Hello, I'm new to the forum and to Media Severs/Software in general. I've got the itch to build a nice HTPC and put my DVD collection on it. I've been doing some research on the web over the last few weeks and have looked at Cinemar's DVDLobby, MediaPortal, Vista Media Center, and I'm installing MyMovies on the Vista machine now to see how it looks. It seems like every system has people who love it or hate it and there is a ton of info to support each case as usual.
So far, I like what I'm reading about MediaPortal, but was wondering that if anyone has tried some or all of the systems I'm looking at, if they could provide some feedback based on what they found and/or decided.
I want to get started building my dedicated computer, and then start loading my DVDs (because I am afraid that will be a long and gruelling process with several hundred DVDs to rip). I'm not even sure where to start with the DVD ripping, but that's another story.
I don't want to spend hours setting up one system, and then have regrets and have to redo everything I've done to start over with another system.
The fact that some of these are free, while others cost some money doesn't concern me as much as the fact that I want to make the right choice.
My main goal will be to watch my DVD movies from the hard disk. Ease of ripping the disks is a plus, as well as a really nice/accurate system of downloading coverart, movie info, etc. The ability to control this via a WiFi connection from my laptop or a touchscreen tablet PC would be cool.
Secondary would be the ability to record TV, but since I have Satellite and not cable, I would assume I'm stuck recording what I'm currently watching, so the features there would probably not need to be as robust (correct me if I'm wrong).
Lastly, I guess Music/MP3 capability, web browsing, etc. would be nice, but less important than DVD movies...
I welcome any advice or input. You can't feed me too much information.
Thanks!
So far, I like what I'm reading about MediaPortal, but was wondering that if anyone has tried some or all of the systems I'm looking at, if they could provide some feedback based on what they found and/or decided.
I want to get started building my dedicated computer, and then start loading my DVDs (because I am afraid that will be a long and gruelling process with several hundred DVDs to rip). I'm not even sure where to start with the DVD ripping, but that's another story.
I don't want to spend hours setting up one system, and then have regrets and have to redo everything I've done to start over with another system.
The fact that some of these are free, while others cost some money doesn't concern me as much as the fact that I want to make the right choice.
My main goal will be to watch my DVD movies from the hard disk. Ease of ripping the disks is a plus, as well as a really nice/accurate system of downloading coverart, movie info, etc. The ability to control this via a WiFi connection from my laptop or a touchscreen tablet PC would be cool.
Secondary would be the ability to record TV, but since I have Satellite and not cable, I would assume I'm stuck recording what I'm currently watching, so the features there would probably not need to be as robust (correct me if I'm wrong).
Lastly, I guess Music/MP3 capability, web browsing, etc. would be nice, but less important than DVD movies...
I welcome any advice or input. You can't feed me too much information.
Thanks!