Confused over software choices

[teamfour]

I am building an HTPC to rip and watch DVDs from the HD. That is all I want to do.

I am a little confused over what software is required. Do I really need MCE as the OS?

I wanted to use a program like xlobby or DVDlobby coupled with Theatertek. So is MCE required? Can i run these apps just from XP Home or Pro?

My mobo has the 6150 chipset on it and I plan on using the onboard graphics initially to feed a MITS DLP with HDMI in.

Sorry for the noob-type question.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: teamfour
I am building an HTPC to rip and watch DVDs from the HD. That is all I want to do.

I am a little confused over what software is required. Do I really need MCE as the OS?

I wanted to use a program like xlobby or DVDlobby coupled with Theatertek. So is MCE required? Can i run these apps just from XP Home or Pro?

My mobo has the 6150 chipset on it and I plan on using the onboard graphics initially to feed a MITS DLP with HDMI in.

Sorry for the noob-type question.

I can and occasionally do just that with my Windows 2000 machine using Smartripper 2.41, which is free. I watch using the PowerDVD 3.0 full version that came with my Hercules GTXP soundcard. I suppose Theatertek would be a step up from that. My version of PowerDVD is at least 5 years old, I think. I don't think you need any kind of special OS for this (i.e. MCE, etc.).

I can watch either on my LCD or with my 720p native resolution front projector (Sanyo PLV-Z2), using the DVI out from my MyHD 120 HDTV's daughterboard. Of course, besides watching DVD's (which I usually drive from a standalone DVD player, BTW, not the PC), I can see HDTV (or digital or analog TV) using my PC and either the LCD or the Sanyo projector.