A video question

[BrianR]

So, I am building a new home network. Part of that is a stupid amount of networkable storage for everyone. Part of THAT is going to be all of our CDs and DVDs in digital format (not for distribution!). We want to be able to listen to whatever we want, wherever we want. I chose .mp3 format for that.

BUT!

My question is this, when it comes time to digitize my DVDs, what format should I choose? I don't particularly like WMP and would like a better replacement. I've been thinking VLC but it looks kinda...basic. I want pretty. And compatable over several platforms. I use Linux, wife uses Windows 7, I have a couple of other light duty laptops running earlier versions of Windows (unless I install Linux ) and we may add an Apple next year.

All of these disparate machines need to talk seamlessly (and easily) to the repositories of music and video and it all needs to stream flawlessly without pauses.

Any advice/assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Pamela