That is a setup I've also played around with making but haven't gotten to work, at least not yet.

For starters, 250 titles should be able to fit on a single 3TB HDD without any processing/removing of titles. Thus, for now, you'd actually be able to hold all of your movies uncompressed and with all features on a storage HDD.

When I rip them, I mostly use AnyDVD to get around the CSS protection and mostly just copy the files off into appropriately named directories. The advantage of this over ISO files is that I can do this to all DVD drives simultaneously and thus I'm able to backup four DVDs at the same time. When you're moving your collection onto a digital medium, sometimes this is a really huge time saver! (In addition, having four different DVD drives gives you flexibility in dealing with hard-to-read DVDs since sometimes different models can read ones that the others can't.)

Once I run into DVDs that just copying doesn't work with, it's usually a Funimation title from the time when their DVDs showed up as 90GB behemoths (most likely a filesystem bug or copy-protection trick?) Anyways, CloneDVD knows how to understand the titles. You can also use that to just rip specific titles and remove the menus, leaving you with just the movie itself like you want, although this will narrow down your ability to process DVDs to one at a time.

I have CloneDVD output to multiple files just like the copying procedure but at that point you have the option of outputting to an ISO which may work better for what you're trying to do. If you've got the space, something like this would probably be ideal over reprocessing and unintentionally introducing more compression artifacts, although you'd probably not really notice anyways.

Both of those programs haven't been able to deal with unreadable bytes, though, so I purchased DVD Fab to take care of that. However, I might have read that one of those programs might have been updated to better deal with that?

Also, around the time I started doing this was when I got my DVD resurfacer. Some DVDs have permanent errors introduced in the manufacturing process and some have really deep scratches that I haven't been able to work around but many titles that I had trouble reading became more readable. This is what I got. Seems alright but as my only disc resurfacer I can't claim that it's necessarily better than any others.

Now, the way I watch my stuff isn't quite what you're looking for. Basically, since all my DVDs' individual files are in directories, going into those directories looks exactly like looking at a DVD's directory, thus anything that knows how to handle those should work with the setup. In my experience this includes VLC, PowerDVD, and TotalMedia Theatre, but I imagine more players should work. I have all of that data between two media servers which are simply running Ubuntu and sharing those folders using Samba (so that Windows machines can access them.) I use symlinks to organize the DVDs into series/folders so I don't have to worry about if volume 1 is on disk 5 and volume 2 is on disk 7 ; wherever there's space I can simply put a ripped DVD. (Note that with over 4,000 ripped discs that I of course use a script to automate the creation of these symlinks.)

Thus, on the TV on my computer, I simply go to //Anime/ and navigate to the DVDs folder, find the series/movie I want, click on that folder to see the individual discs, and right-clight "Play with VLC media player" and voila! The DVD starts up.

Now, my only experimentation into playing these in a more fancy setting has been using XMBC and BOXEE (which is based on XMBC). All I know for certain is that these don't quite work like I'd want. I'm not sure how to manually add stuff and I don't think they played DVDs in this format too well. It's possible that they'd work better with ISOs, though, but I suspect things would still be better if you were able to manually mess around with XMBC's database.

Now, I want to note that some of the above-mentioned tools can sort of work on blu-rays but that is still a much more experimental field for me and with the price of HDDs being so high at the moment combined with so much of my time/money/energy going into moving out I haven't played around with all of those too well. (Since I still have to dig out the discs anyways.) All I know is:

• AnyDVD itself can backup the contents of a blu-ray to your drive.
  
• I don't know how to reprocess the videos. (Only interested in backing them up.)
  
• VLC seems to have trouble playing back these blu-rays. (It stutters like it can't buffer correctly.)
  
• TotalMedia Theatre is pretty good but I don't know why some blu-rays are completely silent.
  
• XMBC can play the movie content itself but sometimes doesn't find all audio tracks for some reason? (Boxee can't even play them at all.)
  
  EDIT: I should also note that many of the tools I mentioned above are not free ; I was willing to spend money on the solution that worked for me for keeping my anime DVD collection organized.

A couple of really great ones have been suggested in The Thin Red Line and On The Waterfront, both of which are fantastic films and fantastic editions. I would also suggest:

• The 400 Blows (releases on Tuesday, 8 April): One of my personal favourite films of all time, and an essential release in any Criterion collection. The latest re-release of this film comes out next week.
  
• Dazed and Confused: Yes, you can get non-Criterion editions of this film for less money, but trust me when I say that the Criterion edition is well worth every penny. Not only are the supplements amazing, but the packing is some of my favourite of any Criterion release. It also comes with a bad ass poster, which is a nice bonus.
  
• Breathless: Another essential for any Criterion collection. One of the most daringly original and fresh films ever released.
  
