playing divx on my TV

[GadgetGeek]

I've gotten a few movies and TV shows in a divx format. I can play them fine on my computer. What I'm wanting are some opinions on some of the various options for watching these on my TV. If I can come up with a decent solution, I may work on converting the kids movies to that format to prolong the life of their DVDs. Please, lets not turn this into a discussion of the ethics/legality of converting movies owned into a different format. I understand both sides and that isn't why I'm posting. OK, here are some things I've considered.

DVD player that supports DIVX - cheap, but requires me to burn the converted movies to a DVD (or CD). Easy to integrate into current system...just replaces existing DVD player. Prices as low as $50

TiVO with network card added - allows playback of files across a network. I believe divx is a supported format for the network options (I've just been corrected by a buddy...tivo will NOT play divx formatted material from a network...or if so, he can't get it to work). Adds a DVR to my viewing arsenal as well. Watching specials, I can get a basic unit for $100 (incl 1 year subscription) and need to add about $50 for the network card.

HTPC - This would provide the most flexibility, but also be relatively expensive and take up a fair amount of space. Not sure what Mrs. GG would say about ANOTHER pc in the house.

XBOX - I have never been a console player, so I would have to purchase one, then mod it, then install the special software. Lots of research is needed by me if I choose to go this route. No ideas of the cost here. Very interested in opinions of anyone who has gone this route and maybe some links would be appreciated.

DVR - variation of the TIVO idea, but using a generic DVR. Don't know what is available in a network capable unit. Help here would be appreciated as well.

Other options - I'm open to other suggestions as well.

Other information that may be useful. I just have plain old CRT based televisions with no short-term plans to upgrade to hi-def. I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty if it comes down to that. That's half the fun, isn't it?

Thanks all.

[DudeMan]

buying a DIVX capable DVD player and burning DVD movies to CD is prob the easiest route. May take some time to burn all your movies (how many we talking?), but doing a couple a day will eventually get it done. If you had a newer tv I would recommend uploading the Divx files onto a portable hard drive, connecting your PC to the TV and then watching the DIVX movies that way. I'm not familiar with the X-Box route, but if you can Mod the x-box, upload DIVX files into the X-box hard drive, and watch them that way.....would be a similar idea to previous method.

[Pseudolus]

DVD player that supports DIVX - cheap, but requires me to burn the converted movies to a DVD (or CD).That's what I do. Works great for me.

[DudeMan]

DVD player that supports DIVX - cheap, but requires me to burn the converted movies to a DVD (or CD).That's what I do. Works great for me.

What program do you use to convert to Divx?

[GadgetGeek]

Spent some time yesterday reading up on the xbox media center (http://www.xboxmediacenter.com). That seems like a pretty slick setup, once you get it setup.

But I'm leaning towards the standalone DVD player that supports DIVX right now, mostly since free-time is not something I have a lot of.

[GadgetGeek]

What program do you use to convert to Divx?

BitTorrent. Seriously, I don't recall which setup I tried recently, I'd have to look tonite. I was having sound sync problems and got frustrated. Probably whatever is recommended in the latest doom9.org tutorial.

[erosewater]

Spent some time yesterday reading up on the xbox media center (http://www.xboxmediacenter.com). That seems like a pretty slick setup, once you get it setup.

But I'm leaning towards the standalone DVD player that supports DIVX right now, mostly since free-time is not something I have a lot of.


You'd be surprised at how easy it is to setup XBMC. It takes all of 15 minutes to go from brand new Xbox to playing a Divx movie stored on the network, and it doesn't require any advanced technical know-how. If you can use FTP and answer onscreen prompts you can setup XBMC very painlessly. I can walk you through the entire process if you need help.

A standalone player would work fine and it's what i used to do, but it's just as easy (and doesn't require burning tons of discs) to just keep your files on your PC and play them using XBMC. You'll also get all the other benefits, like music playback, displaying your digital pictures, emulators (imagine every game for all the old consoles (NES, SNES, N64, Genesis) all on demand on your Xbox, if your name is accurate I'm sure you would enjoy that).

The one additional thing it requires which may or not be easy for you to do is an ethernet connection in the living room. There are wireless adapters available for the Xbox, though I know little of how reliable they are.

edit: reread your post. Re:cost, a used Xbox on ebay or craigslist can be had for ~90-130, depending on what accessories are included. Then you'll need a copy of Splinter Cell or Mech Assualt ($5 for a used copy at your local video game store), and an Action Replay (~$15) to get the gamesave that allows a softmod onto your Xbox. If you know someone else who has done a softmod they may already have a memory card with the required gamesave and you could avoid purchasing an Action Replay. I have one, so if you go this route, we might be able to work something out for me to send you a memory card. Then you'd need some Cat5 cable to run to the Xbox, and possibly the Xbox remote if one wasn't included with your purchase, and you don't want to just use the controller.

