Trying to do HD-DVD to BDMV for streaming to a PS3...and have a problem

[trimicada]

So I have a project...to rip my HD-DVD's while I can (only have about 10 of them) to Blu structure or maybe even ISO and store them on my WHS for streaming. Right now, I just have a PS3 that I would like to stream too...but given problems I'm running into, an HTPC build may be in my future!

The basic process I am trying is this:

Rip to ISO using AnyDVD HD off an Xbox360 HD USB drive (borrowed drive)
Mount ISO using Virtual Clone Drive
Run ClownBD and output to BDMV structure
The m2ts in the resulting STREAM folder plays fine on my PC using VLC; also the folder plays fine thru Arcsoft's Total Media Theatre on my PC.

One of my test movies is Seabiscuit; running mediainfo on the m2ts files shows video codec as VC-1 and audio as LPCM. I also tried with Apollo 13 and did the audio a little differently, so the video is VC-1 and the audio is AC-3.

Now the part that is failing...I use PS3 Media Server on my WHS. When I startup my PS3 and go into my Movies folder and into the BDMV\Stream folder to select the m2ts file to play I get an error about corrupted data.

PS3MS also creates a #TRANSCODE# folder for each movie and I found some suggestions to try playing from there. So for Seabiscuit when I tried the "Mencoder" entry from this folder, I would get video, but no audio. Trying the tsmuxer entry got me nothing at all. For Apollo 13, the Mencoder entry got me audio and video but started stuttering badly within 2 minutes. The tsmuxer entry again got me nothing.

Further searching seems to indicate that PS3 had issues with VC-1 files but I can't determine if that was ever resolved.

So I'm looking for any further suggestions?

The primary reason for using ClownBD and not re-encoding is that my desktop PC is 3 years old so re-encoding would be painful at best (a core2duo e6750). Also, using the BDMV folder structure seemed most "future proof". And fastest to accomplish. I also tested makemkv, but got the same corrupt data message when I tried to play the mkv.

Basically my main question I guess is: Can I get this to work? Or am I just out of luck trying to stream it to the PS3?
(I'll be trying an actual original BR movie tonight instead of HD-DVD to see if that will work.)

If I can't get this to work, should I go with option a or option b?
Option a: Upgrade my desktop PC and re-encode - and if so, best format for compatibility
Option b: Give up on the PS3 and build an HTPC
Option c: Both!

(Moderators: given my question involves ripping, conversion, and streaming I wasn't sure where to post...if one of the other threads is more appropriate, let me know or move it. Thanks.)

[redwudz]

Another alternative may be something like WDTV live box. But a HTPC can do a lot more. There are quite a few newer Micro-ATX motherboards than can output HDMI and optical/coaxial audio for HD display. Combine that with a quad or six core CPU and some new RAM and you should be able to handle HD conversions a lot better.

Not really sure about the HD-DVD conversion problems as I've never used that format. Any special reason for using ISO format when ripping? I don't use Clown so I don't know if it's required. Just seems to be adding another level of complication.

I use RipBot most times and convert my BDs to 8GB MKVs, mostly for backup to DL discs.

[fritzi93]

I can see the point of using Clown_BD in that it can extract main movie from an HD-DVD (with no re-encoding, of course), and *output* to Blu-Ray structure. Can MakeMKV output a good MKV using the Clown_BD extracted file as input?

Can't help you with your PS3, but my vote goes to option "C".

[EDIT] A dual-core CPU can do a re-encoding job overnight with BDRB at fastest setting. You could output to BD 5/9/25, all using AVC (h.264), and burn to disc. Maybe your PS3 would work with that.

[yoda313]

BDRB at fastest setting. You could output to BD 5/9/25, all using AVC (h.264), and burn to disc. Maybe your PS3 would work with that.

yes it will. I haven't burnt a bluray yet (no bluray burner). But I do have a ps3 and It has played every avchd dvdr I have thrown at it without a problem.

To the original poster - have you tried playon or tversity yet? Both should be able to handle the hd-dvd and transcode it so the ps3 will handle it.

[trimicada]

Another alternative may be something like WDTV live box. But a HTPC can do a lot more.

Yeah, I've considered a little WDTV live box, but I didn't think they can stream shows from websites? Which would be one thing I want if I'm going to get/buy/build another device.

Any special reason for using ISO format when ripping? I don't use Clown so I don't know if it's required. Just seems to be adding another level of complication.

It's not required for Clown...more of just an organization thing for me. I'll rip several in a row to ISO and then when I'm ready to work on one I mount it with Virtual Clone CD and then do whatever to it.

[trimicada]

Can't help you with your PS3, but my vote goes to option "C".

[EDIT] A dual-core CPU can do a re-encoding job overnight with BDRB at fastest setting. You could output to BD 5/9/25, all using AVC (h.264), and burn to disc. Maybe your PS3 would work with that.

Yeah, I'm starting to lean that way too

The problem with BDRB would be it seems I'll have to use it as a 2 step process with HD-DVD's. Unless I did something wrong, it wouldn't recognize the mounted HDDVD since it is not BR structure. So I'd have to use Clown or something to output to BDMV / BR iso and then run BDRB. So Ripbot or Handbrake might be worth a try instead if I'm going to re-encode.

[trimicada]

yes it will. I haven't burnt a bluray yet (no bluray burner). But I do have a ps3 and It has played every avchd dvdr I have thrown at it without a problem.

Yeah, I'm guessing the VC-1 is part of if not *the* problem.

To the original poster - have you tried playon or tversity yet? Both should be able to handle the hd-dvd and transcode it so the ps3 will handle it.

No, haven't tried those yet, just PS3MS...I'll look into playon and tversity.