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Install Blu-Ray Playback into your HTPC

Monday, July 7th, 2008 – running time 18:15
Patrick takes you through the steps of adding Blu-Ray playback to your Home Theatre PC, and highlights the issues you need to be aware of before you take the plunge.

With Blu-Ray drives selling for as little as $129 it makes sense to include one in your next HTPC build. You'll get access to true 1080p content unmolested by digital TV providers and provide justification for that pricey HDTV you just bought. Adding Blu-Ray isn't rocket science, but it does have its share of potential pitfalls. So follow along as Pat breaks it down for you in simple and easy-to-understand steps.

Highlights
Windows Vista ( 5:03, 5:03 ) Tom Hanks ( 9:34, 9:34 ) Kevin Bacon ( 9:35, 9:35 ) Orlando Magic ( 2:56, 2:56 ) Windows Vista ( 5:03, 5:03 ) Tom Hanks ( 9:34, 9:34 ) Kevin Bacon ( 9:35, 9:35 ) Orlando Magic ( 2:56, 2:56 )

Automatically Generated Transcript(may not be 100% accurate) ( more )

" This episode of system has brought you by. You might notice I'm not of the systems that today that's because -- either borrow one of pixels HDTVs for today's project integrating Blu-ray playback into a home theatre PC that's what's coming up on this episode of system. Often -- system I'm Patrick Norton. One of the more popular topics viewers of wanted to see in the show -- home theatre PCs and home theater -- he's with the Blu-ray the ability to play Blu-ray movies you know. The ones that look will not like that. Like you miss the Big Blue cases you shiny happy arc -- Now there are plenty of standalone players -- Blu-ray and some of them are almost affordable -- Sony's PS3 which actually does an outstanding job not with dvds. But with Blu-ray discs as high definition -- to come in the blue case. That we're -- if you're gonna go to the effort of building custom media Centre PC or if you already have a good home theatre PC why not just and Blu-ray in it's actually kind of simple let's talk about the hardware that's involved six months ago you were lucky to find a Blu-ray drive for 350 bucks 50600. Bucks is more common a year ago close to a thousand. -- they'll and one of the things is really sparked interest in any Blu-ray playback not just the end of the Blu-ray wars or HDDVD Blu-ray wars but actually the fact that Blu-ray drives have gotten -- look at Newegg dot com pretty typical website pretty excellent prices and we're looking -- drive from Sony for a 160. LG 300 opens the -- that's good -- by the way about twice as expensive as Blu-ray readers and check this out. Light on a 140 bucks and here's another Sony NEC 160 bucks what we're saying here is that Blu-ray drives that read they won't burn Blu-ray disc but Blu-ray. Drives that can read Blu-ray discs are well under 200 dollars a 15000. For a 160 dollars. Easy so. We'll take what we never think what the sponsors that helps us bring the show TU. Music. -- system. It was part of an easy degree handpicked -- I've got a picture of my favorite songs available on the music and -- unity even detect contrast system that's SY ST EM. You can actually play the songs here are willing to sample the song. The let me know what you think and once a month on the create a new music wirelessly goes up on the pay. Here's a cool deal -- is offering 53 songs. System Europe limited the music that complex system and sign up for free trial. Dvd deliver songs in the fabulously compatible -- DR Orlando Magic your relationship no monthly payments. Once -- body you own it forever you can run it on your iPod your -- are pretty much any other. Well MP3 to -- digital music player that only. -- in the music you can definitely take that dvd dot com does support system by supporting that."

