HTPC Build Part 1: The Stuff

[BoredSysAdmin]

I may be mistaken, because I have been playing around a lot with different things, but I ripped I am legend from BD and it was 32.XGB. I am pretty positive that I did that with MakeMKV, and just started. I did not unselect anything, turn up compression, anything at all except it start. I then used Handshake to make it smaller, again did nothing but hit start and it was massively smaller. I want to say ~5-6GB, but I cant remember exactly. My point is, if MakeMKV compresses at all compared to straight ISO rips it has to be VERY minimal.


Sean

Thanks Sean, this makes perfect sense now. 40gb BD to 32GB mkv files makes sense it's not compression, but removal of unneeded menus/extras and languages

 

[panteragstk]

MKV is a container just like M2TS that blu-rays are stored on the disc. It's just different. Almost any HTPC software can play both without issue. For some reason MKV's don't take up as much room as an M2TS that has the exact same data.

Also, the i3 will play back everything just fine, but it may not do it as well as something from AMD, both bitstream without issue. If you are happy with the video quality then don't worry about it, but if you want to have better video processing you can always get a video card. I built my original HTPC intending to use the integrated intel GPU in my i3, but the video quality was nowhere near what I get with my AMD video card. Keep in mind that I have a first gen i3 so it isn't anywhere near what the current gen models are, but AMD still has more experience in the HTPC space. Even my tiny fusion build looks fantastic when it comes to video quality.

 

[itschris]

I may be mistaken, because I have been playing around a lot with different things, but I ripped I am legend from BD and it was 32.XGB. I am pretty positive that I did that with MakeMKV, and just started. I did not unselect anything, turn up compression, anything at all except it start. I then used Handshake to make it smaller, again did nothing but hit start and it was massively smaller. I want to say ~5-6GB, but I cant remember exactly. My point is, if MakeMKV compresses at all compared to straight ISO rips it has to be VERY minimal.


Sean

I really don't believe it compresses at all. I think it just puts it in the new container. The few I have done have always had just the movie and HD sound track so I can't be 100% sure, but I agree that if there is any compression, it's minimal. At the same time, that begs the question... why would MKVMaker even employ such a minimalist compression scheme.

I have used Handbrake on some none critical stuff like my Big Bang Theory discs and squashed it down using the 264 compression. I don't really know what I'm doing or what that even means... I just followed a guide I found online. That squashed things down to under 2 gigs if I remember correctly... but it wasn't a huge 25 gig disc to begin with. i don't mind compression for stuff like that, but for Sci-Fi and Action movies, I want it as close as possible to the original.

 

[itschris]

I'm adding these to the build list. I'm a sucker for cables. I'm redoing all my HDMI cables with these: Redhead by Sewell Premium Thin High Speed HDMI Cable (3 feet) with Redmere Technology - SW-30366, $13.95

They look awsome and have the new slim and flexible design. My cabinet is a mess from HDMI cables that are too long and too still to route decently. I'm going to order a few 3 footers, 4 footers, and maybe a 6 footer or two and redo everything.

 

[3db]

I have an old Windows 7 laptop kicking around and I installed XBMC on it as well as some software that will allow me to control the laptop via my playbook. If time permits, I will play with this combination to see if it beats the simplicity/ease of use of my Western Digital TV Live.

 

[itschris]

I have an old Windows 7 laptop kicking around and I installed XBMC on it as well as some software that will allow me to control the laptop via my playbook. If time permits, I will play with this combination to see if it beats the simplicity/ease of use of my Western Digital TV Live.

I'd be interested in what you find since that's what I want to do. I figured I'd just kick on the HTPC which will boot to XMBC then use the XMBC Remote Controll app from my iPad.

 

[panteragstk]

I'd be interested in what you find since that's what I want to do. I figured I'd just kick on the HTPC which will boot to XMBC then use the XMBC Remote Controll app from my iPad.

The control app works very well. It's pretty easy to get everything set up. It is time consuming to set up all of your video folders and pic what metadata type you want to use.

 

[Rowdy S13]

I may be mistaken, because I have been playing around a lot with different things, but I ripped I am legend from BD and it was 32.XGB. I am pretty positive that I did that with MakeMKV, and just started. I did not unselect anything, turn up compression, anything at all except it start. I then used Handshake to make it smaller, again did nothing but hit start and it was massively smaller. I want to say ~5-6GB, but I cant remember exactly. My point is, if MakeMKV compresses at all compared to straight ISO rips it has to be VERY minimal.


Sean

OK, I just checked and it was 35.6 GB before, and 2.24 GB after.


Sean

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

OK, I just checked and it was 35.6 GB before, and 2.24 GB after.


Sean

Just want to make everyone on same page here. Both Bluray and end result were compressed without any doubt. The difference is size is due much higher compression (aka more lossy) and very likely reduction in resolution (aka 1080p to 720p) which in my opinion is not noticeable on most Hollywood movies

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

speaking of MakeMVK - I just noticed they want $50 for it??? Wut?
Plenty of free alternatives including most prominently is blurip - https://code.google.com/p/blurip/

More options here:
Alternative to MakeMKV?

 

[fuzz092888]

speaking of MakeMVK - I just noticed they want $50 for it??? Wut?
Plenty of free alternatives including most prominently is blurip - https://code.google.com/p/blurip/

More options here:
Alternative to MakeMKV?

Makemkv is in beta and has been in beta for a long time and doesn't appear to be coming out of beta anytime soon. You can pay $50 to support them and get a lifetime key or you can just use the beta key that gets updated every few months and use it for free.

 

[aberkowitz]

Makemkv is in beta and has been in beta for a long time and doesn't appear to be coming out of beta anytime soon. You can pay $50 to support them and get a lifetime key or you can just use the beta key that gets updated every few months and use it for free.

Worst case scenario is you have to delete the program and redownload. IMO, MakeMKV is the superior program for opening and ripping discs.

 

[Rowdy S13]

I just downloaded MakeMKV on Wednesday and it was free, just FYI.

Sean

 

[fuzz092888]

Worst case scenario is you have to delete the program and redownload. IMO, MakeMKV is the superior program for opening and ripping discs.

You don't even have to do that. While the software is in beta there is a thread in their forums where they provide the updated beta key. Just copy and paste whenever it says the old beta key has run out.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

You don't even have to do that. While the software is in beta there is a thread in their forums where they provide the updated beta key. Just copy and paste whenever it says the old beta key has run out.

linky pls?

 

[Rowdy S13]

linky pls?

www.makemkv.com • View topic - MakeMKV is free while in beta


Sean

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

www.makemkv.com • View topic - MakeMKV is free while in beta


Sean

Much obliged

 

[itschris]

Going back to the build list for a second... what do you guys think about the RAM choice? I know for is enough, but should/can I get one 4 gig stick in case I wasnt to add later since there's only 2 slots? Also... is what I chose even good for what I want to do? I no zilch about RAM.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Going back to the build list for a second... what do you guys think about the RAM choice? I know for is enough, but should/can I get one 4 gig stick in case I wasnt to add later since there's only 2 slots? Also... is what I chose even good for what I want to do? I no zilch about RAM.

4 gigs is plenty for htpc, even win7 based but since you like to spend more than needed - get a 2nd 4gig stick - you might 1% benefit of running memory in dual-channel mode

 

[itschris]

Do you have to run both slots or can you install just the one? I'm actually gonna stick with four...for now... And just want to know if I can have just the one 4gig module or if I need the two 2gig modules.