Hey all,
I started this thread to look for help in getting help with streaming Ripped DVD's thru the Xbox360 Media Center interface. Before getting any replies - I figued-out that I had just made a typo & ended-up getting it working.
I'm NOT trying to hi-jack the other thread - but since I someone asked, I'll reply with the steps that I took to get it working. The 'idiot's guide'...if you will.
Let me also say that there is NO WAY in hell I could have figured-out this on my own. All credtit goes to the guys from:
http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/thread/264607.aspx
http://www.htpcug.org/DVDLibraryonExtendersHowTo/tabid/168/Default.aspx
OK...
Here is my 'idiots guide' to getting Ripped DVD's to play thru the Xbox Media Extender:
This only works for the 'main movie' and you will not get any of the additional features - or have access to the DVD menus. That being said - here we go.
First...I am running Windows Vista Home Premium, and don't know if the some steps are followed for Windows XP & XP Media Center Edition. Also, I cannot verify the source of the downloads I used..but they caused no noticeable issues on my PC. Lastly, I am not going to offer links or opinions on DVD Ripping software.
Almost forgot - if you have your Xbox set-up to grab files already, you may have to go thru the steps of 'finding' a connection again...therein having to let the xbox 'discover' all of your shared media again.
1. Run 'Windows Update' and get all of the latest downloads from the Microsoft website.
2. Go to www.microsoft.com and follow the links to get the Windows Vista SP1 (service pack). This will take roughly an hour - depending on the speed of your internet connection, and the speed of your PC/Laptop. This will NOT work without SP1 (I tried)
3. Go to http://www.htpcug.org/portals/1/Transcoder-v0.7.zip and save the file to a convenient location. After the file is saved, right-click on the folder and select 'extract all' to the same location.
4. Open the extracted folder, and copy the Transcoder.dll file into the \Windows\ehome foler on your Operating System Drive. Typically C:\Windows\ehome
5. Double-click on the Transcoder link in the folder you just extracted. You may be asked several times if you want to make a registry change...click ok (or yes).
6. Re-Boot. (just because)
7. Create a folder(s) that you are going to save your ripped movies to. I chose to use a 'local' drive, and now have a D:Video folder that all of my movies will reside in.
8. Rip a DVD to the folder you just created. Only 'rip' the main movie.
- When this is done, you should have a new folder in your 'video' folder. It should contain a AUDIO_TS, and a VIDEO_TS folder inside. Example:
D:\Video
D:\Video\BATMAN_BEGINS\VIDEO_TS
9. Go to http://www.dvdxml.com/search.php set-up an account. It's free.
10. Search http://www.dvdxml.com/search.php for your ripped movie, and when you find it - go to the bottom of the page and click the 'download xml' link for that movie.
11. When prompted, save the .XML file to the movie folder that you just created. After you save the file, the movie folder should contain the .XML file, the AUDIO_TS folder and the VIDEO_TS folder.
- Here is wher things get a little entailed.
Your VIDEO_TS folder should contain several .VOB files. They are going to have 'common' names - such as:
VTS_01_1.VOB
VTS_01_2.VOB
VTS_01_3.VOB
For a 2-hours movie, you may see as many as 7 of these .VOB files - all of them should be in consecutive order, and all but the last one should have a size of .99Gig. (the last one may be smaller).
These are your 'core' movie files - and need to now be 'linked' in a way that your Xbox can read.
12. Click on >Start>Programs>Accessories> and RIGHT-CLICK on Command Prompt. Select the Run as Administrator option.
From the command prompt - you need to select the appropriate folder. If you are using a drive other than C: - simply type the drive letter you need followed by a colon (:) to accessthe appropriate drive.
Once you have the proper drive selected on the command line - you must get to the appropriate 'directory'. This is done by using the CD command (Change Directory). In my case, I typed:
CD <space>D:\Video\BATMAN_BEGINS\VIDEO_TS Do not type <space>, just hit the spacebar once.
13. Trick Windows into thinking that the .VOB files are .MPEG files by using the MKLINK command.
You MUST make sure that you have the filepath 100% accurate when you do this - if you don't, the whole thing wont work.
