Media Centre (Center) Playing CDs

**Barry98** · 8th January 2009, 14:22

I built a Media centre a couple of years ago using an ASUS motherboard and a Silverstone
case Does anyone know if there is anyway upgrade to the existing BIOS or add on software which will allow me to play CDs without going into Windows?
Thanks
Barry

**little_pob** · 8th January 2009, 15:04

If you're worried about boot times I'd actually recommend a standalone DVD player. For <£50 you can get an upscaling DVD player with USB port for DivX/XviD playback.

However, a linux distro would boot quicker than windows. Have a look at GeeXBoX or a MythTV based distro.

There used to be a few DVD drives that would play CDs and DVDs without the need to boot to an OS. I've not seen one for some time now, plus they where more than the cost of a standalone player (probably why they didn't take off).

**iant** · 8th January 2009, 16:42

Mythtv????

**little_pob** · 8th January 2009, 18:40

Originally Posted by iant

Mythtv????

Are you asking what MythTV is or wondering why I've recommended it?

If the first; its a collection of Linux software that is comparable to Media Centre that he is already running.

If the second; I mentioned it so that he wouldn't have to reboot into MCE just to start a recording if he was already watching a disc in the Linux boot.