The whole process is something like this:

Copy gamesave exploit to Xbox hard drive (<1 min)
Put in Splinter Cell and load saved game (<1 min)
Follow onscreen prompts to perform softmod (~5 min)
FTP into now-accessible Xbox and send the XBMC files (5-10 min)
Reboot and enjoy XBMC

[erosewater]

That's what I do. Works great for me.

What program do you use to convert to Divx?

I use DVD Decrypter and AutoGK. A two hour movie typically takes about 4 hours (P4 3.0 GHZ, 1 GB RAM) to convert, so I just cue up two of them when i go to bed and they are done in the morning. The initial ripping of the DVD to the drive takes ~15 minutes. I'm hoping an upgrade to a dual-core processor soon will cut down the conversion time.

[GadgetGeek]

You'd be surprised at how easy it is to setup XBMC. It takes all of 15 minutes to go from brand new Xbox to playing a Divx movie stored on the network, and it doesn't require any advanced technical know-how. If you can use FTP and answer onscreen prompts you can setup XBMC very painlessly. I can walk you through the entire process if you need help.

soft-mod or mod-chip?

A standalone player would work fine and it's what i used to do, but it's just as easy (and doesn't require burning tons of discs) to just keep your files on your PC and play them using XBMC. You'll also get all the other benefits, like music playback, displaying your digital pictures, emulators (imagine every game for all the old consoles (NES, SNES, N64, Genesis) all on demand on your Xbox, if your name is accurate I'm sure you would enjoy that).

I've never been a console guy. Arcade classics. I've got a cocktail cabinet running Mame in my basement. I've seen some cool sit-down driver cabinets built using an xbox as the backbone, so this would be an excuse to look into that. Also, not sure how Mrs. GG would react to me bringing more hardware into the house. "honest honey, its for the kids"

The one additional thing it requires which may or not be easy for you to do is an ethernet connection in the living room. There are wireless adapters available for the Xbox, though I know little of how reliable they are.

This would be in the basement so an ethernet connection isn't an issue.

edit: I see you added stuff while I was creating this post. so most questions answered. Thanks

[Pseudolus]

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/tunecenter/

Check this out ^^^^^. Looks pretty cool, AND it's named after Griffin.

[GadgetGeek]

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/tunecenter/

Check this out ^^^^^. Looks pretty cool, AND it's named after Griffin.

This doesn't seem too useful to me. Beyond the fact that I don't have an iPod. Isn't the level of compression commonly used for iPod video enough that it wouldn't look so good on a TV? For playing back MP3 over your stereo, seems OK. But pretty cashy, at least compared to other options (especially when you throw in the cost of the iPod).

These comments are in no way intended to disparage the character of Griffin.

[jackj109]

Buy a divx player, it's the easiest route to go. I have a $50 phillips, so far it's played every avi file I've thrown at it. You can also get one with a USB port so you wouldn't have to burn the movies to a dvd/cd.

[Pseudolus]

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/tunecenter/

Check this out ^^^^^. Looks pretty cool, AND it's named after Griffin.

This doesn't seem too useful to me. Beyond the fact that I don't have an iPod. Isn't the level of compression commonly used for iPod video enough that it wouldn't look so good on a TV? For playing back MP3 over your stereo, seems OK. But pretty cashy, at least compared to other options (especially when you throw in the cost of the iPod).I was thinking that it could send regular AVI, etc. files stored on the Ipod (I refuse to capitalize the way The Man tells me to). If all it can send are iPod video files, that is pretty crappy.

[GadgetGeek]

Buy a divx player, it's the easiest route to go. I have a $50 phillips, so far it's played every avi file I've thrown at it. You can also get one with a USB port so you wouldn't have to burn the movies to a dvd/cd.

I'm leaning towards going this route...at least for now.

Link for USB port one?

