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The Software is the key ingredient which makes a HTPC a useful device, because if it is not simple, stable, and fun to use it does not belong in your entertainment room. I've found if you want rich media content the best option for an operating system is Windows and for a while Windows 7 Beta will be free to use till June 2010. Folks such as Netflix use the Digital Wrights Management (DRM) system from Windows Media Player (WMP) on Windows to allow streaming of data to your computer. Blueray and HD-DVD DRM have granted WMP a license to play their media and have purposely disallowed opensource operating systems a license to play content. The Windows version of Boxee released end of June 2009 opens the doors to total HTPC evolution allowing for every form of media in the palm of your hand. Adding a Playon server (currently only supported under Windows) is a nice enhancement to your media system which allows you to stream content to other areas of the home that may have devices such as PS3, WII, XBOX360, and other set-top boxes. Just a note to everyone looking to use Playon even though it is a released product no longer in "beta" they say, I feel it is very much still in beta. Playon works well at times but can be very problematic other times and it is not completely Playon's fault it is also do to the fact that much of this internet media world is very much still in flux and for ever changing.
Before you get to hyped up on using Ubuntu as a HTPC operating system please see the chart below you may want to dig in your wallet for a bit more money to purchase the windows operating system. Don't get me wrong I love most flavors of Linux I'm currently using Ubuntu and openSuse but the only positive thing I can find using the OS as a HTPC is it being FREE. Until Linux is blessed with full DRM support as an opensource operating system it will always be limited with what media it will support. One major drawback to this operating system is that it takes a genius to get audio and video drivers working and configured correctly depending on what hardware you have.
| Ubuntu | Windows | Mac |
| Blueray Players |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| HD-DVD Players |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| DVD Players |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Netflix |
No |
Yes |
No |
| Boxee |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Playon |
No |
Yes |
No |
| Hulu Desktop |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| DRM |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
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