DVDPedia as a Front Row substitute for VIDEO_TS

[Ted Todorov]

To answer a forum question recently I checked out DVDPedia (my cataloging software) in full screen mode, and it is great as a front row substitute. With less work then Front Row/DVD Assist you can set up VIDEO_TS folders, and use a very slick interface and the Apple Remote to launch them. All you have to do is attach the VIDEO_TS folder in the Links tab for that DVD's DVDPedia and then run DVD Pedia in "full screen mode".

You can check out their little demo: http://bruji.com/howto/fullScreen.html

DVDPedia is excellent cataloging software (which I have been using for a couple of years, having chosen it over ReaderWare and Delicious Library) and I would highly recommend it just on that basis, but I think it is really worth checking out by anyone looking for good interface for playing ripped media. Go to bruji.com for more details -- they do have a free demo version and full product is cheap.

[dancinbear]

Ted,

Do you know if that application works with DVDs that have been ripped to a movie file (like m4v or avi), or is it just VIDEO_TS folders?

[ToddUGA]

I have DVDPedia and didn't know it even did that. I only use it as a way to keep track of my DVD's. Looks like some experimentation is in order over the weekend.

[Further]

Ted,

Do you know if that application works with DVDs that have been ripped to a movie file (like m4v or avi), or is it just VIDEO_TS folders?

I just tried it and the answer is yes.

[mmccoy35]

When I try to play a movie it opens my IMovie program instead of quck time, I am new to macs any help on how I change the defualt movie player

[Ted Todorov]

When I try to play a movie it opens my IMovie program instead of quck time, I am new to macs any help on how I change the defualt movie player
You are talking about a .MOV file?

[Cclear]

To set what application is launched for a particular extension, just control + click the file you wish to open and go to "Get Info" In this little window there is a "Opens With" listing. Choose your application here. If you want it to apply to ALL files of said type - click the "Change All" Button.

[dancinbear]

I just tried it and the answer is yes.

Excellent. Then I will be trying it. Hopefully it can meet my needs as a media browser on my second monitor (my TV).

[PAP]

I must say that program is looking pretty good. I'm awaiting next week anxiously so I can get my Macs ordered!

[Vertigo]

This is good, but you cannot start it up in Full Screen Mode automatically. It has to be done manually after app starts. When you do, it looks great. Very nice! After you choose cover art image, the movie plays back with DVD Player perfectly; however, when you quit DVD Player, it goes back to non-full screen mode.

Overall, a nice product though.

[Ted Todorov]

This is good, but you cannot start it up in Full Screen Mode automatically.
Not true: If you quit via <command> Q while in Full Screen Mode, it will start up in Full Screen Mode the next time.

[benzizbit]

Hi - Its really nice app,

In full screen mode:
1) is there a key I can use to launch the movie? (I did not find one)
2) how and I use apple remote to launch the movie?
3) I see all my movies in "flat" order, is there a way to see them in "hierarchy"?

Thx

[dancinbear]

I just tried it and the answer is yes.
How did you get this to work? I tried it last week and couldn't, for the life of me, get it to play anything, much less import a movie file.

[Further]

How did you get this to work? I tried it last week and couldn't, for the life of me, get it to play anything, much less import a movie file.

I think the tricky part is figuring out how to play it. When you have the full-screen window, scroll to the film you want to play. Once it is selected, you should notice a small white triangle in the lower right of the screen (no, it is not obvious). Click that to play. This worked for me with any films Quicktime can handle. For DVDs, I suspect that you must choose to open DVDs with an application in the Cds & DVDs control panel. Currently, I have "ignore" chosen for that.

[benzizbit]

white triangle in the lower right of the screen (no, it is not obvious). Click that to play

Is there a keyboard key I can use for that?

[PAP]

Can this be done with remote? I've finally decided to make the move to HTMac as my file server once again had corrupted files and I'm going to rid my entire home of PCs. I am leaning towards this app for my front end.

[Ted Todorov]

Can this be done with remote? I've finally decided to make the move to HTMac as my file server once again had corrupted files and I'm going to rid my entire home of PCs. I am leaning towards this app for my front end.
Yes, it works with the Apple Remote.

[Genius74]

Does it only support VIDEO_TS (as oppose to ISO files)?

Sorry I'm a Windows vet and I've only own a Mac for 6 days. This would save me a lot of time from mounting and extracting the 400 Movies that I have (in ISO format).

Also, (I've seen the demo BTW, looks GREAT!), how big of a collection does the Full Screen mode support?

[Ted Todorov]

Does it only support VIDEO_TS (as oppose to ISO files)?

Sorry I'm a Windows vet and I've only own a Mac for 6 days. This would save me a lot of time from mounting and extracting the 400 Movies that I have (in ISO format).

Also, (I've seen the demo BTW, looks GREAT!), how big of a collection does the Full Screen mode support?
My collection is 1700+ and full screen mode doesn't choke (that's DVDs in DVDPedia, not VideoTS folders of which I have hardly any -- I'm still playing my DVDs the old fashioned way :)).

