OverDrive Media Console and Windows 8

The first thing you need to know is that Windows 8 comes in two basic
flavors. There’s Windows 8, which can run legacy desktop apps, and
Windows RT, which cannot.

Why is this important? If you’re
running Windows 8, then you can install OverDrive Media Console (OMC) for Windows 8 as well as the classic desktop version of OMC.

OMC for Windows 8 utilizes Microsoft’s new Modern UI (User Interface). With it, you get live tiles and refreshed graphics for EPUB eBooks and MP3 audiobooks. In this “app” you can read the books or listen to them directly on the computer. OMC for Windows 8
does not, however, support WMV or WMA titles. This version can be used
with both Windows 8 and Windows RT.

If you want WMV (video) or WMA (audiobooks and music) support on your Windows 8 machine, then you will need to use the classic desktop version of OMC. This version can only be used with Windows 8 because it requires ‘Desktop mode.’

You can even install both versions of OMC if you’re using Windows 8 (not RT). That way you can read eBooks and enjoy the refreshed user interface on the Windows 8 version, while using the classic version to listen to or watch WMA or WMV files.

Is OMC Windows 8 for me? 

If you just want to read or listen to books on your Windows 8 computer only, then we recommend you use the OMC Window 8 “app”.

If you have a Windows 8 computer but read eBooks on an eReader, then you need to continue to use Adobe Digital Editions for eBooks if you have to connect your eReader to the computer to transfer them. For eAudio Books that you transfer to an iPod, iTouch or MP3 then you need the “classic” OMC.

If you want to install OverDrive Media Console for Windows 8, I recommend you download and read OverDrive Media Console and Windows 8. If you have any questions please contact us at ask@lvccld.org or Monday-Friday 8:30am – 5pm call 702.507.6300.