DVD Storage

[Jimbo24]

Hi this is my 1st time lodging a question via any forum though I do read them with a great deal of interest. I also need to let everyone know that whilst I enjoy technology I have very limited knowledge which is the reason for my question.

I have a Apple TV w which I enjoy mainly for music and photos and a small amount of video saved on my Imac. Whilst I have in the past used handbrake etc to convert DVD's onto my Itunes library the prospect of converting all of them is confronting at the least ( I admit I cant be bothered and I would have at least a hundred).

I have seen that there are storage type devices that you can load with Cd' etc (like the old Juke Box) from which you can then play the music without ripping them and storing them on a computer therefore taking up room.

My question is could there be some type of storage device which you could store all of your DVD's into which could read them and form a type of menu listing what DVD's are held in the device which could then link to your Imac via Itunes (again without actually ripping them and storing the video onto the computer) which the Apple TV could then access and make the storage device play the selected DVD on your TV?

I would think this could only happen if a Apple TV was Jailbreaked and whilst not a big fan of jailbreaking would be happy to do so if this could happen. The reason I would like this system is to keep all of my DVD's in one place easy to access and able to see at a glance via a menu my collection. Also would want the strorage device to be able to do some sort of cover art.

Hope not too long a novel and you understand what I am trying to say.

 

[Omne666]

Hi this is my 1st time lodging a question via any forum though I do read them with a great deal of interest. I also need to let everyone know that whilst I enjoy technology I have very limited knowledge which is the reason for my question.

I have a Apple TV w which I enjoy mainly for music and photos and a small amount of video saved on my Imac. Whilst I have in the past used handbrake etc to convert DVD's onto my Itunes library the prospect of converting all of them is confronting at the least ( I admit I cant be bothered and I would have at least a hundred).

I have seen that there are storage type devices that you can load with Cd' etc (like the old Juke Box) from which you can then play the music without ripping them and storing them on a computer therefore taking up room.

My question is could there be some type of storage device which you could store all of your DVD's into which could read them and form a type of menu listing what DVD's are held in the device which could then link to your Imac via Itunes (again without actually ripping them and storing the video onto the computer) which the Apple TV could then access and make the storage device play the selected DVD on your TV?

I would think this could only happen if a Apple TV was Jailbreaked and whilst not a big fan of jailbreaking would be happy to do so if this could happen. The reason I would like this system is to keep all of my DVD's in one place easy to access and able to see at a glance via a menu my collection. Also would want the strorage device to be able to do some sort of cover art.

Hope not too long a novel and you understand what I am trying to say.

That would be an expensive solution with a limited market. How many DVDs do you build it for?? Your collection? Mine at 800? or something much larger?

My suggestion to you...wait for the jailbreak on the atv2....on the atv1 its already available....you rip the dvd to a hard drive as an ISO image, plug the hardrive into the back of the jailbroken atv1, and itll read as many ISOs as youve lined up. And ripping a DVD is very fast compared to converting it. I have a friend who does this cause he likes all the extra content on DVDs

 

[dlegend]

You could try something like this. http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-DV-F7...RD8K/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1292473282&sr=8-3

 

[mikelegacy]

I rip my DVD's to an old desktop that I use STRICTLY for my Apple TV. Then I store them on my 2TB external and link that to my iTunes and VOILA! I have a database of movies! Ripping DVD's is moderately fast. Takes about 20 minutes per DVD for me.

 

[newtonuk]

I rip my DVD's to an old desktop that I use STRICTLY for my Apple TV. Then I store them on my 2TB external and link that to my iTunes and VOILA! I have a database of movies! Ripping DVD's is moderately fast. Takes about 20 minutes per DVD for me.

20 minutes???

 

[gunthermic]

You could try something like this. http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-DV-F7...RD8K/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1292473282&sr=8-3

Did not knwo they still made those. Now if they made one that copuld be read over the network. I could put in 300/400 ad tell it to rip and walk away and come back next month!

 

[joelk2]

20 minutes???

yeh i would like to know how too, takes me around 10mns to rip and then between 1 - 2 hours per encode.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

I rip my DVD's to an old desktop that I use STRICTLY for my Apple TV. Then I store them on my 2TB external and link that to my iTunes and VOILA! I have a database of movies! Ripping DVD's is moderately fast. Takes about 20 minutes per DVD for me.

