A beginner's basic needs to store DVDs on a multimedia HD: help much needed.

Not sure if there is any thing out there that will RIP as well as replay DVD's without going through a computer.

One way would be to use a USB attachable HDD and a DVD drive on a Computer running software that rips a DVD to a file which can then be saved onto the USB HDD.

The software will need to be one of the programs out there that specialise in DVD ripping because often they have to get past copy protection that has been added to commercial DVDs In fact this brings up the question of exact legality. I realise yours is a special case but I am not sure it is strictly permitted to make copies even when fro your own use only. It is a decision you will need to make for yourself.

Anyway assuming you do set the above up that will get you a copy of your DVD on HDD. To replay it will also need the PC and software to read and playback the saved files. There are lots of programs that will do that and in fact if you use something like "AnyDVD" from SlySoft you can both rip and replay from the same software. ( I have used that and it works well).

Modern computers often have at least a DVI or even an HDMI port which you can use to connect them to a TV to display the image that is playing back on the PC at an attractive size.If you have a PC with HDMI you might also be able to deliver the audio to the TV at the same time. Most likely though you will have to take the audio out from the PC's headphone socket and play it into your audio kit to get the soundtrack. 

The process of streaming the video from HDD to the PC is really best done using a USB connection.

Just my thoughts

Geoff

Geoff,

thanks very much for your reply and suggestions. I think that I might try the route you mention, but I was hoping that something like what many do for audio (storage and replay from a dedicated, HD-based box, with or without internal HD), was available.

If i digit >multimedia hard disk< on the net, a frightening amount of solutions appear, but I don't know how to browse inside a technology (video) which is rather less familiar to me than audio.

I'll do some research, especially for ripping software, then will try to put some ideas together.

Suggestions, still welcome.

max

Max,

An HTCP (home theater PC) is probably what you're looking for. Just enter "htpc" in your favorite search engine and you'll be given plenty of choice, reviews and explanations. Unfortunately, I can't recommend a particular brand as I'm still using old school methods to watch my movies

Christian

What you are describing may be achieved with LinuxMCE (Media Center Edition)

The paid for version is required to rip CSS encrypted discs.

Insert DVD --> on chosen controller (webpad/phone, etc) select copy.

If you purchase one of those little, silent PC's designed for "home theater" use and install LinuxMCE on it, you'll have no end of fun

It has some cool bells and whistles, like the "follow me" function, in which any network connected TV/monitor will spring to life as you move from room to room in your house, so you don't miss your movie whilst making coffee

Plug in units may be purchased for lights, allowing your room lights to go down dimm as the movie starts, etc.

Lots of bells and whistles......

They used to have a cool demo video to watch, on their site.

Thanks very much, I think we are approaching it now...

I'll do some research.

Support appreciated!

Max

Hi Max, OK so I agree with Christian's suggestion, a HTPC is a good way to go for sure.

I'd recommend checking out XBMC (xbmc.org) as the player, works great and is free.  Available for all mainstream operating systems.

The hardware to run it on is very much a personal choice, many options (Zotac PCs running Windows or Linux, Mac Mini if you like OS X, others) and you can use local disk storage over USB etc. or a NAS in another room to hold the files.

To copy your DVD collection to that storage, assuming you run Windows, would require something like AnyDVD (slysoft.com).

Once you have all the DVDs on the storage and XBMC running on your (quiet!) PC then you can achieve what you want.  Hope this helps!

David.