" Now you notice -- we've talked about a couple times here. That were running this on a PC lying. There is no links for OS-X software for playing back Blu-ray or HD dvd -- can you crack it would pull the data are sure -- talk about that but actual basic playback software. Does not exist for anything other. That windows XP or Vista. As a matter of fact there's only a single application available for sale in the United States that will play Blu-ray or HD dvd prerecorded movies. Thread over here on the monitor behind me. Cyber lakes power dvds now version eight is the latest version and add some pretty cool support for high end audio for example my understanding is dolby true HD. I've had a chance to test it out yet but I'm looking forward to that. The basic application now. Pretty much well we'll clone like version seven and you're gonna need by the way the ultra version of fifty dollar power dvd. He's not gonna play the Blu-ray or HD dvd versions are gonna have to upgrade ultra which is about 99 dollars or -- hundred bucks even probably after the attacks available online or your local store. Now one of the interesting things is the folks at cyber link went down and created a pretty slick tool. The cyber -- Blu-ray disc adviser for release these cyber league Blu-ray and EC dvd adviser. And what this actually does is scans your computer. Basically to look at your processor memory. Graphics card the connection to the monitor and of course whether or not you have a drive that can play it back Blu-ray or HD dvd discs. This is pretty nice it was that are basically hammering he -- her along with suspects you can run this and see whether or not it works let's take a look up close. So who had an Intel core two CPU. Check. CPU hardware acceleration none detected that's okay T bytes of ram Windows Vista Nvidia geforce 8300. This one's kind of critical your graphics card has to have -- PC piece of poor district appears less in the year olds almost guaranteed if not you may need to upgrade your graphics card. You don't need a lot of 3-D power on that one basically. People are broke the spec for this wanted security to be critical and crucial and they want to to lock down the beat a path from the disk. To the processor basically how to back your machine and into the monitor which means if you did not have an HTTP compliant monitor or any TCP compliant graphics card. It's not going to give -- the -- digital resolution in May play but it's going to be basically a scaled down down down not so high resolution not so good lookin'. Picture so that's kind of critical. Go -- here. And somewhat useless now a he he he he slash Blu-ray drive and we have software player and the video connection. So we have basic playback covered on the Blu-ray disc adviser -- what's this new tab over here these bands playback well it's talking about some of the new profiles for Blu-ray the one point one of the 2.0 profiles. Why should you care about that what what's pull back and take a look at -- web page for that one the basic idea is that. Sony has some or she may be Blu-ray consortium has some options. With the profiles will -- options well basically one point oh is basic playback and this one thing that always frustrated me about Blu-ray versus HD dvd and it's kind of like. HDDVD was released as a finished spec. Basically all this basic features were in place so that it only HD dvd players actually have the ability -- have. Updates Dunham a lot of the Blu-ray players don't which means it probably in the early Blu-ray hardware players are gonna have support for Blu-ray disc profile one point one. And 2.0 and the truth is I'm an insurer for what -- one point one of you pointed this out right now. But the big one on Blu-ray profile one point one of the bonus view. What's going to require secondary video and audio decoding for multiple streams and Blu-ray disc profile two point which is BD live. And well basically the support of Internet connected activities which is an interesting idea. Like you could actually buy T shirt for the video while you're watching it because your players going to be -- to the Internet satellite to interact with what's going on there. Or for e-commerce or for video games and stuff like that. And of anybody's gonna do you much quit Blu-ray disc profile two point now but if you want to know if you have the option to support that. That advance playback tab is gonna be critical to you and basically for multiple streams the one point one dual video decoding capability. And they look forward across the three different -- backseat ITC's for mpeg TVC one. I you have network capability but I'm not gonna be able to be alive. I am however going to be able to do the bonus view that we mentioned before."

" You can use a DV ID HDMI adapter here to get the video from your graphics card in your TV. The other thing we mentioned is that this is not going to pass through the audio so if you're typically listen in stereo audio on your HDTV that capacity -- connection. This is not going to bring you audio in fact some HDMI graphics cards are not gonna give -- audio either need to read the specs closely on that. If you are gonna use it PDI connection and chances are you -- is almost every graphics card out there could be the idea needs to in my adapter. You're gonna need to pass the audio through to your monitor somehow one of the easiest way to do it is we get decent stereo -- is one of the stereo outputs which probably should be that one. On the back -- me Sheen and plugged in and chances are this at least one HDMI connector on the back to your machine. That has RCA Jack sees an eight inch output RCA Jack stereo. To get the audio through to your machine now what if you want us."

" Arial seeming ridiculous there we got stereo that are what if you want surround sound. You'll like dolby digital okay in that case they're gonna need a digital output from your computer. And you could talk me about using the analog outputs that tends to be a little more trouble but I mean to. You're gonna need to add a -- type output which I -- on my computer home we don't have on this one here that basically send a digital data to your receiver. That'll decoded into discrete channels of audio that -- your five point one or seven point one surround system. That's critical start thinking about audio before you buy that Blu-ray drive almost all you care about us a little stereo coming out of here HD. TV."

" It's time now for Netflix sponsored movie pick."

