Using Windows 8 on a HTPC

A quick demonstration of Windows 8 on my HTPC including the advantages and limitations of the Metro front end.

UPDATE: Since posting this video Netflix have updated their Windows8 app such that you can at least pause and resume video with a remote. But you still need to use a mouse to navigate within the application.

• Category

  Science & Technology

[Greg Hinch]

Thanks for the intro, very helpful. So can you still use the Media Center Netflix plugin? I really want to update to 8 but if I can't at least use Netflix without the keyboard, I'll be waiting.

[nxsfan]

Yes - the old Netflix application is still in Media Center and works exactly the same.

[Kevin Lewis]

Thanks for this...glad to see someone is in the same boat. What are you using for the "back" function within the apps?

[nxsfan]

Some applications behaved nicely when I pressed the "back" button on my remote. This is equivalent to pressing the backspace key on a keyboard. Other applications ignored this but responded to pressing the escape key on a keyboard.

[Kevin Lewis]

I wonder if the Motorola NYXBoard Hybrid remote would be a good solution

[nxsfan]

I'm sure in time there will be HTPC specific applications meaning we can get away with using a traditional remote (with the green button remapped to the "Start" key). Who knows even netflix might wise up. It would be nice if MS added something about being remote/keyboard friendly to their design docs but that is never going to happen :)

[ChaydenTV]

Thanks for the video you answered my questions.

[StraightShooter01]

Useful video for those that get stuck with Windows 8 - I really like the fast app switching - that is very useful for HTPC implementations - once better support for remotes happen, this should be sweet. Im building my own HTPC, but I will be using Windows 7 (Microsoft cut up the OS and removed Media Center and are charging extra to add it to Windows 8) Windows 7 has all I need at this time - I was going to go all Linux with XBMC but no very good DVR support at this time - it is being worked on.

[Roddy Dotty]

Im diggin the setup but cant't you just map a remote control button to bring up the virtual keyboard?

[saintaureus]

Hahaha, you have Rubber in your queue? Funny.

[eclipsal2008]

I have windows 8 on a dell mini lol, it works great!

[Conjon8811]

Nice to see someone else from Los Alamos randomly =D Good video. I am still struggling between using Windows 8 or 7 for my first HTPC build. Not quite sure especially since it will be my first HTPC build, I am not sure what functionality I exactly want from it.

[Kevin Lewis]

Good point. If anything I am going to go map the "Previous" button to CTRL+ESC and I will look at the "Make everything bigger".  I was already used to using the keyboard for other applications in Chrome, so it is not too bad....but it could be great. Love the UI though. The Logitech Wireless Rechargeable Touchpad T650 looks sweet too, but no keyboard