I've looked high and low, and it doesn't seem like anyone has encountered this issue (and posted it)...

 I've got 3 PCs with W7 Ultimate RTM -- two x64 and a 32-bit (which is my main MC host, to which my 360 connects). The issue I'm about to describe occurs on all 3 machines, plus the extender. (All 3 PCs have very different hardware configs, hence this is unlikely to be a hw issue.)

I'm trying to make use of the Movie Library feature to backup my DVD collection to disk, and run them through MCX. To this end, i'm ripping DVDs to my hd using DVD Shrink 3.2. I'm creating single large VOB files (some compressed, others not), with the intention of converting them to DVR-MS files. (Based on everybody's wildly different opinions on the subject, I've decided to avoid Transcoder 360 and DivX crap, and stick to the clean DVR-MS interface, since storage isn't at a premium on my Home Server or across my PCs.)

I've gone about creating the DVR-MS files in a couple ways -- both of which end with the same issue. The first way was to convert the files using VideoRedo -- I would do a Quickstream Fix, and convert the VOB directly to a DVR-MS container. The other way was to convert the ripped DVDs using VOB2MPG -- change them to MPEG2, and then use TODVRMS to re-package them as DVR-MS files. Both methods take about 10 minutes or less.   (I'm using YAMMM incidently, to obtain metadata once the DVR-MS files are created -- its great, ties right into IMDB. But I digress.)

The issue I'm experiencing occurs regardless of how I create the DVR-MS files, and no matter which PC or extender I use to play them -- once I start playing the movie, and stop it, MC crashes (or disconnects in the case of the 360 extender). Sometimes I can get away with switching to another ripped movie, but sure enough, it does eventually crash making the switch. The crash is simply that "Media Center has encountered an error and needs to shut down", and it sends a report to MS and tries to restart, sometimes doing so and sometimes forcing me to end process via Task Manager.

I've gone back and tried the VOBs in MC and MCX, and they work fine. The MPG files also play cleanly and don't crash MC. Recorded TV files -- both WTV and DVR-MS files from my Vista install -- all work fine, without issue.

That said, I've used TODVRMS to create WTV files from the VOBs, instead of DVR-MS files, and these DO create the same crash result...

I am at a complete loss to account for this. Is this a bug, an inability to handle the DVR-MS / WTV formats when they are created outside of MC proper?

 I'd really love for someone with 20 minutes to spare to try and recreate the issue I've described in a similar environment. I've seen other users blog about similar methodology to rip and catalog their DVDs... in Vista....  but nobody yet in W7 RTM.  (Beta doesn't count...)

Anybody?

I've managed to narrow the issue down a wee bit...

 MC is still crashing -- but the precise moment of the crash is now clear. When I stop a DVR-MS file (not Recorded TV files, but the ones I've created myself), and return to the new Windows 7 "light blue" overlay screen (with synopsis and playback options), it is at this very point that MC takes a nose dive.

In other words, the file itself plays fine. But once I exit the file, MC chokes.

Here's more food for thought... it doesn't seem to happen if I don't "stop" the playback. Meaning, if I hit "back / prev" while playing, and playback shrinks to lower left, and I browse for another movie to play and play it without stopping the other file -- no crash.

Is "stop" the issue? Does W7 MC have a problem closing DVR-MS files made in a 3rd party app? Has the DVR-MS file changed somehow since Vista, in a subtle way that only matters insofar as these 3rd-party apps' ability to create proper files....?

Somebody re-create this issue please. And then flag down someone from Microsoft... lol...

I've managed to narrow the issue down a wee bit...

 MC is still crashing -- but the precise moment of the crash is now clear. When I stop a DVR-MS file (not Recorded TV files, but the ones I've created myself), and return to the new Windows 7 "light blue" overlay screen (with synopsis and playback options), it is at this very point that MC takes a nose dive.

In other words, the file itself plays fine. But once I exit the file, MC chokes.

Here's more food for thought... it doesn't seem to happen if I don't "stop" the playback. Meaning, if I hit "back / prev" while playing, and playback shrinks to lower left, and I browse for another movie to play and play it without stopping the other file -- no crash.

