Streaming ISO files: need a media player client

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freitasm

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# 18575 15-Jan-2008 11:28

I was thinking of creating backup copies of my discs - having a toddler at home means a lot of handling on some of the discs during the day-to-day activities.

I thought of creating ISO images and while this works ok with VLC for Windows or Mac OS I can't find references to any media player that would mount and play ISO images.

Is the only option to actually get the movie out of the disc? I don't want to do it because it's not a backup and it's not preserving the menu structure.

Other than having a HTPC or Mac mini in the lounge running Windows Media Center or VLC player, any other idea?

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# 104931 15-Jan-2008 11:34

If you have Media Centre Extender (or Xbox360) and running MyMovies on Windows Media Centre, you can create a database of ISO movie library and when viewed from Media Centre, it will stream it across network.

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chiefie

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# 104939 15-Jan-2008 11:48

Oh i should say, I extract the VOBs off from DVD and stored them in MyMovies, instead of ISO.

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freitasm

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# 104942 15-Jan-2008 11:53

So another program to install and extracting files instead of a backup of the entire disc... VLC at least plays the ISO without even having to mount them - point for this option with a Mac mini or a small HTPC.

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JonC

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# 104945 15-Jan-2008 12:04

If you're looking for hardware, then these type of HD enclosures are pretty neat. The one linked can play back VOBs from DVDs. I'm not sure if this would preserve the DVD menu, though.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/drives/8e50/

chiefie

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# 104947 15-Jan-2008 12:05

No... sorry, it's not so much helpful...

Wonder why no one distributing contents in flash memories? Software installer/applications running off a memory stick, plug it in as you want to use it, and when done, just remove them off the slot/reader (like an isolinear chip in startrek). And use memory stick to replace DVD :-D hehe...

wishful thinking.

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jpwise

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# 104974 15-Jan-2008 13:42

If I remember correctly I'm pretty sure the Modix boxes can do it. They're a HDD based media player box. The earlier ones were just USB, so if you back up the disc to ISO, then copy it onto the unit take it back to the TV and play the ISO's from the harddisk.

Just google'd it and Jama did a write-up a while back when he got his.

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/Jama/2928

I haven't seen the newer versions, but if one of them supports network it could be a go, or if not at least it gives you an alternative to carting discs around and/or running the risk of them getting damaged.

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# 105738 19-Jan-2008 23:42

If you mean discs as in DVD's, i suggest as said above using the .vob files. However they will need to be decrypted to copy them. Can i say dvd decrypter or dvd fab hd decrypter? If not, just edit that line out.

This makes an identical copy of the disc in .vob with menu structure, minus the copy protection, obviously.

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# 105741 20-Jan-2008 00:54

Could you use Daemon tools to mount the image?

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freitasm

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# 105752 20-Jan-2008 09:17

Ok, here is what I've done: I bought a Mac mini, and using Bootcamp I installed Windows Vista Ultimate. Then I installed MyMovies (as suggested by Chiefie).

If you have DaemonTools installed then MyMovies can automatically mount the ISO. I am mounting the ISO over Wi-Fi 54 Mbps and it plays without a stop.

This is also the same mechanism used when playing over from the server via WebGuide.

I am using the Mac mini with a Microsoft MCE Remote Control, no keyboard or mouse (for now) and it works perfectly. If I need to do anything (suck as installig new software) then I just use LogMeIn and remote control it from my laptop.

Also the Mac mini is really small when compared with those huge HTPC boxes around. And with a Hauppage USB2 DVB-T/Analogue I am able to get TV signals as well.

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chiefie

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# 105754 20-Jan-2008 09:29

good set up there.. MacMini is also much cooler running than AppleTV. Does it run Vista Ultimate in Aero Glass mode?

Oh how do you connect from MacMini's DVI to TV (HDMI?)

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freitasm

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# 105755 20-Jan-2008 09:31

Yes, it runs Aero Glass. Windows Vista Index is 3.3

I am connecting with the DVI-VGA adapter that comes in the box. I tried a DVI-HDMI cable but the resolution is not right and VGA is working well.

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freitasm

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# 105756 20-Jan-2008 09:32

chiefie: MacMini is also much cooler running than AppleTV.

Apple TV? You mean a TV that doesn't show TV? And doesn't play anything but whatever you have in iTunes? Yeah, right.

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chiefie

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# 105758 20-Jan-2008 09:55

freitasm:
chiefie: MacMini is also much cooler running than AppleTV.

Apple TV? You mean a TV that doesn't show TV? And doesn't play anything but whatever you have in iTunes? Yeah, right.

That's the right crap device... it has emit thermal so high that it is too hot to leave on, even on idle. Sounds like MacMini has a much better usefulness than AppleTV. It will work well as MCE...

Will we expect a blog on a how-to for any interested people to make use of MacMiniMCE?

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freitasm

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# 105765 20-Jan-2008 10:34

Yes, I am just waiting for a keyboard to show up and then I will blog about it.

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cincyreds

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# 109847 11-Feb-2008 13:08

freitasm:I thought of creating ISO images and while this works ok with VLC for Windows or Mac OS I can't find references to any media player that would mount and play ISO images.
Other than having a HTPC or Mac mini in the lounge running Windows Media Center or VLC player, any other idea?

I was looking for the same thing and found/bought a TVIX-4000SA.
I have converted ALL my DVDs (about 400) to ISO image files (using DVD Fab Platinum). I have about 5-6 terrabytes of storage on my PC containing all the ISOs.
The TVIX is networked (hard wired) and the PC runs Netshare NFS. The box can stream via wireless, but for larger content like DVDs, it should be hard wired for best playback.
The TVIX plays back the DVD image file exactly like the disc - all menus and on-screen navigation are preserved - you'd think you were watching the original disc. Virtually perfect with almost zero playback problems.

The box does a TON more and TVIX makes higher end units, but for what I need, the 4000 is perfect. It has its own remote and the on-screen functions work quite well. Overall, it's a well designed product. And if you are simply streaming from a network you don't even need to buy a unit with a HD - you can buy one without (which is what I did).

TVIX has had many fantastic reviews for quality/bang for the buck and I can confidently recommend it.

Here's a link:
http://www.tvix.co.kr/Eng/products/HDM4000.aspx

:)

Dean

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