I only tried it with a VIDEO_TS -- I don't have any ISOs. I suggest asking on the forums at Bruji.com or e-mailing the developers. That or test a couple of your own ISOs...

[Genius74]

My collection is 1700+ and full screen mode doesn't choke (that's DVDs in DVDPedia, not VideoTS folders of which I have hardly any -- I'm still playing my DVDs the old fashioned way :)).

I only tried it with a VIDEO_TS -- I don't have any ISOs. I suggest asking on the forums at Bruji.com or e-mailing the developers. That or test a couple of your own ISOs...

Will do.. I'll about twice as many to enter into the program, so that's good to know. I'll assume you just use this for tracking (your 'old fashion way' comment)?


I'll give it a go tonight.

Thanks!

[Further]

Genius74, I'm curious: why do you use ISO files instead of file sets? I have the impression they are about the same size, so I wonder what the benefit is.

[GoodOmens]

Genius74, I'm curious: why do you use ISO files instead of file sets? I have the impression they are about the same size, so I wonder what the benefit is.

You have 1 file vs many?

Easier to burn to a dvd ... just double click and burn.

[Genius74]

You have 1 file vs many?

Easier to burn to a dvd ... just double click and burn.


Couldn't have said it better myself..


In early DVD burning days, I had to remember to put the CAPS Lock on when naming the VIDEO_TS & AUDIO_TS folders. Some DVD players didn't like it otherwise (in my experience).

I prefer to have all of my movies in one directory w/o multiple clicks to start the movie. I also use Daemon Tools along with My Movies on MCE 2005 and it works like a champ (I don't know if it supports the file structure method).

I don't know if DVD Decrypter is on the OSX (or similar), but it's a life saver to me. I can associate the ISO file type with DD and boom! double click and burn.

[rwademan]

I have tried this it looks the same except it uses vlc to launch the video or dvd .So it will play almost anything. And its cheap,And starts full screen

http://www.distantdvd.com/

[Further]

You have 1 file vs many?

Easier to burn to a dvd ... just double click and burn.

OK. I didn't realise this was for burning -- I thought it was just for storing DVDs on a hard drive. Thanks.

[mediaboy]

Yes, DVD .iso files work fine in this app. I associate .iso files with VLC and also use remote buddy. When I play an iso DVD with dvdpedia remote buddy automatically maps the behaviors to vlc ... I would highly recommend remote buddy and dvdpedia - remote buddy has support for both applications.

I also dont get why a lot of mac users insist on video_ts folders.. It is alot easier to use iso file. 1 file per a movie and easier burning especially in the case of dvd9 discs.

[Genius74]

Yes, DVD .iso files work fine in this app. I associate .iso files with VLC and also use remote buddy. When I play an iso DVD with dvdpedia remote buddy automatically maps the behaviors to vlc ... I would highly recommend remote buddy and dvdpedia - remote buddy has support for both applications.

I also dont get why a lot of mac users insist on video_ts folders.. It is alot easier to use iso file. 1 file per a movie and easier burning especially in the case of dvd9 discs.

Thanks for the reply.. I've brought this up recently with the release of Leopard this week..

Now I don't have to "extract" the folders from each ISO (and I can go back to using my mac). I'll do a search for remote buddy. Can I assume it works with the front row remote?

I'm not sure why many people like VIDEO_TS folders over ISOs. I personally hate (too many) subfolders.

[Kribban]

Thanks for the reply.. I've brought this up recently with the release of Leopard this week..

Now I don't have to "extract" the folders from each ISO (and I can go back to using my mac). I'll do a search for remote buddy. Can I assume it works with the front row remote?

I'm not sure why many people like VIDEO_TS folders over ISOs. I personally hate (too many) subfolders.

Hi

I`m looking forward for a full review:) I have also all my movies in .iso files and i
am probably switching to an apple mac mini in the nearby future.

Best Regards
Kribban

[JoshFink]

Very cool program. I like it... I think I like it much better than MediaCentral which I was leaning towards. We'll see. I'm curious to see how Leopard's improved implementation of Front Row is.

One question for you guys. I have everything working as far as playing a movie goes but how, with the Apple Remote, can I stop a movie in the middle of it and go back to DVDPedia?

Any ideas?

Thanks

Josh

[iansilv]

I'd like to know this as well

[spudz25]

((One question for you guys. I have everything working as far as playing a movie goes but how, with the Apple Remote, can I stop a movie in the middle of it and go back to DVDPedia?))


If you are using the keyboard, you can use the Command-Q function on DVD player to quit. This will take you back to the Full Screen mode of
DVDpedia.

If you are using the Apple Remote, you must get a program like Remote Buddy or Sofa Control to get back to DVDpedia Full Screen mode from DVD player.

Great program and thus far is doing a great job handling the front end of my Mac HTPC.

Todd