" The week this week we've got a great one for you Apollo thirteen. Released 1995 starring Tom Hanks Bill Paxton Kevin Bacon just to name a few Apollo thirteen tells the story of well the ill fated. NASA mission to the moon. While Apollo mission thirteen. Well no it could be surprised by the ending. -- sick. That doesn't detract from the epic as the movie itself it's basically. Well you know what it's completely -- magnificently directed and the experience you can share with your parents -- kids. Even your dog and you know what they -- that he plays a critical role. Apollo thirteen just like it does and every -- life. This paper put Apollo thirteen at the top of your Q and don't forget to check out the other 90000. Titles Netflix has to offer including an amazing collection of poetry yes. You're gonna blow your findings idealism more -- think we should be -- all around the United States could -- happen in just about as single business day every time shipping both ways. Three hasn't worked well. The flat monthly rate plans sort of four dollars 99 cents but it's your system you're we can hook yeah. You -- a free trial by signing up today at www. Netflix dot com slash systems take in his favor. Sports system by supporting our sponsors it's."

" There is one thing you definitely want to check especially if you got well a motherboard with a little long in the tooth is whether or not you actually have serial ATA connections on the motherboard. -- connections look a lot like. This right here and that's pretty much what every Blu-ray drive is going to have as -- connector on the back of it. I I haven't seen ID EA TE act in of those beatle classic ribbon cables anywhere chances are you are going to either so mixer. U or motherboard or you basically supports serial ATA. Or you have. Is nearly TA adapter in your system and of course are also going to need. Power. -- that's -- TA drive beyond that it's pretty much like installing any other optical drive but this will be checked especially if you have an older machine. That case you're worried you are gonna be able to read your regular old dvds and your CD roms and chances are might even burn dvds inside there so. You can leave your existing dvd CD-ROM drive in place you have to in there he's Windiz. Media player to record you can actually -- basically two -- at once it'll pull from one disk and the other. Or you can replace your existing optical drive. With that Blu-ray drive. You know I mean it's up to you but it's a pretty yeah pretty easy fit especially if you have a relatively recent machine again that has serial ATA support and power supplies sports here in the -- power. Speaking of power and older machines let's take a look at the list of processors that are supported here. Because you may have noticed maybe you've downloaded quicktime trailer 720 1080. That's gonna be the same problem on your PC if it doesn't have enough processor power."

" If you have an older system. The minimum specs aren't too bad a pentium four -- two gigahertz that core duo T 2400 running at one point 83 gigahertz pentium and 2.0 gigahertz. Have a fairly fast processor from a couple of years ago you're in okay shape but they really would much rather you had a faster machine extreme -- he's -- 66600. From the two point four gigahertz. Pretty much any core duo or core two duo processors going to be -- at three gigahertz or faster a pentium four. Or pentium. 64 is a pretty much the minimum 3800. -- that's a pretty fast processor back and its long in the tooth now or of course that -- faxes. Three on sixty four's if you're into the notebook."

" But basically -- Fairly powerful processor on this and he bigger ram is really critical he apparently have it and believe that I would say Peter T might be -- very helpful six."

" You'd expect this to have some sort of high end magnificent piece of Sydney mock -- of film of the contours are to demonstrate while the fabulous 1080. We like the movie in if you don't. I'm so terribly sorry but noticeably we can't industry here this. Our media center remote is not gonna work no matter practice no remote in the box which means you have to view what used the mouse to control this. That's a little bit frustrating is it not bad but who accused mouse when neutral the movie you want a remote control. What's really cool. Is the folks that missing remote dot com -- should be missing remote dot com WW. Missing remote dot com we're gonna put the link to this on the web page put together the epic. Making cyber -- power dvd ultra play nice with -- media center why do you care because media center if you use it is a pretty slick tool for controlling all your media playback. It does great with your PDR functionality your dvds but it does not support. Cyber link power dvd altar for playback ME TV medium Blu-ray no link in there and if I go to play dvd. It's gonna be. Oh look at that play dvd no program is installed play Blu-ray disc in the windows media center is that annoying yes it is."

" But the folks at the mix in remote dot com which is missing remote dot com not be missing about. Have put together a really good article to step you through how to do that. And it's all filter and a really cool plug in from our media senator dot com called cyber like power dvd media center plug and that's gonna added functionality first the launch -- power dvd. Basically windows media center shuts down power dvd starts up an index that can easily control it. From the unit and when you shut it down to go back into media center that's pretty cool I want directed agrees with the media center edition directly built in. -- power dvd ultra are realists and please do that for me or make it easy to figure out if you had -- buried in there somewhere. And and that's it that's that we. We got we got hardware. Software and when you're shopping take a look at those Blu-ray dvd drives. Make sure they have the playback software integrated going to be -- for cyber like power dvd ultra most likely. Because if you don't have it in the box with that -- ray drive you're gonna be spent in ninety bucks for it the only software out there feel like nine dollar price. -- hundred dollar price you're pretty much stuck so deal with it what else oh. Fast machine HD CP supported graphics card HDMI DBI adapter and -- DVI cable and then that about sums it up."

