"Oh one last question. can you do all of this from the software that is supplied with the modem?? Will I have to purchase more software or what?"

Did you mean to say modem, or remote? In addition to the editor software for the remote you need a graphics program like Photoshop which I use or Paint Shop Pro or something. Also, if you plan on using a DVD jukebox it helps to keep a database where the collection ID's or database entries correspond with the changer slots you will be putting the DVD discs in. I use a program called DVD Profiler (http://www.invelos.com/) for this. This is also where I grab the cover scans as well which I resize in Photoshop accordingly for import into PPENG. DVD Profiler is great to have regardless for it's other benifits.

-Lowpro

I meant remote I am at work doing tech support for DSL service. I have photoshop so that is cool. what is teh dvd profiler for?? I dont think that I understand that part. Sorry about the typo I was really busy.

what is dvd profiler used for?? I have photoshop

DVD Profiler looks like it is mainly intended to catalog and organize your collection. If you input all of your titles it will grab cover shots and movie info - pretty detailed. I think you can output a file which in the right hands can automate some of the processes of getting your collection into the pronto. My hands aren't right, I did everything manually.

I think some people use it to get their screen shots and to keep track of what slot the movies are in. I think the program is free, or they may want a donation. Either way, you can look at it for free. Its pretty cool.

If you check out my DVD Profile online the collection ID's in my DVD Profile directly correspond with the slot numbers my DVD changers.

LP's DVD Profile:
[Link: invelos.com]

This is how I keep track of what DVD disc is in what changer slot. I did manually enter everything into my Pronto configuration file however, but having the DVD Profiler database makes things much easier. Once you get the initial work done adding new titles to your Pronto configuration file is a cakewalk.

-Lowpro

Lowpro
Are you controlling the Changers directly for thru DVDLobby

The DVD Lobby device in my pcf file is where I store all the DVD covers which can be paged through or accessed directly by letter in the remote. Each of the DVD cover images is just a button which links to the appropriate macro in one of my 3 hidden DVD Changer devices. Each DVD Changer device stores 400 macros, one for each of the available disc slots in that changer respectively. The macros also ensure that the rest of my home theatre system cues up properly. The last action for each macro is a page jump to the transport controls of the appropriate changer.

If your question is regarding the DVDLobby HTPC front-end software...
I have used that program before, but found that the TSU7000 was a better solution for me. I just decided to name that one particular device in my pcf file DVD Lobby as the HTPC front-end software of the same name is what got me interested in automating my DVD collection to begin with.

-Lowpro

This message was edited by Lowpro on 06/22/04 21:05.

Lowpro
Thanks

I love this idea! I've bought a 7000 with eventually doing this as a primary goal. I wonder if the 400 disk Sony changers (specifically the DVP-CX985V) can be linked--although I imagine it's not necessary with the pronto.

How many DVD covers can you fit in the pronto? Sounds like you're reaching the memory limit. I've got about 800 DVD's and would love to put them all in. I'm guessing not until the other 16MB is activated.

Well, I have 2 covers per page and over 200 movies, and I still have 35% memory left.

Sounds like alot depends on how many per page/how much compression the picture is using etc.

For my pcf I have 16 DVD cover images per full page. So far I have 940 individual DVD covers in the remote, including the navigation pages and such for the rest of my profile. Keep in mind too that 59 of those 940 DVD cover images are full page spreads, one for each individual disc included in all 9 Seasons of the X-Files. I will be out of room soon for the small DVD cover images unfortunately which means I will have to hack one season of the X-Files submenus replacing it with the small DVD covers on the X letter page instead. I may end up having to hack an additional seasons worth of submenus as well before the year is out. This will definately give me plenty of room to add the additional 260 DVD cover images as I eventually fill my 3rd changer to full capacity.

Once we have use of the full 32 megs in the remote not only will I have room for all 1200 DVD cover images on the main browsing pages, but can also include the 59 X-Files Submenu pages in full color, as well as adding other submenus for other DVD box sets. I'd say there is certainly plenty of wiggle room to work with at this point to make things work. When we do get that full 32 megs the gloves are finally coming off however. :-) Heck, at that point I might even get another changer for my music cd's and load those up in my Pronto as well.

-Lowpro

This message was edited by Lowpro on 06/23/04 20:55.

wow--thanks for that info Lowpro! Do you use photoshop for your scan manipulation?

I just copy the cover images from the DVD Profiler interface and paste them into a new file in Photoshop, resize, and name by collection ID. Then I import that pic into PPENG as a button and link the appropriate changer slot macro to it. Sometimes the cover images DVD Profiler downloads are not very good though. In that case I usually just grab the cover scans from www.dvdplanet.com as their cover scans are usually of very high quality.

-Lowpro


This message was edited by Lowpro on 06/23/04 22:34.

Thanks Lowpro. What settings do you use for the button/size/resolution?