Getting Started

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Installation

Once you've downloaded the software, the first step is to install it. See Installation & Removal for details.

Next it's time to decide what you want to do. Review the sections below for some guidance on how to configure Media Centre for your intended use.

How do I configure Media Centre to....

Listen to Audio

Media Centre supports a wide variety of audio file formats and can play content indexed by its internal Library as well as internet streams and, on Windows, audio played by other Windows applications.

My music is stored on disk and I want use Media Centre to navigate through it

Import your music into your Library then complete Audio Setup so you can listen to it. Review Standard View to understand how to use the Media Centre UI.

I want to route audio from other software through Media Centre

NB: This feature is only available to Windows users.

Complete Audio Setup so that you can be sure Media Center can play audio itself and then setup the WDM Driver which allows Media Centre to process audio for any other app on your PC.

Review Standard View to understand how to use the Media Centre UI.

I want to listen to Internet Radio

Complete Audio Setup and then follow the Connected Media guide.

Watch Films and Other Videos

Media Centre can play a wide variety of Video Formats, including Blu Ray, DVD and mkv, using a choice of high quality playback engines such as Red October. In combination with its DSP engine, it can handle a variety of surround formats and can up or down mix them to play on a variety of hardware. It also supports Subtitles which can be accessed via its OSD.

My videos are stored on disk and I want Media Centre to catalogue it

Import your videos into your Library then complete Audio Setup and Video Setup so you can watch them.

Review DSP (and Output Format in particular) to make sure all formats can are played back correctly on your system.

Review Standard View to understand how to use the Media Centre UI.

My videos are played by other software and I want Media Centre to process the audio

NB: This feature is only available to Windows users.

Complete Audio Setup so that you can be sure Media Center can play audio itself and then setup the WDM Driver which allows Media Centre to process audio for any other app on your PC.

Review DSP (and Output Format in particular) to make sure all formats can are played back correctly on your system.

Review Standard View to understand how to use the Media Centre UI.

I need a 10ft Interface

Theatre View is Media Centre's interface for viewing MC on a TV across the room. Launch it using the Ctrl+4 keyboard shortcut or via the View > Theater View menu option.

Watch and Record Live TV

MC can record television signals using a variety of sources and hardware types, including via a Set-Top Box, OTA (Over-the-Air) signals, and clear channels from cable and satellite.

Check out the Television topic for more information.

You will need to install a TV tuner or connect to a Set Top Box (cable) and select it in MC. Then scan for channels and set up an EPG (Electronic Program Guide).

If using Theatre View then review the Theater View Television Guide Setup guide.

Stream content

Setup a Media Server

Media Server allows other devices to access, and playback, content indexed by the Media Centre Library.

Follow the steps in Media_Server#Configuration_of_Media_Server to understand how to configure a Media Centre install to act as a Media Server/

Add another Media Centre Client

A Media Centre instance can also be used as a client of a Media Server, see [1] to understand how to configure a Media Centre install to work in this mode.

Serve content to DLNA capable devices

Media Centre can serve content to both Media Centre clients and DLNA devices, follow the DLNA#Setup_Instructions to setup Media Centre to do this.

If you hit problems then post on the Media Network forum and be prepared to post the results of the digital media renderer analyser

Listen/Watch Content on my Phone or Tablet

There are few choices for media playback on a phone or tablet

Gizmo is a free Android app JRemote is an app available on both Android and iOS which can be bought via the respective app stores. Panel is a webapp served by Media Centre and which can be accessed via your browser.

Access content outside my home network

If your network is configured appropriately then it is possible to access your content from outside your home network, review Network Access for details on how to achieve this.

Use a Remote Control

Gizmo

Gizmo is available for Android and allows you to select content for playback on a selected Zone available via the connected Media Server.

Gizmo also provides a simple remote control for Theatre View

Panel

Panel is a modern webapp that runs in your browser and allows you to select content for playback on the selected Zone.

JRemote

JRemote is available for iOS and Android and allows you to select content for playback on a selected Zone available via the connected Media Server.

Organise my Content

Media Center provides a variety of ways to organise both your content and how you view that content.

Managing Metadata

Tagging enables you to add metadata to Library items. There are also Library Tools which enable some bulk operations.

These tags enable the use of Media Center's powerful Expression Language (either directly or via the Search Wizard) which underpins much Media Centre's flexible user interface.

Organising Views

Playlists are ordered lists of specific media files while Smartlists are essentially a saved search which you can use like a playlist.

The Media Center Standard View is a Tree based view which ships with a set of default View Schemes and Media Views. Review those links to understand how to customise Media Center to your preference.

How do I extend Media Center to...

Write my own Apps that can control Media Centre

See the DevZone for details about the Media Center Web Service Interface (aka MCWS) and Media Center Core Commands (aka MCC)

Some community examples include

Change the skin

See the DevZone for details on how to create skins for both Theater View and Standard View.

What else can I do?

Take a look at Up and Running for some more advanced topics.

How do I get help?

All user support is done via our forum.

Purchasing and Licensing

MC has a 30 day trial which provides access to the full version of the software with no limitations.

Once you're ready to purchase, you can do so from the Help menu in the program. The license is installed automatically but you will also receive e-mail from buybutton at jriver with a copy of your Registration Code. This is a permanent code that can be used to restore your license at any time in the future.

Here is how you can Restore a License.

A full list of Old Versions is also available.

Review the Release Notes for a full changelog.

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