[actually actuary]

came across this when i was looking for a dvd player with usb for you: http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/07/modix-hd-3510-usb-hd-audio-video-player/


here's a dvd player that supposedly has usb: http://www.thesourcecc.com/estore/Product.aspx?language=en-CA&catalog=Online&category=DVD+Players&product=1617009

and another one: http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-SD-V594-Player-HDMI-Input/dp/B000EEXMXY

[Wannabe Actuary]

side note, how can you be a gadget geek if 1. you don't have high def. and 2. you don't have tivo/dvr???

what kind of gadget geek are you?
:wink:

[GadgetGeek]

side note, how can you be a gadget geek if 1. you don't have high def. and 2. you don't have tivo/dvr???

what kind of gadget geek are you?
:wink:

an old school gg. Something about two small kids (ages 6/3). Although I have both their computers (yes, each kid has their own PC), my wife's, my 2 and my laptop all networked along with 2 network printers. Our 7th computer is inside my cocktail arcade cabinet and can be networked in for updates when needed.

One of "my" PCs has a TV tuner card so I do have DVR capabillties, it just currently has to be watched on one of the PCs.

As for hi-def, I rarely get to sit down to watch much football and when I do, it is usually because I'm at the game. When I watched the Chiefs-Broncos game in hi-def at my brother's, it didn't make me want to run out and get it.

Wireless babycam when our oldest was born almost 7 years ago along with a few X-10 toys (pre popup ad days).

But since kids, I've stayed back from the cutting edge of gadget geekdom. They still exist, I just have to actually justify them now. :-)

I got the eyeroll from the Mrs when I mentioned the modded XBox option. She also gave me a bit of a look when I mentioned the new DVD player option. "Another" DVD player?!

I guess I need to turn in my geek badge...I don't even have a flat panel monitor or an MP3 player (iPod type).

[Wannabe Actuary]

side note, how can you be a gadget geek if 1. you don't have high def. and 2. you don't have tivo/dvr???

what kind of gadget geek are you?
:wink:

I guess I need to turn in my geek badge...I don't even have a flat panel monitor or an MP3 player (iPod type).
:yikes:
j/k
hey, kids happen and are important...
high def is great for football, but I think Hockey is where it makes the most difference. I like the fact that all the network shows now are in HD.

I have an HD DVR cable box and I love the fact that I can watch shows whenever I want in HD.

Sounds like you're still a GG at heart...so I guess you'll be able to keep the badge :wink:

[GadgetGeek]

high def is great for football, but I think Hockey is where it makes the most difference. I like the fact that all the network shows now are in HD.

I have an HD DVR cable box and I love the fact that I can watch shows whenever I want in HD.

Guess I should mention that hi-def isn't an option on my cable system yet and that I don't see the need to switch to satellite. Our rates are relatively cheap and cable is my only feasible broadband option as well.

[Wannabe Actuary]

high def is great for football, but I think Hockey is where it makes the most difference. I like the fact that all the network shows now are in HD.

I have an HD DVR cable box and I love the fact that I can watch shows whenever I want in HD.

Guess I should mention that hi-def isn't an option on my cable system yet and that I don't see the need to switch to satellite. Our rates are relatively cheap and cable is my only feasible broadband option as well.
no HD offered by the cable company?!
that stinks.

[GadgetGeek]

The just announced Sling-catcher (http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/07/sling-medias-new-slingcatcher/) sounds like an option as well. And some other alternatives mentioned on Slashdot. (http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/01/09/0147218)

[GadgetGeek]

I'm likely going to add a divx capable DVD player pretty soon as my kids have about trashed yet another DVD player. Given the current price point, I consider this essentially disposable, and I'm getting about 1.5 years per player.

Additionally, I think I'm going to try to get an xbox into my house somehow. Any clues how much I should expect to pay for a used one? Will I be paying too much if I pick one up from GameStop? They should at least warrant it against DOA. Do I trust what I might find on eBay? Anybody here have one they want to give me a deal on?

Thanks all.

[erosewater]

I'm likely going to add a divx capable DVD player pretty soon as my kids have about trashed yet another DVD player. Given the current price point, I consider this essentially disposable, and I'm getting about 1.5 years per player.

Additionally, I think I'm going to try to get an xbox into my house somehow. Any clues how much I should expect to pay for a used one? Will I be paying too much if I pick one up from GameStop? They should at least warrant it against DOA. Do I trust what I might find on eBay? Anybody here have one they want to give me a deal on?

Thanks all.

On ebay/craigslist you can expect to pay about $100 for a used Xbox, possibly a little more depending on what is included with it. Most of the ones I see usually include an extra controller and a few games and run about $125. If the games are recent you can flip them to Gamespot/etc for a few dollars to reduce your cost (unless you want to keep the games for ths kids of course). I paid $130 for my first one on ebay, and it included 3 controllers (one wireless), and about 10-12 games. My second one (via Craigslist) came with a remote and no games and I paid $100. I think Gamestop charges about $130 for a used Xbox, but that doesn't include any games and only one wired controller.

