Tales of a successful DVD / TV / video conversion (and thanks!)
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Thanks very much to everyone who offered insights into ripping DVDs, players, etc. For any of you who are thinking about this adventure in the near future, here’s how my little story played out. It had a happy ending thanks in large part to all the advice I got here, so perhaps yours will as well. This is a long read, so if you’re not interested in this sort of thing it’ll simply rob your life of otherwise productive minutes. :) After the latest exploding bulb incident, I decided to replace my 73” projector TV with a 65” plasma, a Panasonic Viera P65V10. While I haven’t yet figured out the ultimate fate of the now retired (and $300 bulb-less) projector and screen, I’m quite happy with the TV. All the connections you’d expect including Internet (more on that in a moment), good picture, and passed the toaster test. I recently dropped my $125 a month Dish satellite TV service in favor of a $20 a month, 2 DVDs out at a time Netflix plan, largely motivated by their streaming service and the fact that I wasn’t using 230 of the 250 channels I was paying for. Netflix streaming quality isn’t HD, but it’s close enough for rock & roll as it’s just something to keep me entertained when I eat dinner. Current configuration is an XP based PC with a moderately decent video card going VGA into the TV. For reasons I didn’t feel like debugging, HDMI didn’t look as good as VGA (some ghosting, etc.) on a smaller flat screen I tested with, so I just went with the VGA. Netflix runs full screen on the 65”, and even with their streaming quality it’s better than the quality I was getting with projector / Dish setup, so I’m happy enough. The suggestions for AnyDVD as a tool to help in ripping were well founded. Used the trial version a bit and will be buying a copy from them. Followed JSOP’s strategy of just using their rip to iso image in the task bar as I prefer quality to disk space. A quick & easy solution. Next up, I went with the recommendations of VLC for the media player and am very happy with it. It’s much more robust than Windows Media Player. The ease of cycling through aspect ratio & cropping modes makes it quick & easy to get the best screen, hotkeys are configurable and in general it’s very full featured. The one thing I was missing in the move to a computer based video system was the ease of a remote control. I originally tried a wireless keyboard and mouse. I found it irritating to have to reach over to a table and mouse around, do qwerty typing, etc. just to watch TV and had the same reservations ab
The HDMI ghosting you mention, could you send me a picture of this? A small part of the screen would be fine so I could look at the detail. A number of people have mentioned this but I've never seen it and want to udnerstand the cause. Thanks.
Join the cool kids - Come fold with us[^]
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Bookmarked! :-D
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Services -
For those who have no time, summary-> "Thanks for recommendation. Chris's new equipment/software: - TV with a 65” plasma, a Panasonic Viera P65V10 - XP based PC with a moderately decent video card going VGA into the TV. - AnyDVD as a tool to help in ripping - VLC for the media player - keyboard/touchpad : Addesso Wireless Slim Touch Keyboard[^] Thanks again for recommendation."
My way's more fun. :)
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Services -
The HDMI ghosting you mention, could you send me a picture of this? A small part of the screen would be fine so I could look at the detail. A number of people have mentioned this but I've never seen it and want to udnerstand the cause. Thanks.
Join the cool kids - Come fold with us[^]
Absolutely. It may be a day or two when I have time to play with it, but I'll shoot you something when I do.
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Services -
My way's more fun. :)
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Services -
The HDMI ghosting you mention, could you send me a picture of this? A small part of the screen would be fine so I could look at the detail. A number of people have mentioned this but I've never seen it and want to udnerstand the cause. Thanks.
Join the cool kids - Come fold with us[^]
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The next thing you will be wanting (providing you do not already have one of course) is a NAS of massive Proportions (2-10TB) to store all the DVD and Bluray ISO's you will be making. But this will only be needed once you have expended all other space on your existing setup.
Eventually, I'm sure. I already have various 1TB drives scattered across half a dozen machines on the network. I don't buy DVDs that often (and I only rip what I buy) so it'll be a while before I have to worry about it.
