Categories: Digital Media Receivers
I recently purchased 1) HP MediaSmart Server 2) HP MediaSmart Connector.
Goal:
I have a tonne of DVDs I want to put on my media server (freeing up precious cabinet/rack space) and watch on my tv via media connect device.
Problem:
The media connect device does not show me any of the VOB files.
I can see photos, music, and mpegs (taken from my digital cam). But no
real media dvd movies.
Any idea what to do? I woudl like not to do various compressions and result in less than idea dvd images.
SUggestions?
Moderator
Memphis, TN, United StatesEven with vob files, the thing will only play one at a time. Most movies are more than one. If you figure out how to get those working, you might want to look in to combining VOB's with this program.
Are you getting any errors or the files just don't show up?
- The files are not showing up. Rename them to mpeg and poof they appear.
- Agreed probably need to do vob joining later.
Aside: it really astounds me that the media connect device when paired with the media server can't see a directory and say hey that looks to be dvd contents. In otherwords - I shoudln't need to join vobs - really it should be seemless like putting in the dvd - after all its one of the most common media flavours.
Moderator
Memphis, TN, United StatesI agree, the industry just can't get it right. HP is no exception. I'm switching from microsoft's media center to SageTV for this very reason, among many others.
Member
United StatesMitchSchaft said: I agree, the industry just can't get it right. HP is no exception. I'm switching from microsoft's media center to SageTV for this very reason, among many others.
Are you going to SageTV software (PVR software) or to the SageTV HD Extender? I have been running BTV PRV software for years with good results but I also hear good things about Sage. My hope was that MSC + MCE would be equivelent to the SageTV HD Media Extender.
BTW I am pretty sure HP could have gotten vob and iso right but chose not to because it hits a little to close where the media industry does not want the buying public to go.
nmpcrazy
(Q9550 Quad/Vista Home Premium/PVR150/VMC), (P42.53/XP Pro/PVR250/ FusionHDTV USB/BTV)
Dell(P42.0,Linspire,2.5TB,used as server)
Linplayer2(2), Ziova CS615, MediaSmart Connect
Moderator
Memphis, TN, United StatesI'm talkin SageTV and their extenders. You won't find the combo they have available anywhere and MCE with HP's box will not be the same. You don't even have to have an extender if you have an extra PC laying around. You can use their "softsled" feature. That'll turn your PC in to an extender.
Greg said: I recently purchased 1) HP MediaSmart Server 2) HP MediaSmart Connector. Goal: I have a tonne of DVDs I want to put on my media server (freeing up precious cabinet/rack space) and watch on my tv via media connect device. Problem: The media connect device does not show me any of the VOB files. I can see photos, music, and mpegs (taken from my digital cam). But no real media dvd movies. Any idea what to do? I woudl like not to do various compressions and result in less than idea dvd images. SUggestions?
Early versions of the MediaSmart Services gateway did expose vob files, but we decided to stop it, for one main reason: unless you really know what vob file to play, it confuses more than helps.
As was mentioned before, a simple rename to .mpg will solve the problem of having the key files showing up. The web is also full of solutions that allow you to stream VOB files via either the Extender or the UPnP interface.
Moderator
Memphis, TN, United StatesCool, you work for HP on those things? And I agree with that decision ya'll made. I just kept reading posts about folks being able to view them.
I wish you guys broke from the heard and made a media center interface for MCE2005 :D, if that's even possible. I would've snagged 2 by now.
Actually I agree and disagree. I agree a set of vobs is not great for a user using hp media connect.
But the right answer is my media connect should see a set of directories. Each directory is the vobs for a given movie. It should then be able to do the same thing any movie player can do - which is - i pick the directory and a vob playing it goes.
Also it should do movie case art for it to.
The fact I am sitting here pondering mpg format, transcoders, adds to the server etc says to me someone missed a very simple mainstream application of a media server/hub and connect devices.
I just want to hit the on button and be happy :) is that too much to ask.
Hey for brownie points give me an optional add on device to my media server that lets me stack in 10 dvds and it rips into the media server. I'd even be willing to somehow register the dvds as some licensing thing - hey and even pay a buck a dvd or something whatever .
Member
United StatesTV guy said:Greg said: I recently purchased 1) HP MediaSmart Server 2) HP MediaSmart Connector. Goal: I have a tonne of DVDs I want to put on my media server (freeing up precious cabinet/rack space) and watch on my tv via media connect device. Problem: The media connect device does not show me any of the VOB files. I can see photos, music, and mpegs (taken from my digital cam). But no real media dvd movies. Any idea what to do? I woudl like not to do various compressions and result in less than idea dvd images. SUggestions?Early versions of the MediaSmart Services gateway did expose vob files, but we decided to stop it, for one main reason: unless you really know what vob file to play, it confuses more than helps.
