Want to archive my DVD library to my HTPC

[Memo_182]

I just bought 2 1TB SATA drives with the help of my "stimulus" check with the intention of archiving all of my DVD library into those drives. My original intention was to just rip all of my DVDs to the hard drives and using My Movies for Windows MCE to watch the .VOB files. My friend recommended that I not squander all the space and convert them all to DiVX or x264 using Handbrake and that way I can use the extra space for future movies. Either way I think is fine but I would like to have the opinions of the rest of the VideoHelp community. Any other options, recommendations, or methods other people are using? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[GMaq]

Hello,

Well there are several ways of doing this "right". For myself I archive my DVD's to my HTPC using H.264. I rip with AnyDVD/DVD Decrypter and use WinFF to convert the VOBs to H.264 .mp4 files. At bitrates of 1000-1500kbps most DVD's still look very good on a 42" Plasma. I don't get too excited over a couple of macroblocks in a dark scene here and there, some people do. My HTPC runs Linux (Ubuntu 7.10) I find the Totem Movie player scales them all accurately to widescreen, however there are many Windows players that will also do the same, ie SMPlayer. Most movies come in under a gig size-wise and if needed the kids can also take 'em on the road with an iPod. This is what works for me, I'm sure you will get many differing suggestions, the best thing would be to take 1 DVD and rip it to several different formats and see what you like best.

[Memo_182]

Thanks, I don't consider my self a newbie but I am far from skilled to use Linux. I tried MythTV, knoppMyth and I couldn't get it to work the way I wanted to. I am definitely going try WinFF to convert. Any reason to use this vs Handbrake?

[GMaq]

Thanks, I don't consider my self a newbie but I am far from skilled to use Linux. I tried MythTV, knoppMyth and I couldn't get it to work the way I wanted to. I am definitely going try WinFF to convert. Any reason to use this vs Handbrake?

OK,

Well I don't use my HTPC for capturing, just for playback and web-surfing etc, I use Linux because I am used to it, find it easier to customize visually and like the Totem Movie player and not having to worry about viruses etc. Obviously Windows is an equally excellent choice. I use WinFF because it works equally well in both Windows and Linux, I haven't used Handbrake myself, but have heard a lot of good press about it, if you are happy with it there is probably not much reason to change. If you do try WinFF you will have to make sure your DVD is ripped into one large .VOB before you convert it, this can be done with VOBMerge or VOB2MPEG. There are MANY great H.264 tools here, WinFF is only one of them. MeGUI,AutoMKV, AutoFF, MPEG Streamclip, Staxrip, Ripbot264 are also noteworthy.