Yesterday I posted about Update Rollup #2.  One of the coolest features IMO is the ability to view a library of DVD movies. While designed for DVD changers, guess what, this works for DVD images stored on hard drives too ;) Note this doesn't work for CSS-encypted movies such as those you get from your DVD rental store. But that's right, those personal DVDs you have stored on a monster hard drive will show up automagically.

Courtesy of Matt Goyer who couldn't let me scoop him, here's the key.  Below I've added a download to do this automatically

If you don't have a changer you can enable the 'My DVDs' functionality with the following reg key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\SettingsDvdSettings

There you'll find a setting that says "ShowGallery"="Play". Double click it and set it to "Gallery" 

If you're unsure how to do this, choose Start, then Run, then type "RegEdit".  This will launch the registry editor then look for the above. I haven't found a way to make WMVs show up here- I don't think this is supported.

For the lazy or regkey infirmed, here's a file that will do this automatically. Just save locally and double click

• Download ShowMCEGallery.zip (.59kb)

Includes two files- one to show the gallery, the other to show Play DVD in main menu.

Now just add a watch folder in My Videos to look for the root folder the DVD image(s) are located in. You can play them from My Videos or My DVDs. The major downside is that your home-made DVDs don't have cover art, which DVD drives/jukeboxes do.

Other Settings in the same regkey hive:

• GallerySort
• SearchNetworkFolders
• ShowDiscsInDrivesAtTop
• FolderSearchDepth
• ViewByCover

I haven't had a chance to play with all these- hopefully Matt will post a few thoughts :)

Note: If you're looking for another cool movie add-in check out http://www.mymovies.name 

Disclaimer: Use at your own risk, sorry I don't offer support yada yada.  Enjoy.