Storing movies/TV progs on HDD - simply

[Brooktop]

Now I have a 320Gb HDD in my PS3 I'm able to store some movies and so far have done the following (with Pros and Cons):


1. Rip a DVD and simply copy across the resulting .vob files
PROS: Preserves the PQ
CONS: Large file size, need to store it in its own folder

2. Convert the DVD rip to a DivX/XVid (using AutoGK)
PROS: Relatively small file size (tend to select 1.4Mb), easy to file in a folder I've created called 'Movies'
CONS: Some loss in PQ

Another thing I'd like to do is to store some stuff recorded from Freeview onto DVD. I can convert the recording to mpeg using TMPGEnc DVD Author - which preserves the PQ (sound is obviously 2.0) but means the file size is still large. Additionally, if I've recorded the programme/film from a non-BBC channel, then I've edited out the ads which means that TMPGEnc reads all the resulting Chapters as different programmes - so I end up with a load of seperate mpegs. Although AutoGK will take a load of .vob files and recognise them as one movie and combine them to make one DivX file, I don't think it will do the same for these mpegs. Do I have another option eg is there a freeware programme that will combine these mpegs. Further, will Auto GK turn the resulting mpeg into a DivX?

[bubs999]

There is no real difference between 1 and 2. When I rip my movies from DVD, they appear as Vob files. I then use VobMerge to put them all together for the 1 film, it then creates 1 vob file per movie and deletes the other files. This then gets copied to the PS3.

Its no different copying 1 avi or 1 VOB file. Obviously the VOB file is usually larger as its better quality.

I've also worked out how to play HD MKV files too and its great !!

[Brooktop]

You could also just get your ripper to do one vob file in the first place couldn't you?

Can you create MKV files? I thought it was just for files you download ie playback

[Brooktop]

I now realise why programs recommend ripping the vobs into 1Gb chunks by default; if you uncheck that option it seems to lock up my computer a short way into the process. So thanks for the VOBmerge tip off - it seems to work well. I'd still like to reduce the file size by converting to DivX/XVid - it's just a shame that AutoGK takes so long!!!About 4 hours for a 1 hr movie on my pc. I've even spent hours converting files, only to find that there's no audio

[cmclean]

Have you tried any HD-DVD or Blu Ray yet?

[Brooktop]

Originally Posted by cmclean

Have you tried any HD-DVD or Blu Ray yet?

In terms of storing? My PC doesn't have a blu ray drive and I don't think it would have enough grunt to cope with it. Backing up BDs would soon eat into that 320Gb anyway.

[hotstepper]

is there a way to rip a blu ray from the ps3 into mp4 for use on psp/ipod touch?

[bubs999]

Originally Posted by cmclean

Have you tried any HD-DVD or Blu Ray yet?

Not ripping as I don't have a Blu Ray drive, but I've got a few HD files on the PS3 and the quality is excellent, but it will soon chew up the HDD, which is where as nice 500GB one would come in handy

[singingauditor]

Originally Posted by bubs999

There is no real difference between 1 and 2. When I rip my movies from DVD, they appear as Vob files. I then use VobMerge to put them all together for the 1 film, it then creates 1 vob file per movie and deletes the other files. This then gets copied to the PS3.

Its no different copying 1 avi or 1 VOB file. Obviously the VOB file is usually larger as its better quality.

I've also worked out how to play HD MKV files too and its great !!

love to know how to play MKV files on the PS3 could you share with me please

[Mildoo]

Originally Posted by singingauditor

love to know how to play MKV files on the PS3 could you share with me please

Hi, try this

New media server for the PS3

or

Playing .mkv Files On PS3

Should get you up and running

[Azzin]

Originally Posted by singingauditor

love to know how to play MKV files on the PS3 could you share with me please

I use MKV2Vob to convert MKVs into a single VOB file, which I either copy to the PS3 HDD, or stream it from my network using TVersity.

Simplest method by far IMO.

[Axum]

Unless of course this new mediaserver turns out to be a good and reliable streamer of 1080p content

[Brooktop]

Had a strange one yesterday. I ripped one of my DVDs to put on my PS3; it's an old movie (4:3 and stereo). It ripped ok and I combined the VOBs into one VOB using VOBmerge. The resultant VOB plays fine on my pc, but when I transfer it to the PS3, there's no audio. The info says the audio codec is Dolby Digital 192kbs, but when I'm viewing the file and go to the Audio settings option (from the green traingle), it says there is no audio!!

Also, if I try simply transferring all the VOBs, one of the VOBs is said to be corrupt...yet it also plays fine on the PC. Obviously the PS3 is an amazing media centre...but it can be fickle.