As was mentioned before, a simple rename to .mpg will solve the problem of having the key files showing up. The web is also full of solutions that allow you to stream VOB files via either the Extender or the UPnP interface.
nmpcrazy
(Q9550 Quad/Vista Home Premium/PVR150/VMC), (P42.53/XP Pro/PVR250/ FusionHDTV USB/BTV)
Dell(P42.0,Linspire,2.5TB,used as server)
Linplayer2(2), Ziova CS615, MediaSmart Connect
Member
United StatesMitchSchaft said:
I'm talkin SageTV and their extenders. You won't find the combo they have available anywhere and MCE with HP's box will not be the same. You don't even have to have an extender if you have an extra PC laying around. You can use their "softsled" feature. That'll turn your PC in to an extender.
nmpcrazy
(Q9550 Quad/Vista Home Premium/PVR150/VMC), (P42.53/XP Pro/PVR250/ FusionHDTV USB/BTV)
Dell(P42.0,Linspire,2.5TB,used as server)
Linplayer2(2), Ziova CS615, MediaSmart Connect
So the net seems to be
1 Take the vobs , merge them and create one mpg.
downside:
- you don't get the DVD menu experience, making it harder to navigate to extras etc.
- that also means you have to know which vobs to use (the main movie ones) and which ones to pitch (e.g. the vob that is menu itself since it will do nothing for u as an mpg without the iso)
2) HP MediaSmart Connect actually isn't smart about one of the most common forms of media - namely DVDs structure. If it was smart it would see the directory that holds the video_ts and audio_ts , realize its a dvd structure and play it like any media player on the planet (and other planets)
So does anyone know why on earth the hp media connect, which talks to a hp media server is incapabable of being useful with dvds?
ps. thanks to all for input/comments.
Member
United StatesGreg said:
So the net seems to be
1 Take the vobs , merge them and create one mpg.
downside:
- you don't get the DVD menu experience, making it harder to navigate to extras etc.
- that also means you have to know which vobs to use (the main movie ones) and which ones to pitch (e.g. the vob that is menu itself since it will do nothing for u as an mpg without the iso)
2) HP MediaSmart Connect actually isn't smart about one of the most common forms of media - namely DVDs structure. If it was smart it would see the directory that holds the video_ts and audio_ts , realize its a dvd structure and play it like any media player on the planet (and other planets)
So does anyone know why on earth the hp media connect, which talks to a hp media server is incapabable of being useful with dvds?
ps. thanks to all for input/comments.
nmpcrazy
(Q9550 Quad/Vista Home Premium/PVR150/VMC), (P42.53/XP Pro/PVR250/ FusionHDTV USB/BTV)
Dell(P42.0,Linspire,2.5TB,used as server)
Linplayer2(2), Ziova CS615, MediaSmart Connect
Moderator
Memphis, TN, United States
Member
United StatesI believe that is correct.
nmpcrazy
(Q9550 Quad/Vista Home Premium/PVR150/VMC), (P42.53/XP Pro/PVR250/ FusionHDTV USB/BTV)
Dell(P42.0,Linspire,2.5TB,used as server)
Linplayer2(2), Ziova CS615, MediaSmart Connect
I have a number od DVD's which I have burnt movies on, but there are no files showing up at all on the DVD when I put them into my computer. I have Media Player 11. These files were burnt on the DVD from a Samsung DVD/VCR. I think they are vob files.
The DVD's work in the DVD player and used to work in my computer using PowerDVD, but I do not have that anymore, but interestingly the files do not show up when I search the disk.
How do I get them to show up in explorer?
Member
United StatesBig Trev said: I have a number od DVD's which I have burnt movies on, but there are no files showing up at all on the DVD when I put them into my computer. I have Media Player 11. These files were burnt on the DVD from a Samsung DVD/VCR. I think they are vob files. The DVD's work in the DVD player and used to work in my computer using PowerDVD, but I do not have that anymore, but interestingly the files do not show up when I search the disk. How do I get them to show up in explorer?
For each DVD there should be a VIDEO_TS folder. Inside that folder you will find a group of files with the .vob file extension. Those are the video files for that particular DVD. They are broken into 1GB or less video files, a .vob can not be larger than 1GB. WMP and VMC do not play vob files. You may be able to play them one at a time on the MSC using MediaSmart Gateway Services...but maybe not.
