All I am trying to find is a product that will stream DVD's from a server without having to transcode to something other than Video_TS or ISO. I cannot seem to find any that do that. I want to be able to keep full DVD functionality including menu's and subtitles.

I also don't really want something that has to be extensivly moded.

Does this exist, or should I just use a cheap PC?

Thanks

Oh, and HDMI is a must

Buy a Kaleidiscape. A 1TB unit will run you about 20K, you won't have to modify anything and you won't have to have a doctorate in computer science to run it. It will just work and do a lot of other really cool things. Go check one out sometime. They are amazing but a lot pricey.

Kevin

DVD including menus and such are supported if starting from DVD ISO or
VIDEO_TS. If you don't want to make ISO backups first, then you only
have one option, buy a DVD player... (unless willing to spend 20k indeed)

How would you store all DVD's without making a backup anyway? A PC with 200 DVD drives?

By makin ISO or VIDEO_TS backups, you will have the exact same experience
as if the DVD was playing itself including all options. There are ways to circumvent
making backups using a PC and mount point the DVD... but that's just not
convenient...

Enjoy

without having to transcode to something other than Video_TS or ISO

I read your post as saying your ok with ISO? (as you say other than)...

I don't know too much about other devices, but the LimHD200i and the Tvix can play DVD ISO/IFO...I think both units have a few bugs...but nothing major on the Lim....

there is a new cut of firmware due on the Lim soon, so I'll know if the last few ISO bugs are gone (I also think the Tvix has new f/w due soonish too)

K

I read your post as saying your ok with ISO? (as you say other than)...
K

So did I.

I use a MediaGate MG-350 exclusively for playing ISOs. It works with no problems. It has an ethernet port and streams the ISOs with no problem. MediaGate also has the MG-35 that is cheaper than the MG-350 and I believe also has an ethernet port. The 350 also offers wireless which I increases the price. If the 35 performs as well as the 350 for network ISO streaming it would be a reasonable option.

Now if only somebody would make a streamer that could handle gapless FLAC, I'd be in heaven

So did I.

I use a MediaGate MG-350 exclusively for playing ISOs. It works with no problems. It has an ethernet port and streams the ISOs with no problem. MediaGate also has the MG-35 that is cheaper than the MG-350 and I believe also has an ethernet port. The 350 also offers wireless which I increases the price. If the 35 performs as well as the 350 for network ISO streaming it would be a reasonable option.

I am fine with ISO, or TS. Basically I want to be able to rip down with DVD Shrink and be able to play the resulting file with full functionality. I don't want to have to deal with transcoding the resulting file into another format like WMV, MPG or DIVX.

I also don't have 20K to spend.

I will look at the MG-350. How is the GUI, is it simply Text, or can it load cover art and descriptions?

The GUI is text.

Full DVD disc functionality is of course retained when using the ISO file as well as TS. I prefer using ISO files because I'm dealing with one file instead of all of the files associated with a file rip.

If you are using Shrink and are going from DVD-9 to DVD-5 you also should have no problems streaming using wifi. At least that has been my experience. I'm also able to stream DVD-9 ISOs (generally) with no problems (wifi) but streaming performance can be borderline depending on conditions. Ethernet is rock solid for full size (unshrunk) ISO files.

The GUI is text.

Full DVD disc functionality is of course retained when using the ISO file as well as TS. I prefer using ISO files because I'm dealing with one file instead of all of the files associated with a file rip.

If you are using Shrink and are going from DVD-9 to DVD-5 you also should have no problems streaming using wifi. At least that has been my experience. I'm also able to stream DVD-9 ISOs (generally) with no problems (wifi) but streaming performance can be borderline depending on conditions. Ethernet is rock solid for full size (unshrunk) ISO files.

I stick with DVD-9, I want the best possible quality so I do not compress at all. This should be a problem though, as I have a hard wired ethernet port right next to my equipment closet.

Is there anything out with a better GUI, like something from MCE or XLOBBY. It doesn't have to be as full featured, but I would like something that looks a bit sharper than just text.

TVIX can do a icon/wallpaper GUI. But it is a lot of work if you have a bunch of DVD's. Their is a thread dedicated to this GUI and one of the forum members has written a free program to aid in setting it up.

If its not good enough then you will probably be stuck using a HTPC. Media Streamer are still privative compared to a real PC.

I have the Buffalo Linktheater and it has HDMI out and will do I believe up to 1080I. I keep many DVD titles on my NAS drive and stream to it. It works nice because it's also connected as a modulated channel in my house cable so at any TV I can pull up home videos or movies. I have a 2 TB Buffalo NAS drive on the network. it also will do jpeg and podcast but I really enjoy the ability to go to the NAS drive and watch anything. It's so nice to go to the year of the home movie and watch them. I also use it to reference all the discovery channel programs I've saved over the years from my TIVO.

