Re: Popcorn Hour questions

["rb_ziggy" <rb.lists@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Just to add to Phil's points... from my own recent experiences and use
with Popcorn Hour (which is now working as my mainstay playback device for
ripped DVDs).

Regards

Richard

--- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx, "Phil Harris" <phil@...> wrote:
>
> > Do you need it connected to a TV to use it? My friend thought
about the
> > idea
> > of using for music but always with a TV connected or on.
>
> The UI is a visual one with no web interface - so to use it you'll
need a
> display connected.

Yes, and please note that the basic 'out of the box' interface is pretty
basic, if usable. It only becomes 'good' once you add on one of the skins. 
Please be aware these have a bit of a steep learning curve but it's not too
much of a hill if you are prepared to invest a bit of work.  But not one
for the completely unsavvy.

If you want to play .mp3s etc without the tv on, then go for something
else.  Personally, I use a Squeezebox for music playback as it does not
need the tv on and I can feed back other HA stuff to the screen near the tv
without disrupting TV.

>
> > Does it record or do we need an external recording on a PC for
this? TV
> > here
> > is generally via CABLE or SATELLITE and there is nothing like
SKY+ here
> > so
> > it would have to be manual or some kind of infra red control to
the
> > cable
> > box.
>
> No it doesn't record anything - it's a playback only device.
>

Yeup. Playback is it's strength. Not a PVR!!!

> > Lastly, what format is best for ripping DVD's to, to use with the
> > device?
>
> I use .ISO images - someone on here said there are issues with
VIDEO_TS
> folders but I've not come across those.
>

Forget Video_TS and go for ISO.  I had everything ripped as video_ts and it
wouldn't work at all.  I had to re-container a couple of hundred DVDs to
.ISO (with excellent guidance from Phil I might add).  Major pain until I
worked out the batch scripting - once that was done, just a few days
processor effort! No problems since and I now think .iso is much more
convenient now as it's all in one file.

> Cheers
>
> Phil
>




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