mbryanr

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    So you have a Media Server...now what? (Front-end)

    in unRAID Server 4.5 [No new topics]

    Posted

    ^^ Any reason why you  wouldnt consider XBMC on a Revo?

     

    To be honest, when I first considered a media player - the WDTV Live was one of the most common.  I thought it is just a little over $100-why not?  Normally I spend a lot more time researching options.  I went down the modified wdtv b-rad firmware route, which provides a lot of functionality enhancements.  Still not ideal.  Ultimately, I just wanted something that would allow me to play all of my media files over the network.

     

    XBMC is awesome and the interface is one of the best I have seen.  I don't know if playback of 1:1 BD rips is there yet based on the avsforum thread.  Ultimately, I really didn't want to have to "tinker" with the media server to get a nice interface and good playback. 

     

    What would be the reasons to choose the XMBC/Revo combo over <enter any player>?

    I'm interested in the best solution, and my priority would be:

    1.  Excellent playback of all files over the network (I use mkv files)

    2.  Nice interface (XBMC style)

     

    I am close with the WDTV Live on #1.  And have given up on #2, which is why I'm looking for options.

    So you have a Media Server...now what? (Front-end)

    in unRAID Server 4.5 [No new topics]

    Posted

    I have the WDTV Live. It has had some limitations with high bitrate blu-ray files, and not a very pretty interface. Custom firmware helps that significantly, but ultimately I just want to be able to watch the movie and went back to the official firmware. The beta firmware has improved the playback of high bitrate files. 

     

    Looking to go with one of the new Dune HD Smart players. http://dune-hd.com/index.php?do=players

    video_ts or MKV

    in Lounge

    Posted

     

    I was using the High Profile options which was taking a looong time. This is how I did it:

     

    I was ripping my discs with AnyDVD (in a VMWare WinXP box) into an ISO file. This took approx. 30min per disc. Then I picked the respective ISO files and loaded them into the Handbrake queue (each transcoding took between 2-3h). That's pretty much it.

     

    I ripped off all the stuff but the movie itself plus the German and the English language track (including AAC and AC3 Pass-Through) and have now 2GB-4GB files and don't see any difference to the DVD. Maybe to MKV is even better.

     

    But let me ask the audience here about the MakeMKV.  Can I use the same way as described above using this application instead of AnyDVD? And I guess I need my VMWare with XP as well as MacOS X isn't supporting Blue-Ray?

    Short answer - yes.

     

    Here is my process (XP)

    Insert disc

    Run MakeMkv

    select the appropriate audio and video tracks

    Save to server.

     

    This leaves me with the "movie only" and the selected subtitles and audio tracks.  I do not want or need the extras or menus.

    The subtitles are included in the mkv container.

     

    I don't use Handbrake to compress the file. (Storage is cheap right? ;D )

     

    I don't believe you need the VMWare, as makemkv has a OSX version, but requires a drive that can write media.

    http://www.makemkv.com/osxmmc/

    http://www.makemkv.com/forum2/viewforum.php?f=4

     

    You can also create a decrypted iso image of the disc if you want a complete decrypted backup.

    http://www.makemkv.com/faq/item/4

     

    @squirellydw - The resulting mkv file will not include menus.  Some media players support full menus if using the video_ts file structure.

     

     

     

    video_ts or MKV

    in Lounge

    Posted

    I use makemkv for my ripping.  I just want the core video and audio files.  One advantage for ISO is full menu (if your media player supports it) and extras.

     

    Makemkv does not compress the resulting files. I use Handbrake if I require encoding.