Good day,

I've done some searching, and reading through the first couple pages of this forum with no clear answers.

What I have gathered is that there are ways to view TS files via frontrow/ATV (with some software modification). But want I really want to know is what file format is recommended for DVD backups to play nice with iTunes/ATV.

ISO/MOV/TS/etc? I am designing my theater and want to start the process of backing up my existing dvd collection to HDD in preparation for my eventual setup.

Any assistance is appreciated!!

*EDIT*

I have read through the DVD assist thread and other sites demo'ing it. Just wondering if this is the end all / be all to watching backup DVD's via ATV/FrontRow/Etc. If it is, then I will start the process of backing up to VIDEO_TS.

Everything I've tried uses VIDEO_TS. DVD Assist is currently the best (free) way to go in my opinion, but it looks like Leopard is going to eliminate the need for that. Not using AppleTV, so I'm not sure how my comments apply there.

For seamless ATV playback, I recommend using Handbrake and convert the DVD to H.264. However, you will lose true surround sound and be left with 2 channel AAC.

Thanks for the replies.

So H.264 = no surround, but less tweaking (no DVD Assist)
VIDEO_TS = Surround, but use DVD Assist to work with Frontrow

Did I get that right? :D


*edit*

After reading the dvd assist thread a bit more carefully, I realize that it is for frontrow only (no atv). Which is fine. I am going to go TS anyway as it would give me flexibility if
i decide to switch platforms.

Thanks!

How is Leopard going to eliminate the need for DVD Assist?

Yeah that was exactly my question. I thought Apple was resisting incorporating Video_TS playback in Front Row to discourage DVD piracy, as lame as that would be.

My plan is to audition CenterStage, MediaCenter and Matinee, and will just see which app works best. Don't really need FrontRow.

But if the next OS is planning something regarding Video_TS I'd definitely like to know about it.

Reports in this thread

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=860202&page=2

said that Front Row 2.0 in Leopard recognized folders with VIDEO_TS, and played them without DVD Assist. The relevant discussion starts with post #38.

Reports in this thread

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=860202&page=2

said that Front Row 2.0 in Leopard recognized folders with VIDEO_TS, and played them without DVD Assist. The relevant discussion starts with post #38.


Wow, that does change things. Great news!

I agree, great news indeed!

Quite so. That puts FrontRow back in the running for a true media center application. Will have to compare interfaces now. Thanks for the pointer, Tim.

If you have to have something now, and want something a bit more lightweight than a full blown media center app, there's always Sofa Control (http://caseapps.com/sofacontrol.html). It's not free ($15 I think), but from testing the demo it worked pretty well for me. It's basically just something that lets you use the Apple Remote with all sorts of different programs, and gives a decent user interface to open & close programs without a keyboard/mouse. There are other apps like that (Mira comes to mind as one), but I liked Sofa Control best.

Try XHub too! Its not free but worth the price you pay for it with excellent support!

You can play VIDEO_TS folders, avi's and just about any others I think!

Okay, I've been gathering info about this for a while now. I haven't fully tried this, but:

1. Encode to AVI with AC3 passthrough audio using handbrake.
2. Download and install Perian

Now quicktime, and therefor Front Row and any other program that uses quicktime for playback, should be able to playback the AVI movies you've created and pass through the AC3 5.1 audio out the optical audio out.

I'll give this a try this weekend and see if it works.

Now quicktime, and therefor Front Row and any other program that uses quicktime for playback, should be able to playback the AVI movies you've created and pass through the AC3 5.1 audio out the optical audio out.

Unless something has recently changed, this is incorrect. Perian will down mix to a 2.0 stereo mix.

Quick question:

Does any program in osx support playback of DVDs from ISO files? And if so, can the front row remote be used?

Thanks