my new HTPC + Nas server

[dusk]

Re: my new HTPC + Nas server

when i get done coverting all of my old dvds into isos i will have like 700 movies available immediately.

Is there a reason you prefer to convert dvd to iso rather than avi or mp4?

[Kamal]

Re: my new HTPC + Nas server

Is there a reason you prefer to convert dvd to iso rather than avi or mp4?

yes, because ISO maintains the original DVD in the EXACT same quality of the original RIP. Changing formats results in loss of quality (even if it is marginal)

[res0nat0r]

Re: my new HTPC + Nas server

presume X11 package is a GUI? Or did you do everything via cli?

Yeah the X11 server is just the basic window manager, and then you can install any number of different guis on top to make it look how you want. like: gnome, kde, enlightenment or something small like fluxbox.

Is there a reason you prefer to convert dvd to iso rather than avi or mp4?

What kamal said above, i just 1:1 copy the whole disc so i get the menus and everything in one big file and it runs just like a dvd. i dont like avi's etc because the quality is crappy and im a snob, so i like dvd or hd stuff only.

[dusk]

Re: my new HTPC + Nas server

Cool, that sounds like what I will need to do from now on. DVD decrypter would do the job well correct.

[Kamal]

Re: my new HTPC + Nas server

Yes DVD Decrypter will do it. If you will use ripped DVDs in WMC7, then you don't need to rip it as an ISO. You rip the entire dvd as standard VOB native files which WMC7 will read. You just need to cue up the ripped dvd movies via the "movies" folder and not "videos" folder during setup.

[dusk]

Re: my new HTPC + Nas server

^^^ Thanks K.

So after fiddling around with xbmc aeon skin the entire day today, still haven't figured out how to automatically download info for movies and tv shows in my library

Please tell me that there is an easier way to do this????

[Kamal]

Re: my new HTPC + Nas server

yes, its called Windows Media Center

[res0nat0r]

Re: my new HTPC + Nas server

^^^ Thanks K.

So after fiddling around with xbmc aeon skin the entire day today, still haven't figured out how to automatically download info for movies and tv shows in my library

Please tell me that there is an easier way to do this????

You need to add a source directory, and then go and define what 'type' it is. I think it supports: music videos/movies/music/tv shows right now.

Once you do this you can choose a scraper to use, which is the software that will go out and use the websites api to pull down the content. Read about it here:

http://xbmc.org/wiki/?title=Scraper.xml

You have to have your files named in a certain way, or have a .nfo file with a imdb.com link in them for movies. I do this and it will connect to imdb.com automatically and get the poster/plot/date/actors/art etc without you having to do anything.

yes, its called Windows Media Center

[dusk]

Re: my new HTPC + Nas server

^^^ Sweet thanks, gonna give this a whirl this weekend, I spent waaaay too much time messing about the other day. Need to focus on the important stuff...lol

[res0nat0r]

Re: my new HTPC + Nas server

as long as you read the docs and follow their naming conventions i have hardly any problems with it, it works really well.

[dusk]

Re: my new HTPC + Nas server

^^^ Yup, got it all sorted (well almost) over the weekend. And I'm completely satisfied with the outcome. Skin is just perfect.

[res0nat0r]

Re: my new HTPC + Nas server

I love that skin it is so purdy. there are a few mods on the xbmc forums I wish I could apply but I haven't spend the time trying to figure them out. It would be nice if it would do all of the little logos at the bottom correctly all the time (bluray/DTS/production company logo), but that seems to be hit or miss.

[Kamal]

Re: my new HTPC + Nas server

some nice new silent and small form factor PCs out

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16859324002&cm_re=habey-_-59-324-002-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16859324001&cm_re=habey-_-59-324-001-_-Product

[jackportd]

Re: my new HTPC + Nas server

Hello friend

I have a small 2 bedroom apartment and even though it will stream a 720p from my media server to my dma2200 over my N router, the picture is jagged and downsized in order to stream ok, but it still doesn't. For my new place, I will wire all the locations with Cat6E and get rid of this headache once and for all.

Now i am searching new one best,

[res0nat0r]

Re: my new HTPC + Nas server

some nice new silent and small form factor PCs out

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16859324002&cm_re=habey-_-59-324-002-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-001-_-Product

interesting. ive never heard of this brand, but i didnt hear of my foreign asrock brand either before i bought it. the specs say it will decode h.264 stuff, im wondering if this onboard chipset really will though? Intel integrated GMA950

I dont know anything about this chipset though. the main selling point for the one i bought was the onboard nvidia chip which does all of the 1080p decoding for me.