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Assassin's HTPC Setup and Configuration Guide/Tutorial - Page 4

post #91 of 265
6/6/11 at 12:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

You can put the bonus DVD folder inside the main movie folder (or just put the bonus DVD video inside). As for metadata go to TMDb or IMDB and see if it is present for the bonus DVD. Some are there and some are not.

Nice. Will try that out.

Another slight difficulty, though: I initially downloaded and installed much of the freeware you recommend but have since downloaded some more premium software to play my backup rips (including TMT5) and now the whole WMC playback process seems to be completely disjointed. (Used to press play and .mkv quickly started. Now mounting software and WMC processes are all shown before TMT5 finally clicks in and plays .mkv, .iso, or .vob files...sometimes with sound, sometimes without.) Have ensured that the extender/iso settings are correct but haven't been able to track down the problem. Is there any of the freeware that might be causing this (perhaps some file access conflicts) or is this just an unavoidable, necessary evil?

BTW, have finally entered the 21st century (aka: the land of torrents) thanks to your guides. Thx, again.
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post #92 of 265
6/6/11 at 4:27am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlakJack View Post
Nice. Will try that out.

Another slight difficulty, though: I initially downloaded and installed much of the freeware you recommend but have since downloaded some more premium software to play my backup rips (including TMT5) and now the whole WMC playback process seems to be completely disjointed. (Used to press play and .mkv quickly started. Now mounting software and WMC processes are all shown before TMT5 finally clicks in and plays .mkv, .iso, or .vob files...sometimes with sound, sometimes without.) Have ensured that the extender/iso settings are correct but haven't been able to track down the problem. Is there any of the freeware that might be causing this (perhaps some file access conflicts) or is this just an unavoidable, necessary evil?

BTW, have finally entered the 21st century (aka: the land of torrents) thanks to your guides. Thx, again.
Thanks for the post. Glad you are enjoying the guides!

I don't use TMT5 because I am trying to get away from requiring $100 software with my guides. That is why I have it setup the way I show you in the guide and don't really even mention TMT5 other than you need it to play retail discs or 3D. Basically my goal is to be able to rip and play bluray to the hard drive for free. And I have accomplished this.

The problem is going to be that you have too many codecs in the kitchen now. You will need to change the limits for each type of file.

Again as I don't use or recommend the $100 TMT5 you will have to ask someone who does. There are a few threads already which are discussing this topic.

Thanks again for the support and enjoy the guides!
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post #93 of 265
6/6/11 at 5:08am
Hey Assassin -

What about chapter support when playing back MKVs? I haven't done the research yet, but from what I understand this is not possible with WMC. I have heard some people are launching external players to play MKVs through Media Browser.

Is this a reliable option worth considering? If so, are you considering a guide for that?
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post #94 of 265
6/6/11 at 5:24am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike_Boulanger View Post
Hey Assassin -

What about chapter support when playing back MKVs? I haven't done the research yet, but from what I understand this is not possible with WMC. I have heard some people are launching external players to play MKVs through Media Browser.

Is this a reliable option worth considering? If so, are you considering a guide for that?
You can launch something like MPC-HC if you want chapter support assuming it supports it. I don't really have a need for chapter support so I don't really miss not having it.

I don't have a guide for that on the horizon just yet. I may consider it later though.
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post #95 of 265
6/6/11 at 5:40am
Chapter support is nice, but not really a neccesity. I hardly even use it to play back BR's using my stand-alone player. But, to each his own.
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post #96 of 265
6/6/11 at 5:42am
Thanks!

One other thing I need to investigate is subtitles. I don't need them for non-english movies, but I need to understand what I need for subtitles IN english-speaking movies.

For example, movies that are english but have a bit of foreign dialog with subtitles in them. When ripping BluRays and playing back as MKVs, what do I need to do to ensure those subtitles pop up as expected?

