Open Media Library beta available, easy access to DVD rips via extenders for all

Forget about waiting for Niveus to open up its slick Movie Library to the public, now that the Open Media Library is available. The GPL v3-licensed project just rolled out the 0.1 beta version, designed for users to access their entire movie library and associated metadata (actors, summary, etc.) no matter the format, through extenders like the Xbox 360 or HP MediaSmart Connect. Turning Media Center Extenders into DVD streamers has been done before, but this should streamline things even further, with the added bonus of playing back Blu-ray and HD DVD rips. If you've got Vista Media Center, check it out and give some feedback for future editions.

[Via eHomeUpgrade]

Read - Release Announcement
Read - Feature List

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 31st 2008 10:36PM]

Richard, please place the correct Read link for the release announcement (both links are for the Features)

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 1st 2008 3:51AM]

Nice app, but currently it's just novelty value of having a nice looking UI as the backend is weak.

They need to allow make it read something like mymovies sql database to be useable. (btw, reading mymovies database is now allowed)

[The Fuzz 53 Posted Aug 1st 2008 10:38AM]

What's the best free program to use for ripping DVDs?

[FrankO Posted Aug 2nd 2008 6:18PM]

Awesome, I just started ripping my DVD library with the purpose of using extenders to access them over my home network. If this works as described I'll be all set.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 1st 2008 12:47PM]

DVDFab decrypter is the only free app for removing encryption and ripping backup copies of your own discs as far as I know. Otherwise you pay for the upgraded version of that or AnyDVD.

Open Media Library is not a bad app (a good start anyway) but I think everyone is looking for the holy Grail on the media Center which is basically a Kaleidoscape like interface... insert disk, disk is recognized, information and artwork is downloaded and disk is ripped to specified folder on local hard drive or NAS.

Mymoviesis it still going through growing pains and most definitely needs the next major update to come out SOON.

[Jonthomasdesigns Posted Aug 1st 2008 4:29PM]

Has anyone tried this yet ?? Please report

[FrankO Posted Aug 2nd 2008 6:20PM]

So far I can see the library on my extenders, a good step, but no playback yet. Anyone else?

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 3rd 2008 3:06AM]

My extender is an xBox360, so far .mp4 and .wmv stream pretty good.
I'm going to see about HD DVD .iso backups in a few.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 7th 2008 5:06PM]

What is the best program to use for HD video ripping? I tried DVDFab with no success, and I tried AnyDVD with VERY limited success. Is there some trick to making this work every time? Does anyone know of a good walkthrough? I am specifically interested in ripping bluray disks...

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 8th 2008 2:11AM]

hey how come it the movies dont play on my xbox 360? when i select a movie it gives the info but it wont play. anybody know how to fix??