Amazon Criterion Collection sale

[ZorakMantis::LOB::]

Amazon is having a sale on many Criterion Collection blu-rays -
source with links: http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2875097

Just thought I'd pass it on, good value as many are selling for $15-20 but usually go for $25-35.

[Ninjahedge]

Related question....


For an HTPC with a Blu-Ray drive, what would be a good software to use for playback?

I have heard lots of problems with things like verification (hardware/security) and this machine is a bit of a frankenstein when it comes to pieces... Would I need an approved HDMI connection both on my machine and on my monitor/TV......?

[ZorakMantis::LOB::]

I use PowerDVD 10. The latest release of it crashes for me, but I downloaded the previous patch and it works well. The selling feature of PowerDVD for me is that if you have an ATI 5xxx+ card it can bitstream the audio over HDMI, which is very useful if you want to have a receiver decode it rather than the PC.

Edit: looks like PowerDVD 11 just came out - here is a link to a free trial: http://www.cyberlink.com/downloads/trials/powerdvd/download_en_US.html

Unfortunately I am not too familiar with the verification requirements, though I have noticed that my external USB Blu-Ray drive has to be powered up when Windows is starting or I cannot play movies off it. I do run just a single HDMI out though. I tried to run clone mode dual-display initially, one to a monitor and one to the projector, but it gave me verification errors then.

[Ninjahedge]

>sigh<

I am just worried that I need to get an all-in-the-box one shot kinda deal to make sure everything is verified and works....

I don't want to have to go out and buy a new system for this.....

[ZorakMantis::LOB::]

What graphics card do you have in it? As long as it is one of the generations made since Blu-Ray came out you would probably be ok.

[Ninjahedge]

Nvidia 7950 I believe... I no have HDMI (does not matter since I do not have an HDMI hookup in my amp or a blade in my TV for it....).

So the important thing is the vid card and the TV at the other end, correct? Will it be able to port out to a VGA rather than an HDMI line?