Streaming DVD's and other Video files to my front room?

[BlueMagician]

I've done a fair bit of digging, and come up with conflicting articles as to what is possible and what isn't...

In short, I want to be able to rip my favourite DVD's to my HDD on my current PC, and watch them (and other movies) in my front room.

What's the cheapest way to do this?

I don't really want to have to replace XP Pro with Media Center Edition, and was hoping that Media Connect 2 and an XBOX360 might provide a solution - but again, there is conflicting info around as to what exactly Media Connect will stream (ie: music/video/piccies).

I'd love to build a new seperate Media Center PC, with bagloads of storage space, but....

Thanks for some straight forward advice.
S.

[5lab]

have a look at the high-end divx players by kiss - they seem to do what you want

http://www.kiss-technology.com/?p=dvd2&v=users

[Skinleech]

An Xbox running XBMC will sort you out, either using ethernet, or get the Xbox wireless kit. Cheaper than the Kiss players too. I looked into a Kiss player, but read some pretty bad reports. Got my Xbox & am well chuffed with it.

[BlueMagician]

Thanks 5lab and Skinleech..

I've looked into those KISS players.. the new 600 HD model looks tasty, I must admit, and seems to fit the bill. They also have some well priced standard def models. Food for thought..

I had a quick browse of the XBMC project. Skinleech, or anyone else, can you sum up how well this works and how flexible it is? Does the opensource software that goes on the XBOX have a WinXP client that it talks to, or does the XBMC just _see_ shares on a Windows box automatically? Can it play .iso's? Can it play .ifo TS_AUDIO/VIDEO structures, or do you have to recode all the DVD's to another format?

Cheers in advance guys - this is quite exciting!

S.

[KW1816]

How easy is it to get cables from your existing PC to your front room ? For a different approach see if you can get a couple of cables (e.g. S-video & audio) from your existing PC to your TV, buy a decent RF mouse/keyboard that works through walls, or a KVM extender thingy and use your existing PC as the client. Cheaper than either a client PC/Xbox or a new DVD player and may give you what you want.

[Flibb]

media mvp should do what you want, latest firmware does divx.
http://www.hauppauge.com/pages/produ..._mediamvp.html

scan sell it £41.82http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...source=froogle

[BlueMagician]

Thanks Flibb

After a lot of searching around, I managed to find somewhere with the Hauppauge MediaMVP in stock, so picked up their last two today..

I'm aware the unit has some limitations which will be a bit annoying, but I'm sure firmware/software support will improve and add features. I've downloaded GBPVR, and I'm gonna give it all a whirl after I've had a spot of beer..

I'm still looking seriously at that HD KISS player - seems like a nice flexible unit to have too, for other reasons..

Thanks all - legends!
Simon :: bluemagician

[Skinleech]

I had a quick browse of the XBMC project. Skinleech, or anyone else, can you sum up how well this works and how flexible it is? Does the opensource software that goes on the XBOX have a WinXP client that it talks to, or does the XBMC just _see_ shares on a Windows box automatically? Can it play .iso's? Can it play .ifo TS_AUDIO/VIDEO structures, or do you have to recode all the DVD's to another format?

Sorry for slow reply, looks like you're sorted nwo anyway, but just in case; you can set up special 'samba' shares for connecting xbmc to the pc, which is allegedly the best way to do it, but mine just picks up the network share and lets me stream ocer the cable. Iso files work fine as do .ifo and pretty much every other format. I've even ripped the dts tracks from the fre music dvds I have with dts and just play those like regular music, but in dts 5.1 of course.

It really is an excellent piece of kit - lets you stream in trailers & music vids, as well as internet radio & weather data.

[BlueMagician]

...Iso files work fine as do .ifo and pretty much every other format. I've even ripped the dts tracks from the fre music dvds I have with dts and just play those like regular music, but in dts 5.1 of course... ...It really is an excellent piece of kit - lets you stream in trailers & music vids, as well as internet radio & weather data.

This is still of interest and I really appreciate the advice. I'll do a little more digging, and ask q's when I have them.. Many thanks,

Simon.

[Skinleech]

Feel free to PM any questions to me - am more likely to answer in a timely fashion then!