What we need is an iTunes/computer equivalent for DVDs

[Rabrrrrrr]

I've been ripping my CD collection into iTunes so that I can box the damn things up and get them out of my living space, and I'm thinking now how wonderful it would be to have the same kind of thing for all my DVDs - rip 'em once to a big-ass harddrive that'll interface into the TV/Sound system, so I can box the damn DVDs up and shove 'em out of sight.

Though I suppose with monthly-fee-based broadband Netflix on demand, with it's half-million title library (or whatever it is), we're getting to that point via the avenue of letting them do all the storage and we can just watch whatever we want, when we want, for a few bucks a month and need never buy another DVD again.

Though I don't think that netflix gives all the extras that are on the DVDs, like commentaries and deleted scenes and making-ofs and so on.

But still, I want something for all the ones I have now. They take up so much space to keep them available for us, and it pisses me off. I don't like the cluttered look.

[Forkboy]

1. Most of my DVDs are on the PC now.

I rip them with DVDShrink, compile them back into an ISO file with ImgBurn, and then watch them using Daemon Tools or Alcohol 120%. As an ISO file they're also ready to be burned as a backup as well.

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. Oh, that's cool! Can you run them through the TV and sound system?

And how much memory do they take?

And can you rip a DVD and still be able to watch the special features, have the captions, audio tracks, and so on?

[Forkboy]

4. If you hook your PC sound up through the stereo you're good to go.

I have my PC sound running through my stereo receiver. Instead of PC speakers I run the audio out from the PC to my Tape Deck 1 inputs on the receiver, but you can use any audio in that's available on the receiver. A small adapter might be needed, but it's only a few bucks at RadioHut.

As far as running them through the tv, I don't do that, I just watch them on my PC monitor (which is bigger and better than my tv), but it can be done. Any modern PC video card should have a video out on it, and all new tv's have S video inputs. Usually an S Cable is all that's needed (most tv's and DVD players come with one now, so you might already have one).

A ripped DVD has all the special features included. DVDShrink breaks the DVD down in separate files, useless in that form. ImgBurn compiles them back into a usable format. DVDShrink will also remove copyright protection and region protection if needed. And an ISO file is an exact copy of the DVD. You can even choose to remove foreign language audio tracks to save space (most foreign language tracks take up about 300+ MB, so if you have no plans to ever watch your movie in French you can remove that info).

Most DVD files are around 4 gigabytes when done. Obviously, the length of the movie factors in, and some can be up to 8 gb. I have a ton of DVDs and only a few are larger than 4 gb.

Once you have the ISO file you can "mount" it using Alcohol 120% or Daemon Tools (not free, unless you look). These programs create a fake DVD drive on your PC, essentially tricking your PC into thinking an actual physical copy of the DVD is in a drive.

It sounds harder than it is, like all PC things. If you ever want to give it a go I'll try to help.

[taterguy]

9. An Xbox makes it incredibly easy to connect your computer to your TV/Sound

Worth owning one just for that feature.

Assuming you use a PC of course

[Cleobulus]

7. Just a tip, you can watch DVD ISO files directly on the VLC media player...

no need to mount it separately with another program.

[Forkboy]

10. I never knew that, and I use VLC player all the time.

Cool, that makes it all even easier! :)

[Mojambo]

3. I think you could do that with an AppleTV, couldn't you? n/t

[REP]

5. Yes, you can

Sync your iTunes library (including your ripped DVDs) and they just fine.

[hobbit709]

6. I have about 1 terabyte ripped DVDs on my HTPC

along with about 200 gigabytes assorted video files and about 55 gigabytes mp3 files.
HDMI output to my HDTV and audio to my stereo.

[vi5]

8. Apple TV....

I'm not sure how well it works with a PC or if you have a PC or a Mac. But I have a mac and 2 years ago ripped 200 DVD's via handbrake to M4P files that play through itunes and I have a an Apple TV that interfaces to my tv wirelessly. I can stream them from my computer or within the alloted hard drive on the ATV itself can actually transfer content. Works as a music bridge as well. And also you can download directly from itunes itself on to the ATV.

Best purchase I ever made. All DVD's are boxed up in my basement.