Help with HTPC software for newb

[whitts1]

Hi

This is my first post so sorry if I sound a bit dumb.

I have had an old PC for a while that I turned into a music jukebox. I have stored all of my MP3s on it and use album player to select and play albums. This all works great.

I want to expand the PC so that I can now store all of my dvds on the harddrive and play them through the PC. I am going to use DVD shrink to remove extras etc.

My idea is to make my own front end programme which will launch various programmes depending on what I want to do. I have a touch screen monitor which will act as a remote control.

My problem is that I have bought a Terratec 5.1 Fun soundcard with optical out to run the sound to my 5.1 amp. The only programme I have found that will pass thru the audio for true 5.1 is power dvd 4. I would prefer to use theater tec if anyone knows a way - I have tried the AC3 filter which didn't work. I have also tried MCE and have the same probelm with the audio.

What I would like to do is have a programme that will scan the hard drive for DVDs and allow me to download info / cover art to make a library. I know there are loads of programmes that do this but I haven't found any that I can use to locate the film and launch it using an external dvd player (power dvd 4). The only one close is DVD Lobby but there is no trial and I do not want to buy something until I know it fits.

Does any one have any suggestions for the software that would suit this.

Thanks for your help

 

[whitts1]

Right I think I have come up with a make do solution but this has thrown up a further problem.

My solution was to design a fairly simply spreadsheet where i enter details of each dvd on my harddrive. I add a picture to the description then make a hyperlink to the Video_Ts file. If I use powerdvd 6 this hyperlink launches the whole film which is exatly what I want.

My problem is that powerdvd 6 will not play through the sp/dif output of my terratec 5.1 card.

On the other hand powerdvd 4 will play through sp/dif output no problems but hyperlinking to the Video_Ts file does not launch the film.

Does anyone have any ideas to resolve either of the above two problems.

Please help this is driving me insane! - So close yet so far!!