Instead of enabling remote access the WHS console, I installed LogMeIn to allow access to everything (desktop and therefor console as well.)

I'm a purist and want the best picture quality, sound quality, and all of the menus and features on the original disk. So I don't transcode to a different format or container.

I copy from the original disk to folders. DVD are in \Movies\Title\video_ts\ structure and Blu-rays are in the structure \Movies\Title\BDMV\ and all of the files from the original disc are within these folders.

The downside is that most media players don't support this playback structure. Windows Media Center PCs do (Arcsoft Total Media Theatre is required for blu-ray playback.) The Popcorn Hour C-200 also supports both formats. But you're out of luck for Xbox 360 or PS3 support.

The Collection Management application within My Movies is the best I've found for providing the correct cover art, movie details, and other metadata.

Great site! I found it (like others, I daresay) doing research on building a theater.

I have downloaded and installed My Movies to play with, but do not have a media extender for it at the moment. I actually stream all my media from my main PC downstairs to my PS3 using a program called PS3 Media Server…go figure.

My question for you (I have many, but will only post 1 for now) is this: When you rip a DVD or Blu Ray, what format are you ripping to? My thought is that when running through a 1080p projector, a low quality file will look absolutely horrendous, but doing a full quality rip – particularly on BR – is going to make for some huge files.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

Keith

I love your home-theater setup, it looks great! Actually, my friend and I decided to invite ourselves over for a movie weekend. We figure, start out friday with a Star Wars maraton. Saturday we do Terminator and Transformers and Sunday with a Harry Potter maraton.

Oh, what's that, you're not in Europe? Too bad, rain check then, I suppose

I am looking for a Philips 9FF2M4 digital photo frame but am currently struggling to find one anywhere, or to find anywhere that has a good review. Do you know anywhere you can point me to that will provide one of these please?

Many thanks

I just somehow ended up on your blog and really impressed with it. Coincidentally, I am going through the same phases you went through. I did comp sci, and have been working in a telecommunication industry for the past 5 years, and now feeling the itch to pursue my MBA, and also will be setting up my first Home theater in a new house. Love the technology list, and after reading numerous forums, my head is starting to spin, so your website is a sigh of relief. Great site

Great site and I love the technology list, especially the photography and software sections (there are a few there I will be taking a closer look at.

As for the photography, I have a Nikon D70s and its a superb piece of kit and travels everywhere with me. I also bought a Digital Frame recentlyfrom these guys http://www.udiggit.com I ended up buying a 15" Acrylic one from their Pictorea Ramge and so far have found it very easy to use and displays my photos a treat.

Andy

Yes, the TVIX Box is a simple digital media solution. I work for TVIX Box and we have been selling a lot of these units for the past couple years. They keep getting better and the feedback has been great. Here is the real simple breakdown:

1) TVIX Box M-3100: This player is NOT HD and is NOT networkable, but if you want to get your digital media to your TV with out a lot of investment or hassle, this is the way to go.
2) TVIX Box M-4000: This has all the same specs as the 5000 mentioned above which has been the gold standard for about a year now, but it is about 100US less, due to recent manufacturing innovations. It is HD and has a built in Ethernet as well as optional Wi-fi access.
3) TVIX Box M-5000: Same as 4000, but in an innovative cylindrical shape and about 100US more.
4) TVIX Box 4100 and 5100 series: Not yet available, but all the features of the 4000/5000 plus 1080 support and H.264.

Good Luck!

Paul
TVIX Box Multimedia Players

If you are looking for a device you don't have to spend too much time to configure or modify, I'd suggest looking at a TviX from Dvico. The M-5000 model is the best media extender out there from everything I've read – and I've read quite a bit. If you can wait a couple months, the M-4100 and M-5100 models will be out and they offer about everything you could possibly need: H264 codec support, HDMI audio/video output, and SATA drive support.

The Apple TV is another alternative, but I don't recommend it unless you plan to modify it. Out-of-the-box, it only supports some very specific Apple file formats. Support for other formats can be added but you have to do quite a bit of modification (remove hard drive, install special software, etc.)

You might want to spend some time on the AVS Digital Media Servers & Content Streamers forum to get more opinions. Hope this helps – enjoy!

Great site. I congratulate you for the time you take to reply all comments. I read most of you articles and enjoyed them a lot.
Regarding your technology list, I'm surprissed I've not seen a media center extender or any other device capable of feeding your HDTV from programs stores in your computer, I was hoping to get some advice as I need to buy one. I've tried the Buffalo LinkTheater DVD but I've sold it because it didn't pleased me the software nor the video quality.
Regards, MS

DVD Profiler is still available as freeware, although I recommend upgrading to the commercial version. http://www.intervocative.com/Downloads.aspx

My file server is also my desktop PC. I'm running Ubuntu Linux 6.10 and have a 12-port Areca hardware RAID card, currently with five 500GB Seagate SATA hard drives. I was using Windows Server 2003 but recently converted over to Linux and have been very please with the improvement in file serving and stability.

Great to hear from another diver! Unfortunately, it's been almost a year since I was under water. . .