" Systems. Both full little bond we need to include of the sponsors that helps us bring the show you in this sponsor would be -- getting dot com -- week out there are here for us and they are here for you and it you want to make an impact on line. We respectfully suggest you do with community dotcom -- nature's little it's a dollar 99 cents a world class hosted -- fast and -- website builders and."

" Quite a bit more. July 1 Yahoo! domain renewal pricing increased to 34 dollars and 95 cents per year. That's ugly if that's evil that's ridiculous transfer your domain. You -- got kind and you can get it renewed for as little as six dollars and 99 cents to get a free one year extension. And here -- little pricing go to any dot com makes transferring easy and it's got a ton of actors include want to mention that hosting a five page site builder please email total B and that's control and a lot more. All -- six dollars 99 cents. What are you waiting for all you're waiting for this -- deal if you enter in the -- one that's SYS one when you check out. You're gonna get an additional 10% off your entire border. Some restrictions applied you can see the site for details on those. But newspaper here it's distant future obesity Internet and godaddy.com and -- that -- this -- players want support us. By supporting them."

" As always don't forget to sending your suggestions your questions. Your comments assistant arisen -- icon you know check this out the forms -- vision three dot com slash forum. Remember that movie we mentioned earlier Apollo thirteen we're gonna have a threads and up just for that let everybody know what you think about the movie and of course it's -- duct tape. It is always best episodes -- archive it revision3.com. Slash system. Detectives that if you had been keeping up until next week I'm Patrick Norton you've been watching system. I have some fun."

" This episode of system has brought you by. You might notice I'm not of the systems that today that's because -- either borrow one of pixels HDTVs for today's project integrating Blu-ray playback into a home theatre PC that's what's coming up on this episode of system. Often -- system I'm Patrick Norton. One of the more popular topics viewers of wanted to see in the show -- home theatre PCs and home theater -- he's with the Blu-ray the ability to play Blu-ray movies you know. The ones that look will not like that. Like you miss the Big Blue cases you shiny happy arc -- Now there are plenty of standalone players -- Blu-ray and some of them are almost affordable -- Sony's PS3 which actually does an outstanding job not with dvds. But with Blu-ray discs as high definition -- to come in the blue case. That we're -- if you're gonna go to the effort of building custom media Centre PC or if you already have a good home theatre PC why not just and Blu-ray in it's actually kind of simple let's talk about the hardware that's involved six months ago you were lucky to find a Blu-ray drive for 350 bucks 50600. Bucks is more common a year ago close to a thousand. -- they'll and one of the things is really sparked interest in any Blu-ray playback not just the end of the Blu-ray wars or HDDVD Blu-ray wars but actually the fact that Blu-ray drives have gotten -- look at Newegg dot com pretty typical website pretty excellent prices and we're looking -- drive from Sony for a 160. LG 300 opens the -- that's good -- by the way about twice as expensive as Blu-ray readers and check this out. Light on a 140 bucks and here's another Sony NEC 160 bucks what we're saying here is that Blu-ray drives that read they won't burn Blu-ray disc but Blu-ray. Drives that can read Blu-ray discs are well under 200 dollars a 15000. For a 160 dollars. Easy so. We'll take what we never think what the sponsors that helps us bring the show TU. Music. -- system. It was part of an easy degree handpicked -- I've got a picture of my favorite songs available on the music and -- unity even detect contrast system that's SY ST EM. You can actually play the songs here are willing to sample the song. The let me know what you think and once a month on the create a new music wirelessly goes up on the pay. Here's a cool deal -- is offering 53 songs. System Europe limited the music that complex system and sign up for free trial. Dvd deliver songs in the fabulously compatible -- DR Orlando Magic your relationship no monthly payments. Once -- body you own it forever you can run it on your iPod your -- are pretty much any other. Well MP3 to -- digital music player that only. -- in the music you can definitely take that dvd dot com does support system by supporting that."

