The Best Media Software for Home Theater
Turning your PC or big screen TV into a home theater system or cheap cinema is now easier than ever. Home Theater and media center software allows users to store, stream, manage and enjoy photos, music and videos with family and friends on the big screen. With streaming and broadcast television services becoming increasingly expensive, connecting your PC to your home theater system via an HDMI cable is a great way to save money while still enjoying all the benefits of a dedicated system.
You can now easily connect any PC to your home theater system, allowing you to watch media from any device with superior sound and video quality. With the right media player, you can create a comprehensive network that will organize all your media files.
Check the list of best media software for Home theater
kodi
Kodi, an open source software, is available for multiple operating systems including Windows 10, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, Apple TV and Raspberry Pi. It supports all major audio and video file formats for playback and streaming from online media services.
Kodi is a versatile media center app that allows users to play music, videos, games and more on any type of TV. It enables users to access digital media files from both local storage devices and online sources.
Kodi gives you full control over your media collection, allowing you to play all major music and movie formats such as MP3, AAC, WAV, and more. Plus, with its community-created add-ons, you can view photos, watch live television and do much more.
Plex
Plex Media Server is a powerful media center software that enables users to stream media files on their home network. It has a client-server model, meaning the back-end server application is required for use. Compatible with its own front-end software, Plex Media Player, as well as other popular front-ends like Kodi, it’s an ideal solution for streaming media across multiple devices.
Plex makes it easy to keep up with your favorite shows, no matter where you are. With its new feature, you can start watching a show on one device and pick up right where you left off on another.
Plex Media Server offers a convenient way to watch and record live TV, with the added bonus of transcoding recordings for smooth playback on any device, even over a wireless network.
Emby
Emby is a media management and streaming solution that makes it easy to find and watch movies, TV shows, and other content. It organizes your files in a way that makes them accessible with just a few clicks, while also presenting them in an attractive format. Plus, you can stream live TV and media to Chromecast.
Emby offers free parental controls to help parents limit their children’s media access, as well as custom library views for each family member that can be paused and resumed from different devices. Additionally, Emby has a live TV server built in, allowing users to record and watch live TV.
Emby offers an easy way to preview content with its add-on for Kodi, as well as a centralized database and apps for various operating systems and devices. Similar to Plex, it has its own server and can accommodate multiple clients.
media portal
MediaPortal is an open source application that turns your PC into a PVR, allowing you to watch and record live TV, play Blu-ray discs, and access your favorite media like soaps, music, videos and movies.
Media Portal is a powerful media center that turns your computer into an advanced entertainment hub. With its customizable plugins and personalized viewing options, it offers a more comprehensive experience than Kodi. Easily configure your plugins and enjoy access to all your favorite movies with the click of a button.
MythTV
MythTV is an open source digital video recorder and media player that offers users the ability to watch and record digital media with HDTV support, as well as rewind, pause and skip options for continuous playback.
MythTV, the Linux Media Center PVR, offers users the ability to record and playback shows at any time. It was once a popular alternative to TiVo, and still stands out with its automatic commercial detection feature that allows viewers to skip ads with ease. For those who prefer more control over their viewing experience, MythTV also provides a cut list editor.
MythTV lets you record live TV and store it on your PC, giving you control over what your children watch. Advanced users can set up their home theater computer to connect to the TV, allowing them to schedule recordings and set parental controls.
NextPVR
NextPVR is an ideal replacement for Windows Media Center, offering a simple setup and powerful features such as series recording. It’s the perfect choice for watching and recording live TV.
NextPVR is a versatile app that can be used as both a front-end and back-end for media streaming. While its user interface may not be as flashy as Windows Media Center or Kodi, it is clean and straightforward. Additionally, NextPVR can be integrated with Kodi using a PVR add-on for an even more comprehensive streaming experience.
Final note
Check out this list of the best media software for home theater. Share it with your friends and let us know if you have any questions.
