[consequential]

Hi all,


What is the best software for playing DVD/BD on HTPC? Powerdvd? If so version 8 or 9? Or is there something altogether better? Has to be able to play rips of both.


Thanks!

 

[trailergod]

one of the best and easiest.... all codecs built in...

http://mpc-hc.sourceforge.net/


also does BLU and HD DVD using ffdshaw codecs...

 

[jszei]

also Media Portal with ffdshow codec, WinDVD 9+Blu-ray, Total Media Theater 3, PowerDVD 9


I would try all these out to see which is the best for you. Personally, after testing them all I found WinDVD 9 to have the smoothest playback and best out of the box picture, color, etc.

 

[DJWikiera]

TMT 3, will play from folders as standalone player or in VMC with MyMovies.

 

[whiteboy714]



Quote:
Originally Posted by consequential /forum/post/16893410


Hi all,


What is the best software for playing DVD/BD on HTPC? Powerdvd? If so version 8 or 9? Or is there something altogether better? Has to be able to play rips of both.


Thanks!

Wait are you talkin files? Cause you said rips? Or are you talking inserting disks? Or iso's?

 

[consequential]

These are files located on a home server of actual DVD and BD rips. The rips are not ISOs, they are the actual files from the DVD via AnyDVD. I tried using the PowerDVD 9.0 trial, however when I switch it to theater mode, it won't display these files as full screen unless I use an actual DVD disc. Also, when viewing full-screen, I've noticed that PowerDVD 9.0 as well as Media Center show the content with a wide-screen but the screen is within the t.v., so it is not actually taking up the full screen like a normal DVD would. Any ideas on how to correct this?


Note: I am outputting the video through HDMI.

 

[jszei]



Quote:
Originally Posted by consequential /forum/post/16895665


These are files located on a home server of actual DVD and BD rips. The rips are not ISOs, they are the actual files from the DVD via AnyDVD. I tried using the PowerDVD 9.0 trial, however when I switch it to theater mode, it won't display these files as full screen unless I use an actual DVD disc. Also, when viewing full-screen, I've noticed that PowerDVD 9.0 as well as Media Center show the content with a wide-screen but the screen is within the t.v., so it is not actually taking up the full screen like a normal DVD would. Any ideas on how to correct this?


Note: I am outputting the video through HDMI.

edit: walford's post below sounds correct

 

[walford]



Quote:
Originally Posted by consequential /forum/post/16895665


These are files located on a home server of actual DVD and BD rips. The rips are not ISOs, they are the actual files from the DVD via AnyDVD. I tried using the PowerDVD 9.0 trial, however when I switch it to theater mode, it won't display these files as full screen unless I use an actual DVD disc. Also, when viewing full-screen, I've noticed that PowerDVD 9.0 as well as Media Center show the content with a wide-screen but the screen is within the t.v., so it is not actually taking up the full screen like a normal DVD would. Any ideas on how to correct this?


Note: I am outputting the video through HDMI.

It appears that your system thinks you have a 4:3 aspect ratio display so PowerDVD 9 Ultra in conjunction with your graphics card are displaying 16:9 content in letterbox mode.

 

[consequential]



Quote:
Originally Posted by walford /forum/post/16896310


It appears that your system thinks you have a 4:3 aspect ratio display so PowerDVD 9 Ultra in conjunction with your graphics card are displaying 16:9 content in letterbox mode.

I can't find a setting in the ATI catalyst software allowing for 4:3 vs 16:9... my desktop is definitely filling out the entire screen though... any ideas where I'd set the video card to 16:9? I confirmed PowerDVD is also set to 16:9

 

[noki123]

I prefer VLC player for playing all types of video format. Its very cool, the best feature of it is that it can play a corrupted or incomplete downloaded videos as well

 

[mslide]



Quote:
Originally Posted by consequential /forum/post/16893410


What is the best software for playing DVD/BD on HTPC? Powerdvd? If so version 8 or 9? Or is there something altogether better? Has to be able to play rips of both.

It's really a matter of personal preference, but I prefer Zoom Player. I've used it for several years now. I like it because of the interface and the powerful codec interface it gives you. The latter makes it easy to configure what codecs should be used for what types of movie files. It is a commercial program. If you we were talking free, then I'd choose MPC-HC. Actually, mpc-hc would be my 2nd choice even if we were including commercial players in the mix.


For codecs, I use ffdshow and the mpc video decoder.