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Media Center Setup Guide

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This page explains the basic setup steps for Media Center: where to edit the JSON configuration, how to set up the OMDb API key for artwork and movie metadata, how to make the MCE green button launch the app, and how to enable Windows Media Player Legacy support on Windows.

1. Edit the JSON Configuration

Media Center reads its local settings from config.json in the main application folder. This is the file you edit to change media library paths, ZIP code, screensaver options, and metadata settings.

%LOCALAPPDATA%\MediaCenter\config.json

Common values you will usually change:

{ "media_paths": { "movies": "\\\\SERVER\\Media\\Movies\\", "tv": "\\\\SERVER\\Media\\TV\\", "music": "\\\\SERVER\\Media\\Music\\", "audiobooks": "\\\\SERVER\\Media\\Audiobooks\\", "photos": "\\\\SERVER\\Media\\Photos\\" }, "zip_code": "58201", "omdb_api_key": "YOUR_KEY_HERE", "music_screensaver": true, "screensaver_style": "Photo Collage", "screensaver_seconds": 20 }
Use UNC network paths like \\\\SERVER\\Share\\Folder\\ if your media lives on another machine.

2. Get an OMDb API Key

Media Center uses OMDb for movie metadata and cover art lookups during scanning. You can request an API key from the official OMDb site: https://www.omdbapi.com/apikey.aspx

OMDb API key signup: https://www.omdbapi.com/apikey.aspx
  1. Open the OMDb API key page.
  2. Choose the free plan if it meets your needs.
  3. Enter your email and complete the request.
  4. Copy the key you receive.
  5. Paste it into config.json under omdb_api_key.
After changing the key, run Scan Library again from Settings so Media Center can refresh metadata and artwork.

3. Redirect the MCE Green Button to Launch Media Center

Many Media Center remotes send the green button as Win + Alt + Enter. The app already handles that combination once it is running, but to launch the app from anywhere, you can use a small AutoHotkey script.

  1. Install AutoHotkey v2.
  2. Create a file named LaunchMediaCenter.ahk.
  3. Paste the script below and update the path if needed.
  4. Put the script in Startup or compile it as an EXE.
#Requires AutoHotkey v2.0 #!Enter:: { if WinExist("ahk_exe MediaCenter.Wpf.exe") { WinActivate } else { Run EnvGet("LOCALAPPDATA") "\MediaCenter\Wpf\bin\MediaCenter.Wpf.exe" } }
If your remote sends a different green-button command, you will need to remap that command to launch the app instead.

4. Enable Windows Media Player Legacy Support

Some systems need legacy Windows media components enabled for reliable playback support.

  1. Open Control Panel.
  2. Go to Programs > Programs and Features.
  3. Select Turn Windows features on or off.
  4. Expand Media Features.
  5. Enable Windows Media Player Legacy if it is available on your system.
  6. Click OK and restart Windows if prompted.
The exact wording can vary a little depending on your Windows edition and version.
Windows Features dialog showing Windows Media Player Legacy enabled under Media Features
Enable Windows Media Player Legacy (App) under Media Features in Windows Features.

5. Reference Images

These branding assets are included here as a quick visual reference for the setup and app style.

Media Center logo
Media Center branding used by the desktop app and website.
%LOCALAPPDATA%\MediaCenter\ config.json data\ Host\ images\ sounds\ Wpf\bin\MediaCenter.Wpf.exe
Recommended folder layout for the standalone desktop install.