Once I get unraid up and working, next will be to backup my dvd movie collection to it.

 

What is the best way to do this?  I would like to access the movies through the MyMovies add-on to WinXP MCE

 

What format should I keep them in?  I don't need the menus or the extras, I just want the movies in a full non-compressed format.

What software do I need to do this?

 

Thanks for all your help.

I use DVD-FAB, rip them to directories, not ISO rips so I don't have to mount an image. You can rip just the movie very easily this way, and it's uncompressed (if you set the destination type to dvd-9 I think it is. THe directory structure is movie title/video_ts. Under the video_ts folder are the ifo, ts, vob, etc necessary to play the video. MyMovies in Windows MCE has no problem with this. I stream to my laptop this way.

Rip with DVDShrink, and don't split files... just let it make one 4GB VOB file.  If DVDShrink chokes, use DVDFbDecryptor in ISO mode, then drop the ISO file on DVDShrink.

 

"Uncompressed" is a relative term.  The DVD itself is MPG2 which is compressed.  You ought to at lease TRY AutoGordianKnot and convert a couple to Xvid.  If you set it to 75% quality, you'll usually get an MPG4 ,avi file 1/4 the size of the original, and you'll be hard pressed to see much difference in MOST movies.  Works particularly well for chick-flicks... LOTR, you can leave in the original VOB format.

 

The advantage of one large VOB is that the whole movie is in one file, not a directory of files.

I use DVD shrink set to not compress and I use it in reauthor mode which eliminates menus and allows you to rip the movie only.  Through DVD Shrink I can also remove unwanted audio and subtitles (although they don't usually take up much space).  I rip the movie as multiple files just like they are on the DVD instead of making them into an iso file or a single VOB.  The reason is that many software players or streamers can't play an iso without some other software running in the background to make it work, and a single VOB no longer conforms to the DVD speccified file structured and can't be burned to a DVD and played in a regular standalone player.  I rarely ever burn any of my movies, but it's nice knowing they can be if I choose to.

 

This setup gives me the exact same quality as the original DVD while conserving as much space as possible.  I have over 500 DVD's and they average 4.5-5GB after ripping them this way.  One note:  DVD Shrink is free, but no longer in development whch isn't a problem except that it can't break some of the newer/tougher copy protection (mostly Sony DVD's).  For those, I highly recommend you also buy AnyDVD.  It has a 21-day free trial and it works on every DVD I've thrown at it.  Last I kneow you pretty much needed it for the tough titles with any other ripping software too.

 

By the way, what will you be using to play these through?

a single VOB no longer conforms to the DVD speccified file structured and can't be burned to a DVD and played in a regular standalone player.  I rarely ever burn any of my movies, but it's nice knowing they can be if I choose to.

 

Au contrair, all you have to do is drop the single large VOB into DVDShrink, set it to split files, and set the destination to a local temporary location, and voilla, you get the files ready to burn in a conventional DVD structure.  Absolutely no loss in quality.

a single VOB no longer conforms to the DVD speccified file structured and can't be burned to a DVD and played in a regular standalone player.  I rarely ever burn any of my movies, but it's nice knowing they can be if I choose to.

 

Au contrair, all you have to do is drop the single large VOB into DVDShrink, set it to split files, and set the destination to a local temporary location, and voilla, you get the files ready to burn in a conventional DVD structure.  Absolutely no loss in quality.

 

Sorry, I meant to say they can't be burned as is and played on a regular player.  Similarly, an iso file can be extracted and burnt and be playable in a regular player, but both require an extra process to do so and their only benefit is condensing the DVD to a single file.  That could be a benefit if you're using some of the set top streamers on the market, but any good GUI will render that moot as you won't be navigating files to play a movie.  You will simply select a DVD cover to play the movie.  It's all a matter of personal taste since there a few options.

Thanks for all the great responses.

 

I have used DVD Fab in the past, it keeps the file structure, and I do just the movie in DVD9 so it is full quality.

 

Good to know about AnyDVD for the tougher to break movies, I have come across a few of those so I will get AnyDVD for those.

 

I will be using MyMovies add-on for Windows Media Center edition of WinXP for playback, so file structure doesn't matter to me, I just play the movies by clicking on the movie cover.

 

I have never tried DVDShrink, sounds like a great way to take the movies from the VOB files I have ripped and put them back onto a 4.7gig DVD if I need to.

I use several tools in combination to end up with a single ISO image that contains only the movie, the AC3 sound-track, and occasionally, the director's commentary track.  I never have to deal with menus when watching a movie on the server.  As others have stated, each movie takes between 4.5 and 7 Gig.  I do not further compress images to save space. The additional compression would be very visible on my 110" screen. 

