Another update to the Pearl theme has gone live, here is a brief list of whats changed:

ATTENTION SKIN DEVELOPERS – Pearl 0.1.4.0 brings in skins model v3 please update your skins accordingly

• New Media Info Icons supported (requires Media Info Provider v1.0.9.0+)
• Initial GameTime plugin view added (not complete)
• Several performance fixes
• Hidden config option to disable next/previous buttons
• Fixed context menu bug
• Vertical menus only wrap when there are more items than can be displayed at once
• Pearl_Night theme backdrop filter tweaks

A gentle reminder for those who haven’t yet become a Media Browser support, a minor donation of 10USD or more will get you a supporter key and allow you unlimited usage of Pearl (along with the MB Trailers, and CoverArt plugins). For those who are already MB supporters thank you for your support.

Enjoy the new update, and as always Pearl is available via the MB Configuration tool.

Source Article:
Pearl Theme v0.1.4.0 Released

Okay, we’re pushing out a quick maintenance release to address a couple of issues with 2.2.8. Most importantly, this release addresses an issue where we are possibly downloading TV metadata much too frequently when you have Internet Providers turned on.

In addition, there are a few other minor bug fixes.

Please do download and install this new version especially if you use Internet Providers.

Changelog

As always, Thank You for your Support.

Source Article:
MediaBrowser 2.2.9 (Orion SP1) Released

It has been just over 3 months since the last Media Browser release; which feels like forever in Media Browser years.

In the mean time we managed to sort out some critical performance issues and add quite a few new features. Our metadata story is much more complete, you can now specify local metadata for mediainfo and our configuration tool is looking more and more polished.

A knowledge base article describing the changes is available here: Changelog: Media Browser 2.2.8 (codename Orion)

I am also very proud to announce that we have quite a few new contributors

A big thank you goes to the new developers, Birkoff, Sinjen, Jon, Chip and Neil18

Another big thank you goes to all the testers, we would not have been able to release such a stable product without you.

But wait, there’s more …

The Media Browser team felt it was time that we properly recognize those of you who support the project through donations. So, starting with this version, Media Browser supporters will now have access to 3 very awesome plugins:

• MB Trailers – a replacement for the old Apple Trailers that provides HD trailer viewing inside MB. If you are not a supporter, you can still use this plug-in but it will only show you a few trailers.
• CoverArt – this very popular plug-in will now be fully registered for Media Browser supporters as well as those who have made donations specifically for CoverArt. You can still register through ebrSoft for just $4 but a donation to Media Browser in general will also give you full access to automatic cover art processing.
• Pearl Theme – the incredibly awesome, infinitely configurable new theme from Soultaker. Like CoverArt, this theme will operate for a limited trial period so you can decide if you want to keep using it (who wouldn’t???). After this period, it will require a supporter key to continue operating.
  

So, how will this supporter key thing work…?

Whenever you donate to the Media Browser project through the Donate page you should get an email that contains a “Supporter Key”. (Please save this email somewhere in case you need it again in the future.) Simply copy and paste this key into the Supporter Key field in the configurator (found in the Help and About section) and plug-ins for which you are authorized should work outside of their trial limitations.

The proper versions of these plug-ins should be available very soon but please be patient as we coordinate this roll-out.

Does this mean Media Browser is going to a pay model?

No. Media Browser core, as previously stated and as it exists now, is staying 100% free. We simply thought we should reward those of you who help to make this program possible with some additional goodies.

What if I’ve already supported the Media Browser project?

If you are a past supporter, first and foremost, Thank You, and you should receive an email in the next few days with your supporter key.

I know you told me to save it, but what if my machine crashes and I lose my key?

We will have a link on the donation page that will allow you to retrieve your key if you are a supporter. But, please do save the email .

What do I do if I have problems?

The CT, as always, will probably be the best place to find help if you have a problem with this new system.

So, there it is, the next iteration of Media Browser. We think it is our most feature-rich and stable version yet. We hope you enjoy using it – and thank you for your support!

Is there a minimum donation amount to get these plugins?

Yes, if you donate 10usd or more you will get all 3. If you donate less you will get less. CoverArt already had a minimum 5 dollar donation. It seems unfair to push it lower for 3 plugins bundled.

How do I make a donation?

Head over to http://www.mediabrowser.tv/donate

Source Article:
Media Browser 2.2.8 just released!

MediaBrowser has long been a favorite for anyone looking to replace the built-in movie library browser with something that has a few more features. MediaBrowser is a free plugin for Windows 7 Media Center that adds more advanced library management, multiple view options for browsing the library and plenty of sorting options. It doesn’t take long with this plugin to see why it’s so popular. The latest iteration, Firestorm, adds even more features to the mix including a vastly faster user experience as well as increased stability over previous versions. For new Media Center enthusiasts Firestorm offers the perfect timing to try Media Browser for the first time.

Long time users will immediately notice a speed improvement over previous versions, especially while browsing large collections and when first starting the plugin. The entire experience is much more responsive making finding and playing the particular movie you’re looking for much less time consuming than previous versions. As an added bonus Firestorm includes experimental support for an SQLite database which will further improve the experience. To enable this feature you’ll simply need to download and copy the correct version of the SQLite DLL to the ProgramDataMediaBrowser folder.

Another notable feature of MediaBrowser FireStorm is that themes can now be created and released as plugins separate from the core code. Now just like with the plugin interface you can download and switch between themes without the need for a completely new release of the MediaBrowser plugin. In fact the Vanilla theme which was previously included in the main package is now a plugin shipped separately. In order to download the Vanilla theme you’ll need to open the MediaBrowser Configuration and select Add from the Plugins tab. Next select the File –> Sources menu and Add the following source: http://www.throgsoft.com/plugins/plugin_info.xml.

For long time users there have also been some changes to the ImagesByName structure. Images have now been separated into appropriate categories with a new folder structure. In order to facilitate this transition there is a migration tool available for download. Of course, for those new to Media Browser (or who just need to update their images) there is always the extensive package offered by TheHTPC.net.

Another feature long desired has been added as well in multiple entry points. Now, for each section created in the configuration tool MediaBrowser also creates an entry point. Using Media Center Studio you can add these new entry points to any start menu strip. Simply enter the start menu tab and expand the Entry Points at the bottom then drag and drop a point onto the strip. This is a great feature for those who prefer to browse recorded TV shows inside Media Browser or those who simply want to select HD/SD folders from the start menu.

Firestorm is a definite step forward for MediaBrowser which should be a definite upgrade on every Media Center enthusiasts list. The performance and stability alone are quite an improvement over previous releases a certainly cements MediaBrowsers status at the top of the heap of movie library plugins. New users and old alike can download this latest release from the Google Code repository.

Source Article:
MediaBrowser Firestorm Brings Performance, Stability and Features