Sony 400 player to Entertainment Center

[BillB]

Does anyone know how to connect a Sony 400 disc DVP-CX995V player to a Gateway Entertainment Center Computer correctly? I can't get any input from Sony or Gateway on this. I want to use the Sony as a library to feed the computer DVD movies and CD Music. Suggestions please!
BillB

[CWR03]

I would think you need a video input device. The Sony changer wasn't meant for use as an external DVD-ROM for a PC, although that would be a really nice thing to have.

[BillB]

I asked a Sony Tech Rep about this, and he said it could be done using the output to TV jacks, but he would not go further on it. Company rules!! Controlling the Sony would have to be done via its hand control, not the computer, though.

Why not some sort of intermediate mechanism ? Seems like something should do this!? Maybe going through a DVD Player to the computer, some how ???
BillB

[CWR03]

Are you trying to use the Sony device as a drive or just get video from the unit to your PC to view it?

[ilovejedd]

If you wanna use it as a drive (as in it can be recognized by your PC as a regular DVD-ROM drive), then, same with CWR03, I don't think it can be done.

I asked a Sony Tech Rep about this, and he said it could be done using the output to TV jacks, but he would not go further on it. Company rules!! Controlling the Sony would have to be done via its hand control, not the computer, though.

What the Sony Tech Rep meant was this: If you have a video capture card installed on your PC, you can connect your Sony DVP-CX995V's video and audio output jacks to the input on the capture card. You will then be able to watch the output on your PC, probably using software that came with your capture card. Basically, your PC just acts like a TV, hence, all controls (pause, play, change disc) must still be done using the DVP-CX995V's remote.

Why not some sort of intermediate mechanism ? Seems like something should do this!? Maybe going through a DVD Player to the computer, some how ???

I'm all for a reasonably-priced multi-disc changer drive for the PC, but I think most people would rather rip movies to their capacious (not to mention cheap) hard drives. This will also reduce wear and tear on their (not so cheap) DVDs. I think there's already a storage caddy which interfaces with your PC for finding discs, I just don't know if it doubles as a drive. Intermediate mechanism, now that one's kinda difficult. Most difficult will be how to send commands from the computer to the "dumb" DVD player? Unless you're willing to open your box, do some hardware mods and void your warranty.

[BillB]

I am going to take the safe route and just take a DVD from the Sony 400 as I need to use it in my computer, that way I destroy nothing but time! Doing a hardware mod can be $$$!

Thanks for the input!
BillB

[CWR03]

This would be something I'd love to tackle if I had the time or the skill. I recently saw a video of an XBox 360 made into a laptop - I'll bet Microsoft would sell those like crazy, and likewise Sony would sell a 400-disk PC drive changer.

[BillB]

For the fun of it, I sent this idea to Sony. Haven't received a reply so far!
Take the DVP-CX995V's design, add a DVDRW burner that can do DD DS 25 GB Blue Rewritable Discs and allow this unit to be a storage base for a PC. If my math works out right, that's around 40,000 GB's of storage. Just about enough for my movie collection!
What dreams are made of!
BillB

[CWR03]

I hope they listen. A friend of mine bought a 75-disk storage device that's as big as a PC, and all it does is store the disks for a software to eject them when he calls for one, then he has to load it into his PC. He acts like it's the greatest thing in the world. He'd turn so green if I could show him a fully automatic 400-disk external DVD-ROM or burner hooked up to mine.