" Now you notice -- we've talked about a couple times here. That were running this on a PC lying. There is no links for OS-X software for playing back Blu-ray or HD dvd -- can you crack it would pull the data are sure -- talk about that but actual basic playback software. Does not exist for anything other. That windows XP or Vista. As a matter of fact there's only a single application available for sale in the United States that will play Blu-ray or HD dvd prerecorded movies. Thread over here on the monitor behind me. Cyber lakes power dvds now version eight is the latest version and add some pretty cool support for high end audio for example my understanding is dolby true HD. I've had a chance to test it out yet but I'm looking forward to that. The basic application now. Pretty much well we'll clone like version seven and you're gonna need by the way the ultra version of fifty dollar power dvd. He's not gonna play the Blu-ray or HD dvd versions are gonna have to upgrade ultra which is about 99 dollars or -- hundred bucks even probably after the attacks available online or your local store. Now one of the interesting things is the folks at cyber link went down and created a pretty slick tool. The cyber -- Blu-ray disc adviser for release these cyber league Blu-ray and EC dvd adviser. And what this actually does is scans your computer. Basically to look at your processor memory. Graphics card the connection to the monitor and of course whether or not you have a drive that can play it back Blu-ray or HD dvd discs. This is pretty nice it was that are basically hammering he -- her along with suspects you can run this and see whether or not it works let's take a look up close. So who had an Intel core two CPU. Check. CPU hardware acceleration none detected that's okay T bytes of ram Windows Vista Nvidia geforce 8300. This one's kind of critical your graphics card has to have -- PC piece of poor district appears less in the year olds almost guaranteed if not you may need to upgrade your graphics card. You don't need a lot of 3-D power on that one basically. People are broke the spec for this wanted security to be critical and crucial and they want to to lock down the beat a path from the disk. To the processor basically how to back your machine and into the monitor which means if you did not have an HTTP compliant monitor or any TCP compliant graphics card. It's not going to give -- the -- digital resolution in May play but it's going to be basically a scaled down down down not so high resolution not so good lookin'. Picture so that's kind of critical. Go -- here. And somewhat useless now a he he he he slash Blu-ray drive and we have software player and the video connection. So we have basic playback covered on the Blu-ray disc adviser -- what's this new tab over here these bands playback well it's talking about some of the new profiles for Blu-ray the one point one of the 2.0 profiles. Why should you care about that what what's pull back and take a look at -- web page for that one the basic idea is that. Sony has some or she may be Blu-ray consortium has some options. With the profiles will -- options well basically one point oh is basic playback and this one thing that always frustrated me about Blu-ray versus HD dvd and it's kind of like. HDDVD was released as a finished spec. Basically all this basic features were in place so that it only HD dvd players actually have the ability -- have. Updates Dunham a lot of the Blu-ray players don't which means it probably in the early Blu-ray hardware players are gonna have support for Blu-ray disc profile one point one. And 2.0 and the truth is I'm an insurer for what -- one point one of you pointed this out right now. But the big one on Blu-ray profile one point one of the bonus view. What's going to require secondary video and audio decoding for multiple streams and Blu-ray disc profile two point which is BD live. And well basically the support of Internet connected activities which is an interesting idea. Like you could actually buy T shirt for the video while you're watching it because your players going to be -- to the Internet satellite to interact with what's going on there. Or for e-commerce or for video games and stuff like that. And of anybody's gonna do you much quit Blu-ray disc profile two point now but if you want to know if you have the option to support that. That advance playback tab is gonna be critical to you and basically for multiple streams the one point one dual video decoding capability. And they look forward across the three different -- backseat ITC's for mpeg TVC one. I you have network capability but I'm not gonna be able to be alive. I am however going to be able to do the bonus view that we mentioned before."

" You can use a DV ID HDMI adapter here to get the video from your graphics card in your TV. The other thing we mentioned is that this is not going to pass through the audio so if you're typically listen in stereo audio on your HDTV that capacity -- connection. This is not going to bring you audio in fact some HDMI graphics cards are not gonna give -- audio either need to read the specs closely on that. If you are gonna use it PDI connection and chances are you -- is almost every graphics card out there could be the idea needs to in my adapter. You're gonna need to pass the audio through to your monitor somehow one of the easiest way to do it is we get decent stereo -- is one of the stereo outputs which probably should be that one. On the back -- me Sheen and plugged in and chances are this at least one HDMI connector on the back to your machine. That has RCA Jack sees an eight inch output RCA Jack stereo. To get the audio through to your machine now what if you want us."

" Arial seeming ridiculous there we got stereo that are what if you want surround sound. You'll like dolby digital okay in that case they're gonna need a digital output from your computer. And you could talk me about using the analog outputs that tends to be a little more trouble but I mean to. You're gonna need to add a -- type output which I -- on my computer home we don't have on this one here that basically send a digital data to your receiver. That'll decoded into discrete channels of audio that -- your five point one or seven point one surround system. That's critical start thinking about audio before you buy that Blu-ray drive almost all you care about us a little stereo coming out of here HD. TV."