Is there a guide that deals with that specifically?
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post #97 of 265
6/6/11 at 5:43am
In assassin's $20 guide, you'll find everything you need.
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post #98 of 265
6/6/11 at 5:44am
Quote:
Chapter support is nice, but not really a neccesity. I hardly even use it to play back BR's using my stand-alone player. But, to each his own.
It's just nice if resume is not available for some reason and you need to get 75% into a movie. Without a mouse, skipping in 30 second intervals is horrible. Also, kids like to jump to certain scenes in movies often.
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post #99 of 265
6/6/11 at 6:19am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike_Boulanger View Post
It's just nice if resume is not available for some reason and you need to get 75% into a movie. Without a mouse, skipping in 30 second intervals is horrible. Also, kids like to jump to certain scenes in movies often.
You can do this with resume from within mediabrowser.
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post #100 of 265
6/6/11 at 6:33am
Quote:
You can do this with resume from within mediabrowser.
Yes, but if resume is not available. For example, my wife and I are watching a movie, then the kids start it as well, then we want to watch from where we originally left off.

I know this might sound like an extremely odd occurrance, but with 5 people in the house it does happen here.
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post #101 of 265
6/6/11 at 7:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post
Thanks for the post. Glad you are enjoying the guides!

I don't use TMT5 because I am trying to get away from requiring $100 software with my guides. That is why I have it setup the way I show you in the guide and don't really even mention TMT5 other than you need it to play retail discs or 3D. Basically my goal is to be able to rip and play bluray to the hard drive for free. And I have accomplished this.

The problem is going to be that you have too many codecs in the kitchen now. You will need to change the limits for each type of file.

Again as I don't use or recommend the $100 TMT5 you will have to ask someone who does. There are a few threads already which are discussing this topic.

Thanks again for the support and enjoy the guides!
I hear you. I built a Sandy Bridge HTPC specifically for the 3D capabilities and that is the only reason I'm trying to get it up n running. Will continue my search on the threads you mention.

Keep up the good work.
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post #102 of 265
6/6/11 at 9:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by joeydrunk View Post

What you should always do is rip the movie(no matter what you rip to-MKV,ISO,TS bluray folder structure,) to the best audio available. That way you'll have that available to you when you/if you upgrade equipment. Until then you can use your software to pass through whatever you want. You can also use your avr(if you have one) to pass to your speakers whichever you want.

I've ripped a bluray using makemkv and selecting the HD audio track. When I play it back on my HTPC connected to my desktop speakers with the stereo mini-jack, I get no sound. [I don't yet have my HTPC connected to my AV receiver]. Is there a change I need to make in LAV to downmix the HD audio to stereo when connected to the PC speakers? I've (temporarily) told WMC that I have stereo speakers connected. Thanks; this is my first time using Makemkv (or ripping a bluray, for that matter)!
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post #103 of 265
6/6/11 at 9:28am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by K-Wood View Post

I've ripped a bluray using makemkv and selecting the HD audio track. When I play it back on my HTPC connected to my desktop speakers with the stereo mini-jack, I get no sound. [I don't yet have my HTPC connected to my AV receiver]. Is there a change I need to make in LAV to downmix the HD audio to stereo when connected to the PC speakers? I've (temporarily) told WMC that I have stereo speakers connected. Thanks; this is my first time using Makemkv (or ripping a bluray, for that matter)!

Try *not* bitstreaming. You can't bitstream HD audio over a stereo jack.

In other words de-select the bitstreaming option and see if that gets you working.
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post #104 of 265
6/6/11 at 10:04am
I'll try that, but stupid question: how do I access the LAV filters settings? Thanks!
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post #105 of 265
6/6/11 at 10:17am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by K-Wood View Post

I'll try that, but stupid question: how do I access the LAV filters settings? Thanks!

Filters or bitstreaming?

Bitstreaming is located in guide 2 (now in paid guides 2 tab)
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post #106 of 265
6/6/11 at 10:19am
Thread Starter 
I have completely re-organized the guides.