 

My network media players can play an ISO image, so can my PCs with the aid of daemon tools.  Each ISO file is named for the movie it contains to make it easy to browse the listing of available movies.

 

I have all the original DVDs in their cases in my theater, I usually play the DVD itself in my HTPC when watching the movie the first time in my theater and then put an ISO image on my network server for later viewing on the other TVs/displays/media players in the house.

 

My wife loves being able to click on a movie and have it play... 

 

Joe L.

110" screen?!?! I'm jealous hehehe

 

What projector are you using (sorry to hijack!)

I assume you are using a projector for a 110" screen?  I am running an Optima HD70 at 100", it is so sweet to watch movies on.  Best thing I ever bought for $1000.  Made a sweet screen for $100, and done deal. 

 

 

Which tools do you use exactly?

 

What is the advantage for you to have a single ISO image?  Why not just use 1 tool and keep the file structure as-is?

 

What do you use for network media players?

Which tools do you use exactly?

 

What is the advantage for you to have a single ISO image?   Why not just use 1 tool and keep the file structure as-is?

 

Daemon tools is a piece of software that "mounts" the iso file so your pc thinks it's an actual DVD in a DVD-ROM drive.  Without it a lot of pc software DVD players can't play iso files.  The only real advantage of iso files is that the whole movie is a single file.  If you don't need that, it's no benefit.  Single file structure is a benefit if your software only allows for a Windows Explorer-like interface.  In that type of interface it allows you to simply click on a movie name to play it instead of having to navigate into subdirectories and then finding the VIDEO_TS.ifo to play the movie.

 

 

Tools ... most, if not all, are no longer being developed.

DVDDecrypter, DVDShrink, RipIt4Me

 

The theater has...

Barco 1208 CRT Projector fed by an HTPC at 720p or HD Cable-Box/DVR, also at 720p

110" VuTech DaLight screen  (purchased screen material through AVS, built my  own screen frame)

Audax Signature Series Speakers (DIY - drivers and crossover parts purchased from madisound/parts-express) 

Harmon Kardon 7200 RX. 7 channels, approx 115 watts per channel 

A pair of  18" Ascendant Audio Avalanche drivers, each in their own sealed 12.5 cubic foot enclosure, powered by an Beringher EP2500 power amp. Roughly 750 watts per sub. Together, the two subs have a linear displacement of about 13 Liters of air. They are equalized flat down to below 10Hz.  They easily pressurize the room.

 

On the PCs I use daemon tools to mount and play the ISO images.

I have two Mediagate MG-35 media players for use in the den and bedroom, these have a file-explorer style interface that allows browsing of network shares or their internal hard-disks.  They can play ISO images as well as many other file formats. Both are set up for 720p output to their respective HDTVs.

 

ISO Images are easier for my wife, as you do not have to navigate into the subdirectory and select the VIDEO_TS.IFO file to play a movie. Too easy to accidentally click on a VOB in the same folder. (They play, but not always in the order desired)

 

The single ISO still allows for chapter navigation, about all that's missing are the FBI Warnings, forced trailers, bonus features, and menus.

 

Joe L.

 

 

Have you tried XP MCE with the MyMovies add-on?  If you could install it on each Mediagate MG-35, then you would not have to navigate folders, because it is a sweet GUI.

 

I believe Vista has MCE built in as well.  I bought the cheap $30 remote control for MCE and it couldn't be easier for the wife to operate now.

 

I built my screen as well, but I used blackout cloth instead of actual screen material.  Building your own screen is better than retail because you can put in a black velvet border to eat up any spilled light, makes is super clean.

 

So if the tools are no longer in development, that is not good, surely someone must still be working at breaking the future protection that discs will have?

Have you tried XP MCE with the MyMovies add-on?

No, I am running XP MCE on a newer PC I intend to use in my theater, so I might check out the MyMovies add-on once it is place.    Current HTPC is using Zoom-player and girder to automate the room lighting, slowly dimming when play is pressed, slowly lighting when pause, or  stop, or on a DVD menu.  I've not gotten the newer HTPC configured to that point First I want to put it in a quieter case.

  If you could install it on each Mediagate MG-35, then you would not have to navigate folders, because it is a sweet GUI.

