I have a PS3 and want to use it to stream media from a media server. I'm going to list my strategy so far, and I'm looking help to avoid "gotchas", suggestions on software, and general info.

I am going to build the media server as follows: A8N-SLI Primium (extra, just laying around), cheep single core Socket939 processor (does a media server really need a dual core processor?), 1 gig of ram, DVD drive, and 6x 750GB HDD's. I want to make 2 RAID 5 containers. The mobo supports RAID 5 through drivers, so its not the fastest thing in the world, but does it really need to be? Plus I will have a recovery option? Aside from the HDD's and the processor I have everything else already. I figure $110 per drive plus about $120 for the processor. So about $780 for the server.

I have been messing around with Nero MediaHome, and it seems straight forward and easy to use. The only problem I have run into is the Nero Scount program. I asked it to index about 3000 mp3 files and it took several hours to complete. Any suggestions on the server software would be great.

I'm currently using wireless for my PS3 connectivity. I know this is going to be a problem so I have already started wiring my house with Cat5e. I have 2 drops done already (the important ones, office and living room), and need to put 2 more in. I have a 12 port patch panel and 5 port gigabit switch coming. Both will be installed on the top shelf of a hall closet. The switch I'm using in my office is only 10/100, and this is the switch the media server will be connected to. The office switch will also be connected to the gigabit switch in the closet. This will make my total available bandwidth to the PS3 only 100Mb. Is 100 enough, or should I look into going gigabit the whole way?

I know DVD's are encrypted, but I have never used any software to make a copy of one. Any suggestions on DVD copying software would be great. I am hoping to include all the extra content from the DVD's, so I would just like to copy the file entire structure from the DVD if possible. I have ripped plenty of CD's in the past and the software I used was able to tag the files and most of the time it also downloaded a cover image from the CD case. Is there any way to do this with my DVD's? I would like to be able to sort by genre, maybe read a short description of the movie, and maybe a small actors list. I have over 400 DVD's that will need to be copied. Does anyone know how long it will take to one DVD, or 400 of them? I have heard of friends ripping DVD's (to divx I think) and it took a long time to just do one. I'm thinking it wont take very long for me because I'm just copying (not compressing), and hopefully the amount of time needed will just be a function of the DVD drive I'm reading from.

Is anyone using their PS3 to read .vob files? Do you still have access to the menus, and special content? Do you still get all 5.1 channels of Dolby D? Will DTS encoded audio still work? Does the PS3 just pass through the digital audio?

I have a PS3 and want to use it to stream media from a media server. I'm going to list my strategy so far, and I'm looking help to avoid "gotchas", suggestions on software, and general info.

I am going to build the media server as follows: A8N-SLI Primium (extra, just laying around), cheep single core Socket939 processor (does a media server really need a dual core processor?), 1 gig of ram, DVD drive, and 6x 750GB HDD's. I want to make 2 RAID 5 containers. The mobo supports RAID 5 through drivers, so its not the fastest thing in the world, but does it really need to be? Plus I will have a recovery option? Aside from the HDD's and the processor I have everything else already. I figure $110 per drive plus about $120 for the processor. So about $780 for the server.

I have been messing around with Nero MediaHome, and it seems straight forward and easy to use. The only problem I have run into is the Nero Scount program. I asked it to index about 3000 mp3 files and it took several hours to complete. Any suggestions on the server software would be great.

I'm currently using wireless for my PS3 connectivity. I know this is going to be a problem so I have already started wiring my house with Cat5e. I have 2 drops done already (the important ones, office and living room), and need to put 2 more in. I have a 12 port patch panel and 5 port gigabit switch coming. Both will be installed on the top shelf of a hall closet. The switch I'm using in my office is only 10/100, and this is the switch the media server will be connected to. The office switch will also be connected to the gigabit switch in the closet. This will make my total available bandwidth to the PS3 only 100Mb. Is 100 enough, or should I look into going gigabit the whole way?