In my case, at the D:\Video\BATMAN_BEGINS\VIDEO_TS command line prompt, I typed:
MKLINK<space>"D:\Video\BATMAN_BEGINS\VIDEO_TS\VTS_01_1.MPEG"<space>"D:\Video\BATMAN_BEGINS\VTS_01_1.VOB"
You should quickly get a confirmation that the hardlink was created, and then repeat the process for all of the numbered .VOB files in your VIDEO_TS folder.
*hint* At a command prompt, if you press the UP ARROW on your keyboard, it will automatically populate with the last command you typed...so if you have to create links for 6 or 7 .VOB files...you can sove some typing and just change the characters that are necessary to create your next link.
14. Verify you have all of links you just created in the appropriate folder. If you don't - go back to step 13. If you do...type exit on the command prompt, as you are done there.
15. Create a 'playlist' that your Xbox can read. This will be done in notepad.
>start>programs>accessories>notepad
This can be done simply by using a 'copy and paste' of:
<ASX version = "3.0"> <Title>Batman Begins</Title> <Entry> <Ref href="D:\Video\BATMAN_BEGINS\VIDEO_TS\VTS_01_1.mpeg"/> </Entry> <Entry> <Ref href="D:\Video\BATMAN_BEGINS\VIDEO_TS\VTS_01_2.mpeg"/> </Entry> <Entry> <Ref href="D:\Video\BATMAN_BEGINS\VIDEO_TS\VTS_01_3.mpeg"/> </Entry> <Entry> <Ref href="D:\Video\BATMAN_BEGINS\VIDEO_TS\VTS_01_4.mpeg"/> </Entry> <Entry> <Ref href="D:\Video\BATMAN_BEGINS\VIDEO_TS\VTS_01_5.mpeg"/> </Entry> <Entry> <Ref href="D:\Video\BATMAN_BEGINS\VIDEO_TS\VTS_01_6.mpeg"/> </Entry> <Entry> <Ref href="D:\Video\BATMAN_BEGINS\VIDEO_TS\VTS_01_7.mpeg"/> </Entry></ASX>
I have added bold text to the portions that need to be changed to match your specific environment. You will need to verify that your specific file path is right..and also make sure your VTS 'series' is correct for your environment.
16. Save the notepad docuument to your 'movie' folder as a .WVX file.
In my case, by D:\BATMAN_BEGINS folder now contains a AUDIO_TS folder, a VIDEO_TS folder, the BATMAN_BEGINS.XML file and a BATMAN_BEGINS.WVX file.
17. Go to your Xbox and reconfigure (if necessary) Media Center.
If you followed all of the steps coeectly - you should see a DVD LIBRARY option on your TV and Movies ribbon.
18. Select the DVD Library option on your Xbox extender - then press the 'info' button. Select 'Add Movie' and select the movie folder you have been working with. After teh Xbox gets teh info - you should see the cover art - and when selected, the movie info/synopsis and the option to play the movie.
As you add 'rips' to your movie folder - you need to go back and repeat steps 11 thru 16 for each new film. There are tools out there (on this site) that automate this process...but I choose to do it myself...so that I feel like I am part of the process...
Good Luck
Figured it out...
The .WVX file was missing a "1" in the last part of the strings that denoted the file name.
WooHoo...it works.
Just read your post. Are you tell me that you are playing back DVD Video_TS(VOB) files through the xbox360? The only way that I knew to do this was to convert the VOB files to Mpeg or another format that the xbox360 could read.
If so, can you describe further how to do this. Thanks
Also what is a .WVX file
Can you post the correct file so I can compare mine please.
EDIT: NM I figured it out
See my original post - I did an overview of my process.
Also - if anyone knows the registry tweak to get rid of the slight pause between playlist 'tracks' let me know. I can live with it - but I think there has to be a simple way to get rid of it. The rip software I use does not have the option to rip as a single .VOB - so I am kinda stuck.
OK... I just tried your instructions and I have an issue. I was able to have the xbox see the dvd library and it show the movie I created. When I try and play it it says video error and to reboot the media center.
In my F:\movies folder I have the moivie folder an din that is the Audio_ts Video_ts the playlist and the xml. Inside the video_ts folder are the VOB folders along with the MPEG shortcuts that were created.