MG-35  is not windows based, it is Linux based.  Unfortunately, AlTech (its manufacturer) has not released GPL source as it is supposed to. Therefore, it is much harder to change its user interface.  On the other hand, the MG-35 is about the same size as an external hard-disk enclosure, has no fan to make noise, and up-converts  the movies to 720p with ease.  It is far better for use in my bedroom and den where I would not have room for a PC based solution.  In reality, the single directory-style listing of the folder is very easy to scroll through, even though I have over 200 movies online.

I built my screen as well, but I used blackout cloth instead of actual screen material.  Building your own screen is better than retail because you can put in a black velvet border to eat up any spilled light, makes is super clean.

My screen wall is covered with very dark brown velour.  The screen itself is several inches in front of the wall and borderless.  Light spill is not visible. (When I was having my projector professionally set up, the calibrator had to use his flashlight to see where the screen ended when he was setting up the blanking.)

You can see the screen here... notice how no light from the flash reflects from the screen wall.

http://tinypic.com/j5gpc9.jpg

You can see the screen and subwoofers in their construction phase here:

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/showpost.php?p=2737960&postcount=91

So if the tools are no longer in development, that is not good, surely someone must still be working at breaking the future protection that discs will have?

I'm sure they are.. If you want to follow the development of various tools used to manage/convert/edit media, go to doom9.org

 

To bring this back on topic... I DVDShrink to delete the DTS tracks on the ISO images I create as the network players don't use it.  (I can play the original DVD in the theater if it am viewing it there and want to use the DTS track) I use DVDDecrypter to rip to a file-structure, giving it a list of "sectors" to ignore on those disks where the structure is defective. I then use DVDShrink in re-author mode to delete the subtitles, foreign language tracks, and extra leaving only the main movie when I create the ISO.

 

Joe L.

Wow...always amazed at the myriad ways people set-up up their systems and the different tools they use - and their personal views on how a system should be set-up.  For me, a lot of it depends on personal taste.  I'm usually amazed at how many people convert/re-encode to other formats - or even copy out to disc.  For me, everything is HDD-based - never ever think of writing out to disc.

 

I've only recently got into the media server field.  Using an unRAID set-up accessed via XMBC (Xbox media center using the original Xbox).  For the $'s I don't think it can be beat - although it doesn't do TV recording or High-bit rate HD.  I do believe some have it working successfully at 720p.  Currently. that doesn't concern me because we don't have HiDef in NZ - not even sure what year it's coming - or even if I want it (guaranteed it'll cost more money).  Also, the MySky (think Tivo) box does everything I want with TV - day in and day out easily and simply without constant tweaking.  I do believe XBMC can access the "ReplayTV" device as well.

 

XBMC has a great interface (accessing Video (DVD based TV and Movies)Music, Xbox Games, Photos, Weather, Internet (with D/L scripts like Apple Trailers).  The product is mature and actively being developed and is free.  It has a wide range of Skins that can be fully customised - unlike a lot of commercial products.  All the info in contains is stored in an editable Db that gives you search capabilities (for movies and cast) and filtering.  One of the greatest things is that it'll play virtually any file format thrown at it.  I think total cost was $200NZ (fully modded). It is fast to boot (less than 10 secs), is quiet and does have remote control.  As you can probably tell, I'm quite rapt! 

 

Personally, I saw it as a cost-effective interface solution for a media server.  My wife and I both love it.   

 

As for set-up, I chose to rip using AnyDVD and DVD Shrink to file mode (IFO/VOBs)  For the TV side (based on ripped DVD episodes or D/L'd files) I used ISO files for a single TV episode.  The TV side really gets me excited - each show accessed via a wide on screen icon - then individual episode pics and blurb -all added via the internet.

 

I'm still in the process of setting it all up.  The more time I spend with it, the more I see the possiblites and the tweaks (when I get time) I can make.  Coupled with unRAID what more can I say! 

I have heard of people using x-boxes as media players, could be worth me checking out, original x-boxes can be found for cheap.

 

I know they can act as media extension players for windows media center, if I could get them to run MyMovies add-in that would be sweet.  Although it sounds like there is a very similar product already available.

 

Food for thought for sure, thanks!

 

I just purchased my mobo and other hardware today, just plugged in the USB and booted, now off to see if it all works!

I have heard of people using x-boxes as media players, could be worth me checking out, original x-boxes can be found for cheap.

 

I know they can act as media extension players for windows media center, if I could get them to run MyMovies add-in that would be sweet.  Although it sounds like there is a very similar product already available.

 

Food for thought for sure, thanks!

 

I just purchased my mobo and other hardware today, just plugged in the USB and booted, now off to see if it all works!

 

Have fun.  I'm not long in on this sort of project myself - sure was a learning curve, but so far worth the effort...

