Setting up MPC-HC for Video Playback in XBMC

Download and install MPC-HC

To download MPC-HC, please visit the MPC-HC download page.  I would like to stress that even though you may be running 64-bit OS and capable hardware that you should install the X86 version.  The reason? Some of the optional components require the 32-bit version.

Download MPC-HC

All you have to do is double-click the installer and follow the prompts for a default installation

For my collection, I try to be as organized as possible.  I use MakeMKV to rip all my content to MKV, then store them on my NAS organized by video quality in the following folders.  With this setup, it allows me to easily fine tune which videos are played with MPC-HC (in part 2 we will discuss up-scaling) and which I will use another external player for.  For instance, I will use PowerDVD to launch my 3D ISO instead of MPC-HC or XBMC’s internal player.

• DVD – This folder stores my video files ripped directly from DVD
• HD – This folder stores my video files ripped directly from Bluray
• 3D – ISO Images of my 3D movies
• Garbage – standard video files of various quality