A PC Just For DVDs

[Poda]

I was thinking I would like a dvd changer, say 100 discs, but I keep reading about limitations of them. So, my second idea is to just use a pc and do video/sound out to my tv. I was thinking then I just put dvds on the hard drive. However, I am wondering is there anything I can use to then easily select these from a remote control? I saw the XP Media Center, but I'm not quite sure how it would work for dvds on the hard drive. Could I leave the dvds as iso files on the hard drive and play them directly with some software via XP Media Center?

 

[corkyg]

ISO files don't play. About all you can do is copy the DVDs onto the HDD using Decrypter or Shrink. You can then play them with DVD playing software.
There are some decent changers out there, but they are pretty $$$$.

 

[mshan]

http://www.theatertek.com!

Not cheap, but it's got a very user friendly interface and can remember video adjustments per ripped dvd.

MSRP is $69.95, but it has been on sale (I think $20 or $30 off) during recent holidays. You are allowed to install it on more than one of your household's computers, but you're only supposed to use one copy at one particular time.

Includes Nvidia decoders, which are currently supposed to be the best (I'm getting beautiful picture quality with an XFX 7600GS passively cooled dual dvi card into a 37 inch Westy LCD).

 

[T9D]

This is an awesome remote and software: http://www.snapstream.com/products/firefly/

 

[GZeus]

Originally posted by: mshan
http://www.theatertek.com!

Not cheap, but it's got a very user friendly interface and can remember video adjustments per ripped dvd.

MSRP is $69.95, but it has been on sale (I think $20 or $30 off) during recent holidays. You are allowed to install it on more than one of your household's computers, but you're only supposed to use one copy at one particular time.

Includes Nvidia decoders, which are currently supposed to be the best (I'm getting beautiful picture quality with an XFX 7600GS passively cooled dual dvi card into a 37 inch Westy LCD).

Hmmm... looks interesting. Any experience (free trial?) with the advanced audio feature?

 

[ethebubbeth]

Originally posted by: mshan
http://www.theatertek.com!
Includes Nvidia decoders, which are currently supposed to be the best (I'm getting beautiful picture quality with an XFX 7600GS passively cooled dual dvi card into a 37 inch Westy LCD).

If you are using an HD display, I would highly recommend using FFDSHOW to scale your video instead of the Nvidia MPEG Decoder.

Theater Tek is nice since it allows you to use either decoder.

AVS FFDShow setup guide

 

[ethebubbeth]

Originally posted by: GZeus
Hmmm... looks interesting. Any experience (free trial?) with the advanced audio feature?

If you are outputting through either an optical or coaxial connection to your receiver, the advanced audio feature is relatively useless (your receiver should have almost all of its features).

If you are outputting by way of analog connections, it can be extremely useful.

 

[Rubycon]

Text

 

[Penth]

There's a program for Windows MCE called MyMovies. You rip your movies to ISO format and run a program that catalogs them. It shows the covers and you choose them and it mounts them in daemon tools and plays them. It's sweet.

 

[GZeus]

'ethebubbeth' - Thanks for the response and the link. Free is good and SourceForge is a great resource.

I am about to build a HTPC using these components - some gutted from my gaming rig which is getting a re-do of its own, some acquired over the last year:

- AMD 64X2 4400+
- passively cooled XFX 7600GS (same? sweet deal, AR, from Buy.com)
- AuzenTech Xplosion 7.1 PCI Sound Card (with optical out)
- 2 Hauppauge Tuners (PVR150 + HVR1600)
- XP Pro SP2
- 76GB Raptor + 500GB WD
- other odds and ends I've forgotten since I'm not at home today

The playback end is a 37" Mits 1080p, a Pioneer VSK-816 and Polk speakers in 7.1.

I've built a few PCs but never a dedicated HTPC. Any tips for the HTPC 'newbie'? Most likely mistake?

Also, what are you using to backup your DVDs? I have AnyDVD and like it for what I'm using it for now but I wonder if I will need to change when playing rips on a full size HDTV. Are you using Shrink or Decrypter?

Thanks again.

PS - Sorry if this feels like a hijacking OP! Hopefully your getting something out of this exchange.

EDIT: ARRRGGG!! Great more stuff to read.....JK.....Thanks 'Penth' for the heads up on MyMovies. It does look pretty sweet.

With the whole HTPC thing, it seems the more research I do, the less I know. This is gonna take a while.

 

[trOver]

umm.... ISO files DO PLAY!!!! i play them all the time!!! just use VLC MEDIA PlayER!!!

 

[BladeVenom]

Running ISO files is no problem. Even if it was for whatever video player you prefer, they can be mounted in virtual drives then it's certain to play them.

 

[ShawnD1]

Originally posted by: Poda
I was thinking I would like a dvd changer, say 100 discs, but I keep reading about limitations of them. So, my second idea is to just use a pc and do video/sound out to my tv. I was thinking then I just put dvds on the hard drive. However, I am wondering is there anything I can use to then easily select these from a remote control? I saw the XP Media Center, but I'm not quite sure how it would work for dvds on the hard drive. Could I leave the dvds as iso files on the hard drive and play them directly with some software via XP Media Center?

I think DVDs are copy protected, so ISO probably will not work. Alcohol 120's MDF images may work, maybe. I'll go test it and report back

 

[Poda]

Originally posted by: tk109
This is an awesome remote and software: http://www.snapstream.com/products/firefly/

Nice. I ended up going with this.