Here's what I need it to do:

1) Store lots of DVD's
2) Software to rip and store them.
3) Software to play them back.


What I don't need it to do:
1) Record TV (I only watch movies and some sports)
2) Play music (PC already does that very well)


The software I've seen so far is stuff like Snapstream and MythTV. It would be nice to have it
give me a browser window so I can hook up a wireless mouse and keyboard.

If anyone has examples of their configs and tips I'd appreciate it! Thanks in advance.

1) Coupla big hard drives
2) DVD Decrypter (you'll have to dig around for it, try bittorrent sites)
3) Xlobby (free) + Zoomplayer (inexpensive and well worth it) + the DVD decoder of your choice (Dscaler is free)

p.s. depending on what you use to play music, you may find Xlobby infinitely easier to organize and play your music as well...

and don't forget a simple user interface device:

Remote Control
Firefly (RF)
NetRemote (with a wofi/bt PDA)
Harmony (RF)

Logitech Wireless Trackman (no trying to roll mouse on chair arm)

go with the gyration keyboard/mouse combo. They also make a gyration media center remote (with gyration mouse built-in). I have (and love) all three devices.



I just got the remote a few months ago and like the fact that its a mouse and has media controls (play / pause / forward / back / vol +.- / channel +,- / etc). the only problem i have with the remote is the lack of a scroll wheel... you can how ever program 'swipes' (fast movement in a certain direction). I have my setup so I can 'swipe' up or down to scroll. I typical just grab my other gyration mouse (which has scroll wheel) when i'm not watching video.

edit: I should note the gyration mouse works by moving your wrist in mid air. very different then normal table top mice. it took me a few tries to figure it out. I like it becuase I can sit in the lazy boy and not need a surface to move on. you may have to modify you're mouse settings to match the speed of your rest (mine moved way to fast at first)
this setup is great for watching video but not that good for gaming (unless you want to give your arm a work out)

look for dvd shink (works over top of decrypter) it lets you burn dual layer discs onto single layer discs. also has a ton of other features

Thanks everybody for all your suggestions.

That XLobby one is awesome.

This definitely gives me a good place to start!

If you have an Xbox, you may want to explore my own setup:

1) Softmodded Xbox with 400gb hard drive installed (you can have up to 2TB): $190
2) Xbox Media Center (XBMC v2.0): the interface of my modded xbox: free
3) DVD2XBOX: the very easy to use software to backup DVD's (games and movies alike) to the hdd: free

Personally, in order to save space, I actually would backup the dvd's to Xvid. This would allow you to pack in more movies without a significant sacrifice in quality.

I'll post some screens up as soon as I am able, as well as a full review of XBMC.

That would be great. I like the idea of an all in one unit to put inside the coffee table or on a little shelf by the couch. Plus I'm guessing you can just use the xbox controllers for all the picking and choosing. Maybe even they have a wireless remote for it?

Xbox Media Center rocks. I have a modded xbox running XBMC 2.0. It upscales to 720p or 1080i better than my Samsung HD-841. I also love some of the scripts it has, like Apple movie trailers. I did have to buy an HD AV pack but it was only $15.00 on Ebay. If you have an Xbox, it is well worth modifying it.

Actually I'd be buying one for the first time. Last console I bought was an N64! I'm liking this idea but I really want to see it in action. Anyone have some links for screenshots or little movies? Thanks in advance!

No problem, I'll try and have a review up later this week. And to answer your previous question, yes you can use the xbox controllers as a remote, though the xbox dvd remote works just as well. In fact, there are many people who actually prefer using the xbox controllers over the dvd remote!

if your looking for information on xbox modification google xbox scene
they have a ton of great info and guides. have fun

I found a program caled Ripit4me that had all the settings for DVD dicriypter and starts shrink too, it also has a small program cales VOB fix that runs to fix bad blocks that they put in the DVD to stop the encoding.

I have had 100% of the disk rip now, it's too cool.

I think actually having a media server is optimal.

What you guys have been describing is not so much a server.

I have a server in my utility room that has no monitor or anything. With SATA for big hard drives.
Then I have client machines, one in the living room and one in the bedroom that I can use to view content.
The server is capable of streaming 8 maybe even 10 DVD movies at a time.

I use Daemon tools on the client machines to mount the DVD ISO images over the network.

I agree that DVD shrink is great.

If anyone needs DVD decrypter or DVD shrink PM me.

What are you using on the clients for pulling the video and displaying it? Do you have it automated through a menu?

You can just share directories and browse to them with the client machines, but if you want to have some fun, I suggest VideoLan.

Don't know if DVD shrink is what you're looking for. Can it even create full sized backups of dual layer dvds? I've only used it to create hard backups on burnable DVDs. It can make 1:1 backup of single layer discs, and compress larger discs, but I don't know if it can create full soft backup of dual layer discs. DVD decrypter might be a better option for this. Combined with regular Any DVD updates, you will never come across a DVD you cannot backup.

you know what I think I'm thinking of? (if that makes sense) those in-room ppv systems at hotels. tune your tv to a certain channel, use the remote to select a movie and you're done. now if I could just set that up using open source.....

it seriously needs to be that easy for the wife and kids. I'd be happy pointing and clicking for 5 minutes to setup a movie on a pc, the rest of the family isn't so enthused with the idea...

Something like this, perhaps?

Another thing you could do would be to load a front end like GB-PVR and use it like the task you are wanting. Should work more like a jukebox than anything else.

i've just started using xlobby ( http://www.xlobby.com ) to build a menu system like this. but i have to warn you, its not a simple task.. xlobby is not really a complete system, more of a wrapper for other applications. you have to find and configure the applications and plug-ins that you need and your mileage will vary depending on you choices. its a little buggy to setup but seems stable once its done

one feature that i like is that its completely customizable! you can change anything, you may want to check the skins page to find something better to start with (the default skin is kinda crappy to work with).

thanks guys for all the great ideas.

I really like the MediaMVP things that Samurai linked to. Especially the wireless version. Those would let me put the media in the other rooms without needing a pc to run it. less to support. but one more remote.

For the main movie room I'll probably look more into xbmc since i'd have the options of playing some video games along with it.

Does anyone know how the xbox 360 compares to xbmc for accomplishing the same tasks?