I recently purchased an HP MediaSmart EX470 and have begun backing up my DVD's to it in .VOB format. In trying to use my Popcorn Hour device to play, it won't recognize the backed up files. I did a bit of research and it seems that the HP EX470 doesn't make .VOB/DVD backup files available for streaming, but rather limits itself to the formats listed below. Is there a way to bypass this (without converting the format) so that I can play my legitimately backed up DVD's?

Thank you,
Mike

from http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/devices/wmconnect/faq.aspx#3_1:

Windows Media Connect can stream the following file types to your devices:

Audio
Windows Media Audio (.wma)
Advanced Systems Format (.asf)
MP3 (.mp3)
WAV (.wav)

Video
Windows Media Video (.wmv)
Microsoft Recorded TV Show (.dvr-ms)
Audio Video Interleaved (.avi)
MPEG-1 (.mpeg, .mpg)
MPEG-2 (.mp2, .mpeg, .mpg)

Picture
Bitmap (.bmp)
Graphics Interchange Format (.gif)
Joint Photographic Experts Group (.jpeg, .jpg)
Portable Network Graphics (.png)
Tagged Image File Format (.tif, .tiff)

Playlists
Windows Media Playlist (.wpl)
MP3 Playlist (.m3u)

I would suggest you not use Media Connect due to the limitations that you describe. I'm using the MSS with a Tvix unit and use NFS and the Tvix app Netshare 2.0.

Here is a post that I created earlier today describing how to configure it.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13045604#post13045604

If you use Netshare 2.0 you can link directly to the MSS created Video/Photo/Music shares

You could also just SMB browse to the MSS I think.

Tolax

This thread almost got me worried. I just purchased an EX470; it's coming soon. As always, I did my research, but apparently not enough of it. I assumed you can open up folders from the EX470 just like any other networked drive or folder (Samba?).

Just as long as I can do that, I'm a happy person. I assume that's all I need to be able to play media from it.

I recently purchased an HP MediaSmart EX470 and have begun backing up my DVD's to it in .VOB format. In trying to use my Popcorn Hour device to play, it won't recognize the backed up files. I did a bit of research and it seems that the HP EX470 doesn't make .VOB/DVD backup files available for streaming, but rather limits itself to the formats listed below. Is there a way to bypass this (without converting the format) so that I can play my legitimately backed up DVD's?

Thank you,
Mike

from http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/devices/wmconnect/faq.aspx#3_1:

Windows Media Connect can stream the following file types to your devices:

Audio
Windows Media Audio (.wma)
Advanced Systems Format (.asf)
MP3 (.mp3)
WAV (.wav)

Video
Windows Media Video (.wmv)
Microsoft Recorded TV Show (.dvr-ms)
Audio Video Interleaved (.avi)
MPEG-1 (.mpeg, .mpg)
MPEG-2 (.mp2, .mpeg, .mpg)

Picture
Bitmap (.bmp)
Graphics Interchange Format (.gif)
Joint Photographic Experts Group (.jpeg, .jpg)
Portable Network Graphics (.png)
Tagged Image File Format (.tif, .tiff)

Playlists
Windows Media Playlist (.wpl)
MP3 Playlist (.m3u)

Well, I think you're right and wrong. I have a 470 myself and here is my understanding of WMC: it is like the UPnP "front-end" of Windows Media Player. Since WMP doesn't support VOB natively, neither will WMC stream it...but it's not the 470's "fault", but more a limitation of the WMP/WMC that is of course inherent to Windows Home Server.

Two things you can do: one, a lot of people use transcoding with either TVersity, TWonky, or Fuppes; not only should this allow you to stream your VOB, but other non-supported codecs, like FLAC for audio, as well. Personally I'm of the opinion that I want my 470 to be "sophisticated" enough to act as the heart of my media universe, without the trickery of transcoding, but lots of folks use it successfully. Also, WMC won't stream VOB, as a UPnP device, but that doesn't keep certain players from reading the VOBs directly from their shares; I can stream VOB from the 470 to my MG-35 for example, because it just reads the share...doesn't connect through WMC. Does your Popcorn Hour have the option to do that?

