26 replies to this topic

[skypilot]

Because I needed a new optical drive I thought I would get a Blueray drive and update the win7 64 mediacentre. I got pioneer drive and the first thing I did was to update the firmware. What do I need to get it to play blueray? I am not interested in the super-duper surround sound just to play the video (with sound).

I have an Intel i3 with on chip video. Will this cut the mustard? I have read you need to install 3rd party software that came with the drive, which I did but it asks to update the software which I do then it comes back and try play again and it asks the same update question. I hate having to install a whole suite of software that I do not want. Can I just load codecs (Shark 007?) to get it to work on blueray? It is recognised in device manager and I can play normal DVDs.

[DDH]

There is no simple codec pack, you need some BluRay software. I use PowerDVD, it integrates with MCE quite nicely. Others will have their favourites too.

[Dean1M]

There are 3 main softplayers that integrate into Media Center. Arcsoft Total Media Theatre, Power DVD and Win DVD. I have tried all of them and there is not a lot to separate them. I think all offer free trials so if you have time you could check them all out.

Deano

[01-0077]

Skypilot,

This thread may be of interest.

John.

[bigdonk]

if your after the true blu ray native cinema ( 23.976 Hz refresh rate ) experience, then the Intel GPU fails to deliver. Even the Ivy Bridge platform, also fails.

You'll need either an ATI or nvidia GPU instead.

Edited by bigdonk, 26 April 2012 - 06:39 AM.

[skypilot]

Re loaded the software that came with the Blueray drive and got it to work - Do not know why the first load did not go well.

Next question is how to get it to play from hard disk rather than the DVD drive? Seems to be looking only,y for a DVD drive and not elsewhere.

[DDH]

Next question is how to get it to play from hard disk rather than the DVD drive? Seems to be looking only,y for a DVD drive and not elsewhere.

Of course it will depend on how your BluRay is stored on HDD and what your playback software is capable of. The easiest way I find is to rip my disk to an ISO image then mount it with SlySoft Virtual Clone Drive.

[skypilot]

Thanks DDH but if I am going to mount an ISO I might as well put in the DVD and play from that. It seems the Blueray software only looks for the disk in the optical drive. As that is the case I was thinking of experimenting with using a symbolic link 'mklink' to play around with drive letters etc.

[bigdonk]

you could always use makemkv to rip to mkv conatiner.....very simple to use, and there is no loss of video or audio quality....

[DDH]

Thanks DDH but if I am going to mount an ISO I might as well put in the DVD and play from that. It seems the Blueray software only looks for the disk in the optical drive. As that is the case I was thinking of experimenting with using a symbolic link 'mklink' to play around with drive letters etc.

I must have missed something, isn't that what you are asking? Perhaps you can clarify for me.

If you need to use the BluRay software then surely you intend to have the BluRay in some form of copy on the HDD. If you go to another format of file via a ripping process then you shouldn't need the BluRay player software because its no longer a BluRay, just a media file.

[skypilot]

I have the blueray movie on HDD using slysoft. When I go to that file, the blueray software opens in MC and it then defaults to the DVD drive rather than plying the file on the HDD and I cannot change the drive to a non DVD drive..

Edited by skypilot, 02 May 2012 - 08:52 PM.

[TiggerK]

For the record, I use Virtual Clone Drive (one mount drive - J ) and the Mount Image plugin. Images are ripped to an ISO on a hard drive using slysoft. Slysoft does not run on the MC system though. I also use My Movies, but it's not necessary, just makes it look pretty!

So I go into a folder containing the BD ISO, hit the 'i' button on the remote, go to More... and hit Mount. Takes a second. MC then realises you've 'put a BD disc into drive J' and launches the BluRay software automatically.

Can you set the mount drive as the default drive in the Blu-Ray software? Either way, it should see the virtual mount drive as no different to a BD player anyway, and by mounting, you're just closing the door!.

Cheers
TiggerK

[DDH]

For the record, I use Virtual Clone Drive (one mount drive - J ) and the Mount Image plugin. Images are ripped to an ISO on a hard drive using slysoft. Slysoft does not run on the MC system though. I also use My Movies, but it's not necessary, just makes it look pretty!

So I go into a folder containing the BD ISO, hit the 'i' button on the remote, go to More... and hit Mount. Takes a second. MC then realises you've 'put a BD disc into drive J' and launches the BluRay software automatically.

Can you set the mount drive as the default drive in the Blu-Ray software? Either way, it should see the virtual mount drive as no different to a BD player anyway, and by mounting, you're just closing the door!.

Cheers
TiggerK

TiggerK, very similar setup to me. The only differnce is I don't have to mount anything manually. I rip to ISO, add it to MyMovies, then just press "PLay" when on top of it in the MyMovies menu, it auto-mounts in Virtual Clone Drive and Plays using PowerDVD via MCE, all menu driven and easy enought for the wife!

[skypilot]

OK.... Seems I need to read the above posts and digest what is said and have a go myself. I was expecting to do a manual mount of the ISO but it sounds like it is done automatically. Interesting.

[TiggerK]

Yes, mine auto mounts as well with My Movies. I was referring to a standard folder in video section or the standard movie library, i.e not using My Movies.

But My Movies is a great app!! Personally I use My Movies for movies, the standard 'movie' folder for music dvd's & music BD's (which need mounting), Media Browser for TV Series and the videos folder for all the misc stuff. Works for me!

Cheers
TiggerK