20 minutes???

yeh i would like to know how too, takes me around 10mns to rip and then between 1 - 2 hours per encode.

It seems, mikelegacy is strictly talking about ripping, as ripping does not include the transcoding. Maybe he uses the not transcoded DVDDs via an Apple TV, which may be jailbroken.

 

[mstrze]

I have a Apple TV w which I enjoy mainly for music and photos and a small amount of video saved on my Imac. Whilst I have in the past used handbrake etc to convert DVD's onto my Itunes library the prospect of converting all of them is confronting at the least ( I admit I cant be bothered and I would have at least a hundred).

This sticky makes it about as easy as it can be with automation and ease of naming and the like. You could easily encode 10 DVDs a day and with 100 discs, your work would be done in just over a week. It's not as overwhelming as you are imagining...at least not if you download the automated scripts and the like in the thread:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/805573/

 

[gunthermic]

This sticky makes it about as easy as it can be with automation and easy of naming and the like. You could easily encode 10 DVDs a day and with your 100 discs, your work would be done in just over a week. It's not as overwhelming as you are imagining...at least not if you download the automated scripts and the like in the thread:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/805573/

I can vouch for this process. Put DVD/BD in and watch it work if you set up Hazel as well. I have alibrary of 1200+ and since 2 weeks ago, I have done around 400. Non-stop running.

If you haven't tried mac.jedi's scripts you will be amazed how easy he has made it. With many improvements and quite a few coming in next few days hopefully.

 

[dtprkr]

I've considered the automation thing and read it 2 times but some portions of it still confuses me. kind of intimidating for first timer. With that being said, I can see how nice it would be to have that all in place. The instructions are very well put together.

 

[gunthermic]

I've considered the automation thing and read it 2 times but some portions of it still confuses me. kind of intimidating for first timer. With that being said, I can see how nice it would be to have that all in place. The instructions are very well put together.

I was first timer to the scripts and to a mac. Bought a Mac Mini just becuase of the scripts. mac.jedi was very helpful.

If you decide to try it. I can help with the setup of it. I have done it enough times now.

You won't regret it... Take a step by step approach. One peice of it at a time.

and ask questions.

 

[mstrze]

Yes, it's truly all laid out for you so perfectly by mac.jedi. You really can't go wrong.

Follow the steps and enjoy!

I think because the process seems so daunting on first glance, it's the reason why people don't seem to try it. BUT the automation blows away having to trudge through it yourself...rips the DVD or BR...gets metatag info for your movies and shows... encodes so crisply that my original DVDs look worse than the encode (prob my DVD player to blame for that).

It's so satisfying being able to pull up all of your movies on the ATV (or iTunes) and watch whatever, whenever without having to hunt for the DVD.

Take an hour this weekend to set it up and you will see.

 

[dlegend]

If I can find the time this weekend I'm going to try setting up the automated script. I've never done anything like that before but we'll see how it goes. I might start using my work laptop (PC) to encode these every night, that way my computer is free.

 

[gunthermic]

If I can find the time this weekend I'm going to try setting up the automated script. I've never done anything like that before but we'll see how it goes. I might start using my work laptop (PC) to encode these every night, that way my computer is free.

Lets us know if you have questions.

 

[dlegend]

well, didn't have time to set up the script this weekend. Using my Dell to encode at almost 45 fps. Once I get caught up on my ripped TV shows I'll start work on the scripts and get everything encoded...

 

[dtprkr]

I honestly have to say, that it is really nice to hear people offer their time to help out. I think I'll give it a shot. Sorry to jump in on this thread, but I was doing a search on "tagging" when I found this one and I had to subscribe to it.

 

[mstrze]

Did 6 movies this weekend and could have easily done twice that amount, even with a Handbrake average of only about 21fps. My computer had a lot of downtime I could have taken advantage of.

Someone with a faster processor than my circa 2009 Mini could easily rip and encode 15 movies a weekend... probably 50 or more half-hour TV show episodes.

dlegend..."starting work on the scripts" is a real misnomer...you will download the file, install the Services and you will be up and running in 30-45 seconds easily. I know because I updated to the most recent scripts this weekend.

Put in a DVD, it asks if it's a Movie or TV Show and starts ripping to your hard drive. You rename...i.e. tag your movie and TV show files which loads your movie poster/iTune image of the movie or show as well as the descriptions, actors, etc... then after you have ripped enough movies onto you drive (3-5 maybe?) run a service to Batch Encode them...preferrably overnight....or schedule it to run overnight without intervention.

