This page sums up the state of the art on the Linux Media Center subject.

This will allow the Ubuntu Media Center Team to have a clear vision for the software choice.

Functional analysis

Nb : (p) means the feature is available with an additional plugin.

Detailed analysis of the two finalists

Elisa

• based upon [http://www.gstreamer.net/ GStreamer] and [http://www.python.org/ Python], two major projects,

• shares a lot of common aims with UMC,
• openGL 3D User Interface, and many effects available,

• not yet [http://elisa.fluendo.com/features/ features] complete, but moving quickly,

• well tied in / consistent framework (not a patchwork of many apps),
• focused on usability and expandability (ie for both users and developers),

• supported by an important and expert player in the FLOSS A/V systems ([http://www.fluendo.com/ Fluendo]),

• has contacted us to work on the rewrite ([https://core.fluendo.com/elisa/trac/wiki/Rewrite-1/DevelopersDocumentation architecture] and [https://core.fluendo.com/elisa/trac/wiki/NavigationTree UI]) and to propose resources,

• applies advanced computer engineering principles (UML, design patterns, Object Oriented language),

• is the origin why ArnaudQuette [http://forum.ubuntumediacenter.org/viewtopic.php?id=63 (re)launched the UMC project]: the most promising Media Center out there!

LinuxMCE

• LinuxMCE is more than just a Media Center. It can manage your whole house. So that's also a problem cause the installer comes with all its stuff (to manage the whole house) and, at the end, you're lost in all those functionalities ( and the software becomes unusable ).
• shares a lot of common aims with UMC,
• is more a patchwork / glue tiding various apps together. This is both pros and a cons,

• See http://plutohome.com/support/index.php?section=mainDownload&package=0 to have an overview of every package installed by LinuxMCEFootNote(From time to time, we'll use the name '''Pluto''' referring to the GPL part of Pluto which has be entirely copied by LinuxMCE project). The dependencies are hell ! To me the most interesting things is the Pluto Core Programs section. If Pluto is the software we choose, we should get in touch with their developers to get help developing a lighter version and to use the maximum of Ubuntu capabilities, not to have drivers packages installed by Pluto.

Freevo

• is a well known MC software,
• old fashioned UI (Windows MCE like),
• features complete,
• python / MPlayer / Xine based

GeeXboX

• GeeXboX 2 teams up with freevo for LiveCD/distro.
• see Freevo

MythTV

• is a well known MC software,
• old fashioned UI (Windows MCE like),
• features complete,

• already considered by [https://launchpad.net/mythbuntu the MythBuntu] project

• UPNP support

My Media System (MMS)

• also have a kind of plug in approach. It wraps existing players and supports LIRC. However, it doesn't do a special job apart being an interface to existing players. I didn't find a way to select set up the player. It's easy installable and testable. I propose you do.

VDR

• VDR is primarily a (dvb) Digital TV Recorder -- it is meant to be used with a remote like a Tivo.
• There are not that many features included (this is as designed). However, what VDR does, it does incredibly well. Stability and ease of use are second to none (including commercial digital video recorders).
• The plugin system is fairly nice and there are plugins for images, music, DVD, etc.
• Installation is often not straight-forward or easy. There are some live-CD distros based on VDR that try to overcome this.

Notes

• non [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FOSS FLOSS] software have been discarded:

  • SageTV

Useful external links

• [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_center WikiPedia]

• [http://www.homemedia.fr/articles-tests-guides/65-6-logiciels-Media-center-testes-lequel-choisir-0.html Media Center test] (french)

• [http://wattazoum.fr/spip.php?article56 A spec definition of a Media Center]