Watch YouTube, Dailymotion, and more in Windows Media Center

If you're looking for a way to view YouTube videos from within Media Center then you might like to give this plug-in a go. It's fresh off the compiler, so any feedback (epecially constuctive criticism) is very welcome. The functionality is pretty straight forward, so I'm hoping instructions won't be necessary.

First up: MacroTube.
Download the 32-bit version here.
Download the 64-bit version here.

Version 0.8.2

• Revamped search function which remembers previous searches, uses Google search suggestions, and uses the built-in on-screen keyboard
• The ability to add and remove providers from within the program (the manage providers link on the providers page)
• Categories now wrap when navigating past the first/last item
• Fixed the problem with multiple searches causing issues, and added the ability to configure how many previous searches will remain visible
• Added some new automatic update functionality to notify users when a new version is available
• Numerous minor cosmetic changes and tweaks

Version 0.8.1

• Changed the functioning of the OK remote control button on extenders and remote controls that simulate keyboard input to allow the search function to work correctly
• No longer attempts to search for blank search criteria
• Installs to Media Center start menu
• Added an option in the Appearance section of Settings to add/remove from Media Center start menu
• Hides the search option if searching is not available for a provider (e.g. the "SearchUrl" attribute is blank or missing).
• Minor cosmetic changes

This free add-on, which integrates directly into the WMC menu system, provides easy access to YouTube videos. And not just YouTube, but also DailyMotion and MSN Soapbox (the latter a bit pointless given that Microsoft shut it down a year ago).
After installing MacroTube, just fire up Windows Media Center, then scroll up or down until you find the new MacroTube menu item. Click it, and then choose which of the three video services you want to browse.

The MacroTube interface looks and works just like WMC's. You can search the catalog or browse by category, rating, number of views, and so on. Click the video you want and presto, it plays full-screen.

I have just two complaints. First, there's no way to tell which videos are HD--and YouTube's non-HD stuff looks mighty grainy on a big-screen TV. Second, MacroTube lacks a Favorites option, which would be ideal for keeping your most-watched videos close at hand. (Likewise, you can't sign into your own YouTube account and access your existing favorites.)

Via: PCWORLD

Posted in: Daily soft, Dailymotion, download, Multimedia, Software, Windows Media Center, Youtube