Media server & access for VOB files

[PanosK]

Hello all,

I'm looking at ripping a fairly big collection of DVDs (more than 2,000 for sure), In order to simplify the workflow and given that hard disk space has become somewhat easy to attain I'm thinking of the following:
1) Create a VOB library avoiding any kind of compression: 2 reasons behind this, I don't want to spent the time, subtitles, etc. + I want to maintain the extras/menus as originally intented.
2) Make this library accessible via a media server across all devices in the house: PC, Mac, iPad via wifi.

Could you please recommend the hardware to use but more importantly the server software, as well as the software on iPad & computers to access them? Has someone actually done it and are there any problems (e.g. Bandwidth not being enough for streaming via wifi, incompatibility of iPad software to access VOBs, etc).

This is really really appreciated as I'm struggling, thank you in advance!

Panos

[Case]

(2) Look into Emby (formerly Media Browser). It has a server app, a web client, mobiele clients, and tv clients. They have a Emby Premiere subscription service if you want some premium features.
Plex is similar, with server and client software. There’s also a Plex Pass subscription service, and in-app purchases for Plex mobile apps.
Read up and see which you like best. Each seem to have their own following with finding the small differences quite important.

[PanosK]

Thanks a lot, I appreciate it. Plex doesn't work as far as I could read online but Emby could be a way. Am I correct that it would work something like this:
- Buy a Synology type of NAS server (I'm looking at DS216J - I don't want a computer) transfer there all my VOB files.
- Install on the server the Emby server software.
- Use the client applications on PC, iPad, etc.

Do you have experience/can somebody confirm that the above setup would work via wifi over a home network?

Thanks again,

Panos

[usually_quiet]

Hello all,

I'm looking at ripping a fairly big collection of DVDs (more than 2,000 for sure), In order to simplify the workflow and given that hard disk space has become somewhat easy to attain I'm thinking of the following:
1) Create a VOB library avoiding any kind of compression: 2 reasons behind this, I don't want to spent the time, subtitles, etc. + I want to maintain the extras/menus as originally intented.
2) Make this library accessible via a media server across all devices in the house: PC, Mac, iPad via wifi.

Could you please recommend the hardware to use but more importantly the server software, as well as the software on iPad & computers to access them? Has someone actually done it and are there any problems (e.g. Bandwidth not being enough for streaming via wifi, incompatibility of iPad software to access VOBs, etc).

This is really really appreciated as I'm struggling, thank you in advance!

Panos

You need to copy all the files in the VIDEO_TS folder, not just the VOBs if you want to have functional menus. If the DVD files for each disc are stored in separate folders on a system that functions as a DLNA server, maybe VLC would work for playing the DVD remotely. I have tested this method, and it works for Windows PCs using a wireless home network. VLC maintains versions for iOS and OS X, but since I don't own any Apple products, I can't test with those.