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Services -
Thanks very much to everyone who offered insights into ripping DVDs, players, etc. For any of you who are thinking about this adventure in the near future, here’s how my little story played out. It had a happy ending thanks in large part to all the advice I got here, so perhaps yours will as well. This is a long read, so if you’re not interested in this sort of thing it’ll simply rob your life of otherwise productive minutes. :) After the latest exploding bulb incident, I decided to replace my 73” projector TV with a 65” plasma, a Panasonic Viera P65V10. While I haven’t yet figured out the ultimate fate of the now retired (and $300 bulb-less) projector and screen, I’m quite happy with the TV. All the connections you’d expect including Internet (more on that in a moment), good picture, and passed the toaster test. I recently dropped my $125 a month Dish satellite TV service in favor of a $20 a month, 2 DVDs out at a time Netflix plan, largely motivated by their streaming service and the fact that I wasn’t using 230 of the 250 channels I was paying for. Netflix streaming quality isn’t HD, but it’s close enough for rock & roll as it’s just something to keep me entertained when I eat dinner. Current configuration is an XP based PC with a moderately decent video card going VGA into the TV. For reasons I didn’t feel like debugging, HDMI didn’t look as good as VGA (some ghosting, etc.) on a smaller flat screen I tested with, so I just went with the VGA. Netflix runs full screen on the 65”, and even with their streaming quality it’s better than the quality I was getting with projector / Dish setup, so I’m happy enough. The suggestions for AnyDVD as a tool to help in ripping were well founded. Used the trial version a bit and will be buying a copy from them. Followed JSOP’s strategy of just using their rip to iso image in the task bar as I prefer quality to disk space. A quick & easy solution. Next up, I went with the recommendations of VLC for the media player and am very happy with it. It’s much more robust than Windows Media Player. The ease of cycling through aspect ratio & cropping modes makes it quick & easy to get the best screen, hotkeys are configurable and in general it’s very full featured. The one thing I was missing in the move to a computer based video system was the ease of a remote control. I originally tried a wireless keyboard and mouse. I found it irritating to have to reach over to a table and mouse around, do qwerty typing, etc. just to watch TV and had the same reservations ab
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Absolutely. It may be a day or two when I have time to play with it, but I'll shoot you something when I do.
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting ServicesChristopher Duncan wrote:
It may be a day or two when I have time to play with it, but I'll shoot you something when I do.
There's something just so very, very wrong with that entire sentence ...
:..::. Douglas H. Troy ::..
Bad Astronomy |VCF|wxWidgets|WTL -
Christopher Duncan wrote:
It may be a day or two when I have time to play with it, but I'll shoot you something when I do.
There's something just so very, very wrong with that entire sentence ...
:..::. Douglas H. Troy ::..
Bad Astronomy |VCF|wxWidgets|WTLYou just don't know where to start! :)
------------------------------------ I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave
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Christopher Duncan wrote:
It may be a day or two when I have time to play with it, but I'll shoot you something when I do.
There's something just so very, very wrong with that entire sentence ...
:..::. Douglas H. Troy ::..
Bad Astronomy |VCF|wxWidgets|WTLYou're a bad, bad man, Doug. :)
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Services -
AnyDVD's "Rip To Image" feature is meant only for HD/BluRay discs, not standard-def DVDs. You could experience compatibility issues if you continue to use it. I personally use CloneDVD to rip my discs to ISO format for playback.