Guide 1 tab is now Bios, Windows install, etc (as it should be since its first)

Guide 2 tab is software setup and configuration guides 1-12
Guide 3 tab is software setup and configuration guides 13-24

Guide 4-8 tabs are reserved for future guides and tutorials

The pages now load MUCH faster.
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post #107 of 265
6/6/11 at 10:33am
Quote:


503: Service Temporarily Unavailable
Too many IP addresses accessing one secure area!
Please contact Support if you require assistance.

Seems your server is getting overloaded?

Or is it on my end?
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post #108 of 265
6/6/11 at 10:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Filters or bitstreaming?

Bitstreaming is located in guide 2 (now in paid guides 2 tab)

Okay, I found it in the guides (btw, really like the reorganization). But when I open Graph Studio and navigate to the MKV I created, the LAV filters don't show up as the Audio decoder. Instead, it shows the Microsoft DTV-DVD Audio Decoder. FYI, this is on the HTPC that you built for me, so I know it's set up properly!

Thanks,
Ken
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post #109 of 265
6/6/11 at 11:00am
Un-install and re-install LAV.
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post #110 of 265
6/6/11 at 11:02am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy2 View Post

Seems your server is getting overloaded?

Or is it on my end?

You are limited to 3 ip addresses per account. I can reset it for you.
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post #111 of 265
6/6/11 at 11:04am
How does this work with dynamic ip's?

Probably conneced still at home with two pc's but the HTPC should be asleep unless it is on to record or do a virus scan or something. Right now I am at work so that s(w)hould only be three right there?
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post #112 of 265
6/6/11 at 11:06am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy2 View Post

How does this work with dynamic ip's?

Shouldn't be an issue. Give me a little while to reset it.
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post #113 of 265
6/6/11 at 11:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy2 View Post

Seems your server is getting overloaded?

Or is it on my end?

assassinhtpcblog.com had a max one day transfer of 3200.8517 MB. the average daily usage is ~2gb.
Here's a day by day if you're curious.
2011-05-01 10.4870 MB
2011-05-02 24.6913 MB
2011-05-03 3.0437 MB
2011-05-04 50.5116 MB
2011-05-05 121.1665 MB
2011-05-06 257.6138 MB
2011-05-07 109.2191 MB
2011-05-08 567.4219 MB
2011-05-09 509.6545 MB
2011-05-10 515.9567 MB
2011-05-11 523.2461 MB
2011-05-12 780.5829 MB
2011-05-13 381.5701 MB
2011-05-14 476.2916 MB
2011-05-15 1082.0266 MB
2011-05-16 2745.2694 MB
2011-05-17 2188.4059 MB
2011-05-18 2487.2968 MB
2011-05-19 2259.3575 MB
2011-05-20 2209.2273 MB
2011-05-21 2413.3783 MB
2011-05-22 2399.0374 MB
2011-05-23 2275.8232 MB
2011-05-24 1713.5263 MB
2011-05-25 1908.4001 MB
2011-05-26 2762.0944 MB
2011-05-27 1638.3460 MB
2011-05-28 1441.3717 MB
2011-05-29 2159.8443 MB
2011-05-30 3200.8517 MB
2011-05-31 2739.7058 MB
2011-06-01 2595.4266 MB
2011-06-02 2513.3365 MB
2011-06-03 2123.5856 MB
2011-06-04 2358.8242 MB
2011-06-05 2615.2430 MB
Total: 54161.8354 MB

The relativity of this... that server has multiple fiber feeds to 3 different oc12 backbones
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post #114 of 265
6/6/11 at 11:34am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by K-Wood View Post

Okay, I found it in the guides (btw, really like the reorganization). But when I open Graph Studio and navigate to the MKV I created, the LAV filters don't show up as the Audio decoder. Instead, it shows the Microsoft DTV-DVD Audio Decoder. FYI, this is on the HTPC that you built for me, so I know it's set up properly!

Thanks,
Ken

My setups aren't really meant to be used as a desktop PC. For this I would recommend to remove LAV and all other codec packs if you are just using the stereo jacks.

