We’ve written plenty recently about updates to the popular media center software Boxee, which has been in the news a lot this year. If you’ve researched Boxee, chances are you’ve also taken a look at another slick option for those craving media hubs, the open-source XBMC Media Center.

Check out XBMC’s web site for more specifics and screen shots of the software, which runs on Mac OS X, Linux, Microsoft Windows, original Xbox consoles and Apple TV devices.

The developers recently put forth the version 9.04 release, codename Babylon, of the product and it’s now available for download.

XBMC says you’ll get improved stability and performance, especially for the Windows and Mac operating systems, for robust playback of your networked media.

If you’re a Linux user, you’ll also get support for Nvidia’s PureVideoHD to access full high-def playback.

Other bumps include new plug-ins so you can access more online videos, more movie and music scrapers for greater variety, new karaoke features, audio decoder for Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD, support for 51 more video game audio formats, and more weather properties so you can quickly get the forecast.

Also, to make the experience even more personalized there are plenty of new skins and themes for your screens. Anyone using XBMC want to tell us how the new release is? Please do in comments below.

Arlen Schweiger - Editor of Electronic House Magazine

Arlen writes about home technology installations and product news and reviews for electronichouse.com and Electronic House magazine.