" It's time now for Netflix sponsored movie pick."

" The week this week we've got a great one for you Apollo thirteen. Released 1995 starring Tom Hanks Bill Paxton Kevin Bacon just to name a few Apollo thirteen tells the story of well the ill fated. NASA mission to the moon. While Apollo mission thirteen. Well no it could be surprised by the ending. -- sick. That doesn't detract from the epic as the movie itself it's basically. Well you know what it's completely -- magnificently directed and the experience you can share with your parents -- kids. Even your dog and you know what they -- that he plays a critical role. Apollo thirteen just like it does and every -- life. This paper put Apollo thirteen at the top of your Q and don't forget to check out the other 90000. Titles Netflix has to offer including an amazing collection of poetry yes. You're gonna blow your findings idealism more -- think we should be -- all around the United States could -- happen in just about as single business day every time shipping both ways. Three hasn't worked well. The flat monthly rate plans sort of four dollars 99 cents but it's your system you're we can hook yeah. You -- a free trial by signing up today at www. Netflix dot com slash systems take in his favor. Sports system by supporting our sponsors it's."

" There is one thing you definitely want to check especially if you got well a motherboard with a little long in the tooth is whether or not you actually have serial ATA connections on the motherboard. -- connections look a lot like. This right here and that's pretty much what every Blu-ray drive is going to have as -- connector on the back of it. I I haven't seen ID EA TE act in of those beatle classic ribbon cables anywhere chances are you are going to either so mixer. U or motherboard or you basically supports serial ATA. Or you have. Is nearly TA adapter in your system and of course are also going to need. Power. -- that's -- TA drive beyond that it's pretty much like installing any other optical drive but this will be checked especially if you have an older machine. That case you're worried you are gonna be able to read your regular old dvds and your CD roms and chances are might even burn dvds inside there so. You can leave your existing dvd CD-ROM drive in place you have to in there he's Windiz. Media player to record you can actually -- basically two -- at once it'll pull from one disk and the other. Or you can replace your existing optical drive. With that Blu-ray drive. You know I mean it's up to you but it's a pretty yeah pretty easy fit especially if you have a relatively recent machine again that has serial ATA support and power supplies sports here in the -- power. Speaking of power and older machines let's take a look at the list of processors that are supported here. Because you may have noticed maybe you've downloaded quicktime trailer 720 1080. That's gonna be the same problem on your PC if it doesn't have enough processor power."

" If you have an older system. The minimum specs aren't too bad a pentium four -- two gigahertz that core duo T 2400 running at one point 83 gigahertz pentium and 2.0 gigahertz. Have a fairly fast processor from a couple of years ago you're in okay shape but they really would much rather you had a faster machine extreme -- he's -- 66600. From the two point four gigahertz. Pretty much any core duo or core two duo processors going to be -- at three gigahertz or faster a pentium four. Or pentium. 64 is a pretty much the minimum 3800. -- that's a pretty fast processor back and its long in the tooth now or of course that -- faxes. Three on sixty four's if you're into the notebook."

" But basically -- Fairly powerful processor on this and he bigger ram is really critical he apparently have it and believe that I would say Peter T might be -- very helpful six."

" You'd expect this to have some sort of high end magnificent piece of Sydney mock -- of film of the contours are to demonstrate while the fabulous 1080. We like the movie in if you don't. I'm so terribly sorry but noticeably we can't industry here this. Our media center remote is not gonna work no matter practice no remote in the box which means you have to view what used the mouse to control this. That's a little bit frustrating is it not bad but who accused mouse when neutral the movie you want a remote control. What's really cool. Is the folks that missing remote dot com -- should be missing remote dot com WW. Missing remote dot com we're gonna put the link to this on the web page put together the epic. Making cyber -- power dvd ultra play nice with -- media center why do you care because media center if you use it is a pretty slick tool for controlling all your media playback. It does great with your PDR functionality your dvds but it does not support. Cyber link power dvd altar for playback ME TV medium Blu-ray no link in there and if I go to play dvd. It's gonna be. Oh look at that play dvd no program is installed play Blu-ray disc in the windows media center is that annoying yes it is."