Is "stop" the issue? Does W7 MC have a problem closing DVR-MS files made in a 3rd party app? Has the DVR-MS file changed somehow since Vista, in a subtle way that only matters insofar as these 3rd-party apps' ability to create proper files....?

Somebody re-create this issue please. And then flag down someone from Microsoft... lol...

It sounds like to me it is the metadata that is wrapped around the dvr-ms. If you get bored try this to a single file please. Right Click - Properties - Details - "Remove Properties and Personal Information" - "Create a copy with all possible properties removed" - OK. Depending on your hard disk performance this shouldn't take too long. Now open the copy by simply running it. Press stop once the movie is started. If it doesn't crash then it might be your metadata.

Good thinking.  Unfortunately, no dice.  The created DVR-MS fle had no metadata to speak of anyhow... aside from a line inserted by VideoRedo self-promoting itself as creater. The YAMMM program I'm using to obtain metadata for the video files isn't part of the DVR-MS container -- its in a seperate file.  That said, I'm not above trying things, and I did as you indicated... same crash, once I stopped the file and returned to the blue overlay screen.

The folks over at VideoRedo suggested I try another ripping software for the DVDs.  As such, instead of Shrink, I'm going to test DVDFab, create a VOB and create a DVR-MS....  Since the VOBs and MPGs I create so far haven't been causing an issue -- only the DVR-MS files are -- I'm disinclined to think the ripper is the culprit. But, its worth a try.

Anybody else have any suggestions?

I used all the same methods to create DVD to DVR-MS on Windows 7 RTM and I do not have any issues (I currently use RC Build 7100). I would check the settings of each program but I suspect you would understand all the programs enough to know what you tinkered with and you can adjust them back if needed.

Another thing it sounds like possibly is you have a minor network issue. If you happen to keep all the media on a network share how do you accomplish it. I use an XP machine and just use simple file sharing (I did have on one of the builds I believe Beta build an issue where I had to manually add myself to the users on the proerties of the folder). I allow users to change/modify. It would be interesting to know the operating system of the file host machine. It would help to know how your network is setup. Example I have Modem -> Router -> Workgroup Switch. All my devices are connected to the switch. Did you disable QoS, IPv6, Firewall, and/or any 3rd party Firewall? I found with Windows 7 that QoS is actually working properly and disabling it caused me complete failures in streaming. I also found that Windows 7 has on the "Power Management" tab of my NIC "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" ticked. I definitely untick I have actually forgot to untick it before and experienced the exact same thing as you but the extender just stays hung until a power cycle.

Even if you are using YAMMM to create the DVDxml etc, when you hit stop it loads the metadata from the dvr-ms file instead. I call this a bug, but never the less this is how it works.

Another thing you can try is to create the dvrms file with todvrms instead. I wrote a profile for just this scenario. 

http://bjdraw.com/2009/04/05/how-to-automatically-convert-vob-to-mpg-and-dts-to-ac3/

Why are you doing a QuickStreamFix with the VideoRedo?  Just rip the movie into one file with the 5.1 sound and then save that as a DVR-MS with VideoRedo.  Am I missing something?  Q.

Nice... some good feedback.

Neiltoe -->  Yeah, I've played with different settings. Not sure what else there is to try in that regard... I mean, there are several links in the chain, and I've systematically been trying to rule them out one-by-one.  Oh, and no, its not a network issue. My LAN is gigabit, with wireless-N clients -- I've got a WHS and 360 on there as well. All my recorded TV and music / photo libraries are on the WHS, and there's never been an issue. The actual crashing occurs on my extender over the LAN, yes, but also locally on my notebook with its own MC playing straight from the HD. (I've replicated on my PC too, which is 32-bit...  since my notebook is x64, I wondered if that could be a part... not insofar as playback, at least...)

BJdraw --> True -- I noticed that too. But neither the YAMMM metadata or the absence of it (and whatever is in the file instead) seems to make a difference.  I will definately try the profile for TODVRMS though...  I like both that app and the toolbox (used them a fair bit back in Vista for other stuff).  I'll provide feedback soon...