So far so good, the server is up and running, 20 minutes left until my parity is done.

 

 

Just noticed this thread and thought I'd comment. Didn't know that DVDShrink would make single VOBs, when it does this how do the menus work? I like single VOBs because compressing for my PSP is so much easier. For now I use AnyDVD with DVDShrink, I'm running into some DVDs that still give me issues though (Peacemaker giving me fits!). I compress the menus and extras, I do not compress the movie at ALL. I'd love to find a way to preprocess in order to upsample but have yet to find a way to do it. http://www.invelos.com/dvdcollection.aspx/BLKMGK <- I use DVD Profiler to track them all, they are not quite all ripped though. I had lost data on two disks a good while back and am just now recovering. My "theater" is simple because of my lack of room - 47inch 1080P capable LCD and 5 speaker surround sound, wish I could do a projector.

 

I am ripping ALL my SD DVDs to disk - my unRAID. My reasoning for this is primarily my discomfort at folks coming into my home and stopping dead when they see my DVDs. I have a fairly small home and there's not many places to put them, in a closet in boxes is perfect!  For playback I too use an XBOX running XBMC which is one of THE best HTPC front ends I've seen bar none. I have also use MCE with the MyMovies plug-in and if I was to use a PC based Windows system that would be a MUST. The downside is lack of HD support The CPU is simply not powerful enough - it's a 733mhz P3! The 360 I've got is used for HD-DVD, I've not yet begun ripping these. Frankly they are expensive and I'm still waiting for the rebate ones to appear. <shrug>

 

So what about HD? As it happens there's light on the horizon, XBMC is being ported to Linux! http://www.xboxmediacenter.com/wiki/index.php?title=Linux_port_project I'm a Linux fumbler but I did manage to compile this from SVN on a laptop. Not good enough hardware to run video but good enough to show me how close it is, better hardware is in my plans for sure. When done it's supposed to be as easy to install on a PC of to be determined hardware as it is on the XBOX. I can hardly wait!

You should give Media Portal a try.. Colour me impressed with the advancements they've made (and the lead programmer was the one who started XBMC so long ago).

 

http://www.team-mediaportal.com/

 

definitely worth checking out if you're on windows, this thing obliterates MCE or anything else available IMO.

If I didn't hate windows for servers, mediaportal looks pretty nice.

 

I've got a mix of xbmc and mythtv boxes around my house... trying to find that nice middle ground (mythtv with xbmc gui)

On the XBMC forums, there's someone who got MythTV to work "on-top" of XBMC. Essentially, he has a MythTV menu option on his Main XBMC window. He's thus able to launch MythTV which starts in the foreground, when he quits MythTV, the XBMC window re-appears.

 

It's not perfect, but it works well.. Head to the XBMC linux forums and do a few searches, i'm sure you'll find it.

 

On the XBMC forums, there's someone who got MythTV to work "on-top" of XBMC. Essentially, he has a MythTV menu option on his Main XBMC window. He's thus able to launch MythTV which starts in the foreground, when he quits MythTV, the XBMC window re-appears.

 

It's not perfect, but it works well.. Head to the XBMC linux forums and do a few searches, i'm sure you'll find it.

 

 

That is a python script, but xbmc can't play hdtv, so its dead to me

On the XBMC forums, there's someone who got MythTV to work "on-top" of XBMC. Essentially, he has a MythTV menu option on his Main XBMC window. He's thus able to launch MythTV which starts in the foreground, when he quits MythTV, the XBMC window re-appears.

 

It's not perfect, but it works well.. Head to the XBMC linux forums and do a few searches, i'm sure you'll find it.

 

 

That is a python script, but xbmc can't play hdtv, so its dead to me

 

Actually I think if you do a little research you'll find that their Linux port is pretty far along and DOES play HD just fine. Oh and yeah I've doen it but the hardware was WELL below spec so the results weren't something I'd be willing to use fultime. I'm about toorder hardware tobuilda "real" box and stop testing on my 4yr old box

Like some other folks here I save my DVD backups as ISO files and mount them using Daemon tools. I also save my BLU-RAY and HD-DVD backups as ISOs (using Ashampoo Burning Studio 7) and use Daemon tools to mount these also. PDVD plays them like physical discs and that's great now that it no longer supports HDD playback for HD media. This works great under XP & Vista. You will need to tweak autoplay in XP to prevent a file browser window from popping up whan you mount a BLU-RAY. Currently my biggest ISO image is 48.5 GB (your chance to guess the movie  )

 

paul