" But the folks at the mix in remote dot com which is missing remote dot com not be missing about. Have put together a really good article to step you through how to do that. And it's all filter and a really cool plug in from our media senator dot com called cyber like power dvd media center plug and that's gonna added functionality first the launch -- power dvd. Basically windows media center shuts down power dvd starts up an index that can easily control it. From the unit and when you shut it down to go back into media center that's pretty cool I want directed agrees with the media center edition directly built in. -- power dvd ultra are realists and please do that for me or make it easy to figure out if you had -- buried in there somewhere. And and that's it that's that we. We got we got hardware. Software and when you're shopping take a look at those Blu-ray dvd drives. Make sure they have the playback software integrated going to be -- for cyber like power dvd ultra most likely. Because if you don't have it in the box with that -- ray drive you're gonna be spent in ninety bucks for it the only software out there feel like nine dollar price. -- hundred dollar price you're pretty much stuck so deal with it what else oh. Fast machine HD CP supported graphics card HDMI DBI adapter and -- DVI cable and then that about sums it up."

" Systems. Both full little bond we need to include of the sponsors that helps us bring the show you in this sponsor would be -- getting dot com -- week out there are here for us and they are here for you and it you want to make an impact on line. We respectfully suggest you do with community dotcom -- nature's little it's a dollar 99 cents a world class hosted -- fast and -- website builders and."

" Quite a bit more. July 1 Yahoo! domain renewal pricing increased to 34 dollars and 95 cents per year. That's ugly if that's evil that's ridiculous transfer your domain. You -- got kind and you can get it renewed for as little as six dollars and 99 cents to get a free one year extension. And here -- little pricing go to any dot com makes transferring easy and it's got a ton of actors include want to mention that hosting a five page site builder please email total B and that's control and a lot more. All -- six dollars 99 cents. What are you waiting for all you're waiting for this -- deal if you enter in the -- one that's SYS one when you check out. You're gonna get an additional 10% off your entire border. Some restrictions applied you can see the site for details on those. But newspaper here it's distant future obesity Internet and godaddy.com and -- that -- this -- players want support us. By supporting them."

" As always don't forget to sending your suggestions your questions. Your comments assistant arisen -- icon you know check this out the forms -- vision three dot com slash forum. Remember that movie we mentioned earlier Apollo thirteen we're gonna have a threads and up just for that let everybody know what you think about the movie and of course it's -- duct tape. It is always best episodes -- archive it revision3.com. Slash system. Detectives that if you had been keeping up until next week I'm Patrick Norton you've been watching system. I have some fun."

travislopes

Started discussion: July 7, 2008 @ 3:12pm GMT

Episode 59 - Install Blu-Ray Playback into your HTPC [Discussion]

Patrick takes you through the steps of adding Blu-Ray playback to your Home Theatre PC, and highlights the issues you need to be aware of as you before you take the plunge.

Watch and download this episode of Systm here.

justafreak
about 1 year ago
Patrick one quik note...PowerDVD 7 Supported HD-DVD and BLuRay, however version 8 dropped support for HD-DVD since BluRay won the war. Personally I think this was a stupid idea and will not upgrade.

Also PowerDVD isn't the only program out there to play HiDef DVD's

WinDVD 9 supports BluRay and HD-DVD in its $99 version.

http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/us/en/Product/1189528458632#versionTabview=tab0&tabview=tab0
mahnshooth
about 1 year ago
I recently tried to add a Blu-Ray drive to my HTPC but had issues with the software. The drive was a Sony BDUX10S and it came with Power DVD 7.3 (The same as what was displayed when you guys ran the BD advisor program). This would not play all Blu-Ray disks though. When I tried V for Vendetta it would display a loading screen or spinning disk icon and would never load. This did not happen with the included Blu-Ray disk full of trailers or when playing Casino Royale. Any ideas? I don't think it makes sense to have to pay for an upgrade of bundled software if that is the problem.

Additionally I was able to get it to play using a trial of ArcSoft TotalMedia Theatre but it had some issues. It would occasionally have green pixels flicker on the screen occasionally...and this still requires a purchase of new software to replace the bundled version.

Specs:
GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-S2H 780G
AMD|A64 X2 5400+ 2.8G 65N AM2
G.SKILL 2GB Memory
Sony BDUX10S
Vizio 50" plazma

PC connected via HDMI to TV.

