Simple Software Set Up

[Miller]

I have built htpc using Vista 64. I only want to use the htpc to use the internet in my living room, view family digital photos and playback dvd/blu-ray movies.

I have powerdvd which seems okay playing back blu-ray, but dvd play back is pretty average. Now I 've read on this forum to use ffdshow to upscale dvd's, but I'm not much of a wiz kid on how to put all these things together.

Should I use Vista Media center or stay with my current Vista Windows, keep powerdvd and just add ffdshow. I doubt if I will ever download any movie files or record tv programmes (I have Sky HD for that).

I've tried understanding the htpc stickies, but get lost & confused by by the mention of codecs, AC3 and God knows what else.

[Miller]

I'e read on some sites that PowerDVD will not work with ffdshow. If that's true do I need one viewing software for blu-ray (PowerDVD) and another for dvd playback, so that I can upscale it using ffdshow?

[Miller]

Anybody?

[Miller]

I see that ffdshow is an add on to upscale dvd's, but what does Anydvd hd enable me to do and do I need it. Is there any form of tinkering I can just do with Powerdvd (Ver.7) or do I need these other products?

[thepharcyde]

The only DVD branded software that is compatible with FFDShow is Theatertek as you can select it as your primary decoder IIRC

But, download Combined Community Codec Pack.

This will install FFDShow and the like. What you then need to do is in the FFDShow Video

1) Under Codecs. Change Raw video to "All supported".

2) And then in the Resize & Aspect option, put a tick in this and under Aspect Ratio put a tick keep original aspect ratio.

3) Then the settings as a sub option change Luma method to Lanczos and number of taps to 4 or more, depending on your PC spec. You can also tweak the sharpness etc to your liking, again all to personal preference.

This should then open in Media Player automactically or if you have used the http://www.cccp-project.net/ also within Media Player Classic. You should get an icon by the clock to show that it is running.

^^^^^^ Is a a rough overview, as I am sure there is a lot that I do not know. This plays my DVD's to near HD quality

[thepharcyde]

Google FFDShow, as this has been covered loads and loads of times before for a more indepth overview

[Miller]

I think I understand the concept of ffdshow now, but I see that it doesn't work with powerdvd that came with my blu-ray player, so I guess I'll get Theartertek. Is Anydvd just to enable to play multi region dvd's?
Will I still need to use powerdvd for Blu-ray play back?

[lmaolmao]

give zoomplayer a try. i use the free version and its quite nice. allows you to choose your decoders/renderers quite easily.

[Miller]

I can build pc's, but the software side really confuses me. Is WinDVD 9 Plus my one stop shop. Does anybody have this product, to make any comment. I only want to play blu-ray discs and upscale dvd. This seems to fit the bill?