ChiWax --> I know a Quickstream fix isn't required, but doesn't seem to hurt either. I've had the odd DVD VOB require it when I've converted to MPG and DVR-MS files, so I've gotten into habit of using it. It doesn't seem to impact the crash issue I'm describing either way -- and I haven't noticed any quality differences when I do play the files I've created.

Right now, I'm ripping a DVD using DVDFab, to see if an alternate ripping software will make a difference, as the VideoRedo dude suggested. I'll try all the same other steps -- if it fails as well (as I think it will), at least I'll have ruled out the ripping software as a likely culprit.  But I'm keen to try the TODVRMS profile too...  maybe I can squeeze that test in before my son wakes from his nap  (lol).

 Keep the ideas comin' -- thanks all

Well we can't figure it out on a large scale why not try it on a smaller scale. Remove the directory from your library completely and add only a single newly generated dvr-ms. See is it crashes that way. If not then we know it is most likely in your current library. If it does crash then we know it might have something to do with your current library.

Yup, tried that. Empty video folder, YAMMM turned off...  fresh ripped VOB file, translated into DVR-MS and -- poof -- it crashes MC.

Keep in mind, the DVR-MS files play just fine -- just don't stop too well.

I'm at a complete loss...  I tried to run BJDraw's process (now I know who you are -- seen your stuff on Engadget ), but I made the mistake of removing x.7 of DVRMSToolbox, to install x.8, and now I'm getting the installation package error for all versions. Argh... can't even install it on my notebook.  (Tried x.9 beta, and same problem. Ah well....)

 At this point, I'm ripping everything to MPG. With YAMMM, I'm getting all the metadata populated in my MC and MCX screens, and the quality is great. Playback is smooth and FF and RW, such as they are, are managable. Best of all, stop doesn't crash MC.

I'd still like to figure this out though...   there must be something I'm doing that's different, if I'm using the same process as you Neiltoe...  The only thing I noticed is that you are using RC still... whereas I'm on RTM.   Is it possible this is simply a RTM bug in Windows...?  Had you tried this on RTM, and reverted back to RC for some reason....?

Yes I tried it on RTM and yes I rolled back to RC. RTM worked alot better I never got any "Not Responding" (I do on RC) on anything and my system was rock solid stable. Even my graphics drivers were more stable. I have no reason other than not wanting to re-arm every so often. I can't wait to be able to buy Windows 7 even with it's few little quirks.

Back on subject RTM and my dvr-ms files worked flawlessly.

Neiltoe -- you da man.  For anyone needing help troubleshooting, ping him -- he rocks.

So, to fill everyone in...  he pinged me earlier today directly, and we got connected via MSN and Teamviewer to troubleshoot my issue. We tried a variety of things, including a DVRMS file he created and sent over to me to run locally -- which also crashed MC. This proved that the files themselves were not the issue, and that the problem is somewhere within Windows.

We went through the paces, wiping metadata tags, turning on and off services, loading and unloading folders within MC...  the crash kept on happening. At times, we even got a point where simply playing the file resulted in a crash -- not just stopping the file, as I had described in my case.

Finally, like some sort of epiphany, he tried something that actually worked -- no more crashes!  The solution appears to be tied to my location -- Canada.... go figure.

Within MC, enter "Settings", "General" and then "Automatic Download Options".  The first check box -- "Receive CD album art, media information for DVDs and movies, and Internet Services from the Internet" -- this needs to be checked OFF.   Which is very LAME...  but it actually resolves the issue.  No more crashing... DVRMS files play just fine.

This begats the question -- what the hell?  This never seemed to be an issue in previous MCEs ... I've tried it with Vista for ripped DVDs turned DVRMS, and it works just fine in W7 for my music and tv guide.

This is a pretty curious bug, and I find it amazing that something so apparently trivial would cause a crash, as opposed to an error message or simply not work. I intend to post something on Connect, and maybe get the attention of an MS programmer...  a hope for a hotfix. I'd really rather NOT have this option turned off.

Anyhow.... kudos to Neiltoe for the patience and help.  Enjoy your W7 RTM !