A video question
 

So, I am building a new home network. Part of that is a stupid amount of networkable storage for everyone. Part of THAT is going to be all of our CDs and DVDs in digital format (not for distribution!). We want to be able to listen to whatever we want, wherever we want. I chose .mp3 format for that.

BUT!

My question is this, when it comes time to digitize my DVDs, what format should I choose? I don't particularly like WMP and would like a better replacement. I've been thinking VLC but it looks kinda...basic. I want pretty. And compatable over several platforms. I use Linux, wife uses Windows 7, I have a couple of other light duty laptops running earlier versions of Windows (unless I install Linux :) ) and we may add an Apple next year.

All of these disparate machines need to talk seamlessly (and easily) to the repositories of music and video and it all needs to stream flawlessly without pauses.

Any advice/assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Pamela

Here's my advice:

Good luck.

I would love to do the same thing, and I'll be going to school on your dime in this thread.

One low-tech idea is to look to an actual networked dvd player, like you'd have a central home stereo. That saves a metric crapton of digitization space/time/effort, but does still require you to walk to the device and load it. Perhaps some kind of jukebox? One place to look is to do it like a hotel does it. You know they don't have all those current movies digitized.

Will the interface appearance really matter that much?

You'll be watching full screen won't you?



ETA: Nevermind...I guess ya gotta look at it to get started.:p:

Oooh, BigV done gone and made me think...

Ya reckon they make 300 disc DVD changers, like the cd changers?

250 slot unit with up to six drives, $2500.

not exactly what I had in mind but in that direction...

ETA:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-BDP-CX960...9626366&sr=1-3

here's a 400 slot unit, including blu-ray, one used for $640.

a review.

YIKES

I was looking at a stack of Tb hard drives

I don't mind sitting there and ripping one CD after another. I tought about a jukebox too, until I saw the price tags

I'll just stick with digital copies for now. The drives will also handle backups for the computers. Like my own personal cloud.

xbox and ps3 are capable media servers. check them out too. you still need beaucoup disc space if you really intend to digitize the dvds.