XBMCLinux
vs
Windows Media CenterWindows
XBMC as a Linux alternative to Windows Media Center
Updated
Our verdict
Kodi (formerly XBMC) can replace Windows Media Center for most home‑theater needs. It offers a 10‑foot UI, robust library management, and support for a wide range of audio/video codecs, making it a solid choice for users who primarily watch local media or streamed content. However, the DVR side requires extra components such as TVHeadend or MythTV, so users who relied heavily on the built‑in TV tuner and recording features of Windows Media Center will need to set up additional software. For anyone comfortable tweaking add‑ons, Kodi is a capable, flexible replacement.
Feature parity
- License
- GPL-2.0-or-later
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- —
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- 10‑foot remote‑friendly UI","Media library management for movies, music, photos","Support for common audio/video codecs","Network share and streaming source handling","Cross‑platform availability"]
- differences
- :
- No native DVR/tuner support – requires separate backend (e.g., TVHeadend) — Electronic Program Guide integration is add‑on based, not built‑in — Limited out‑of‑the‑box remote‑control device profiles compared to WMC’s TV‑remote integration — Windows Media Center’s tight integration with Windows updates and hardware drivers is absent — No direct support for Windows‑specific file formats like .wmv/.wma without codecs
- file_compat
- :
What is different
Key features of XBMC
- Plays most video, audio, and image formats out of the box
- Supports local files, network shares, and streaming sources
- 10-foot UI optimized for remote control navigation
- Extensive add-on system for third-party content and features
- Built-in media library manager for movies and TV shows
- Supports multiple user profiles with individual settings
- Hardware acceleration for smooth playback on compatible GPUs
- Cross-platform availability including Linux, Windows, macOS, and Android
1 other alternatives to Windows Media Center
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