Now if you want it to function as a full functioning HTPC with bitstreaming 7.1 HD Audio then my setup is perfect. That is what I consider a HTPC's job.

If you connect it to your AV receiver you will see that it will work perfectly. Its the stereo jack that is way too simple for the HTPC the way I have it setup.

Hope that helps!
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post #115 of 265
6/6/11 at 11:35am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jbcain View Post

assassinhtpcblog.com had a max one day transfer of 3200.8517 MB. the average daily usage is ~2gb.
Here's a day by day if you're curious.
2011-05-01 10.4870 MB
2011-05-02 24.6913 MB
2011-05-03 3.0437 MB
2011-05-04 50.5116 MB
2011-05-05 121.1665 MB
2011-05-06 257.6138 MB
2011-05-07 109.2191 MB
2011-05-08 567.4219 MB
2011-05-09 509.6545 MB
2011-05-10 515.9567 MB
2011-05-11 523.2461 MB
2011-05-12 780.5829 MB
2011-05-13 381.5701 MB
2011-05-14 476.2916 MB
2011-05-15 1082.0266 MB
2011-05-16 2745.2694 MB
2011-05-17 2188.4059 MB
2011-05-18 2487.2968 MB
2011-05-19 2259.3575 MB
2011-05-20 2209.2273 MB
2011-05-21 2413.3783 MB
2011-05-22 2399.0374 MB
2011-05-23 2275.8232 MB
2011-05-24 1713.5263 MB
2011-05-25 1908.4001 MB
2011-05-26 2762.0944 MB
2011-05-27 1638.3460 MB
2011-05-28 1441.3717 MB
2011-05-29 2159.8443 MB
2011-05-30 3200.8517 MB
2011-05-31 2739.7058 MB
2011-06-01 2595.4266 MB
2011-06-02 2513.3365 MB
2011-06-03 2123.5856 MB
2011-06-04 2358.8242 MB
2011-06-05 2615.2430 MB
Total: 54161.8354 MB

The relativity of this... that server has multiple fiber feeds to 3 different oc12 backbones

In case you were wondering jbcain is the man and let me use his server for hosting all of this.
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post #116 of 265
6/6/11 at 11:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

In case you were wondering jbcain is the man and let me use his server for hosting all of this.

Nice!
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post #117 of 265
6/6/11 at 1:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post
My setups aren't really meant to be used as a desktop PC. For this I would recommend to remove LAV and all other codec packs if you are just using the stereo jacks.

Now if you want it to function as a full functioning HTPC with bitstreaming 7.1 HD Audio then my setup is perfect. That is what I consider a HTPC's job.

If you connect it to your AV receiver you will see that it will work perfectly. Its the stereo jack that is way too simple for the HTPC the way I have it setup.

Hope that helps!
Don't worry, I won't waste this as a desktop. I have the parts for a new desktop build on the way in the Antec 300 case. Once it's built, the HTPC will move to its new home in the theater.
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post #118 of 265
6/7/11 at 10:45pm
BTW, in the interest of fairness, I just wanted to BTTT this thread to say that, w/ assassin's latest guides, he's done a helluva job getting into some serious meat for WMC HTPC setup. I've actually found it useful and, to be frank, he's opened my mind to capabilities I wouldn't have previously attempted, such as gaming system emulation and MB.

Kudos, man. Hope you didn't take my previous comments the wrong way. It's obvious that you've put a sh$%load of work into your guides.
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post #119 of 265
6/8/11 at 5:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by k-wood View Post

i'll try that, but stupid question: How do i access the lav filters settings? Thanks!

w
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post #120 of 265
6/9/11 at 3:51pm
Hey Assassin!

As of the last 24hrs or so I dont seem to be able to access the paid section of your guides any more...

"503: Service Temporarily Unavailable
Too many IP addresses accessing one secure area!
Please contact Support if you require assistance."

Same issue as Sammy2's earlier post maybe??
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