If you plan on using it as a media center you'll want either a wireless controller or a remote. I prefer the wireless controller myself, as the buttons on the remote are not all that intuitive (eg. 3 and 6 are Vol+, Vol-), and once you get used to using the controller it's very natural and intuitive (right thumbstick is volume up/down, a to select, b to go back, etc). Another advantage of the wireless controller is that you can hide the Xbox inside your entertainment center so it's out of sight and you don't hear the fan. With the remote you need the Xbox to be exposed since it needs a line of sight. If you do get a remote I'd suggest getting a cheap learning remote so you can program the buttons the way you want. The official Xbox remote isn't very good.

Be sure to post here if you need any help with modding the Xbox or getting XBMC installed.

[Wannabe Actuary]

just out of curiousity, did you mean xbox, or xbox 360?

makes a big difference

[GadgetGeek]

NOT a 360. Just a plain old boring xbox.

[Incredible Hulctuary]

HTPC - This would provide the most flexibility, but also be relatively expensive and take up a fair amount of space. Not sure what Mrs. GG would say about ANOTHER pc in the house.Cost may be an issue, but not size and space. If you don't need something high-powered for games or HD-DVD/Blu-Ray, you can get an HTPC that is smaller than Xbox or DVR. Check out the MiniMCE models at pcalchemy.com or the Pandora models at http://www.cappuccinopc.com. The Mac Mini probably also would work for this purpose.

[Incredible Hulctuary]

I'm likely going to add a divx capable DVD player pretty soon as my kids have about trashed yet another DVD player. Given the current price point, I consider this essentially disposable, and I'm getting about 1.5 years per player.

Additionally, I think I'm going to try to get an xbox into my house somehow. Any clues how much I should expect to pay for a used one? Will I be paying too much if I pick one up from GameStop? They should at least warrant it against DOA. Do I trust what I might find on eBay? Anybody here have one they want to give me a deal on?

Thanks all.Maybe you could just sell one of your existing players and then buy a Divx-capable player so it won't be "another" DVD player. Your wife would have divorced me long ago, because by the time I get the Xbox 360 I'll have 5 DVD-capable players in the living room alone... computer, Xbox, HD-DVD player, VCR/DVD Recorder combo, and an Oppo player for DVD-Audio and SACD. That's in addition to the three computers in the guest bedroom/office. Soon toasters and toilets and telephones will play DVDs, so you won't be able to buy anything without hearing "what! another DVD player?!" :yikes:

Divx.com has a list of players, some of which have ethernet.

[GadgetGeek]

Has anybody tried the Hauppage MediaMVP (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116617)
Looks like there are several 3rd party firmware mods to make this work pretty slick. Even slicker if you add a supported TV tuner card.
Still meeting some resistance on the xbox option.

[erosewater]

From the reviews I've read it sounds like a slightly more expensive (the prices I listed below have actually come down quite a bit lately, I picked one up for a friend a couple weeks ago for $70) but less versatile/feature filled Xbox media center (limited file types supported, no upconversion/HD output), though I haven't seen much about the firmware mods.

The WAF is one of the most important factors when it comes to electronics; my GF was a little sketchy on me buying the Xbox as well, until I ripped a bunch of chick flicks/Sex and the City/Grey's to the hard drive and showed her how she could watch any of them at any time without even getting off the couch. A similar scheme might work for you.

[GadgetGeek]

:bump:
XBMC no longer supports xbox (http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/10/05/28/043243/XBMC-Discontinues-Xbox-Support)

I never did get around to getting an xbox, so a non-issue for me.

[erosewater]

I retired my last xbox last fall and replaced it with a small form factor PC. Everything is HD now, and the trusty old xbox just didn't cut it anymore.

[no]

Hey what's that kid doing?

[knowles]

This is only slightly related, but I saw a post on one of the av forums (networkmediatank, i think) that someone had gotten xbmc to work on a popcorn hour. Seems like it is the UI everyone wants to use.

[erosewater]

This is only slightly related, but I saw a post on one of the av forums (networkmediatank, i think) that someone had gotten xbmc to work on a popcorn hour. Seems like it is the UI everyone wants to use.

They got it running, but it's a dog. Last I checked they were getting 4-5 fps and no video playback. It's progress, but seems a little pointless when you can get a nettop for <$200 that will run xbmc perfectly out of the box and play 1080p video.