Thanks for the help.
icebug
about 1 year ago

Nvidia?

are you sponsored by Nvidia or something
you could have made that whole segment on HDMI audio much much easier if you would have used any ATI card in the 2000 series or up since they DO support audio over HDMI
you could have at least mentioned it since its the best solution for HTPCs
charlas
about 1 year ago
Nice show, sorta, could have done with a little more investigation though ;)

1) as already mentioned, any of the 2xxx series (and above) ATI's will do the audio as long as the audio is supported by the HiDef Vista specs.
2) PowerDVD just plain sucks, I got it free with my drive, and it took about 5 minutes to ditch. Also the 'free' ones that come with drives don't support any of the enhanced audio, so stereo and sudo surround is all you get (no toslink/coax/spdif support).
3) Get a combo drive (HD DVD/BR) why not? with everyone firesaling their HD DVD's you can get 5 of them for the price of one BR.
4) Media Center (VMC) I love it (so much I wrote a post about it and its installation) the best software I've found to integrate BR/HD DVD with VMC is ArcSoft's Total Media Theatre. It's also got native support for VMC and will play both BR and HD-DVD. Only issue is it's x86 only at the moment.
5) CPU is not really an issue as long as you get a GPU that can support the h264/AVC/MPG2 offload, and most modern ATI/nvidia cards will do that (2xxx/8500gt and above). Only snag is ATI have a bug with their x64 drivers.

Besides that, nice show ;)
technojunkie
about 1 year ago
Nero also has a $30 plug-in:
Nero Blu-Ray/HD DVD Video Plug-in

Modern ATI video cards are great for Blu-ray. An AMD780G or better yet the upcoming AMD790GX chipset board with integrated Radeon 3200 or 3300 graphics is supposed to be adequate if you want to build a cheap and power efficient HTPC but I don't have Blu-ray and can't personally confirm that. Drop in a 45W Athlon X2 or 65W Phenom (look for the "e" suffix) and 4GB of G.skill DDR2-1066 RAM, install 64-bit Vista Home Premium, good times.
pedepy
about 1 year ago
wow and i thought previous episodes felt like watching Tekzilla... with the set and all, I wasn't too sure at the end what i was watching here ..

No offence, but lately systm shows have seemed to move more towards the 'family friendly' Tekzilla model and away from the original, 'mega gear geek' approach you guys had.

Where are the boards ?? Where is the solder iron ??

I mean i like what you do Mr Norton, and don't get me wrong, I enjoy tekzilla for what it is as well (i download it every week). But to me systm was about something more than 'what software you need to play bluray on vista' or 'how to read your GPU core temp'.

Next episode tell us how to build a bluray burner using a laser pen and a 1978 Fisher Price 45 rpm turntable (and duct tape of course). Now THAT'll be a Systm episode.

Should I remind you guys you have yet to make that lemon battery power your studios ? :)

it's just that you look like maybe you're trying to take on too many things at once ? You look like you're doing this all alone ... Won't you ever get another co-host ? Again, I'm not saying you're the problem, but having someone like Randolph by your side just added extra cred to the show and helped you guys come up and finish projects ..

(and if it's any consolation, that b-ray show DID help me out, im in the market for a bluray drive, and building my own rig was considered, but after all you mention, the hell with this: i'm gettin' a PS3.. runs linux too :))) )

keep up the good work ... ;)
Guytheninja
about 1 year ago
I'm too dead-broke to try this XD. Who knows, in a few years, blue-ray dvd burners will probably be standard with every $500 new computer.
MasterQ
about 1 year ago
In reply to pedepy:
No offence, but lately systm shows have seemed to move more towards the 'family friendly' Tekzilla model and away from the original, 'mega gear geek' approach you guys had.


I've been thinking the exact same thing for the past few episodes. I realize patrick has 2 shows and he's doing a GREAT job, but Systm seems to be getting more and more like Tekzilla. Also it doesn't seem like a lot of effort is put into this show by Revision3 like the other shows. Patrick and probably a few others do a hell of a lot of work for this show, but it doesn't seem to have the backing like the other shows.

I think Tekzilla should be more about the software/simple hardware end of things (even the simple water cooling stuff that was on systm could be Tekzilla) and Systm should be serious hardware/software and building cool things.

Here's my idea of what systm should be:

Good Shows:
[LIST]
[*]iPod diyMod
[*]PVC Air Cannon
[*]Breadboarding a USB Power Supply
[*]AVR programming/usage
[*]A FREAKING MAME CABINET! YES!
[*]PCB Etching
[*]99% of the older shows (Rose/Huard and Norton/Randolph)
[/LIST]

Not so good shows
[LIST]
[*]Car Radiator water cooling - watching a 15 show stretched longer and then giving it ANOTHER episode and just watching software run
[*]Distilling Alochol - cool, but more for a show like popSiren
[*]Painting a laptop - again, 10-15 minutes of info stretched longer (should be a subSystm maybe if those are still done)
[/LIST]

Definitely should have been Tekzilla
[LIST]
[*]Blu-Ray Software
[*]Parallels vs VMWare
[*]Live broadcasting online
[/LIST]
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