• The Great Dictator: Even though Modern Times is my personal favourite Chaplin film, The Great Dictator is probably his most accessible film, and therefore probably the best introduction to his work. I would highly suggest all of the Chaplin films released by Criterion, though.
  
• 12 Angry Men: One of the best American films ever, and one of the best cover designs of any Criterion. Yet another must-own.

Really enjoyable, despite covering all the same territory of Eastman/Laird and the Turtles in the Ultimate Visual History book. It's really amazing the combination of talent and luck/timing that led to their success. It's an optimistic tale of people finding success out of something they just did for fun, and it's nice to see the creators so humble and grateful. I rented it in HD on Amazon, and kind of wish I had just bought it outright.

EDIT: I guess I should add that it focuses slightly more on the 90's, and the "merchandise phenomenon," rather than the creation of the Turtles in the comics. Someone on Amazon called it, like, "a documentary about guys selling out." So take from that what you will.

Not answering your question exactly, but thought this was relevant. I own this Hitchcock box set on Blu-ray and the quality is great. Not sure if you are wanting a larger amount of movies, but I've been very happy with that set. I've also heard great things about this release on Blu-ray it has 15 movies, and last time I was looking to buy it, it was $130ish dollars, now it is only $89.

I got this used at Newbury Comics for $15 and I was shocked to see how everything was in near perfect condition. The case has a very small scratch on it and that's it. The art booklet is in perfect condition and the original ads are still inside it.

I'ce had a pretty bad time with Newbury Comics with used blurays (I bought a "new" version of Platoon and only the DVD was inside, and I bought the Matrix only to find a European version in there that wouldn't play), but this DVD was an awesome find.

Its significantly cheaper than Amazon's price which is a rare thing.


Here are some much better pictures of whats inside (not taken by me)

OMG I literally just got this today and was so happy BUT the case it came in was pretty shite...It had ripples on the front plastic cover. Thankfully the actual paper cover art is completely fine. The edge on the spine of the plastic cover is also damaged all the way from top to bottom. I'm really new to dvd collecting so I dont know if this is something fixable, or if I should be smarter about which sellers from Amazon to buy from (would that make a difference? I dont know). So far as well the 2 discs I've checked have trouble when I try to skip in episodes. The picture becomes frozen but the audio keeps playing. My biggest gripe is that in both the menus of the discs, when you click on episodes the new screen doesnt load. You see the arrow pointing to the different options but you dont see the episode title names. I know I could potentionally get it replaced, but how would I know I would even get a new one that didnt have that problem?

Also, in my DVD collection I like the idea of purchasing the FIRST original release of a dvd. Is there anyway of knowing whether this: https://www.amazon.com/Daria-Complete-Animated-Tracy-Grandstaff/dp/B0019N8P2W/ref=tmm_dvd_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= or this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07D9FGYXW?pf_rd_p=330fbd82-d4fe-42e5-9c16-d4b886747c64&pf_rd_r=70BY87FQ0RD73X8A2JCJ came out first? I bought the first since it was cheaper.

Love this post. A lot of chips appear on a lot of shoulders on this sub when this discussion comes up. But the truth is, if a person can afford it, their love of movies really CAN be rekindled with a setup like yours.

My first Blu-ray was Fight Club, back in 2010. Going from a 32" tube tv and DVD to a 42" plasma hd tv and Blu-ray was a mindblower. Now I've got a 50" LED with Bose sound, although I still have a soft spot for plasma.

Just a few movies you should think about getting to get the most out of your new setup:

The Thin Red Line Criterion
http://www.amazon.com/Thin-Line-Criterion-Collection-Blu-ray/dp/B003KGBIRA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1420576227&sr=8-2&keywords=the+thin+red+line

Gravity
http://www.amazon.com/Gravity-Blu-ray-Sandra-Bullock/dp/B00H83EUL2/ref=sr_1_6_twi_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1420576275&sr=1-6&keywords=gravity+falls

Avatar
http://www.amazon.com/Three-Disc-Extended-Collectors-BD-Live-Blu-ray/dp/B0044XV3QY/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1420576417&sr=1-1&keywords=avatar+limited+edition

Baraka
http://www.amazon.com/Baraka-Blu-ray-Ron-Fricke/dp/B001CDLATE/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1420576451&sr=1-1&keywords=baraka

Samsara
http://www.amazon.com/Samsara-Blu-ray-Ron-Fricke/dp/B008N9AAQ4/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1420576468&sr=1-1&keywords=samsara

Hugo
http://www.amazon.com/Hugo-Blu-ray-Ben-Kingsley/dp/B00AEFY9MG/ref=sr_1_1_twi_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1420576639&sr=1-1&keywords=hugo+blu+ray