CD

I have just come to this area as I want to transfer all my 1000's
of my favorite CD cuts and access them from a wireless LAPTOP to
play through my home theater system.

It seems like the HP EX470 would be a logical choice for the server.

My question is what software can I use to manage the files and function
as my software "jukebox" and what hardware will I need to couple via
digital fiber into my Pioneer 94 receiver.

(I am running WIN XP on my home network already..)

Thanks in advance !!

I have just come to this area as I want to transfer all my 1000's
of my favorite CD cuts and access them from a wireless LAPTOP to
play through my home theater system.

It seems like the HP EX470 would be a logical choice for the server.

My question is what software can I use to manage the files and function
as my software "jukebox" and what hardware will I need to couple via
digital fiber into my Pioneer 94 receiver.

(I am running WIN XP on my home network already..)

Thanks in advance !!

If you were going to get a 470 you'd probably just want to run WMP11 as your "front-end". Of course that depends on which codec you settled on for your rips.

CD

I think the followings are must-read sites for those who want to get the most out of your HP EX470/475:

- MediaServer.net (http://www.mediasmartserver.net)
- MyHomeServer.com (http://www.myhomeserver.com)
- ...

I have been using HP EX-470 with my HTPC (wired), TVix 4100SH (wired) and PCH A-100 (wireless through a Bufallo Tech ethernet converter).

Did you try renaming them to mpg?

Alan

donor PC + WHS OS + 2 500G HD's = $400

;)

donor PC + WHS OS + 2 500G HD's = $400

;)

Isn't everyone proud of this guy? Let's see, I paid $500, didn't get a hand-me-down PC, and have a licensed copy of WHS and support. Not the greatest get my friend. Am I taking the bait?

CD

Isn't everyone proud of this guy? Let's see, I paid $500, didn't get a hand-me-down PC, and have a licensed copy of WHS and support. Not the greatest get my friend. Am I taking the bait?

CD

you also have a slower processor, less RAM, and 500G less storage space than my home built WHS.

I too also have a licensed copy of WHS.

Still think you got the better deal?

All I was pointing out in my original thread was that these things can be built for cheap.....unless you want the flashy HP case. After all mine lives in closet in the basement and isn't exactly a conversation piece for the living room.

Don't take things so personally :)

you also have a slower processor, less RAM, and 500G less storage space than my home built WHS.

I too also have a licensed copy of WHS.

Still think you got the better deal?

All I was pointing out in my original thread was that these things can be built for cheap.....unless you want the flashy HP case. After all mine lives in closet in the basement and isn't exactly a conversation piece for the living room.

Don't take things so personally :)

OTOH, you might brag/boast/post in an appropriate thread, maybe where they are discussing building your own DIY server...not in a thread where HP owners are discussing the best way to stream. And yes, personally, I do still think I got the better deal...otherwise, I would have went the duct-tape-and-baling-wire route. Then again I don't drive a kit-car either, so I guess I am the sucker.

CD

OTOH, you might brag/boast/post in an appropriate thread, maybe where they are discussing building your own DIY server...not in a thread where HP owners are discussing the best way to stream. And yes, personally, I do still think I got the better deal...otherwise, I would have went the duct-tape-and-baling-wire route. Then again I don't drive a kit-car either, so I guess I am the sucker.

CD

yet arty was considering buying one of these HP units....I thought it prudent that others realize you can have more for less with a little bit of effort.

If you want to pay more for less that is certainly your prerogative. I do not however have any duct tape nor baling wire holding my system together. It is simply a pc case.

There really is no need to get all RAAAAAWRR over the issue I just pointed out an alternative to those that were considering paying for a pretty case for something that most people will stick in a closet.

To each their own.