HTPC Blu-ray Playback

[Palek]

The only issue it has is that the keyboard is disabled during blu-ray playback, which means our universal remote doesn't work.

That's a curious design choice... I've got an iMon remote that works in keyboard mode with PowerDVD 10. The regular keyboard also works, naturally.

[Walkintarget]

I added a Blu-Ray drive to my Xmas list this year, so this topic is very relevant to my interests. I was thinking PowerDVD 12 would be the easiest way to go, but I don't like the fact that it doesn't integrate into WMC like TotalMedia Theatre does. TMT 5 was my next approach, but I think its asking price is way out of line for what it offers me. Even with a coupon code, it will still cost me $55.

I also don't really feel I need to make the switch to BD, as I am still satisfied with plain old DVDs (call me old fashioned) but don't have anything else left to upgrade, so BD it is.

[JustAnEngineer]

My PowerDVD is integrated into Windows Media Center (it's an add-in extension). Why shouldn't yours be?

[Darkmage]

I added a Blu-Ray drive to my Xmas list this year, so this topic is very relevant to my interests. I was thinking PowerDVD 12 would be the easiest way to go, but I don't like the fact that it doesn't integrate into WMC like TotalMedia Theatre does.

PowerDVD integrates into WMC fairly well, IMHO. There's a top-level menu choice for PowerDVD and when you insert a BD, it fires up PowerDVD and plays it. Finishing the movie or pressing the Stop button takes you back to WMC.

Is there some level of integration that TotalMedia Theatre performs above this?

[JustAnEngineer]

It's actually cheaper at Newegg right now than directly from Cyberlink:
$50: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6832117030
$60 -40MIR: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6832117020

[southrncomfortjm]

It's actually cheaper at Newegg right now than directly from Cyberlink:
$50: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6832117030
$60 -40MIR: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6832117020

Power DVD was on sale earlier but sold out, glad I can get a copy for $20 now.

[JustAnEngineer]

You want the "Ultra" version for Blu-ray.

[Walkintarget]

My PowerDVD is integrated into Windows Media Center (it's an add-in extension). Why shouldn't yours be?

Just going off reviews that I read so far. I will hazard a guess that the reason may have been what was under discussion was an older version of PowerDVD, maybe 11, which did not integrate into WMC ? I'm using Vista 32 if that makes any difference. I would LOVE to save $35+ and buy PowerDVD 12 Ultra if it in fact integrates into WMC.

[Darkmage]

Just going off reviews that I read so far. I will hazard a guess that the reason may have been what was under discussion was an older version of PowerDVD, maybe 11, which did not integrate into WMC ? I'm using Vista 32 if that makes any difference. I would LOVE to save $35+ and buy PowerDVD 12 Ultra if it in fact integrates into WMC.

Vista? Hrm, that might make the difference. I don't know if Microsoft has been keeping WMC in Vista up to date. I think PowerDVD 9 didn't integrate into WMC, but I know 11 did and I'm 90% positive 10 did.

It sounds like it is worthwhile to call up Cyberlink tech support and ask if it integrates into Vista WMC.

[Forge]

WMC is a single version in Vista, 7, and 8. No updates in forever.

[sbhall52]

I just built a new Win8 gaming PC, including a Pioneer BDR-208DBK 15x blu-ray player. Now, I wish I'd spent a third of the cost and just got a DVD/CD writer, and spent the other $50 on a standalone BDP. Why spend more on software than you can on hardware, that does a better job?

[Forge]

I just built a new Win8 gaming PC, including a Pioneer BDR-208DBK 15x blu-ray player. Now, I wish I'd spent a third of the cost and just got a DVD/CD writer, and spent the other $50 on a standalone BDP. Why spend more on software than you can on hardware, that does a better job?

Because mine is a BDRW, and I have a tall stack of BDRs, and I have no intention or interest to playing movies on my backup device?

I do feel your pain, though. Its a shame that Hollywood's greed has enabled the player software makers' greed in this way.