Jan 312011
 
Encoding DVDs to h.264 MKV using RipBot264.

I have been encoding my DVDs for as long as I can remember, well, ever since I started buying DVDs, I suppose.  I have never stored an ISO or direct DVD folder structure for as long as I have been using an HTPC.  I often get asked for help on how I do my encodings, more »

Jan 132011
 
Monitoring DirectShow filter chains and troubleshooting codecs.

You just got your brand new Windows 7 HTPC up and running, configured the necessary shares to access all of your media, installed the codecs needed for playback and then find out that things just are not working like you expected.  For whatever reason, some other codec is being used to decode your video and/or more »

Jan 112011
 
Bypassing Windows Media Foundation in Windows 7 Media Center.

Microsoft Media Foundation is the next generation multimedia platform for Windows that enables developers, consumers, and content providers to embrace the new wave of premium content with enhanced robustness, unparalleled quality, and seamless interoperability. OK, whatever.  It was a decent step forward for Microsoft, but the rest of us were miles ahead in playing back more »