[mca]

I got to thinking about this last night, I have all my CD's ripped and play them back via my Modwright Transporter. Is there to do this with my DVD collection as well? I have an XBOX 360 and have read that it can be done through that, but have no idea how.

Anyone do this? What is the best way? Any good tutorials out there?

[acresm22]

There are lots of devices that allow you to stream movies and/or access movies on your HD for viewing on your HD TV. Some of these are the Western Digital WD Live (which I just noticed is now available at Costco for $105), the Netgear Digital Entertainer, and others by Seagate, Popcorn Hour, etc.
I've not used any of them so can't tell you which is best, but there are tons of online reviews. The WD Live seems pretty highly regarded. The Popcorn Hour does more and is higher priced.
There's also products and free software by Boxee that is supposed to be a very good interface for accessing stored/online video for viewing on your TV.

[eclein]

I got to thinking about this last night, I have all my CD's ripped and play them back via my Modwright Transporter. Is there to do this with my DVD collection as well? I have an XBOX 360 and have read that it can be done through that, but have no idea how.

Anyone do this? What is the best way? Any good tutorials out there?

If you have a Windows PC with Media Center and an Xbox360 your all set. There is a setup menu on the 360 I think-"Add a Media Extender" or something like that. I'll try an dig up some links for you, but if you run a version of windows that has "Media Center" you can easily set it up. I'm sure Microsoft has info on their website.
Here is a link that maybe helps ya:
http://support.xbox.com/support/en/us/nxe/xboxlive/troubleshooting/NetworkHelp_mcxpc.aspx

[mca]

If you have a Windows PC with Media Center and an Xbox360 your all set.

I run XP, so I don't have Media Center, but if this proves to be the best option, it maybe worth the upgrade to Windows 7...

[GHM]

The easiest way I've found to rip is using MakeMKV, its more less load the disc and tell it where you want the converted file. You can use Media Player Classic Home cinema to playback your movies.

Yes Windows 7 with the Media center would be my choice. You can use Media Browser to categorize and get poster art work along with the synopsis of the movies.

I have so many ripped that this was my only option. There was no way I could keep up with 700 plus videos without it.

I set one of my PCs up as a server and stream to the other 5 PCs in the home.

[mca]

So I have been reading about using TVersity with my XBox 360. I have it setup and have tested it with a couple of YouTube files and it seems to work fine.

Now I still need to find a program to to rip my DVD to my hard drive and convert it to a proper format that TVersity can play. I tried using DVD Shrink, but when I try to access the file on TVersity, it shows me a bunch of multiple files for one movie so it can't be played.

I just re read through these posts and guess I will try MakeMKV next and see what it does. 

[skunark]

Handbrake is an opensource solution that allows you to rip dvds.  Nice thing about it is that you can customize the rip based on the target player to maximize playback.  Also they have a wiki and forums to discuss issues with DVDs, drives and OSes..

[John Casler]

I got to thinking about this last night, I have all my CD's ripped and play them back via my Modwright Transporter. Is there to do this with my DVD collection as well? I have an XBOX 360 and have read that it can be done through that, but have no idea how.

Anyone do this? What is the best way? Any good tutorials out there?

One of my distributors recently started carrying these these Bluray Movie Servers




Looked like a nice (if slightly expensive) one box solution.

[Bob in St. Louis]

I thought BR didn't have any approved technology regarding rip/servers?

I looked for the price but couldn't find it. How much are they.

Also, I may suck at math, but how's this add up:

•1.5TB storage capacity
•225 DVD storage 
•Can store thousand of movies

What's uncompressed BR capacity?

[John Casler]

I thought BR didn't have any approved technology regarding rip/servers?

I looked for the price but couldn't find it. How much are they.

Also, I may suck at math, but how's this add up:

•1.5TB storage capacity
•225 DVD storage 
•Can store thousand of movies

What's uncompressed BR capacity?

Hi Bob,

They are through one of my distributors so I just heard about them a couple weeks ago and have not seen one in action.

They are not cheap, and I gather some of the cost is to pay for the licensing of the technology to offer legal copying of the software.  They make a big deal about being "legal".

I have no more info than what is on the linked sight.

The "retail" pricing is:

DVD Studio Movie Server version = $3495

Bluray Studio Movie Server version = $4895

I think the 225 DVD storage relates to the "stand alone" unit with 1.5T.

I believe the "thousands" claim is based on the ability to add additional storage means.

They mention several times that a BR might take 40gigs so if one plans to copy BR's it would most certainly require "added drive capacity".

You might find the manual below helpful as far as details and operation.

manual

and

user info

This all that is disclosed on the Distributors page:

Overview
1.5TB storage capacity, stores and plays DVD's and Blu-ray discs (no music), connect up to three Studios together for additional storage, unlimited storage potential by adding external storage devices, stores Blu-ray discs by importing from a PC, plays Blu-ray discs in the drive, automatic meta data, uses a licensed CSS decoder, requires no illegal ripping software to work, 720p, 1080i and 1080p resolutions supported, Internet connectivity required for DVD meta data and cover art, HDMI (video only) connection, digital coax, optical and stereo analog connections for audio, RJ-45, remote control, 4"H x 14.5"W x 15.75"D, 16.5 lbs., black

[Bob in St. Louis]

Thank you very much for the information John.
Looks interesting.

Bob

[skunark]

How does the copy-protection work with the blu-ray server?   

[John Casler]

Thank you very much for the information John.
Looks interesting.

Bob

No Problem.

While I like the idea of "MUSIC Servers" I am less enthralled with Video servers.

Nice . . .Yes, but with all the new developments in "online PPV" video options like VUDU and a couple others, I don't know if it makes sense to invest in all the drives/memory to have your video "on site".

Seems far more simple and less expensive to simply download a movie and pay per use.

That said, I can get you one of these at a great price. . .

[John Casler]

How does the copy-protection work with the blu-ray server?   

If you're asking me, that is technolgy above my pay grade.

But, I gather the manufacturer has a special licensing agreement with the studios that causes them to "prepay" royalties to the studios in turn for a software that allows the system to work.

[skunark]

Strangely I do understand how the HDCP works, just curious if they are using a hacked drive (hopefully they aren't) or actually got permission to "time-shift" blu-rays.   Perhaps the industry has lightened up on this or I just missed a few press releases on this.. 

I know my interest for blu-ray has decreased since hi-def (cough 720p) VOD is easily available.   I still go for blu-ray on action flicks but for comedies VOD is just fine for me.

Products like these though would make me consider netflix again for some reason.