Windows Home Server to stream video to TV

[rockyct]

I'm not sure if this is the perfect place for this thread but it doesn't seem like it belongs in the OS or software forums.

I'm planning on setting up a WHS box at my parents house mainly for automated backups but I'd also like to setup the box for them so that it can stream ripped DVDs to the tv downstairs. The TV is high def, but they bought in 2000 so there is no HDMI input and the component inputs are already taken by the DVR and the DVD player. They are happy with the TV so the monster (it's a 36" CRT) stays until it dies.

Anyway, there are a couple main questions I have on how to do this:

1) What are the simple units out there that can play network media from WHS on a tv? They don't need an xbox 360 (unless it's the cheapest) and I think the popcorn hour box is a little much because they don't need attached storage to the device. I'm assuming a wifi n network can stream DVD quality files.

2) Is there a simple program out there than can rip the DVD to the WHS box? Ideally, I'd like for them to be able to add DVDs to the WHS box on their own.

 

[erwos]

1) Pretty much anything that can read a Samba share.

2) DVDDecrypter, AnyDVD, etc. Rather unlikely that it'll be a parent-friendly process, though.

 

[mc866]

I'm streaming my collection from my WHS box, it works great. Search in this category for suggestions on cheap streaming devices. As for the converting the DVD, give a search over in software for windows, there are many ways to convert to a file that can stream, it seems everyone has their own preference.

Personally I use AnyDVD + Fairuse Wizard to convert my dvd's to an .avi file using the Divx/Ac3 codecs, that way my 360 can play them back. If you don't have a 360 to worry about and you have a good amount of storage space you could even rip them to Vob or ISO and not have to worry about encoding them.

Some good software to check out if you want to encode to a different format are Fairuse Wizard, DvdFab, handbrake, there are others out there but those are one's I've had good luck with.

 

[rockyct]

Thanks to both of you. I do use a couple of those programs currently for myself to rip DVDs but I doubt they could handle that. I'll keep looking some more or else I'll just have to face it that I'll probably be the only one ripping dvds for them.

 

[tw1164]

Look into Mymovies w/ AnyDVD, you can use an addon for WHS and it's pretty automated.