In the UK its almost impossible to get a DVD changer at the moment.

As an alternative, i'd like to find a way to rip my DVD's onto a hard disc and then set up something like Main Lobby and DVD Lobby to play them.

I know this can be an emotive subject, but I have no intention of downloading etc. This is purely for me to rip my legally bought and paid for DVD's into a format that makes them accessible.

People like Kalidescope and i believe AMX have systems that do this at a huge price.

Is there software available that will allow me to achieve this?

Thanks

Any of the htpc frontends can do it...Meedio, Xlobby, MediaPortal, GotAllMedia, maybe even MCE. They all have different ways of doing it and you'll have to rip the discs outside of the frontend, but sorting and playing them is a snap. Most will also let you either keep them in an ISO/dvd folder structure, or keep them as a library of xvid/mpg/avi/etc files. For the ripping process, have a look at doom9 for the various ways and means.

i use anydvd which unlocks dvd's and turns them into plain old data files. copy to a hard drive..bingo you have a library of dvd's.

i then use meedio as a frontend...meedio is highly configurable (not super user friendly, but nice once you get it going)...

meedio organizes the dvd's, is skinable, has lots of plugins (like one that automaticall;y looks up information about your dvd's)

you can use microsoft media center edition

several other..

go to avsforum.com and look at the htpc (home theater personal computer) subforum...

yes, any and everything you want is available.

right now i have a surround sound system, rear projection tv, receiver/amp and computer hooked together. about 130 dvd's on the system. i use a ir blaster on the computer to control the receiver and television (automated to turn on and preset all the inputs/volumes appropriately), the computer and meedio can be controlled with a simple hand-held remote (like an appliance). you can select a dvd, and the lights dim automatically, the movie starts...and your off....

my goal was to duplicate the functionality of kalidescape...and i have exceeded it! you can add DVD pre-processing whic actually exceeds what kalidescape can do!

This message was edited by heartsurgeon on 03/09/05 19:35 ET.