There have been quite a few Windows 7 Media Center plugins that enable watching streaming video from services like Youtube. Most, however, cover the basics of getting the content to your screen but leave quite a bit to be desired in style and usability. MacroTube does both quite well allowing you to browse Youtube, DailyMotion and Microsoft’s Soapbox rather stylishly and even efficiently. This handy plugin from MCExtended of The Green Button forums definitely deserves a look from internet video aficionados.
Once the correct version of MacroTube for your operating system (32-bit or 64-bit) has been installed launch the plugin from the extras menu of Windows Media Center. This first page gives you a few options to choose which video service you’d like to peruse or to set a few basic settings. Currently the only available settings are language, automatic updates and some (very) basic appearance options. Luckily the appearance of MacroTube requires little tampering to look very pleasing on your big screen.
After choosing which service you’d like to browse not only does MacroTube keep from overloading you with millions of videos in row after row or too few videos with uber-sized icons but you’ll also be given several options for narrowing your search. The plugin has the basic narrowing options including date, rating, views and relevance but also includes a fantastic search feature and categorical breakdown.
Searching the services is a snap, just select the Search button and enter in your query using the onscreen keyboard, Media Center remote or standard keyboard and go. The results are speedy and accurate taking only seconds to begin compiling a list of relevant video content. Once each page loads it can take a few moments to fully load the preview pane for video content which can be slightly disconcerting at times however.
MacroTube certainly goes a long way toward making streaming services look good on the Media Center. Each video will display the title, date, rating and short description of the content below in the standard Media Center fashion. In fact at no point does the plugin look entirely out of place in the standard Media Center setup, though the onscreen keyboard won’t match what you find in most Media Center screens.
Playing the videos was also extremely seem-less. Just as if changing the channel or starting a new movie from your collection the video goes right to full screen and begins playing along with all the fast forward, rewind and other manipulation options. MacroTube does streaming video so well on the Media Center it actually takes the medium from being a chore to being somewhat fun (from someone who isn’t that into online streaming videos).
Those who enjoy streaming services such as YouTube should definitely give MacroTube a try on their Media Center setup. You’ll likely find it easy to use and even better a convenient way to find the video you’re looking for to show all your friends. MacroTube made it easy to locate any video with it’s handy search feature saving the time of searching through scattered categorical systems for that one video.
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