Didn't have any issues with mine thus far, but I appreciate the heads up. If that becomes a problem, I'll buy a copy of CloneDVD as well. You can never have too many :baaaa!:, you know. :)
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Services -
Thanks very much to everyone who offered insights into ripping DVDs, players, etc. For any of you who are thinking about this adventure in the near future, here’s how my little story played out. It had a happy ending thanks in large part to all the advice I got here, so perhaps yours will as well. This is a long read, so if you’re not interested in this sort of thing it’ll simply rob your life of otherwise productive minutes. :) After the latest exploding bulb incident, I decided to replace my 73” projector TV with a 65” plasma, a Panasonic Viera P65V10. While I haven’t yet figured out the ultimate fate of the now retired (and $300 bulb-less) projector and screen, I’m quite happy with the TV. All the connections you’d expect including Internet (more on that in a moment), good picture, and passed the toaster test. I recently dropped my $125 a month Dish satellite TV service in favor of a $20 a month, 2 DVDs out at a time Netflix plan, largely motivated by their streaming service and the fact that I wasn’t using 230 of the 250 channels I was paying for. Netflix streaming quality isn’t HD, but it’s close enough for rock & roll as it’s just something to keep me entertained when I eat dinner. Current configuration is an XP based PC with a moderately decent video card going VGA into the TV. For reasons I didn’t feel like debugging, HDMI didn’t look as good as VGA (some ghosting, etc.) on a smaller flat screen I tested with, so I just went with the VGA. Netflix runs full screen on the 65”, and even with their streaming quality it’s better than the quality I was getting with projector / Dish setup, so I’m happy enough. The suggestions for AnyDVD as a tool to help in ripping were well founded. Used the trial version a bit and will be buying a copy from them. Followed JSOP’s strategy of just using their rip to iso image in the task bar as I prefer quality to disk space. A quick & easy solution. Next up, I went with the recommendations of VLC for the media player and am very happy with it. It’s much more robust than Windows Media Player. The ease of cycling through aspect ratio & cropping modes makes it quick & easy to get the best screen, hotkeys are configurable and in general it’s very full featured. The one thing I was missing in the move to a computer based video system was the ease of a remote control. I originally tried a wireless keyboard and mouse. I found it irritating to have to reach over to a table and mouse around, do qwerty typing, etc. just to watch TV and had the same reservations ab
Christopher Duncan wrote:
I haven’t yet figured out the ultimate fate of the now retired (and $300 bulb-less) projector and screen
Maybe you could call up the local kids charities who want you to donate a car and convince them it's a 1979 Oldsmobile. All you should need is an Olds hood ornament from the junkyard. Then they'll come with a flatbed to haul it away, and you'll have a nice tax deduction to boot.
My other signature is witty and insightful.
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Christopher Duncan wrote:
I haven’t yet figured out the ultimate fate of the now retired (and $300 bulb-less) projector and screen
Maybe you could call up the local kids charities who want you to donate a car and convince them it's a 1979 Oldsmobile. All you should need is an Olds hood ornament from the junkyard. Then they'll come with a flatbed to haul it away, and you'll have a nice tax deduction to boot.
My other signature is witty and insightful.
Actually, I thought I'd just lacquer it and use it as a sled. :)
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Services -
You're a bad, bad man, Doug. :)
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting Services -
Thanks very much to everyone who offered insights into ripping DVDs, players, etc. For any of you who are thinking about this adventure in the near future, here’s how my little story played out. It had a happy ending thanks in large part to all the advice I got here, so perhaps yours will as well. This is a long read, so if you’re not interested in this sort of thing it’ll simply rob your life of otherwise productive minutes. :) After the latest exploding bulb incident, I decided to replace my 73” projector TV with a 65” plasma, a Panasonic Viera P65V10. While I haven’t yet figured out the ultimate fate of the now retired (and $300 bulb-less) projector and screen, I’m quite happy with the TV. All the connections you’d expect including Internet (more on that in a moment), good picture, and passed the toaster test. I recently dropped my $125 a month Dish satellite TV service in favor of a $20 a month, 2 DVDs out at a time Netflix plan, largely motivated by their streaming service and the fact that I wasn’t using 230 of the 250 channels I was paying for. Netflix streaming quality isn’t HD, but it’s close enough for rock & roll as it’s just something to keep me entertained when I eat dinner. Current configuration is an XP based PC with a moderately decent video card going VGA into the TV. For reasons I didn’t feel like debugging, HDMI didn’t look as good as VGA (some ghosting, etc.) on a smaller flat screen I tested with, so I just went with the VGA. Netflix runs full screen on the 65”, and even with their streaming quality it’s better than the quality I was getting with projector / Dish setup, so I’m happy enough. The suggestions for AnyDVD as a tool to help in ripping were well founded. Used the trial version a bit and will be buying a copy from them. Followed JSOP’s strategy of just using their rip to iso image in the task bar as I prefer quality to disk space. A quick & easy solution. Next up, I went with the recommendations of VLC for the media player and am very happy with it. It’s much more robust than Windows Media Player. The ease of cycling through aspect ratio & cropping modes makes it quick & easy to get the best screen, hotkeys are configurable and in general it’s very full featured. The one thing I was missing in the move to a computer based video system was the ease of a remote control. I originally tried a wireless keyboard and mouse. I found it irritating to have to reach over to a table and mouse around, do qwerty typing, etc. just to watch TV and had the same reservations ab
I have all this functionality plus remote control plus BR player plus Wi-Fi internet connection and much more in just one box. They called it PS3 and its price these days is about two dinners in a restaurant. :)
The narrow specialist in the broad sense of the word is a complete idiot in the narrow sense of the word. Advertise here – minimum three posts per day are guaranteed.
