ripping, storing, streaming my DVDs and a HTPC

[KalahariNik]

This is kind of a broad question, but I was recently hit by a car, so I have a fair amount of time to think about this stuff.

Here's my current situation;

I currently own about 800 DVDs and 100 or so Blurays - Its to a point that I simply don't have enough space to display the dvd's in their cases anymore, I don't mind having the blurays out on their own shelf.

In my livingroom I have a 58" Samsung plasma, ps3, comcast HD DVR box and a PC right now.

In my bedroom I have a 32" Samsung LCD and a Dell Zino HD with Bluray.

In my office I have a 26" Samsung LCD with a Dell Zino HD with no Bluray.

I'm looking for the best way to rip my dvd only collection to a PC/Server and make the movies accessible from each computer in my house through some GUI like boxee

Specifically I am looking for advice on the following:

1. Software for ripping dvds
2. Can I use boxee on each PC attached to individual tvs to access the movies on the Storage PC
3. HTPC or Server PC for storing DVD Collection
4. How to hook everything up!



Thanks in advance to anyone with experience in this area!


Nik

[judgeschambers]

Specifically I am looking for advice on the following:

1. Software for ripping dvds
2. Can I use boxee on each PC attached to individual tvs to access the movies on the Storage PC
3. HTPC or Server PC for storing DVD Collection
4. How to hook everything up!

Hi Nik,

Welcome to Boxee Beta!

1-There are plenty of DVD ripping tools out there: AnyDVD is one that comes to mind.
2-Yes, you would want to run Boxee on every PC attached to a TV. Each Boxee PC would connect via your network to the storage PC or server. That's what I do with Windows Home Server and my Revo 3610 PC's.
3-You would want a Server PC to store and "serve" the media to all the other PC's in the house running Boxee. You can use an old XP machine or build/buy a Windows Home Server.
4-Hook all the pc's via Cat-5 cable to make your home network. Wifi is shaky depending on your house layout and walls. The PC's can connect via HDMI or component. That is dependent upon your hardware on each pc's video card.

Check my signature for my boxee hardware and server.

[richy240]

I am streaming everything over 802.11g without any problems (have not yet tried full-on HD content, but compressed Blu-ray rips work just fine), but I had to use some Netgear powerline Ethernet adapters (linkee) and another router/AP to extend wireless into the livingroom (I'm using a Linksys WRT54G with nothing plugged into the WAN port, and the wireless settings mimic my other wireless router exactly). It works great!

[judgeschambers]

Wireless is a very finicky thing. Wireless router, wireless adapter in the PC, walls, distance, interference, etc all play a factor on signal quality and strength. Many, many people have issues with wifi video content even though G is more than enough for SD or HD for the reasons above.

If a new user has never streamed video over his/her wifi and has issues with Boxee playback..the first thing I ask is wifi or wired. Then ask them to plug it in and test again.

You have had good luck it seams. Which is cool!

[KalahariNik]

Thanks for the info guys! I own a 1 floor condo, so I may try wireless over N first and see what happens.

[Jnetty99]

I like to expand on this.

Do you rip your DVD's and keep them at .ISO, .VOB? do you convert then to some other format?

At the moment I have my DVD Movies in .ISO format only. But I'm not liking this method for TV Shows. So I been playing with Handbrake to convert DVD TV Shows to MKV's. I'm just using the default settings and hope the quality is preserved.

I been playing with the Boxee software and really waiting for the Boxee Box to come out.

[hutmacher]

I am streaming everything over 802.11g without any problems (have not yet tried full-on HD content, but compressed Blu-ray rips work just fine), but I had to use some Netgear powerline Ethernet adapters (linkee) and another router/AP to extend wireless into the livingroom (I'm using a Linksys WRT54G with nothing plugged into the WAN port, and the wireless settings mimic my other wireless router exactly). It works great!

hey, how do you like that Powerline stuff? work pretty good? that's a pretty great idea.... i've got cords all through my house & it's pretty annoying....

do you think it's good enough to put the modem, router and everything in the closet and be done with it?