Putting My DVDs on Hard Drive, Help Please?

rallyshark

Well my 400 disc DVD changer is getting full, and I need to start on a solution. I already have put all my music on my PS3, which has worked out wonderfully. It's sooo nice just selecting what I want to listen to! That is one reason I have enjoyed my 400 disc DVD player. Anyway, I intend on starting to put all my DVDs on the PS3 HD or an external to play through the PS3, and religating the 400 disc for SACD use. What is the best way/program to get my DVDs on hard drive. I'm not that familiar with programs or ways to get past the copyright/can't copy problems. I pay for all of my DVDs and should be able to watch them how I want! I have no intention of using this for no one but myself! Also, after getting them on a hard drive, how would upconversion take place? I hope someone here can help here:) Thanks in advance for any help!

mantis

Look into a Mc Mini as a server. There is a lot of info online about how to do it. Go to
www.HTguys.com. They have a link on there website.

It's probably the cheapest way to do what you want to do.

Dan

okiepolkie

mantis wrote: »

Look into a Mc Mini as a server. There is a lot of info online about how to do it. Go to
www.HTguys.com. They have a link on there website.

It's probably the cheapest way to do what you want to do.

Dan

I second this suggestion.

rallyshark

Cool, thanks! I'm going to check it out right now:)

okiepolkie

Use hadbreak, or a similar program, to rip the movies to the hard drive, then you can access them via remote.

As far as costs go, a simple breakdown would be:

Mac Mini $600
External Hard drive $100-$200
TV tuner(if needed/desired) $100

Basically, you would be looking at $800-$1000 for a decent media server.

rallyshark

I'm not finding it on their site, Did you mean a mac mini Please forgive me as I've never heard of a Mc Mini:o

okiepolkie

rallyshark wrote: »

I'm not finding it on their site, Did you mean a mac mini Please forgive me as I've never heard of a Mc Mini:o

Yep Mac Mini, unless Dan is talking about a totally different animal...

rallyshark

So there's not an easy way to simply use the PS3 as the movie server? I can't really afford to put that much coin into the project. I was thinking that I just needed to figure out a way to rip my DVDs and then save them in a format that was recognizable to the PS3:(

jaysonbarnett

I have a solution i use dvdfab to rip to hard drive then get the divix converter(ps3 reads divx) then they will show up on the PS3. The problem about ripping to drive is most dvd rippers will save the movie as a .vob file which is not recognized by the ps3, so you then need software to convert it to a format the ps3 will use. I am in the same boat as you about expensive media servers, so this worked for me. hope this helps. jason
P.s. look for dvd ripping software that will let you rip in whatever format you need.
1. look to see what formats the ps3 can play then google dvd ripping software that can rip to that format.
2. i have a friend you uses this http://www.redkawa.com/videoconverters/ps3video9/
and i works great to convert the files on his computer. You will still have to use dvdfab or something like it.
here is a thread about this http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/664416
heres another http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/2796/ps3_how_to_convert_movie_dvds_to_mp4_playstation3/

rallyshark

Thanks, that looks like a lot of useful info. Looks like I got some reading to do now:D

wz2p7j

rallyshark wrote: »

I'm not finding it on their site, Did you mean a mac mini Please forgive me as I've never heard of a Mc Mini:o

McMini is a number 3 at Mcdonalds - small burger, small fries and small coke. Robble robble :D:D Chris

avelanchefan

okiepolkie wrote: »

Use hadbreak, or a similar program, to rip the movies to the hard drive, then you can access them via remote.

As far as costs go, a simple breakdown would be:

Mac Mini $600
External Hard drive $100-$200
TV tuner(if needed/desired) $100

Basically, you would be looking at $800-$1000 for a decent media server.

Well I would have to disagree with you here. While the setup is a good one, you can do it WAY cheaper.

You can buy a TB hard drive for under 100 dollars rip all your movies to that, and download ps3 mediaserver for free and stream your movies through the ps3. http://code.google.com/p/ps3mediaserver/

Or you can also buy a Popcorn hour http://www.popcornhour.com/onlinestore/ get a TB hard drive, download all your movies to the hard drive, place the hard drive in your popcorn hour and hook it up to your TV.

The popcorn hour way would run you about 400-450 dollars.

Just go the ps3 route, its cheap, and it works!! (I use it on a daily basis) And the ps3 media server specs clearly state it will play a "Video_TS folder" which is where the .vobs are.

On other thing If you want me to test it (ripping a movie via Video_TS folder) I will. But everything I have thrown at the ps3 media server has worked just fine.