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| Ozzik: Guide to Meedio, part II. Basic soft and codecs. |
21-1-07 17:41:52 |
Now let's go over some other soft we have to install on the HTPC.
Since it's windows and all – we gotta have some kind of protection.
Antivirus/anti-spyware and firewall.
For antivirus I would advise Antivir, since it's good and free: http://www.free-av.com/down/windows/antivir_workstation_win7u_en_h.exe
The only bug is that after it updates itself, it gives an ad-popup.
Anti-spyware: Adaware (also free: http://www.download.com%2F3001-8022_4-10399602.html ) is ok, although not the best, but assuming you'll be mostly using the PC for media needs than internet browsing, I believe it's satisfying enough.
Now firewall. I believe that many of you will have the HTPC as a second (or third/fourth/etc.) PC, since it's not a computer to work with. This means that even if you don't own a router yet, chances are you're gonna have to buy one.
And since the router does give us NAT (and in some cases firewall itself), it's making our job much easier. The windows firewall is a total crap, which is very easy to break through, but in addition to the router's NAT, things aren't so bad after all. Of course if you're a paranoid, you can install something stronger, like ZoneAlarm or Kerio, but there's really no end to this, so before we get to the Checkpoint's products, I suggest we leave it to each individual's consideration and move on.
If you intend on playing DVD ISO's you need to have virtual DVD software.
The most popular and probably the best there is: Daemon Tools. We have in our downloads section.
You need codecs. Lots of them. Do not install any of the codecs packs. They only make mess. Instead use ffdshow (also in downloads section). For some special functions you will need to configure it a bit, but we'll come to that later.
Flash player, QuickTime player and Real player are also better be there in case you want to play one of these formats. Although there's no need to install the original soft, we have the light weight alternatives for you in the… that's right, the download section.
The wiki-page of meediOS also suggests you install " Nero 6 Reloaded (6.6.1.4/Update-Package 1/without Yahoo Toolbar) (note: an expired trial also works) http://www.nero.com/nero6/en/nero-up.php "
I'm not sure what do we need it for, and I'm also not sure whether you can get it to work when the trial's over. But I guess you'll know what to do in that case, right?
Another thing you're gonna need is the MPEG-2 / DVB / DVD Codec.
Most recommend the Nvidia PureVideo Codec. Works with most graphics cards, but Nvidia cards get a few extra performance boosts. http://www.nvidia.com/page/purevideo.html . It's not free, but you can get it via some good p2p networks.
By the way, personally, after installing this codec, I also installed the Cyberlink PowerDVD 6, because I think this is the only way you can play the DD/DTS media in Meedio. Of course, WinDVD or other DVD apps will give you the same result, but with powerDVD I had the best experience. Look for it in the same place as for the PureVideo Codec.
The media part is over. Let's go over the TV part.
As mentioned before, Meedio Pro already includes the TV function, but it needs a way to load the EPG (electronic program guide). The way to do it is to install one of the TVXML grabbers and have it synchronize with the appropriate websites to download the info and update the EPG. The best software is TVXB (downloads section, obviously).
Some additional soft will be the drivers, but that's obvious.
You might also want to install some renamers, for tagging and renaming/cleaning file names – it's very useful and will save you a lot of time. We have one for you in the "downloads".
That’s it, I think. Not very trivial, but not that bad too. I mean, besides Nero and DVD codecs, we got the whole package here for you, so it should make it much easier.
And now, for the Meedio itself. Download it…(yeah, yeah, the same section), and play with it a little, so that you have some sort of idea what you're dealing with.
Ok, before we continue, here's a link to an official Meedio guide: http://www.meedio.com/WebHelp/meedio_essentials_help.htm . Take a look here, try to understand. And if you don't – come back, as in the next session we'll be explaining the basic functions of this application.
P.S. Perhaps some of you are thinking by now that it's just not worth it.
But hey, by now you've only installed OS and some codecs. That's not that big of a deal. The Meedio itself will take a bit more of your time, that's true, but this is what we're here for – help you go through with it as smoothly as possible. And believe me, it's worth it! So please be patient, you'll thank us later.
Next: basic functions of Meedio Pro. |
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