can play media (digital files and from disc), stream and record Internet radio or be used to watch and record TV. MediaPortal is a free open source media center that ships with everything you'd expect it to. This is well integrated into the general application flow. TV or Music, and let the program handle the rest. Point the program to the folder that contains the media, select its type, e.g. It is easy to add media to your library in KODI.

The music player for instance supports tags, cue sheets and integrates with MusicBrainz while the mobie player imports posters, fan art, trailers and extras among other things.

Linux media center pc cablecard