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Actually, I thought I'd just lacquer it and use it as a sled. :)
Christopher Duncan
www.PracticalUSA.com
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes
Copywriting ServicesI like that much better! Maybe you can turn on the remaining lamps for night sledding? :)
My other signature is witty and insightful.
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Thanks very much to everyone who offered insights into ripping DVDs, players, etc. For any of you who are thinking about this adventure in the near future, here’s how my little story played out. It had a happy ending thanks in large part to all the advice I got here, so perhaps yours will as well. This is a long read, so if you’re not interested in this sort of thing it’ll simply rob your life of otherwise productive minutes. :) After the latest exploding bulb incident, I decided to replace my 73” projector TV with a 65” plasma, a Panasonic Viera P65V10. While I haven’t yet figured out the ultimate fate of the now retired (and $300 bulb-less) projector and screen, I’m quite happy with the TV. All the connections you’d expect including Internet (more on that in a moment), good picture, and passed the toaster test. I recently dropped my $125 a month Dish satellite TV service in favor of a $20 a month, 2 DVDs out at a time Netflix plan, largely motivated by their streaming service and the fact that I wasn’t using 230 of the 250 channels I was paying for. Netflix streaming quality isn’t HD, but it’s close enough for rock & roll as it’s just something to keep me entertained when I eat dinner. Current configuration is an XP based PC with a moderately decent video card going VGA into the TV. For reasons I didn’t feel like debugging, HDMI didn’t look as good as VGA (some ghosting, etc.) on a smaller flat screen I tested with, so I just went with the VGA. Netflix runs full screen on the 65”, and even with their streaming quality it’s better than the quality I was getting with projector / Dish setup, so I’m happy enough. The suggestions for AnyDVD as a tool to help in ripping were well founded. Used the trial version a bit and will be buying a copy from them. Followed JSOP’s strategy of just using their rip to iso image in the task bar as I prefer quality to disk space. A quick & easy solution. Next up, I went with the recommendations of VLC for the media player and am very happy with it. It’s much more robust than Windows Media Player. The ease of cycling through aspect ratio & cropping modes makes it quick & easy to get the best screen, hotkeys are configurable and in general it’s very full featured. The one thing I was missing in the move to a computer based video system was the ease of a remote control. I originally tried a wireless keyboard and mouse. I found it irritating to have to reach over to a table and mouse around, do qwerty typing, etc. just to watch TV and had the same reservations ab
Is the best HTPC combo I've seen so far... DVDFab[^] rips to iso (or just about any other format you could possibly want)...but it also creates the nice little xml files for media center. Media Browser[^] is a plugin for media center that allows it to load iso files (it also requires a virtual disc app like daemon tools lite[^] MediaCenterMaster[^] scrapes imdb and a couple other sites for information about your media and modifies the XML file that dvdfab outputs so it is all viewable in Media center... Windows Media Center has all your internet TV, netflix, and now movie support (thanks to media browser).... And last but not least, it can all be accessed via a 20-50$ windows media center remote easily (without configuration)...