This.
I can tell zero difference in the quality between straight Video_TS rips and transcoded H.264/.mkv if they are done with the correct settings. Handbrake is suprisingly easy as hell to use. I went into it knowing nothing about about it and in a few days I converted my entire DVD library while learning and having some fun at the same time! Again, I reduced my library size by approx 75% by transcoding all of my movies.
yea but it took an assload of time, and you lost all the features.
space is cheap now.
Thanks for all of the info - all of you. I found DVD Decrypter to copy 1:1, then tried Handbrake to create the .mkv or .avi file. I then installed TVersity to stream to my 360 (the 360 didn't recognize the .mkv or .mp4 extensions and TVersity "decodes" them while streaming so the 360 can read them.)
I ran across DVD Decrypter only because I don't have any software that can get past the security, which is on pretty much all of my DVDs, and I don't have extra $ to buy anything right now and DVD Decrypter is free.
It takes about 20 minutes to rip the DVDs then about 1 hour to change them to .mkv or mp4 - I'm running a Core 2 with 3gb RAM.
just rip the dvd. no need to transcode. unless you are really concerned about drive space.
Drives are pretty damn cheap now, so I am thinking of leaving them. That is, not transcoding them.
The 360 does recognize mp4 but you have to make sure you have the correct audio codec as it absolutely must be 2 channel aac. In other words it cant be AC3 or MP3 and it cannot be 5.1 or 6 channel or any of that stuff. Just make sure the audio is AAC dolby pro logic 2 and the 360 will recognize the files no problem, but it will not play mp4 with any other audio codec.Thanks for all of the info - all of you. I found DVD Decrypter to copy 1:1, then tried Handbrake to create the .mkv or .avi file. I then installed TVersity to stream to my 360 (the 360 didn't recognize the .mkv or .mp4 extensions and TVersity "decodes" them while streaming so the 360 can read them.)
I ran across DVD Decrypter only because I don't have any software that can get past the security, which is on pretty much all of my DVDs, and I don't have extra $ to buy anything right now and DVD Decrypter is free.
It takes about 20 minutes to rip the DVDs then about 1 hour to change them to .mkv or mp4 - I'm running a Core 2 with 3gb RAM.
I dont believe you can play TS/VTS files on a 360 in any way.So, I'm ripping them into /moviename folders. Within the folders are VIDEO_TS and VTS files. Which file do I "play" on the 360? The 360 isn't recognizing the files. I can see the folders and the VIDEO_TS/VTS files on the 360.
Edit: Or should I be creating an image file instead?
Thanks!
The 360 does recognize mp4 but you have to make sure you have the correct audio codec as it absolutely must be 2 channel aac. In other words it cant be AC3 or MP3 and it cannot be 5.1 or 6 channel or any of that stuff. Just make sure the audio is AAC dolby pro logic 2 and the 360 will recognize the files no problem, but it will not play mp4 with any other audio codec.
I dont believe you can play TS/VTS files on a 360 in any way.
30 minutes a movie minutes isn't what I would call an "assload" of time. It took three days to transcode them all. My HTPC server is on 24x7x365 anyway so it isn't like I had to go out of my way to do this. To me, part of the fun is tinkering with the system anyway and finding better ways to get things done. And what features? The directories commentaries I have NEVER watched a day in my life?! If those are the features you are referring to then, yeah, I guess I "lost" them...
Again, it really depends on what exactly the OP wants to do and what his individual situation is like. Transcoding made sense for me. It might not for everyone else. I backup my movie library to an additional external hard drive. So, if I had filled up my primary movie library drive I would have had to go out and spend $250 bucks to upgrade my system to accomidate more movies. Would have had to purchase a PCI SATA controller (out of SATA ports on my MB), yet another 2TB internal drive to hold future movies on, and then finally a 2TB external drive (backup of the additional movie library drive.). So in my situation it was much easier (and cheaper!) to spend a couple days transcoding than upgrading the server.
30 minutes x 301 = 150 hours.
you can watch 75 movies instead.
and as i've said, you are preserving obsolete dreck when you can rent a bluray.
you are archiving this.
when you could be watching this
I hate you. You just single handedly convinced me to start the Bluray migration in my own collection. :$:awe:
hehe yea its just so pretty..I just cant be bothered with dvds anymore.
Why rip? Is it really that hard to walk up to the shelf every 2 hours and grab a bluray to pop in?
Why spend your time ripping your way to an inferior and obsolete experience.
I hate you. You just single handedly convinced me to start the Bluray migration in my own collection. :$:awe:
Note that ISO files don't play on XBox360 or PS3 without transcoding first.
I use AnyDVD HD and CloneDVD to rip to ISO, no compression. Single files for me so my young kids can find them the easier on the server. I playback on main TV with Gen 1 AppleTV with XBMC and with Patriot Box Offices in the kids' rooms, all from my WHS.
Note that ISO files don't play on XBox360 or PS3 without transcoding first.