If you want to be able to play a full DVD then you will need to use software like VOB2MPEG or Videoredo to combine the vob files into one large mpeg file. Of course you will no longer have a menu or chapters but you will be able to play the movie using your MSC and WMP or VMC or Tversity.
nmpcrazy
(Q9550 Quad/Vista Home Premium/PVR150/VMC), (P42.53/XP Pro/PVR250/ FusionHDTV USB/BTV)
Dell(P42.0,Linspire,2.5TB,used as server)
Linplayer2(2), Ziova CS615, MediaSmart Connect
That is my problem, there are no files showing up when I put the DVD into my computer, it is treating the DVD as if it is blank, yet I know there are files on it because they play on my DVD/VCR and they used to play on PowerDVD even when the computer said the DVD was blank.
A bit of a mystery eh?
Member
United StatesBig Trev said: That is my problem, there are no files showing up when I put the DVD into my computer, it is treating the DVD as if it is blank, yet I know there are files on it because they play on my DVD/VCR and they used to play on PowerDVD even when the computer said the DVD was blank. A bit of a mystery eh?
Do all of the DVDs that you burned using your DVD/VCR behave this way? Your DVD/VCR is either designating the files as hidden or is read/write protecting them some how. See if there is a way to show hidden files.
Does Videoredo see the files? or VLC?
Maybe the owners manual for the DVD/VCR can tell you what it does when it burns a DVD, especially if you are making a copy of a commercial VHS tape.
nmpcrazy
(Q9550 Quad/Vista Home Premium/PVR150/VMC), (P42.53/XP Pro/PVR250/ FusionHDTV USB/BTV)
Dell(P42.0,Linspire,2.5TB,used as server)
Linplayer2(2), Ziova CS615, MediaSmart Connect
The DVD's are just of my daughters wedding, no big deal.
I used to be able to read the files when I had Vista on my machine, but it was giving me grief now I have XP on it and now I can't read the files.
BTW, what is "Videoredo see the files? or VLC?"
Member
United StatesVideoredo is payware software that many folks use to cut and trim mpeg files. I use it to combine vobs into one mpeg file. You can direct Videoredo to open video files ona DVD and if the files are protected it can do so. Video Lan is a freeware digital media player for windows PC. It can play DVDs and just about any kind of video around. I was wondering if you had tried to play your DVD with VLC on your PC.
Are you sure that you have the proper codecs on your system? I am not sure if VLC installs any codecs but you may want to try installing VLC and then see if you can see the vob files.
Also, are you sure your DVD ROM is has the right drivers installed?
nmpcrazy
(Q9550 Quad/Vista Home Premium/PVR150/VMC), (P42.53/XP Pro/PVR250/ FusionHDTV USB/BTV)
Dell(P42.0,Linspire,2.5TB,used as server)
Linplayer2(2), Ziova CS615, MediaSmart Connect
I have put a commercial DVD in, there is no audio but there is video.
I have downloaded VLC, but still no success, although it did play the commercial DVD just fine, with audio and all.
Member
United StatesI have run out of ideas and I am somewhat distracted with building my first PC.
You said that the DVDs used to play in PowerDVD but now you do not have it anymore, is that because you uninstalled it or you have switched over to a different pc?
Have you tried VideoReDo? They have a trial version that you could use for testing. I suggest VideoReDo because it will load just about anything. If you can get VRD to see your DVD then you can find out more details about the video format and video information. VRD has a function called Show Video Program Information.
I have a feeling that your DVD is DVR-MS, which is something I know very little about but knowing more about your files will help greatly in finding a solution.
Off hand it seems that you have a codec issue. PowerDVD has the codecs (video and audio) and can therefore play the DVD.
I have absolutely no experience with DVD/VHS players, which is why I am not of much help. I converted my home video VHS tapes to DVD before they had DVD/VHS players.
You could also try MediaInfo (freeware). It is only purpose is to provide video/audio information. But if you can not see the files then this program may not be of much use.
nmpcrazy
(Q9550 Quad/Vista Home Premium/PVR150/VMC), (P42.53/XP Pro/PVR250/ FusionHDTV USB/BTV)
Dell(P42.0,Linspire,2.5TB,used as server)
Linplayer2(2), Ziova CS615, MediaSmart Connect
So guys I have been very interested in this whole thread! I to own a HP mediasmart connect and wated to play my VOB files and I to was able to figure out that I needed to make them into a mpg and then merge them and I did so using DOS. Heres the thing! Now when I put it back into my video file with the rest of my mpgs and try to get it to play on WMP 11 it works however My Windows Media Connect does not show it itn the menu. I refreshed the library and to no AVAIL!!!
Any ideas!!?
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