I know DVD's are encrypted, but I have never used any software to make a copy of one. Any suggestions on DVD copying software would be great. I am hoping to include all the extra content from the DVD's, so I would just like to copy the file entire structure from the DVD if possible. I have ripped plenty of CD's in the past and the software I used was able to tag the files and most of the time it also downloaded a cover image from the CD case. Is there any way to do this with my DVD's? I would like to be able to sort by genre, maybe read a short description of the movie, and maybe a small actors list. I have over 400 DVD's that will need to be copied. Does anyone know how long it will take to one DVD, or 400 of them? I have heard of friends ripping DVD's (to divx I think) and it took a long time to just do one. I'm thinking it wont take very long for me because I'm just copying (not compressing), and hopefully the amount of time needed will just be a function of the DVD drive I'm reading from.

Is anyone using their PS3 to read .vob files? Do you still have access to the menus, and special content? Do you still get all 5.1 channels of Dolby D? Will DTS encoded audio still work? Does the PS3 just pass through the digital audio?


Comments. Fast processors can be useful with Nero Home and TVersity to transcode video files on the fly....

DVD's can't be played back with a PS3 with menus and extras. I will play MPEG2 vobs. dunno on DTS. Never tried that with mine...

DVD's take 10-45 minutes to rip based on your computer and mostly the DVD drive.

If your goal is to be able to play DVD's fully skip the PS3 and get an xbox, tvix, mediagate or something similar that actually can play DVD's natively rather than jumping through hoops and creating tons of work manually trying to come up with a scheme to pretend to play DVDs. The PS3 is a great device but as a media server it leaves a lot to be desired. My personal choice is XBMC and it servers me beautifully. I have 3 HD DVRs so I have my HD content covered by those.... XBMC handles streaming music, pics, movies, divx and more with a great interface. It does required some effort to setup and does not play HD files like the TVIX, Mediagate, Popcorn Hour, etc.... THere are lots of choices....

Sean

Comments. Fast processors can be useful with Nero Home and TVersity to transcode video files on the fly....

DVD's can't be played back with a PS3 with menus and extras. I will play MPEG2 vobs. dunno on DTS. Never tried that with mine...

DVD's take 10-45 minutes to rip based on your computer and mostly the DVD drive.

If your goal is to be able to play DVD's fully skip the PS3 and get an xbox, tvix, mediagate or something similar that actually can play DVD's natively rather than jumping through hoops and creating tons of work manually trying to come up with a scheme to pretend to play DVDs. The PS3 is a great device but as a media server it leaves a lot to be desired. My personal choice is XBMC and it servers me beautifully. I have 3 HD DVRs so I have my HD content covered by those.... XBMC handles streaming music, pics, movies, divx and more with a great interface. It does required some effort to setup and does not play HD files like the TVIX, Mediagate, Popcorn Hour, etc.... THere are lots of choices....

Sean

Thanks for the reply. I do have a modded Xbox, though I haven't updated my XBMC is a long time. My concern with the Xbox, is the lack of a digital interface, and no HD. I have started buying BD instead of DVD's and would like my streamer to handle the content. I looked at the Popcorn Hour yesterday, and I must say its a nice piece of equipment. Does it play DVD's with full menus? My only problem with a new piece of equipment is the lack of another HDMI/DVI port :(.

By lack of a digital interface you mean no HDMI?

certainly that is true but I think the difference between that and oppo DVD player is not that big and therefore I never use the oppo. literally it just collects dust.... but thats a personal choice... I will see I can certainly see the difference between DVI and component with the proper test pattern but on video its extremely difficult.

on Blueray. There is not a player on the planet except of PC based players that will play a blueray rip. you can rip then and transcode etc. but you dont menus or any of the other features of BD or HD-DVD....

THe popcorn hour does have a HDMI 1.1 port and it does play DVD's you can read a review here...

http://www.mpcclub.com/modules/Reviews/reviews/popcorn_hour_a100_review.pdf

too me personally I could not imagine upgrading off the xbox until someone puts a real interface on one of these things. The support for codecs is good but not great on these modern sigma based devices but the whole user experience is so 10 years ago....

Something else you might look it at XBMC on linux, windows or mac os. work has been progressing nicely...

Sean

Is anyone using an AVI files which is much smaller than a VOB for the DVD conversion for playing on the PS3? The average AVI movie file size I am getting is between 1 to 1.5 G. I am using an Apollo product #1 DVD Ripper. The Avi file is complete with AC3 Dolby Digital sound (up to 6 channels) and 720 video. If anyone else is ripping to AVI what software are you using to rip the DVD movie? Are you playing the movies via streaming wired or wireless, removable HDD or loading onto PS3 HDD? Have you experienced any issues?