Media Server with modded xbox

[wuggie]

I was looking for a solution to backing up all of the DVD's I have and being able to watch them on my HD TV.  Instead of paying 10k to have a media server installed I came across a few tutorials on how to softmod an xbox.....I have read a lot in different forums and even a lot of the discussion but still have many questions. 

I'm looking at these two softmod tuts...

1.   http://lifehacker.com/software/geek-to-live/transform-your-classic-xbox-into-a-killer-media-center-299809.php?cpage=2&sort=asc#viewcomments

2.   http://www.productwiki.com/microsoft-xbox/article/how-to-go-from-xbox-to-xbox-media-center-in-30-minutes.html

Which one is better for what I want to do, or are they the same just a different approach?

Is it possible to rip my DVD collection to a shared hard drive and view them in HD on my TV through a modded xbox with xbmc?

Will the Audio and Video quality be there?  Do I need special software?  Do I rip it from the xbox or my Mac?

Thanks

[Snipes101]

Ok heres a Tut to help u softmod your xbox, follow it
http://www.smdepot.net/forum/index.php?topic=1601.0

then once your done, do you know how to FTP to ur xbox? If you don't read this.
http://www.smdepot.net/forum/index.php?topic=7.0

IF you do know how to FTP heres the tut on how to Insert XBMC
Download the latest XBMC from here
http://t3ch.yi.se/

Then just get folder "XBMC" from the download and transfer it to
E:\Apps folder on the xbox

Yes you can rip all your dvds to the hard drive and view them through XBMC.
As for the HD question i don't really know sorry, wish i had an HD to test it out 

[wuggie]

Thanks Snipes!


I'm using an IMAC...any ideas on if I need specific software to rip the dvd's to my HD?  I have read in several forums that you have to have software that will decode?? the dvd and allow you to view it from the xbox...

also wondering about the ripping process as far as file types and sizes/storage space needed.

I'm still a little clueless even after researching for several hours. 

Thanks again

[Snipes101]

Ouff man idk anything about MAC's my friend GamezR2EZ might

You can rip DVD right off the xbox with XBOX2DVD and app for the xbox, and it places it as an ex. Die Hard.iso. The format is ISO witch gives you 100% dvd quality but takes up alot of space because it clones the complete DVD to your hard drive. And to read this u need XBMC 

[wuggie]

Great answers!

Thanks!

[Snipes101]

Great answers!

Thanks!

No problem,
But remember they must be your legally bought DVDs in order for you to BACK them UP 

[GamezR2EZ]

snipes go most everything right, especially with the links, few differences
you need DVD2Xbox (not Xbox2DVD ) to copy games and DVD's
grab it in our files section here at SMDepot

As far as ripping it on the Mac, you'll need an app called Handbrake i have personally never used it but i hear goodthings
IF you have a Windows OR Linux machine around you can run DVDFab which is what i use (use Wine in Linux)
DVD2Xbox can only handle CSS encryption, not Sony ACCROSS, the new one, Handbrake should be able to handle anything, DVDFab can

On another note, you can get the xbox to output 1080i with an HD cable (sorry no 1080p) that you can get off ebay im sure. Then just make sure the option is set in the settings, otherwise your watching it at 480p no matter what you have it plugged into

[wuggie]

No problem,
But remember they must be your legally bought DVDs in order for you to BACK them UP 
[/quote]


Ya, I wouldn't waste the time doing this except we have about $6,000 worth of DVD's we purchased and the kids are ruining them.  I looked into some media server deals but the cost was around $10k.  I know it will take a lot of patience and effort but before I decide to do it I want to have all the right ducks in a row.

In your opinion is using the xbmc/xbox a good alternative to a commercial media center?  Any problems with playback or load times?

[GamezR2EZ]

In your opinion is using the xbmc/xbox a good alternative to a commercial media center?  Any problems with playback or load times?

XBMC is one of the best multimedia applications i know. While i use VLC player (PC or MAC, no xbox support) to watch videos i use XBMC for everything else. You can try XBMC on your Mac and see how you like it, it is virtually the same as the builds for the xbox. I have found no other Media Center i enjoy more that XBMC, i just cant wait until there is full linux on the wii so it can be ported there (and they are VERY close to having full support)

[rattmansam]

Yes use handbrake its the best free straight from dvd to avi/mp4 ripper ive ever used.

[AngelReign]

Install the softmod and Xbox Media Center. Once you've got the materials together, you're most of the way there. Onto the modding. Many people have modded their Xbox’s to do all sorts of stuff (a lot of which ... You could take that old PC and use it as a media server.

by: IP PBX

[Kyla666 (zzk2001)]

AngelReign
LOL kind of Late there =) this post is OLD 

And what you typed does not have Much to do with this Post 

[fuji0000]

Once the Xbox is modded, there are ways to do that. ... You could take that old PC and use it as a media server. Share the folders that has Xbox as a media server. I recently got a slim devices squeezebox 3 - it kicks .... for modding an XBox. I have been fortunate enough to have been donated... by: Call Center Software