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[flashfreak]

I was wondering if it would be possible to make an app for the box to rip DVD's to AVI's.

it'd be useful as if you want to do this you have to use the computer and it takes all the power, you can't really use it, but if it was on the xbox, it would kinda work as a stand-alone movie ripper.

it could automatically calculate the required bitrate for a certain size, convert into divx or avi then start and save it to the hd.

i think it would be a good idea but i'll probably get a lot of criticism and it will never end up getting done.  <

[AF_Snowboarder01]

Yeah, I'd definately support that, the thing about xbox is the praticallity of writing software for compressing the video... I'm surprised, that nobody has even tried (or at least to my knowledge). The xbox is fast enough to process the info, but you're limited by only 64 MB of RAM... It would take a lot of time to convert the movie... unless you could figure in some sort of a way to figure in the GPU into the conversion, but there aren't even complete drivers out for the GPU (linux). It would take time, correct me, but I think it might take an excess of 12 hours, due to the processor being 733mHz, and the RAM size limitation.

The program would also have to be somewhat complex; most DVD rippers rip directly from DVD. If you already have the DVD on your xbox, you'd have to use the VOB files. Meaning if you wanted to watch the DVD while it was ripping you couldn't for a period of several hours. Also, VOB files are controlled by the DVD menus, and you may not be able to get every video to work correctly without a complex software work-around. IE, many times the VOB files directly ripped contain the commentary, and you only want the actual video...

So in other words, I would love this, but the demand, I don't think is high enough, especially in most who program for the xbox. Usually to program for a console you need a fairly expensive computer... It would prob be best for you to go out, spend a few bucks on a 1 GHz comp (if you don't care too much about time), since they're fairly cheap, with a DVD ROM and a few gig HDD, and just put it next to your standard comp tower. Put on windows, and dl some free ripping sofware. Fry's has a cord that'll allow you to share you keyboard, mouse and monitor between comps without having to unplug anything. Voila! Instant DVD ripper. <

[Brouhaha]

QUOTE(AF_Snowboarder01 @ Jan 7 2005, 04:25 PM)

Usually to program for a console you need a fairly expensive computer

Offtopic but... That is a very wrong statement.  My 750MHz with 512Mb of RAM is my development machine.

Your comment about the complexity of the ripping software is also wrong.  Parsing the IFO to propose language and video streams available to rip is not that complex...  There's also tons of source available that does it.  In fact, some do-it-all ripping apps are open-source (fair-use for example). <

[celinedrules]

On a high end machine, it takes sveral house to convert dvd to divx(avi) so it would take days if not lobger to do on the xbox. <

[flashfreak]

yeah i have a p3 733, 128mb ram, it takes about 12 hours, i was thinking the xbox might go slightly faster as it would be standalone and have direct access to everything, rather than sharing the power with windows etc.

i hav the xdk and would do this myself, but im missing one main thing: knowledge. i have no idea where to start with C++ <

[Gumboot]

QUOTE(celinedrules @ Jan 7 2005, 10:44 PM)

On a high end machine, it takes sveral house to convert dvd to divx(avi) so it would take days if not lobger to do on the xbox.

Even if it took 24hrs (which i doubt it would) what would it matter.
My box usally sits in the corner idleing away any way, it would save my pc being unusable for a few hours.

It would be great for a prog like tmpg, one that you could convert avi -mpeg, mpeg-avi and so on. Dont just stop at dvd-avi go the hole hog.

Is there a linux app which could do it, so all you would have to do is load up a linux distro on the box and run the app. Maybe this is another alternative. <

[gronne]

Sure, the ram is probably the biggest bottleneck, but as all xbox's are the same, it's a lot easier to tweak the performance to its max. I'm not sure I would use it much myself, but my friend doesn't even have a pc, so there might actually be a demand for this. It would be nice if someone had the will and time to port it. A nice dvd2avi-program to port would be Auto Gordian Knot, which is open source. <

[flashfreak]

The problem is though, we're all just sitting here talking about it, but nothings gonna happen. Anybody with the skill to do it is probably busy with other things, or doesn't like the idea.

I still think it would be great though <

[franklin1]

I think this is a great idea as well. I wouldn't mind if it took a while, I could just do something else during that time. Maybe even go...outside? Imagine that! <

[mssmison]

I was kinda thinking something that can backup my movies to an iso, parsing out just the main movie though as I use XBMC as my primary player and it doesn't read the menu's anyways. Something like DVD shrink. That would be prime.
Set this program as the auto launched dvd player, it could be as simple as pop in disk, dash detects movie, launches program, back's up to iso.
 Not that I mind DVD shrink, it's a great program and all it's just that for me I really only use the box for media and try and keep my computer out of the picture. <