King Kong
http://www.amazon.com/King-Kong-Blu-ray-Naomi-Watts/dp/B001KZVQJI/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1420576688&sr=1-1&keywords=king+kong+blu+ray

Minority Report
http://www.amazon.com/Minority-Report-Blu-ray-Tom-Cruise/dp/B0035WTJFW/ref=sr_1_1_twi_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1420576741&sr=1-1&keywords=minority+report+blu+ray

Rush
http://www.amazon.com/Rush-Blu-ray-DVD-Digital-UltraViolet/dp/B00BEIYP8A/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1420576809&sr=1-1&keywords=rush+blu+ray

There Will Be Blood
http://www.amazon.com/There-Will-Be-Blood-Blu-ray/dp/B00AEBBAEU/ref=sr_1_2?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1420576862&sr=1-2&keywords=there+will+be+blood

I really like: The Big Lebowski in a bowling ball, TRON and TRON: Legacy in an identity disc, Star Trek Voyager in a Borg Cube, Futurama in Bender's head, and LOST Season 5: the DHARMA Initiative Orientation Kit.

That Walking Dead Head set would be fun to have, but it's too pricey for me. I agree with you though, 3rd season already looks like it'll be better than the 2nd, which shouldn't be hard lol.

the box at the left is a movie set too? looks like the X-Files boxset

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Files-Complete-Collection-DVD/dp/B000AAF9Q0

anyways you got yourself a great deal! congrats!

You shouldn't feel any guilt for liking those Disney films.

> What I'm looking for: Fantastic Mr. Fox (Blu-Ray)

Good thing the Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy combo pack is only $9.99 on Amazon. ;)

I got an email from a price follower add-on I had on chrome and like 30 min after I purchased it was over. Looks like it could of been the last of amazons stock as now it is only available from 3rd parties.

Proof:
https://camelcamelcamel.com/Breaking-Bad-Complete-Barrel-Blu-ray/product/B00N0YUU94 (make sure to check amazon price)

My TMNT ones have a special place in my heart since I collect TMNT items.

(sorry should've mentioned those too lol) - I have the complete visual history, a set of 4 glasses, a giant beer mug with them on it, and the original cereal bowl and plastic mug that changed colors when in the cold among other things

Gravity is also 14.99 today on Amazon. Lowest I've seen it since the release and definitely worth it.

Edit: Put the link /u/gutpocket0 provided to benefit the prize vault.

Wow you mean this one that at 12 hours later is now listed at $161?! That really was a good deal!

Got a couple Camel alerts a bit ago I thought others might find interesting.

Amazon UK - Middle Earth Extended Collection 30 disc set £39.99 - The Blu's are region free, any DVD's included in the set are not

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Middle-Earth-Collection-Extended-Blu-Ray/dp/B01LTHMP46/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1527698511&sr=8-1&keywords=lord+of+the+rings+6+films+extended

Amazon UK - 4k Ultra HD Collection (6 films) - £39.99

https://www.amazon.co.uk/4k-Ultra-Hd-Premiere-Collection/dp/B01LB9LU5C/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1527698683&sr=8-3&keywords=4k+collection

Hahaha yeah, I forgot the link...

That one benefits the sub...

http://www.amazon.com/Casino-Blu-ray-Digital-Copy-UltraViolet/dp/B00COHGP06/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1377575794&sr=8-2&keywords=Casino+bluray

This one here is the one I saw, looks like it dropped, great movie if you wanna add to your collection.

Here you go.

Nice collection. Not massive but some good stuff in there. I noticed you have Alien. Out of curiosity have you seen Aliens?

I finally picked up the Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection thanks to it currently being on sale on Amazon. Now I need to sale my Alfred Hitchcock: The Essentials Collection. I have it up on eBay right now for $30. If any one is interested just shoot me a message.

The Island of Lost Souls steelbook and Shogun Assassin through one of Eureka's flash sales a few weeks ago. I made an error with the title. The Sleeping Beauty Blu-ray is from Zavvi's Buy One Get One Free Disney sale. I also picked up Fantasia, but they shipped them separately.

This is the one i have It works great, and can be found for under $200 at times.

Gravity is also only $12.99 at Amazon.

It's not flimsy since it is all plastic. And the discs are fully closed in the head. I bought it on amazon.

This was the first thing that came to my mind.

My lebowski bowling ball is probably mine. .
bowling ball

A few years ago I would have said the complete series of Daria or No Holds Barred. They've both been released now so I really don't know. There's a lot of old wrestling pay per views and VHS features that have never gotten a proper region 1 release.

Blu-ray editions of Frozen, Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Gravity, and Anchorman 2 are all $13 on Amazon as well.