For the last couple of hours I’ve been trying to find a good (free) RSS Reader/Podcast downloader for Vista Media Center (x64) and I’ve hit a wall! I can’t believe there aren’t any good podcast downloaders for Vista Media Center out there.
The first Google hit I came up with was Media Center RSS Reader for Window Vista. And this was turning out to be a great little plug-in. Accessible through the ‘Online Content’ menu, it synchronizes with the common RSS feeds in Windows Vista and it can play podcasts. Just what I was looking for, or so I thought. After adding my first podcast to the Internet Explorer RSS feeds reader (I use FF 
) I tried to open the podcast and the plugin crashed. And every time I try to open the plug-in now it just crashes.
And no amount of reinstalling has helped so far. Since then I’ve tried installing the plug-in on my notebook and ran into the same problem. After activating the plug-in it locks up after the first try.
I suppose I could just use any podcast downloader (e.g. Doppler or iTunes) and point Media Center to the download directory but this is less then ideal if you ask me.
I’m afraid, we’re not off to a good start when it comes to finding ‘online media’ plugins.
So I’m asking our readers: do you listen to podcasts on your (Vista) Media Center? If you do what plug-ins do you use?
Next up: Online video on your Media Center so stay tuned.
August 6th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
>>do you listen to podcasts on your (Vista) Media Center?
Nope I use my Nokia S60 smartphone and the Nokia Podcasting Client (http://europe.nokia.com/A4577366). Podcasts downloads are done through the buildt in WLAN in the phone straight to the phones memory card.
August 6th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
I do not listen to podcasts in MCE. But I do listen to them now that I have the iPhone “Remote” app configured with a couple of $40 used Airport Expresses!
Back on topic, it’s a shame that MCE doesn’t support this natively as it has become a mainstream channel for consuming media. And before someone claims it has something to do with competition between MSFT and Apple, consider this: The Zune supports podcasts perfectly out of the box.
August 6th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
I’ve been using my Zune, but using MC would be good choice when I’m at home.
August 7th, 2008 at 4:08 am
I actually just use the software that comes with the Microsoft Zune to listen to podcasts on Vista Ultimate. I am pretty sure it can be installed from zune.net even if you do not have a Zune and can be used to subscribe to RSS Podcasts.
August 7th, 2008 at 4:10 am
Here is a more detailed link to the Zune software, and yes it does work without an actual Zune,
http://www.zune.net/en-ca/products/zunesoftware/download.htm
August 7th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
TVTonic does Video Podcasts and does them very well. http://tvtonic.com I’ve not bothered to test Audio Podcasts though as I use the Zune player as well.
August 8th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
I’m after something to download podcasts on WHS, which the Zune will pick and sync, does anyone know of anything, that isn’t the Xbox community feed add-in