My wife and I enjoy movies. We have used the Kenwood Entree (linux box) and DVD changers for years. Well, Kenwood no longer produces this system and we are preparing to switch to Apple TV units. Now the work, I have almost 900 movies to rip, I hope I can complete this project within 4 months.

Is there no way to transfer the files without doing it all over again?

There are all kinds of free converters available.

Current DVD's are in 2 400 disc changers. So I need to rip them to my itunes server.

I'm trying to use a program called itune folder watch to add any movies as they are placed into the folder on my server, it's not working as I thought. I need to review this program today.
Yesterday I ripped about 15 movies. I'm using my mac pro, mac book pro, and an old windows box. My itune server runs under windows 7.

Terry just finished a similar project. Look thru the iBBS archives or on his blog for how HE did this. I can suggest you start with as much RAM in every computer you have and HandBrake. You will also need a lot of external HD space.

Congrats on removing the "jukebox" setup!

Yep, here are my results.

Corrected link to my results

My windows box acted up and destroyed both hard drives in my system. I had ripped about 60 movies. I have most of them backed up, but I need to rip a few not backed up.

Now the big question, do I get a cheap windows box to work as an iTune server or a Mac mini. I want a headless system that I can store in my basement. I hope to maybe get a drobo for storage.

Mac Mini

You could even keep it near the TV for web surfing. Check out www.123macmini.com for what others have done.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dave,

quote:

You could even keep it near the TV for web surfing. Check out www.macmini123.com for what others have done.

Dave - That link doesn't work

I can't do that for you, Dave.

Is "TV ripping" anything like ripping a phone book in half with your bare hands?

I guess the real question is what will you do with the box (computer) after the ripping project is done? At least with a Mac mini you could enjoy it as Dave suggested connected directly to your TV with a nice Front Row interface. Granted you could probably get a cheap windows box to get the job done and be less out of pocket, but if you have no use for it afterwards, it may be worth spending more on the Mac mini.

quote:

Originally posted by cjh:
My windows box acted up and destroyed both hard drives in my system. I had ripped about 60 movies. I have most of them backed up, but I need to rip a few not backed up.

Now the big question, do I get a cheap windows box to work as an iTune server or a Mac mini. I want a headless system that I can store in my basement. I hope to maybe get a drobo for storage.

quote:

Originally posted by James R. Cutler:
I can't do that for you, Dave.

"Open the iPod Doors Hal"

The box will be used as an iTune server with multiple Apple TV's serving our 800+ movies to our TV's.

Currently I have restored 60 movies from my backup drive and placed them on my Mac Pro. I think a separate dedicated system which will stay up 24x7 would be better then leaving my Mac Pro up all the time.

In the mean time, let the ripping continue.

Using Metax to update my movie tags. When I write the tags, a duplicate file is created. I have no clue why a second file is being created, but I delete the original in order to clean my iunes library. Is this normal?

In my project MetaX makes a copy of the file (the one that it adds the metadata to and deletes the original (or replaces the original if that working sounds better).

quote:

Originally posted by cjh:
Using Metax to update my movie tags. When I write the tags, a duplicate file is created. I have no clue why a second file is being created, but I delete the original in order to clean my iunes library. Is this normal?

Changed the link....