Now the only unknown I have is if I just ripped the moive only and not the menu, etc. I used Clone DVD so I am not sure if this could be the issue.
Any Thoughts??
Thanks
Chris
ccapozzoli: OK... I just tried your instructions and I have an issue. I was able to have the xbox see the dvd library and it show the movie I created. When I try and play it it says video error and to reboot the media center. In my F:\movies folder I have the moivie folder an din that is the Audio_ts Video_ts the playlist and the xml. Inside the video_ts folder are the VOB folders along with the MPEG shortcuts that were created. Now the only unknown I have is if I just ripped the moive only and not the menu, etc. I used Clone DVD so I am not sure if this could be the issue. Any Thoughts?? Thanks Chris
Either the 'hardlinks' for the .MPEG to .VOB are inaccurate, or the .WVX playlist has an error. it is VERY easy to make a typo that will jack-up the linke on either of those.
You can copy and paste the .WVX text & we can see if it has any errors.
Here is the playlist file
<ASX version = "3.0"> <Title>Dreamer</Title> <Entry> <Ref href="F:\MOVIES\DREAMER\VIDEO_TS\VTS_01_1.MPEG"/> </Entry> <Entry> <Ref href="F:\MOVIES\DREAMER\VIDEO_TS\VTS_01_2.MPEG"/> </Entry> <Entry> <Ref href="F:\MOVIES\DREAMER\VIDEO_TS\VTS_01_3.MPEG"/> </Entry> <Entry> <Ref href="F:\MOVIES\DREAMER\VIDEO_TS\VTS_01_4.MPEG"/> </Entry> <Entry> <Ref href="F:\MOVIES\DREAMER\VIDEO_TS\VTS_01_5.MPEG"/> </Entry></ASX>
See what you think, THanks
ccapozzoli: Here is the playlist file <ASX version = "3.0"> <Title>Dreamer</Title> <Entry> <Ref href="F:\MOVIES\DREAMER\VIDEO_TS\VTS_01_1.MPEG"/> </Entry> <Entry> <Ref href="F:\MOVIES\DREAMER\VIDEO_TS\VTS_01_2.MPEG"/> </Entry> <Entry> <Ref href="F:\MOVIES\DREAMER\VIDEO_TS\VTS_01_3.MPEG"/> </Entry> <Entry> <Ref href="F:\MOVIES\DREAMER\VIDEO_TS\VTS_01_4.MPEG"/> </Entry> <Entry> <Ref href="F:\MOVIES\DREAMER\VIDEO_TS\VTS_01_5.MPEG"/> </Entry></ASX> See what you think, THanks
OK,
That looks cool.
So the 'hardlinks' you created were from a Command Prompt that was run as administrator?
The Command Prompt Directory should have been:
F:\MOVIES\DREAMER\VIDEO_TS>
When you created the the first 'hardlink', your Command Line (including Directory) should have looked like this:
F:\MOVIES\DREAMER\VIDEO_TS>MKLINK space "F:\MOVIES\DREAMER\VIDEO_TS\VTS_01_1.MPEG" space "F:\MOVIES\DREAMER\VIDEO_TS\VTS_01_1.VOB" enter
(do not type space, and DO use the "quotes")
If so, you should have repeated that step 4 more times...for files 2 thru 5. Changing the last number in the file name for both the .MPEG and the .VOB in the string.
I just started ripping my DVDs to play through my xbox this weekend. I WAS going to use the approach you outlined here, but decided to rip to DVR-MS files instead for a few reasons. I didn't want to have to monkey with creating .WVX files. I didn't want the short pause between .VOB files when the movie is playing, and I wanted to be able to FF & RW.
I used the reg hack to enable the 'DVD Library.' Then I bought VideoRedo and it allows me to save a DVD to a DVR-MS file in about 10 minutes. Then I edit the file's metadata and add WM/MediaIsMovie = True, and drop the file in a single subfolder under my RecordedTV folder, and voila, they showup in my 'DVD Library.' Only drawbacks I've seen are pretty minor... the movies don't have any graphical representation in the DVD Library, just a greenish-blue rectangle with the name of the file. There IS a graphical representation for the file over in the Recorded TV section, but actually, the fact that they ALSO appear in Recorded TV is the second drawback. Not a big deal though. Overall, this works for me for now and I think it's easier than toying around with .WVX files and still ending up not being able to FF or RW.
