I installed Windows 8, and now avi files look like poo when played through Windows Media Center on my PC or X-box. The same .avi file looks great when Windows Media Player is used though.... I was using Windows 7 before the "upgrade" and Media Center worked just fine on my PC and X-box.
Example of what I'm talking about:
What the video looks like with Media Center:
Same file using Media Player:
Does anyone have a clue why the same damned file looks so different between two Windows programs.....and how I can fix this? We preferred using Media Center on the X-box before this "upgrade"...
On my HTPC, I use MPC-HC + LAV filters to decode with the EVR-CP renderer. Everywhere else, VLC. Sensational media player that is constantly updates and plays close to everything.
Hopefully they fix that. I hope they update windows media player. I love it but it's outdated and it looks horrible with the list. It's hard to explain but visually it doesn't go together light blue gradient that doesn't even blend into the dark background. It needs an update. I have VLC but it just doesn't make sense that they haven't updated the player for so long. It's been years now.
I use VLC and K-Lite (except I haven't bothered with the 64 bit extensions).
They did nothing last time I tried them, so I haven't bothered downloading them again.
Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (64 bit), Linux Mint 18.3 MATE (64 bit)
Computer type
PC/Desktop
System Manufacturer/Model
n/a
CPU
AMD Phenom II x6 1055T, 2.8 GHz
Motherboard
ASRock 880GMH-LE/USB3
Memory
8GB DDR3 1333 G-Skill Ares F3-1333C9D-8GAO (4GB x 2)
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Radeon HD6450
Sound Card
Realtek?
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung S23B350
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
Western Digital 1.5 TB (SATA), Western Digital 2 TB (SATA), Western Digital 3 TB (SATA)
Case
Tower
Mouse
Wired Optical
Other Info
Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 17 MATE (64 bit) - 2014-05-17
Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-11-13
Ubuntu 10.04 (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-01-14
RAM & Graphics Card Upgraded - 2013-01-13
Monitor Upgraded - 2012-04-20
System Upgraded - 2011-05-21, 2010-07-14
HDD Upgraded - 2010-08-11, 2011-08-24,
I don't use the video thumbnails (they might be useful for home videos).
I don't have any home videos, so I find them worthless (unlike picture thumbnails).
Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (64 bit), Linux Mint 18.3 MATE (64 bit)
Computer type
PC/Desktop
System Manufacturer/Model
n/a
CPU
AMD Phenom II x6 1055T, 2.8 GHz
Motherboard
ASRock 880GMH-LE/USB3
Memory
8GB DDR3 1333 G-Skill Ares F3-1333C9D-8GAO (4GB x 2)
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Radeon HD6450
Sound Card
Realtek?
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung S23B350
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
Western Digital 1.5 TB (SATA), Western Digital 2 TB (SATA), Western Digital 3 TB (SATA)
Case
Tower
Mouse
Wired Optical
Other Info
Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 17 MATE (64 bit) - 2014-05-17
Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-11-13
Ubuntu 10.04 (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-01-14
RAM & Graphics Card Upgraded - 2013-01-13
Monitor Upgraded - 2012-04-20
System Upgraded - 2011-05-21, 2010-07-14
HDD Upgraded - 2010-08-11, 2011-08-24,