Quentin_T
New Member
A Sony 400 Disc DVD player - only 349.99 + Free Ground Shipping
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4041321
For what you really want to do this is it!
Media Center PC Questions:
- Thread starter massahwahl
- Start date
A Sony 400 Disc DVD player - only 349.99 + Free Ground Shipping
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4041321
For what you really want to do this is it!
massahwahl
VIP Member
A Sony 400 Disc DVD player - only 349.99 + Free Ground Shipping
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4041321
For what you really want to do this is it!
those are cool and he had one for a while but disliked it because you have to cycle through the movies to find the one your looking for. No search feature. Figured out today that with Open Office Calc I can make a list full of hyperlinks to the movie files. So you open the list, search for the movie you want and your done! Automatically starts playing the ISO file! Its all about convenience...
and doing something cool just for the sake of doing it...
massahwahl
VIP Member
So I want to go with Linux on this, but does anyone know if DVD decrypter runs on Linux for sure? Or if wine will run it? If someone is willing to test it for me I would be greatly appreciative! The software is freeware.
Vipernitrox
New Member
i didn't read all the above posts but i'll give you any info on hardware and software i know for media center.
Hardware:
you'll probably want to keep it quiet while you're watching a movie so i guess you're gonna need silent fans, hdd's and graphic card coolers.
- Cpu cooler
I use the scythe infinity with the stock fan (practically inaudible) unless you're gonna buy a special htpc case this will fit. If you're planning on buying a htpc case i really wouldn't know where to get small coolers but it will be much more audible.
- Graphic card
the 8800gt is overkill for a media center. I would suggest something with a little less heat output and passive cooling as stock. Like the asus 8600 gt silent. This will be more then enough for you.
- Hard disk
Samsung is THE manufacturer for quiet hard disks. They aren't expensive and they're very quiet. Just make sure it doesn't get to hot because they're known to generate quite some heat.
- Fans
Papst is one the best brands out there you can get and i would suggest the 120mm Papst Fan 4412 F/2GLL or the 80mm Papst Fan 8412 NGLE. Depends on which size you can put in your case.
Software
- Media Center
I don't know anything about linux mce but i do know you don't want to use the xp mce or vista mce. I've experimented with it for times and it just is a load of crap. Does all sorts of things you didn't ask for, is very sluggish and doesnt play a lot of formats. Instead try out Mediaportal, it's a standalone application and it's freeware to. Very easy to use and plays a lot more formats. You can also use an external player in this app like the vlc player mentioned above.
- DVD ripping software
I wouldn't rip your cd's using dvd decrypter. all of the options you can choose from use a lot of diskspace you can conserve. Instead try converting it into an xvid. This will lose you the option the use menus if i recall correctly.
Dvdfab can do this for you.
Hope i helped
Hardware:
you'll probably want to keep it quiet while you're watching a movie so i guess you're gonna need silent fans, hdd's and graphic card coolers.
- Cpu cooler
I use the scythe infinity with the stock fan (practically inaudible) unless you're gonna buy a special htpc case this will fit. If you're planning on buying a htpc case i really wouldn't know where to get small coolers but it will be much more audible.
- Graphic card
the 8800gt is overkill for a media center. I would suggest something with a little less heat output and passive cooling as stock. Like the asus 8600 gt silent. This will be more then enough for you.
- Hard disk
Samsung is THE manufacturer for quiet hard disks. They aren't expensive and they're very quiet. Just make sure it doesn't get to hot because they're known to generate quite some heat.
- Fans
Papst is one the best brands out there you can get and i would suggest the 120mm Papst Fan 4412 F/2GLL or the 80mm Papst Fan 8412 NGLE. Depends on which size you can put in your case.
Software
- Media Center
I don't know anything about linux mce but i do know you don't want to use the xp mce or vista mce. I've experimented with it for times and it just is a load of crap. Does all sorts of things you didn't ask for, is very sluggish and doesnt play a lot of formats. Instead try out Mediaportal, it's a standalone application and it's freeware to. Very easy to use and plays a lot more formats. You can also use an external player in this app like the vlc player mentioned above.
- DVD ripping software
I wouldn't rip your cd's using dvd decrypter. all of the options you can choose from use a lot of diskspace you can conserve. Instead try converting it into an xvid. This will lose you the option the use menus if i recall correctly.
Dvdfab can do this for you.
Hope i helped
Last edited:
massahwahl
VIP Member
First, thank you for the excellent tips,
If this were for me I could care less about menus and extras, but my brother is one of the few lame people that actually like menus and listen to directors commentary on movies... dont ask.
Glad to see dvd decrypter will work on linux, that was my biggest concern. Were starting this project after Christmas, so I'll start another thread soon when I get the final hardware picked and let you guys offer your 2 cents! Thanks to all who have contributed!
If this were for me I could care less about menus and extras, but my brother is one of the few lame people that actually like menus and listen to directors commentary on movies... dont ask.
Glad to see dvd decrypter will work on linux, that was my biggest concern. Were starting this project after Christmas, so I'll start another thread soon when I get the final hardware picked and let you guys offer your 2 cents! Thanks to all who have contributed!