The open-source media players are a rare sight these days. Out of the last ten years, the entire television viewing experience has shifted to smart TVs. However, 90% of the US population still uses cable and satellite TV instead of streaming services. This means that there are millions of people in the United States who rely on media centers for entertainment.

If you're looking for an open source Media portal to add to your living room setup, you should definitely check out the MediaPortal. Not only does it offer a great DVD and photo slideshow experience, but it also allows you to record shows and use the TV card. This software is still popular around the world, even though some people might be using newer methods of consuming media.

MediaPortal is an open-source media player and digital content recorder that provides a proper media experience with typical functionalities such as playing, pausing, recording live TV. Other than those tasks, you can play DVDs, music, videos, pictures and use it for other purposes. Similar to JRiver, MediaPortal is compatible with online video and music platforms such as Last.fm and thus you can consume content from that particular network.

Did you know that Media Portal's source code was inspired by Kodi's earlier version known as XBMC?Nonetheless, the code has been rewritten and the platform has been returned to work specifically for Microsoft Windows. Unlike Kodi and MythTV which are popular for their cross-platform functionalities, MediaPortal is quite close-ended because of its commitment to Microsoft Windows.

Now, I'm going to talk about some of the good things about MediaPortal.

MediaPortal isn't just a basic software. It's open-source software that gives users lots of control over their media. You can connect it directly to your TV or other displays, and watch photos, listen to music, and watch movies on a wide range of devices.

With Mediaportal, you can watch live TV, record shows and movies, and even schedule them for later. You can also stream music, videos, and photos from local storage or online sources. And if you have an HTPC equipped with Mediaportal software, you can control it using a remote. This comprehensive media solution makes your PC into a powerful tool for enjoying your favorite shows and movies.

With MediaPortal, you can access the platform in over 30 languages right away. You don't have to install any additional software or plugin to choose your preferred language. This feature, in my opinion, is one of the standout features helping you connect with the service right away. Just choose your preferred language and you're good to go.

Though MediaPortal is designed for Windows, it has a large plugin library that can be used to alter the media center in countless ways. For me, skins are more than just themes and wallpapers. They add personalization and unique looks to the entire media center experience, from display to user interface. MediaPortal has over fifty skins that you can choose from. Each one integrates smoothly and can be updated using extensions.

With MediaPortal, you can amplify your TV viewing experience by using the most popular TV Engine and Personal Video Recorder. Although DVR has been effectively replaced by PVR in this day and age, you can still make the most of this service. By using the TV cards, you can go to everything that you would normally do with TIVO, for free.

After downloading the software, you will be able to install it on your computer. To access and download MediaPortal, simply search for the term in the search engine or visit the website directly. Once you locate the software, click on download section and choose your desired software. The actual software size is about 141 MB so it would take about 20-25 minutes to download and install.

The MediaPortal design approach is better than what we saw on JRiver. Although the approach is outdated, it still feels leagues ahead than JRiver. The light blue, violet combination with white text looks quite cool.

The registration panel is on the left, and it includes the ?Home? option as well as seven additional menu options: ?Products?, ?Contribute?, ?Download?, ?Documentation?, and ?Forum?. Above these options are a search bar and language preference icons. Above the search bar is a panel with login credentials and other preferences. The outdated 3D logo is on the left side of the registration panel.

This is a great way to get the latest updates from the developers, and it?s also easy to find the plugins and skins that you need. Finally, you have a ?Support? page that includes links to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), Knowledge Base articles, and contact information for support. The website has eight different banners. I really like this particular section as you can get a lot of information about this service just by paying attention to the banners. The first section gives you a glimpse of the interface and thus you already know what to expect from the software package that you would be installing later. This is way better than what I saw on JRiver. Towards the right, you have various sections such as "Latest News & Blogs?" and "Updated Plugins & Skins?". This is a great way to get the latest updates from the developers, and it's also easy to find the plugins and skins that you need. Finally, there is a "Support" page that includes links to FAQs, Knowledge Base articles, and contact information for support.

The website's body section has a short summary, helping you learn more about the service. Towards the right, you'll find a GDN banner with a Featured Screenshot and MediaPortal on Web section.

The Google services have always been high quality, however, their latest addition, YouTube Red, is a step up in quality. With explanatory videos and other helpful features, the user experience is elevated to new heights. However, given that the service includes ads from Adobe, it may not be for everyone.

I'm not upset with this section because the software is free. The software is free unlike other top software that requires you to shell out $60- $100.

The footer section of the website has three sections. In the left corner, you have the "About" section. Under "Quick Navigation," there are six options: Home, About MediaPortal, Bugtracker, Download, Contact Us, and Our Partners. In the middle of the footer is the "Support MediaPortal" section with a link to PayPal where you can contribute towards this project. Finally, in the right corner are links to our blog and Twitter.

You can access the inner pages by clicking on any option on the homepage. My favorite inner page is the Download page. Here you will find MediaPortal 1 and MediaPortal 2. This section will provide you in-depth information about each software. This is a helpful page where you will find a lot of useful resources along with the download link. And if we were to judge this by heatmap, this page would certainly be a hotspot.

MediaPortal is designed to work with various Windows configurations. You just need to connect the software to your TV and sound system. You don't need any fancy or expensive device to be able to open MediaPortal. The functionality is quite similar to any other software that you'd usually use on your laptop or PC. You can even set up a separate Home Theatre PC (HTPC) if you feel like it.

MediaPortal is supported by many remotes. You can use your own remote and configure it to match MediaPortal. You can assign keys and actions based on your preference. MediaPortal's IR Server Suite (IRSS) allows it to be used with many different remotes. From Wii to MacMini and iMON, the support extends to a variety of platforms.

There are various places where you can customize your media center to your liking, and it?s a great feeling to be able to personalize everything.