Tired of Cable and Satellite TV with 200 channels and nothing worth watching? Tried to replace the TV with a computer and ended up spending all your time searching for stuff? XBMC may be your answer.  XMBC is a free, open source media player application developed by the XBMC Foundation, a non-profit technology consortium. XBMC is available for multiple operating-systems and hardware platforms, featuring a mammoth user interface for use with televisions and remote controls. It allows users to easily watch videos from TV Networks like ABC CBS NBC,… internet sources like HULO and YouTube, podcasts, and all of your local content, music, family pictures and home videos. Even better, it can sync with your other computers, game consoles, Smart Phone, and Tablets.

One of XBMC's main features is its versatility and customization. With XMBC skins you can easily change its appearance. Various add-ons or Plug-ins allow users to access online content on services such as YouTube, Spotify, Grooveshark and Pandora Radio. Add a TV tuner device to your media center and you can view/control your cable and satellite content. XMBC even includes a PVR (Personal Video Recorder) which allows for high definition DVR (Digital Video Recording). XBMC even sports a GUI frontend for Live TV with EPG (Electronic Program Guide).

XBMC was originally created as a media center application for the XBOX game console. Today, however, XBMS runs as a native application on Android, Linux, BSD, Mac OS X, iOS, and Microsoft Windows operating systems. Because of its open source and cross-platform nature, modified multi-platform versions of XBMC have been used in a variety of devices including Smart TVs, set-top boxes, digital signage, and hotel television systems. Derivative applications such as MediaPortal, Plex and Voddler have been spun-off from XBMC. Some of them, such as Boxee, have been certified by the XBMC Foundation and developers and are designated as "Powered by XBMC" or "''Designed for XBMC". And yes, there is a version that runs on XBOX 360.

Hardware: Since XMBC is running extensive video streams, a good internet connection, fast processor, and a 3d video card is recommended.

Pentium Duo Core processors with 4 gigs of ram and a 500 gig hard drive is a good start. However, if you plan to store ALL of your DVD movies on the system, you may want to consider 7 terabytes of storage or more, as each DVD may take as much as 4 gigs each (do your own math).

Most 3D video cards purchased today will handle 720p high-definition. However, 1080p will require a more expensive card and an HDMI video out connector.

Unless you are satisfied with stereo sound, make sure your system supports Dolby 5.1.

Operating systems: I like Ubuntu. However, XBMS will run nicely on any Linux distro, Apple iOS 6, and Windows XP or above.

Remote Control: XBMC can be controlled using a standard mouse and keyboard. But I also like using a remote control. Easy to use and less bulky. MCE remotes are the cheapest and easiest remotes to use with XBMC. Most MCE remotes work with IBMC right out of the box without programming. They are readily available in most computer hardware stores and online through eBay. Most of the remotes you find use an usb Infrared receiver, but I prefer usb radio wave controllers, which don’t require “line of site”.

Some of the MCE controllers come as “All In Ones”, meaning that they can control all of your other devices, like TV, Stereo,… as well.

Plug-ins: XBMC comes with dozens of plug-in. However, Make sure you install the bluecop plug-in. Bluecop is where you get HULU and Free Cable, which gives you access to most regular TV network content.

Right now, today, the best Cable / Satellite alternative is XBMS. Give it a try!

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