Playback of DVD rips?

[Cloudy147]

Hi all,

Is there any software out there that can categorise and play DVD rips please? I don't mean just video files, rather that they replay the DVD experience?

I've got a ton of dvds that I'd like to rip to a hard drive and archive the disks into the loft to save space but I still want a way to play them so I can watch the extras etc without having to get the disk out.

I think there is hardware that does this (kelidoscope?), But it's mega expensive. Are there any other options, either computer software or cheaper hardware? Ideally something like Plex that libraries everything.

I know you could rip to iso, mount via Daemon tools and then watch on say vlc, but that's a backward step to just sticking a dvd in a player really.

Thanks

[Dave.]

You can rip the extras as separate video files, but I assume you already know that?

How are you planning on watching the videos once ripped?

Kodi/Plex/VLC can be installed on smart TVs, firesticks, etc.

Not sure how well they cope with ISOs (Plex doesn't at all after a quick Google).

I used makemkv to do mine years ago, but I'm not one to bother with the extras etc.

Edited by Dave. on Saturday 29th August 16:49

[Cloudy147]

Dave. said:

You can rip the extras as separate video files, but I assume you already know that?

How are you planning on watching the videos once ripped? Kodi/Plex/VLC?

Not sure how to play really.Ideally would like something like Plex, but don't think that will read ISO or VOB files.

Yeah I could do them as seprate files, but thats a momumental undertaking for things with lots of extras, and can't be bothered will all the library filing. Was looking for something quick and easy that could take an ISO and play it like a DVD.

I think alternative might be to buy a binder/storage and keep the physical discs around, just taking up less room.



But if anyone knows of a better way that doesn't cost Kaleidescape levels of cash, I'd be interested to hear

Thanks!

[Dave.]

Give Kodi a try with a handful of rips and see how it goes.

It works on Android devices, windows, smart TVs, etc. I think it's the most versatile, but not sure how well it handles ISOs etc.

[Murph7355]

Kodi.

I've been using it this way for over 15yrs. Works perfectly.

[Cloudy147]

Thanks both. Does Kodi play iso out of the box, or is there a particular add on to use?

Also, anyone use raspberry pi with Kodi and iso? That could be my answer. Quite like the idea of a little box on the TV shelf rather than a double rack of dvds :-)

[Murph7355]

Cloudy147 said:

Thanks both. Does Kodi play iso out of the box, or is there a particular add on to use?

Also, anyone use raspberry pi with Kodi and iso? That could be my answer. Quite like the idea of a little box on the TV shelf rather than a double rack of dvds :-)

I rip the DVDs as the straight VIDEO_TS files and it plays those natively.

I had a play with a Raspberry Pi a little while ago and didn't get great results - I'd been using a Mac Mini for a while and the Pi was clunky in comparison.

Current device of choice is an Amazon Firestick - cheap, they work really well and you get the added benefit of other useful apps through the same interface (Netflix, iPlayer etc - none of which work that well through Kodi IME...but running via Firestick means they don't need to). At hte price point the 4k Firestick is, I doubt you'll save much going the Pi route once you've factored in a decent remote etc.

I also have Kodi running on a Sony Android TV which works very nicely too.

[WonkeyDonkey]

Imgburn to create an ISO of the disc. Then Kodi to playback the DVD. Should keep the menus and extras intact.

[Murph7355]

I use DVDFab to do the rips...

I've been using that for a while now - I pay for it, but it doesn't cost that much and in contrast to the free software that does similar, I've not had a DVD that wouldn't rip. They are pretty responsive to new encryption regimes etc.

[conkerman]

I use DVDFab for ripping and since the sad demise of Win7 media player, have used Kodi.

Kodi doesn't seem to like rips of DVD series, which is a bit of a pain.

Might try imgburn and rip them as ISOs.

[Murph7355]

conkerman said:

I use DVDFab for ripping and since the sad demise of Win7 media player, have used Kodi.

Kodi doesn't seem to like rips of DVD series, which is a bit of a pain.

Might try imgburn and rip them as ISOs.

You can rip series DVDs, but you need to do individual episodes to get anywhere with it IME.

As I was doing that, I simply went to MP4 files for TV shows - didn't really need any of the usual DVD features so that was good enough for me.

Then it's just a case of sorting the folder/naming structure and scraping with a TV scraper.

[conkerman]

What annoys me is that I have a Western Digital media player that allows me to use disc menus, but it's getting on for 10 years old now and the remote is a bit sketchy.

[Dave.]

conkerman said:

What annoys me is that I have a Western Digital media player that allows me to use disc menus, but it's getting on for 10 years old now and the remote is a bit sketchy.

I had one of those years ago, the interface was a little slow, but at the time it was a revelation!

It didn't last long though before the HDMI output stopped working, which sent me down the rabbit hole of Net top PC & Kodi (still XBMC then, iirc).

[Trevatanus]

I use Plex.
I have all my DVD's and CD's copied to a server, and play via a Smart TV

[Cloudy147]

Trevatanus said:

I use Plex.
I have all my DVD's and CD's copied to a server, and play via a Smart TV

Plex doesn't play VOB or ISO though, or does it?

[Murph7355]

Cloudy147 said:

Plex doesn't play VOB or ISO though, or does it?

Not to my knowledge.

Plex has too many flaws for me. I use it on a limited basis for a couple of music players, but that's it.

Kodi's a PITA for not having central libraries, but is a million times better in all other cases IMO.

[Cloudy147]

Hi all,

Thanks for the recommendations. I've installed Kodi and had a quick play with it, and it looks to do what I need.

I've noticed it does miss out a lot of films if they aren't labelled exactly correctly etc, so am looking into that also.

Any recommendations for good Skins that allow you to customise the home screen? I'd like to have several options of movies, example "Favourite films", "Films not watched", "Kids films", "Xmas Films".

My plan is to then put Kodi and my DVD collection onto a rasperry Pi.

Thanks!

[Oakey]

WonkeyDonkey said:

Imgburn to create an ISO of the disc. Then Kodi to playback the DVD. Should keep the menus and extras intact.

This is the way.

[Murph7355]

Cloudy147 said:

Hi all,

Thanks for the recommendations. I've installed Kodi and had a quick play with it, and it looks to do what I need.

I've noticed it does miss out a lot of films if they aren't labelled exactly correctly etc, so am looking into that also.

Any recommendations for good Skins that allow you to customise the home screen? I'd like to have several options of movies, example "Favourite films", "Films not watched", "Kids films", "Xmas Films".

My plan is to then put Kodi and my DVD collection onto a rasperry Pi.

Thanks!

Most of the skins will allow what you're after - click left on a list and you can filter/sort easily.

I use Confluence, more out of habit than anything. But also the "fancier" ones irritate after a while in terms of usability IME.

Naming rips properly is vital. I often go to the source scraper sites (e.g. the moviedb.com) to find what they call a movie and go from there.

I didn't have much joy with the Raspberry Pi. It worked, but was clunky. If you've got a decent sized DVD collection and are doing raw rips you'll also need a lot of storage. More than makes sense to connect directly IMO.

My current device of choice is a Firestick. Simple, cheap (add up everything a Pi and it will work out more expensive) and work. Plus you get other extras as a bonus.

[Bullett]

Murph7355 said:

Kodi's a PITA for not having central libraries, but is a million times better in all other cases IMO.

Do you mean the ability to playback from the same point from several devices like Netflix or other online services, because I found this - https://www.howtogeek.com/75535/how-to-sync-your-m... which worked for me. Bit of a faff mind.

Plex works for me these days.