Happy ripping.
Ralph3: I just started ripping my DVDs to play through my xbox this weekend. I WAS going to use the approach you outlined here, but decided to rip to DVR-MS files instead for a few reasons. I didn't want to have to monkey with creating .WVX files. I didn't want the short pause between .VOB files when the movie is playing, and I wanted to be able to FF & RW. I used the reg hack to enable the 'DVD Library.' Then I bought VideoRedo and it allows me to save a DVD to a DVR-MS file in about 10 minutes. Then I edit the file's metadata and add WM/MediaIsMovie = True, and drop the file in a single subfolder under my RecordedTV folder, and voila, they showup in my 'DVD Library.' Only drawbacks I've seen are pretty minor... the movies don't have any graphical representation in the DVD Library, just a greenish-blue rectangle with the name of the file. There IS a graphical representation for the file over in the Recorded TV section, but actually, the fact that they ALSO appear in Recorded TV is the second drawback. Not a big deal though. Overall, this works for me for now and I think it's easier than toying around with .WVX files and still ending up not being able to FF or RW. Happy ripping.
Thats cool...
Creating the .WVX file is not really a big deal for me - I have a pre-notepad document on my desktop that takes about 30 seconds to build - since I just type the title once & paste it in the rest of the playlist.
I kinda dig having the DVD cover appear in the WMC Ribbon...and the then synopsis & movie details coming up is very cool when showing off the system. Makes it easy for the wife & Kid too.
Since I am not 'watching' my DVD folder anywhere but in the DVD LIBRARY - my movies only appear in that spot on the Extender - which I kinda like too. As far as the slight pause between .VOB's - I grabbed an app called 'joinvobfiles' from www.downloads .com. It creates a single .VOB so the track gap is gone. It also makes creating teh .WVX file easier - because there is only one 'track' in the playlist. Creating the 'hardlink' is also WAY faster, again, because only 1 link has to be created.
The FF & REW do work on the Xbox - but are in 30-second incriments going forward, and 10-seconds incriments rewinding.
It is cool that there appears to be several ways to do this...Kinda like my Harley...if eveyone had the same style - it would be WAY boring.
WOOOHOOOO! Its working.. Thank you very much. I redid the MPEG's and it works now. On ething I did notice is the movies was darker than normal. Have you experienced this at all?
Also I tried VOB Merge. I am going to try Merging VOB's together next.
Thanks. Now hopefully I can sell the Wife with the whole Media Extender thingy around the house and next I need to get some cable card turners. Any thoughts on that
great guide, but just to inform you (not to confuse you) there are alternative solutions with of without the use of hardlinks and even some of the work you do manually can be done via scripts (see http://www.htpcug.org/DVDLibraryonExtendersHowTo/tabid/168/Default.aspx). There are even solutions which does everything automatically that will support subtitles using mencoder along with transcoder.
/Jesper
Thanks a lot. I tried this out yesterday and it worked great with My Movies as well. Now I need to figure out a quick way to do this to my existing 100+ DVD collection. I'll check out the scripts in that link from Jesper.
The only problem I have is that I'm unable to create a link on my Unraid server. I assume that is because it's not an NTFS file system.
TimBob: Thanks a lot. I tried this out yesterday and it worked great with My Movies as well. Now I need to figure out a quick way to do this to my existing 100+ DVD collection. I'll check out the scripts in that link from Jesper. The only problem I have is that I'm unable to create a link on my Unraid server. I assume that is because it's not an NTFS file system.
One other question, which is a little off topic. My HTPC has three drives in it. The C Drive which has the OS and programs on it. Another drive for pictures and music and a third for movies and home videos. Now I have a Ready NAS server. which has the same files on it.
My question is file locations and where I should store everything. Should I move everything to the NAS server and add a couple of more drives or should I continue to use the local drives, but I know they are going to fill up soon. Also if I use my NAS as a media server, is there any speed issues by not having the drives directly from the HTPC. Am I making any sense?