Playing ones DVDs from ones hdd

[ian c-nall]

Dear Forum
I have been backing up my DVDs by creating image ISO files of them for storage on my HDD.
Thereafter when wishing to watch any of the said DVDs I have played back the ISO file on Win Media Player 11.
I managed this by mounting the DVD ISO file to a virtual drive on the PC, which was created using a program such as Virtual CD manager.
However, I am wondering if there is a better way not only to back up dvds if necessary , but also is there a better way to playback DVDs from ones hdd. Perhaps some other format in which one can store the data. I sometimes find that when I mount an ISO file to a virtual drive, and try to playback it in media player that it doesnt go to the menu of the dvd but plays the dvd film right away.
I hope I have explained my situation well enough for any one to understand, and would welcome any suggestions that might be made.
Yours with thanks
Ian

[lordsmurf]

Use VLC, not media player. VLC can directly open ISO too.

[olyteddy]

+1 for VLC. I use it to check ISOs before burning to DVD.

[manono]

You don't have to make ISOs. Just make the regular VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS files within a folder with the name of the movie and play it as a DVD using PowerDVD or whatever software DVD player you have. That's how I test before burning those same files with ImgBurn.

[lordsmurf]

I suggest storing as ISO, for image backups.

[dessieclive]

manono
is righ u dont need to the iso route

[VegasBud]

I guess the best way (as always) is whatever someone is comfortable with, but I don't really see the benefit of using an ISO over just using a directory with the actual files. I can, however, see some drawbacks...accessibility to the material is lessened, the disk space required increases, the additional step of creating the ISO takes extra time and effort, and the added complexity introduces one more thing that can potentially go wrong.

[olyteddy]

The main benefit of ISO is fewer folders and simple one click access. And as the ISO is an image, I don't believe there's that much overhead, maybe less because you don't need all those directory entries.

[VegasBud]

olyteddy,

The number of folders/directory entries shouldn't change, just their visibility. The same folders/files are still there inside the ISO, you just don't see them.

The amount of added disk space required to store an ISO on a hard drive, versus the same files/directory structure not in an ISO, will be determined by the circumstances, but it will always be larger. In a best case scenario, the increased cost in disk space might be quite acceptable, but in a worst case scenario (a ready-to-burn image of dual layer sized dvd-video, complete with padding added for a layer break) an ISO could require hundreds of megabytes of additional space.

I'm not anti-ISO, however. I'm a big fan of people doing things in a way that works for them. It's always a good idea, though, to be aware of the benefits and liabilities connected to a given technique.

[lordsmurf]

ISO retains all the non-video content, whereas file ripping usually does not.

[ian c-nall]

Dear all thanks for this effort to help me I shall keep these things in mind I wonder if it takes longer to load media player with an iso than with a file also does anyone know of a media player other than wmp 11 that can display closed caption subtitles of a dvd.
thanks for the help
Ian

[cal_tony]

Not mentioned above is the process of sticking a hard disk in a media docking station and playing the folders thru a USB equipped Dvd player. As the owner of 3 DVP5990 Dvd players a PS3 and A WD TV hd media player I can plug a hard disk with DVDs in folder form into one of these devices and play the movies. They all accept Vobs. None of them accept Isos.

Just something to think about.

Tony

[16mmJunkie]

VLC player is the best route IMHO, I like ISO as well much easy when it come time to burn image, I don't notice any more space being occupied on HD(but then again I have so many external drives it doesn't matter) but I'll check on this one. You can always load in a virtual drive and view the files if needed.( load a disc and click explore)

But, I'm with whatever floats your boat! And depending on what product you use to burn and are comfortable with would be the route to go. I prefer IMG Burn it does all I need come burn time. I rarely set at my desktop and view movies/shows...I still perfer the television, or home theater(projector setup) for viewing.



16mmJunkie