MediaPortal
team-mediaportal.com
What it is
MediaPortal is free, open-source software for turning a Windows PC into a multimedia center or home theater PC. It can show and record live TV, display a TV guide, and play or record TV across networked PCs. Its media library covers videos, DVDs, music, pictures, and home videos, with support for network playback, subtitles, and hardware acceleration. Listed formats include MPEG-1 and MPEG-2, MOV, H.264, VC-1, DivX, Xvid, AC3, DTS, MP3, AAC, Matroska, DVD, and Blu-ray. MediaPortal can also tune radio through a TV card or web stations and stream it to PCs connected to its TV Server. Remote access is available through a web browser, Android, and iOS devices, which can also serve as Wi-Fi remote controls. The project offers community plugins and skins. Its download page offers MediaPortal 1 and 2: MP1 is described as maintained with more plugins, while MP2 has fewer plugins. The software is free, with a free plan and no free trial listed.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- MediaPortal is free open source software for turning a PC into a multimedia center or home theater PC.Read 7 Oct 2026 · team-mediaportal.com
- Intended users
- The project describes MediaPortal as a media center application accessible to Windows users and suitable for a home theater PC.Read 7 Oct 2026 · team-mediaportal.com
- Supported platforms
- web,windows,ios,androidRead 21 Sep 2026 · team-mediaportal.com
- Free plan
- YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · team-mediaportal.com
- Support
- Help is available through the support forums, IRC, the manual, and the wiki.Read 7 Oct 2026 · team-mediaportal.com
- Founded
- 2004Read 28 Sep 2026 · team-mediaportal.com
- Extensions
- The project offers community plugins and skins, and its extensions plugin can install, update, uninstall, and sometimes configure extensions within MediaPortal.Read 7 Oct 2026 · team-mediaportal.com
- Format support
- MPEG-2,MPEG-1,MOV,H.264,VC-1,DivX,Xvid,AC3,DTS,MP3,AAC,Matroska,DVD,Blu-rayRead 21 Sep 2026 · team-mediaportal.com
- Hardware acceleration
- YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · team-mediaportal.com
- License model
- freeRead 21 Sep 2026 · team-mediaportal.com
- Live TV
- It can show live TV, record shows, display a TV guide, and play or record TV across networked PCs.Read 7 Oct 2026 · team-mediaportal.com
- Media library
- It supports browsing and playing videos, DVDs, music, pictures, and home videos.Read 7 Oct 2026 · team-mediaportal.com
- Network playback
- YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · team-mediaportal.com
- Radio
- It can tune radio through a TV card or web stations and stream radio to PCs connected to the MediaPortal TV Server.Read 7 Oct 2026 · team-mediaportal.com
- Security and compliance
- The opened product, download, and support pages did not state a security certification or compliance standard.Read 7 Oct 2026 · team-mediaportal.com
- Subtitle support
- YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · team-mediaportal.com
- Two editions
- The download page offers MediaPortal 1 and 2; it describes MP1 as stable and maintained with more plugins, while MP2 is usable and stable but has fewer plugins.Read 7 Oct 2026 · team-mediaportal.com
- Version limit
- The project says it cannot provide support for outdated versions and strongly recommends using the most recent version.Read 7 Oct 2026 · team-mediaportal.com
- Web and mobile access
- The feature page says MediaPortal can be accessed remotely through a web browser, Android, iOS, and other devices, which can also act as remote controls on Wi-Fi.Read 7 Oct 2026 · team-mediaportal.com
- Windows support
- The download page lists Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11 for MediaPortal 1, and Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11 for MediaPortal 2.Read 7 Oct 2026 · team-mediaportal.com
Plans and prices
MediaPortal Free Free open source media center software · Windows PC Read 7 Oct 2026 · team-mediaportal.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free and open source.
- Live TV, recording, and a TV guide.
- Supports network playback and subtitles.
- Plays video, audio, and disc formats.
- Community plugins and skins are available.
Limits
- Windows is the only listed desktop platform.
- MediaPortal 2 has fewer plugins than MP1.
- The project recommends using the most recent version.
- No free trial is listed.
Who it suits
MediaPortal suits Windows users who want a home theater PC with live TV, media library, and radio features. It may also suit households using networked PCs or mobile devices as remote controls.
Verdict
MediaPortal combines live TV, radio, and library playback in a free Windows media center. Choose between MP1, with more plugins, and MP2, with fewer plugins.
Where Specifiction places it
- Media Player Software#10 of 768.6
