Playstation 2 DVD Playing

[RIPSTER]

I have quite a few movies that I have burned on to DVD as data discs, I know full well that these cant be played on a DVD player that supports certain formats (cant remember which) but thats beside the point. Im currently runnin the rig in my sig and im sure you can see why its practicaly impossible for me to transcode my avi movies to DVD format, my pc is nowhere near realtime transcoding speeds and this is where I need help, Is there any way that I can format a disc so my PS2 will be able to play it without having to take a whole day to transcode one movie. Possibly a program or mod I can do on my PS2 that doesnt incurr costs of a modchip.

thanks in advance

RIPSTER

[FudgeNuggets]

You can get Linux runing on the PS2 and then use VLC to view the movies, it'll require you having the PS2 hard drive though and getting the Linux kit for it. I'd recommend copying the data to the drive though in order to save some wear and tear on the already infamously weak ps2 laser.

http://www.linuxdevcenter.com/pub/a/linux/2004/03/25/ps2_linux.html

[RIPSTER]

can I convert an IDE hard drive for use on the PS2 and does the linux kit have to be bought or can I download a free image and modify a keyboard or other input device?

thanks

[ps2cho]

The Ps2 does have a linux kit available.

[RIPSTER]

its ok I found out what I wanted, Do you know any good website where I can buy a PS2 Network adapter, a lot of places I found have discontinued the adapter.

[FudgeNuggets]

You'll probably have to get one off of E-bay because once they came out with the slimline PS2, it had the network adapter built in and they discontinued the add-on one. I've got one but don't want to part with it. Also a hard drive cannot be added to the slimline PS2.

[RIPSTER]

Ive worked out the cost it would be for all the components to run linux on my PS2 and its just doesnt work out economicaly compared to a dvd player or a modchip, I can see how someone desperate for internet access for cheap or for a PS2 enthusiast but not for me.

PS2 linux + Monitor cable - £16

PS2 Network Adapter - £20

Hard Drive - £20-25

New monitor/Tv - £30-40

that comes to around £80.

any other options for running dvds on PS2?

[FudgeNuggets]

It'll play DVD +RWs but not DVD +/-R. Only way to do that is to burn your AVI files to DVD format on a +RW disc on your PC.

[RIPSTER]

ic, is there any way to aleviate the problem of my pc taking ages to transcode from AVI to DVD?

[>HyperlogiK<]

There is no way to get video files to transcode at an acceptable speed on a P3, they are pretty slow on my machine, even with multi-threaded software.

Probably the cheapest way to do it would be to get a second hand xbox and softmod it to run one of the custom dashboards, then run Linux or one of the xbox media players on it. I have an xbox that I use almost solely as a cheap HTPC. I picked mine up without controllers or cables from a car boot sale for £10, scour local newspaper classified ads and you could probably get a complete system for about 30 quid. I would steer clear of ebay because postage would be extortionate.

[RIPSTER]

How would I go about softmoding an xbox? would softmoding it mean I can replace the hard drive and copy games and movies to run directly from the drive or does that require a modchip.

If I softmod will I be able to play AVI movies burned to DVD discs in data format?

thanks

[Ha_hA_HA!]

They sell very cheap DVD players that should play AVI files.

Here is one for example:
Phillips DVP3040/05 (http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/catalog/tree/HOME_ENTERTAINMENT_GR_GB_CONSUMER/DVD_HOME_THEATER_CA_GB_CONSUMER/DVD_PLAYERS_SU_GB_CONSUMER/product/DVP3040_05_GB_CONSUMER/catalog.jsp?language=en&country=GB&catalogType=CONSUMER&proxybuster=TMTRHULKZEDAPJ0RMRESHQNHKFSEKI5P)

[RIPSTER]

Im broke and realy cant buy a dvd player, I have a ps2 that someone is willing to swap for an xbox so the xbox idea is more viable.

[>HyperlogiK<]

that mods aren't overly keen on discussion of such modifications as despite the legitimate uses many of them were developed to run pirate games, check your PMs.

[RIPSTER]

sorry if I stepped on any toes by discussing softmoding :p

[FudgeNuggets]

It requires a modchip anyway so it's pretty much a moot point.

[RIPSTER]

It requires a modchip anyway so it's pretty much a moot point.



If your referring to the softmod needing a modchip that doesn make sense, the reason its "soft" is because it requires no physical hardware changes.

sorry if I misunderstood what you said

[FudgeNuggets]

I've not seen anything for the Xbox that will let it run anything other than Xbox games or DVDs that didn't require a mod-chip. Also when you install the mod-chip you kill Xbox-Live. I'm not sure why you'd want to do this anyway as the Xbox has a P3-family 700mhz Celeron in it which is slower than your machine.

If I were you, I'd just get a video card with TV-outputs on it. My Nvidia Geforce 6200 does and I paid like $80 for it almost 2 years ago.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1776106

[>HyperlogiK<]

The xbox Linux people have developed various softmods ranging from savegame exploits to hotswapping the xbox HDD. It is possible to turn an xbox into a Linux or XBMC home theater machine without any tools other than a PC, a screwdriver, and the xbox itself. The more sophisticated mods leave the default dash intact and let you use xbox live still.

This is all my xbox is used for, I basically only run Linux on it, and sometimes DOSbox to play some old apogee and lucasarts games. I use it instead of my proper HTPC (which is now a TV recording machine in my bedroom), because the UI is great and I don't have a PC lightgun.

[RIPSTER]

From what I gathered your saying that the softmod kills Xbox Live, This is only the case if you replace the xbox hard drive, as the EEPROM is married to the hard drive when you first use Xbox Live and any changes mean you are permanentley banned.

[>HyperlogiK<]

Yeah, thats about it the softmod I PMd you hasn't killed XBL on my machine. If you want to boot to Linux you press the power button and if you want the default dash you press the reset button, they both seem to work OK side by side.

I have heard that it is possible to swap the HDD and preserve XBL too, though I have never seen this done, butif it is possible, somebody on the xbox scene forums might have an idea.

[RIPSTER]

It is possible although only if your Xbox has never connected to XBlive, if it has it is still possible but require you to buy a new EEPROM that has never been married to an xbox, so when you connect to XBlive it appears you are a brand new xbox that hasnt been tampered, although I heavily doubt the legality of this course of action :P.

[ppe1700]

buy a network adapter from ebay, £26 i got mine for. also see if you can get the linux dvd image from bittorrent or something.

i have a usb hard drive for my ps2 but thats purely for games right now. most ide hard drives fit so i have been told. does make ur ps2 a bit heavier. my glass shelf bows a bit lol