Media Portal Not Detecting Movies (1 Viewer)

[Desideratum]

MediaPortal Version: 1.0.2.0
MediaPortal Skin: X-Face
Windows Version: Windows 7
CPU Type: Intel Core i7 920
HDD: Western Digital 640GB
Memory: OCZ Gold 6GB
Motherboard: Asus P6T SE
Video Card: ATi HD4850
Video Card Driver: Driver Packaging Version 8.632-090702a-084684C-ATI
Sound Card: Asus Xonar D1
Sound Card Driver: 6.12.8.1771
Cooling: Xigmatek Dark Knight
Power Supply: Corsair HX620
Remote:
TV: Sony Bravia KDL52V5100
TV - HTPC Connection: HDMI

Hi all,

First off, let me apologize since I'm still very new to all of this. I tried doing as much research as I could and trying to find the answer but have not so far so I though I'd try and ask here!

I'm not even familiar with ripping media to begin with so many that's why I'm having so much trouble. I downloaded the trial for AnyDVD HD and ripped a few DVDs via "Rip to Harddisk". These ripped the DVDs into a folder "VIDEO_TS" which included many different parts, of which .vob files were plentiful.

I then used Handbrake to convert them to both MKV and M4V files (is converting the separate files necessary, by the way?). I wanted to just test it out and see if I could watch it on MP so I put the files in C:\User\Videos under their respective folders...such as C:\User\Videos\DivX Movies\XXXXXXXXXX and C:\User\Videos\DivX Movies\YYYYYYYYYYY for example.

In the MP configuration settings, under the Video dropdown, I directed the "Playlist folder:" to C:\User\Videos\DivX Movies and checked the box for "Every movie has its own directory" then pressed "ok".

I then tried opening MP (I'm using the StreamedMP skin by the way) and went to My Movies but nothing shows up at all. I tried clicking around while in MP to try and detect the movie to no avail.

Also, previously, when using the X-Face skin, I was able to detect the movie (MPK format) in MP while using the Moving Pictures plug-in. All the iMDB info pulled up perfectly, however, the movie wouldn't open at all. When I clicked Play, nothing happened...no error screens, nothing. It doesn't freeze, but it just doesn't do anything when I try playing it. I searched this a bit and installed both ffdshow and Haali Media Splitter but it still didn't work. I'm using StreamedMP as the skin right now and it doesn't even detect it.

Am I missing something here? Again...sorry for this really newbish question that I'm sure most of you are much more familiar with. Hopefully someone can help!

 

[eetaylog]

If youre ripping standard dvd's then id suggest not bothering to convert them to MKV. just use dvd shrink (although this is optional) to remove all the dvd extras etc and shrink the video files that you ripped (anything above 80% shrink wont be noticable when playing them back). Save all your ripped (and shrunk if you like) DVD's to a specific folder on your PC somewhere, so that youve got a folder with the following file structure:

c:/.../.../*film name*/video_TS

point your videos folder in MP config to the folder to this address, and away you go...