Once you download and start, you'll wonder why you took so long to do it.

 

[dtprkr]

The question that I have before I download the automation process is,, I already have about 20 movies on my Imac that I stream to my Atv2. I'm currently using handbrake and vlc. With the automation process it mentions to create 2 folders, (movie and tv show) in my case would I still do that or would I just rename my itunes folder that my current movies are already in?? Also, being that I am already using handbrake GLU with no problems do I need the handbrake CLI or the nightlies?? Any help with this will be much appreciated.

thank you

 

[Jimbo24]

DVD Storage

Thanks everyone for your reply's and sugguestions however I think everyone is still missing my point. I don't want to have to rip or save my DVD's to a computer or external device I just want a device that will store them all (physically) and maybe at worst I will have to input the titles to form some sort of menu that Itunes can then select and play on Apple TV. This means then that each DVD I purchase (that is if I don't buy it via Itunes) I can place into the storage device input the title and viola shows up on a menu on Itunes which will also show on Apple TV to which I can then select and the storage device will then "grab" that particular DVD and play it like on a DVD player.

Thanks again for your reply's

 

[gunthermic]

The question that I have before I download the automation process is,, I already have about 20 movies on my Imac that I stream to my Atv2. I'm currently using handbrake and vlc. With the automation process it mentions to create 2 folders, (movie and tv show) in my case would I still do that or would I just rename my itunes folder that my current movies are already in?? Also, being that I am already using handbrake GLU with no problems do I need the handbrake CLI or the nightlies?? Any help with this will be much appreciated.

thank you

The two folders you are talkign about. Well there is actually 3 that the process works with:
Batch Encode: Where the finished copy of the encoded movie sits.
Batch Rip Movies: Where the process puts any movie you are ripping
Batch Rip TV Show: Where the process places any TV Show you are ripping

How you put the folders is up to you really. The process does this so it's a stepping process. The process when used in conjunction with Hazel then moves the movies and puts them into iTunes.

However with all that said you could encode them directly into your Movie in iTunes if you wish.

 

[mstrze]

The question that I have before I download the automation process is,, I already have about 20 movies on my Imac that I stream to my Atv2. I'm currently using handbrake and vlc. With the automation process it mentions to create 2 folders, (movie and tv show) in my case would I still do that or would I just rename my itunes folder that my current movies are already in?? Also, being that I am already using handbrake GLU with no problems do I need the handbrake CLI or the nightlies?? Any help with this will be much appreciated.

thank you

NO...don't rename your iTunes folder. These are new folders simply to temporarily store your ripped and then encoded movies. From there, the movies can be sent or dragged to iTunes.

 

[mstrze]

Thanks everyone for your reply's and sugguestions however I think everyone is still missing my point. I don't want to have to rip or save my DVD's to a computer or external device I just want a device that will store them all (physically) and maybe at worst I will have to input the titles to form some sort of menu that Itunes can then select and play on Apple TV. This means then that each DVD I purchase (that is if I don't buy it via Itunes) I can place into the storage device input the title and viola shows up on a menu on Itunes which will also show on Apple TV to which I can then select and the storage device will then "grab" that particular DVD and play it like on a DVD player.

Thanks again for your reply's

Then no, there is no way to do what you want. And I can say with almost absolute certainty that there will never be a commercially produced system that would work with iTunes in this way since the move is away from physical discs to files. You might be able to find a jukebox-type DVD player, but there is no way it would be able to interact with your AppleTV or iTunes.

What you describe (calling up any movie you own on ATV) can be done (and IS being done by thousands of folks) by encoding your movies...and the process is simple and quick, but if that's not the route you wish to go then OK.

 

[gunthermic]

The question that I have before I download the automation process is,, I already have about 20 movies on my Imac that I stream to my Atv2. I'm currently using handbrake and vlc. With the automation process it mentions to create 2 folders, (movie and tv show) in my case would I still do that or would I just rename my itunes folder that my current movies are already in?? Also, being that I am already using handbrake GLU with no problems do I need the handbrake CLI or the nightlies?? Any help with this will be much appreciated.

thank you

The "nightlies" as they are called is need for the support of the newer ATV2 profile. The GUI vs the CLI is two different things. The process doesn't use the GUI, but rather the CLI to encode the movies.