I have a WHS and I want to be able to store all my Blu-Ray movies on it and play those back on any TV in my residence. I have been reading various sources on how this is done and it seems there are dozens of combinations on how to do this. I feel like my head is going to explode reading them all. There's MKV, BDMV, ISO. Then there are all sorts of ways to rip, and play back these files. My goal is to be as forward looking as possible at this stage of the game. Information from even 3 months ago seems outdated in cases where different software programs have gained and lost capabilities (PDVD 9).
1. I would like no loss in quality whatsoever in video or audio. I do not believe in transcoding a lossy format.
2. While I would like compatibility with PS3 and XBox 360, it's clear to me that currently trying to use those players is a waste of time since it requires transcoding or some degradation somewhere due to their manufacturer's closed-minded policies. However they are convenient, cheap devices with decent interfaces. So I would like to pick a method that leaves me open to the day when those players may get updates to play these rips. It may never happen and I'm fully prepared for that.
3. Given the above I have an HTPC ready to go and a WHS also ready to go and with plenty of free space. I would like the option to use something like the Asus O Play or WD Media Player, but my first player will be an HTPC with which I will work out the initial kinks.
4. I wish to preserve menus, special features, audio at full lossless quality.
I hear arguments for formats like MKV, ISO, BDMV and I really don't know the best way. It would seem that ISO is the way to go since that is the actual disc image and if in the future things change I could always use that ISO to convert to something else that works better for my purpose. Then I read here on AVSForum that going with ISO for some reason requires audio quality loss on playback. I am confused. BDMV seems like a good option and I understand the only software to play it is TMT3 Platinum. MKV is favored by some but I believe that causes a loss of menus and features.
I'm really confused right now and I wonder which strategy allows me to preserve as much as possible and allow for possible current or future use of cheaper media extenders like the WD media player or the Asus or Seagate or Popcorn Hour. If it makes life easier I could do without menus and such. But I need all audio formats.
I understand if I go the ISO route the ISO must be mounted. How long does this take?
My player will be an HTPC running a Core i7 at 4.1GHz and my WHS is Core 2 Duo at 3.2 Ghz and everything will be via Gigabit Ethernet. At some point I might move the WHS to a dedicated 5GHz Wireless-N bridge. I know that bridge can saturate a 100Mbps Ethernet link - I have tested it.
I am getting my BD-drive tomorrow and I have been waiting long to do this but I wanted to do it right the first time. I don't want to have to re-rip my library in the future if possible.
1. I would like no loss in quality whatsoever in video or audio. I do not believe in transcoding a lossy format.
2. While I would like compatibility with PS3 and XBox 360, it's clear to me that currently trying to use those players is a waste of time since it requires transcoding or some degradation somewhere due to their manufacturer's closed-minded policies. However they are convenient, cheap devices with decent interfaces. So I would like to pick a method that leaves me open to the day when those players may get updates to play these rips. It may never happen and I'm fully prepared for that.
3. Given the above I have an HTPC ready to go and a WHS also ready to go and with plenty of free space. I would like the option to use something like the Asus O Play or WD Media Player, but my first player will be an HTPC with which I will work out the initial kinks.
4. I wish to preserve menus, special features, audio at full lossless quality.
I hear arguments for formats like MKV, ISO, BDMV and I really don't know the best way. It would seem that ISO is the way to go since that is the actual disc image and if in the future things change I could always use that ISO to convert to something else that works better for my purpose. Then I read here on AVSForum that going with ISO for some reason requires audio quality loss on playback. I am confused. BDMV seems like a good option and I understand the only software to play it is TMT3 Platinum. MKV is favored by some but I believe that causes a loss of menus and features.
I'm really confused right now and I wonder which strategy allows me to preserve as much as possible and allow for possible current or future use of cheaper media extenders like the WD media player or the Asus or Seagate or Popcorn Hour. If it makes life easier I could do without menus and such. But I need all audio formats.
I understand if I go the ISO route the ISO must be mounted. How long does this take?
My player will be an HTPC running a Core i7 at 4.1GHz and my WHS is Core 2 Duo at 3.2 Ghz and everything will be via Gigabit Ethernet. At some point I might move the WHS to a dedicated 5GHz Wireless-N bridge. I know that bridge can saturate a 100Mbps Ethernet link - I have tested it.
I am getting my BD-drive tomorrow and I have been waiting long to do this but I wanted to do it right the first time. I don't want to have to re-rip my library in the future if possible.