The downside to this player is audio and I've since purchased a Helios 5000 which has the flac codec so I will now have lossless audio also. Both of these players are wireless but my experience is that you have to wire them and the network has to be fast. I've heard of others loosing the streams but I have not and I think this has to do with network configuration. I didn't like playing a high bit rate MP3 and switching between that and the original CD and realizing how different the audio was. Now with flac I shouldn't be able to tell the difference.


BTW. the Helios 5000 has HDMI and will do 1080P and with my new Hidef video camera I should enjoy the better home movies with it.

John

If its not good enough then you will probably be stuck using a HTPC. Media Streamer are still privative compared to a real PC.

I am realizing that. I am very proficient with PC's, so I am probably going that route as the more I read about these streamers the more limitations I can see.

The best thing out right now, outside of building a HTPC is the ShowCenter 200 from Pinnacle Systems. I got the first version of this component went it first came out about 2yrs ago. I love it. If you ask me for the money it cant be beat (<$200). There is no HDMI connection but it does use HD component wires along with digital outs (1 fiber & 1 Coax). There is very little loss (if any) of picture or sound (when using ethernet connection, avoid wifi cuz it can get choppy) from playing straight DVDs.

I pretty much extract my dvds using DVD Shrink, or DVD Decryptor, or DVD Cloner, and add it to the streaming media manager software (comes w/Showcenter), turn on the unit that attaches to my network & TV and watch my movies from my PC. The whole process doesn't take more than 15-20 mins. It has a simple GUI so you can scroll through your media w/ ease.

They also offer another component that works with Windows MCE. I dont have that but it looks cool to. Hope that helps!

google "PinnacleSys" for a link.

The best thing out right now, outside of building a HTPC is the ShowCenter 200 from Pinnacle Systems. I got the first version of this component went it first came out about 2yrs ago. I love it. If you ask me for the money it cant be beat (<$200). There is no HDMI connection but it does use HD component wires along with digital outs (1 fiber & 1 Coax). There is very little loss (if any) of picture or sound (when using ethernet connection, avoid wifi cuz it can get choppy) from playing straight DVDs.

I pretty much extract my dvds using DVD Shrink, or DVD Decryptor, or DVD Cloner, and add it to the streaming media manager software (comes w/Showcenter), turn on the unit that attaches to my network & TV and watch my movies from my PC. The whole process doesn't take more than 15-20 mins. It has a simple GUI so you can scroll through your media w/ ease.

They also offer another component that works with Windows MCE. I dont have that but it looks cool to. Hope that helps!

google "PinnacleSys" for a link.


What format do you rip DVD's in? Will it do ISO, or is it Video_TS?

I am fine with ISO, or TS. Basically I want to be able to rip down with DVD Shrink and be able to play the resulting file with full functionality. I don't want to have to deal with transcoding the resulting file into another format like WMV, MPG or DIVX.

XBMC
I already do exactly what you're asking for. I take my DVD's, rip them with DVD shrink, save it on my NAS and then stream it to my XBMC.

As the XBMC Wiki says "DVD-video playback with menus (from DVD, harddrive, network, as IFO/VOB or ISO/IMG DVD-images)"

More codec support than anything else out there - http://www.xboxmediacenter.com/wiki/index.php?title=XBMC_Features_and_Supported_Formats/Codecs#Notes

Now if only somebody would make a streamer that could handle gapless FLAC, I'd be in heaven

you mean like an xbox has for several years...


Sean

XBMC
I already do exactly what you're asking for. I take my DVD's, rip them with DVD shrink, save it on my NAS and then stream it to my XBMC.

As the XBMC Wiki says "DVD-video playback with menus (from DVD, harddrive, network, as IFO/VOB or ISO/IMG DVD-images)"

More codec support than anything else out there - http://www.xboxmediacenter.com/wiki/index.php?title=XBMC_Features_and_Supported_Formats/Codecs#Notes

Unless I could find an already moded Xbox, I am not interested in fiddling with a hack.

I am using the Zensonic Z500 (predecessor to the Ziova CS-505) which has a wired network connection, HDMI output and a decent menu interface that has just been upgraded this month. This new firmware fixed a lot of little bugs and plays my ISO files perfectly. One of the forum sponsors (DigitalConnection) sells them retail and they show up on Ebay from time to time. This has what you want except for the cover art.
Shark