A quick note, I found the Photo app on Windows 8.1 can play videos better than the Video app itself. You may notice VLC for Windows 8 is another good one, but is unstable as it's still in development (Beta). I understand many won't use Store apps for media, but try and not bog down the thread with non-Store apps (ie. desktop programs). Thanks.
For those who DO to use Windows Store apps
See below for information about recent updates to the Xbox Music and Xbox Video apps.
http://support.xbox.com/en-GB/xbox-on-other-devices/windows/xbox-on-windows-release-details
Xbox Music on Store
http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/music/16db93bf-8748-449a-96ba-e9ed3a5f872d
Features
Xbox Video on Store
http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/video/64b22df1-5a9c-4c88-aa1f-42cefaf8b281
Features
For those who DO to use Windows Store apps
See below for information about recent updates to the Xbox Music and Xbox Video apps.
http://support.xbox.com/en-GB/xbox-on-other-devices/windows/xbox-on-windows-release-details
Xbox Music on Store
http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/music/16db93bf-8748-449a-96ba-e9ed3a5f872d
Xbox Music brings you all the music you love in one simple app. Play and manage music from your personal collection and browse and buy songs from Xbox Music. Instantly stream millions of songs free on your Windows 8/Windows RT device. Or get an Xbox Music Pass for unlimited access to music across all your devices. Limits on free streaming apply. To see which features are available in your region, go to the Xbox Music feature list at http://support.xbox.com/apps/windows-8/xbox-on-windows-features.
Features
- Manage your personal music collection
- Create and edit playlists of your favorite songs
- Import your playlists from iTunes
- Listen for free! Stream millions of songs from Xbox Music on your Windows 8/Windows RT device
- Play your music on any Windows 8/Windows RT device you sign into
- Get an Xbox Music Pass for ad-free streaming and downloading on multiple devices
- Buy songs and albums to add to your personal collection
- Radio instantly creates playlists based on your favorite artists
- See artist details with pictures, bios, album lists, and related artists
- Improved browsing: zoom out and zoom in with fingers or mouse to find music in your collection
Xbox Video on Store
http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/video/64b22df1-5a9c-4c88-aa1f-42cefaf8b281
Xbox Video brings you the latest HD movies and TV shows on your Windows 8/Windows RT device and makes it easy to watch what you love wherever you are. Rent and buy new blockbuster movies and favorite classics, or catch up on last night's episodes of the hottest TV shows. Xbox Video also brings you instant-on HD to get you watching right away. Plus, explore your video collection and play your own videos. To see which features are available in your region, go to the Xbox Video feature list at http://support.xbox.com/apps/windows-8/xbox-on-windows-features.
All titles shown available now on Xbox Video in the US & CA. These titles are not available in all countries.
All titles shown available now on Xbox Video in the US & CA. These titles are not available in all countries.
Features
- Enjoy your video collection
- Rent and buy the newest movies on your Windows 8/Windows RT device
- Get the latest TV shows the day after they air
- Watch instantly in HD
- Use customer and critic ratings when choosing programs
- With purchase, watch anytime on your Xbox 360 and Windows 8/Windows RT device
- Find what you're looking for quickly and easily
- Get detailed descriptions of your favorite movies and TV shows
- Closed Captioning available for most movies and TV shows
- Shift your viewing from PC to Xbox 360 with the touch of a button
