January 16, 201313 yr Hi all. Looking to get my DVDs on file and starting playing them from the network. Currently I don't really know what is a good way to set it all up. Today I have my server (soon running 5.0 final, I hope), my mac Mini that I plan to use for ripping, a windows laptop in case it's needed and my trusty old Panasonic 42"Plasma. Also an x360. I haven't invested in BD's, since the tv only does 720. I have ripped a few of my DVDs already, for vacation use. I used Handbrake for ripping to h.264 and later found MetaX for labeling it. My question is twofold; 1. What would be a good way to rip the DVDs. Storage space is not a problem, I got plenty. Suggestions for a good workflow, anyone? I am not in a hurry, and do not plan to invest in a multi-drive ripping rig. I could spend a few bucks on useful software, though. 2. How do I play them? Software for my Tower, and a hardware player at my TV? I also have a couple of laptops and ipads that would be nice to use once in a while. And music? I got a load, but still no networked players. I would love a partitioned system, so my daughter could be let loose with the remote without finding dad's Punishers, Rambos and other stuff. Today I mostly use VLC and navigation to the SMB shares to access my media from desktop and laptops. Most of the DVDs are movies, some are kids cartoon series, nearly none are TV-series. My music is mostly MP3s with some others thrown in for good measure. So, anyone have suggestions?
January 16, 201313 yr I am not sure if you want to use a HTPC or a dedicated media player? X360 that's a good game console. About ripping movies, I usually use MakeMKV for DVD's, and use ClownBD + AnyDVD Hd (encryption removal) for BD rips. I've got all my rips in my unRaid server. You can make two separate folders for kids movies and adult movies and set password protection.
January 16, 201313 yr If space isn't an issue just rip them as iso's. It'll be quicker than reencoding the video like you are doing now and you'll be able to retain all the extras from the DVDs.
January 17, 201313 yr options depend on your OS. Using Windows, for DVDs, I use DVDFab. I rip to DVD File structure (VIDEO_TS dir - esp if you want the menus and such). Depending on the quality I want (action movie vs drama/comedy/wife's movie) I will leave in that file structure or use Handbrake to compress to mkv. MakeMkv is nice for Blu rays as the file structure is much less friendly. Remember encoding to a compressed version sacrifices quality for space and the faster the processor, the faster the compression (you may not see the compression now but I don't want to re-rip things in the future). Here is a good write up of your popular options: http://lifehacker.com/380702/five-best-dvd-ripping-tools The main problem I have with mkv is that they don't easily play on the ipad. You have to get an alternate player or convert them to an Apple friendly format either on the fly (Air Video) or locally (depending on how you plan on using it). I think many of people have changed over to the mp4 for this reason. For playing, XBMC all the way. Raspberry Pi is nice but hard to beat a small form factor i3 for a pretty interface
January 17, 201313 yr You mention a Mac Mini and iPads. iTunes with home sharing works great with iPads. Get an Apple TV for $100 as long as your TV has HDMI and you are set for movies, including Blu Rays in the future. An Airport Express makes a great music point plugged into powered speakers. I rip DVD and Blu Ray with an ancient polycarb MacBook and then run them through Handbrake to convert to aTV 3 specs. Stored on the unraid server and run iTunes on another Mac. The aTV is the easiest way to watch the movies I've found, even my girlfriend can work it no problems. It is not perfect, but works very well.
January 23, 201313 yr I just got done with my 9 month project of ripping all my DVDs and ran into the same issue. I settled on using a Pivos Aios because it will play DVD and BD movies (over the network and will pass through HD audio. Was only ~70 with rebate, as I recall. The standard interface is pretty horrid, but I'll live with it over going with one of the much more expensive or less capable solutions. One day maybe I'll figure out how to get the media jukebox thing set up so everything looks pretty. Used DVDFab to rip to folders and handbrake to MP4 for iPhone as needed, etc.
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