Simple DVD ripping question

[JeffL]

I made a video, edited it and burned it (DVD, not BD.) Worked out well, nice music soundtrack, plays back well, etc.

I needed to rip that DVD to a simple AVI or MPG or MP4 single file that I can play back on other devices.

I used a freeware program (DVD Ripper) and it seemed to do the job. In fact, I extracted the soundtrack from the DVD (one of the people I made it for wanted me to make them a CD from the soundtrack I created for it) and it plays back fine. However, the actual video from the ripped AVI file clearly is skipping frames and is not smooth.

I assume that is a flaw in the freeware program. Before I go downloading a ton of DVD ripping programs and trying them out, is there one or two that people here have experience with that they recommend? I don't mind paying a small amount if the program is worth it.

Thanks.

[Fishbreath]

I think Handbrake is the usual answer, although I've never used that. I've used VLC for transcoding in the past, but I can't say anything about how well it does DVDs.

[RickH]

I needed to rip that DVD to a simple AVI or MPG or MP4 single file that I can play back on other devices.

Simple, reliable DVD ripping and conversion with freeware: DVDFab + Handbrake.

If you have never used DVDFab before, there is a 30-day trial for its video format-conversion features. That's quick and easy. However, the ripping component of DVDFab is freeware, even after any trial features have expired.

For video transcoding, Handbrake provides an easy way to take a ripped DVD folder and covert it to an mp4/m4v file. Lots of presets for various devices that don't require a lot of fiddling. Remember to always preserve aspect ratio unless there's a good reason not to, for some reason it defaults to unchecked for classic iPod video.

[Timemaster Tim]

I made a video, edited it and burned it (DVD, not BD.) Worked out well, nice music soundtrack, plays back well, etc.

I needed to rip that DVD to a simple AVI or MPG or MP4 single file that I can play back on other devices.

Perhaps a dumb question. Did the software you use to create the video no have an option to save the project as an AVI file? Or is the original material no longer available?

[ineffablebob]

Simple, reliable DVD ripping and conversion with freeware: DVDFab + Handbrake.

Seconded. I've been using this combo for quite a while now, never had an issue that can't be attributed to my own mistake at some point in the process.

[DennyA]

But since the original disc isn't protected, no need to rip first with DVDFab.

All you need is Handbrake, Jeff.

[RickH]

All you need is Handbrake, Jeff.

True about the absence of copy protection, but something has to get the vob files onto the hard drive. Using a dedicated program like dvdfab has the benefit of automating the process and getting the intact DVD file structure into a hard drive folder. Also, handy for the next time around.

FYI don't try to convert the video data from the DVD drive itself. While Handbrake will allow this to be selected without comment, it delivers bad results.

Not everyone is a master of folders and file transfers. I don't know how many times I've seen dvd troubleshooting questions asked by someone who wasn't quite sure what needed to get copied, where to look for it, where to put it, and where to find it a day later. Automated and consistent processes have their place.

[DennyA]

Rick, all you have to do is point Handbrake at your DVD drive and select which of the video segments (it defaults to the longest program) you want to convert. There's no need to move the VOB files to the hard drive.

And I've seen zero issue with the results converting either DVD or Blu-ray directly from the disc. If you've had problems with the results, it must be something to do with your system.

There are no folders/file transfers/etc. necessary:

1) Load Handbrake
2) Select the DVD drive as the source
3) Select the program you want to convert from the list of programs found on the DVD/Blu-ray, and make sure the destination format is correct. If converting multiple videos from the disc, choose add to queue and then select the remaining videos.
4) Start the conversion

If the original disc isn't copy-protected, it's as simple as that. You're the one who's adding folders and file transfers to the process by suggesting ripping things to the hard drive with an additional program first. :) None of that's necessary.

[RickH]

That process has resulted in a choppy useless file every time I have tried it.

But in a world with endless hardware variations, I'm not in a position to deny others' success.

[JeffL]

Thanks for the answers guys. Including the different options!

I have DVDFab and love it, but only the DVD copying option, which only seems to give me an option to save as an Iso file.

I just tried Handbrake, simply pointed at the drive and chose the Regular-High Profile selection, and picked a destination folder. It ripped it to an M4V file, but for some reason it cut off the sides of the screen. I didn't pay attention to settings so trying again with Anamorphic (whatever?) set to "none" so I can tell it to keep the aspect ratio. Although I'm not sure why it is showing a ration of 720x528 when it is also showing the original as 720x480 - shouldn't keeping the aspect ratio keep the same dimensions as the original?

For the question of why not just use PowerDirector 10 (LOVE that program!) to export as an MPG or AVI - yes, I lost some of the original files.

EDIT
Problem was I didn't mess with the cropping setting, just left it to auto. I switched it to custom and no cropping, and that seems to fix the issue. Now to re-rip with those settings...

[Fugitive]

It ripped it to an M4V file, but for some reason it cut off the sides of the screen. I didn't pay attention to settings so trying again with Anamorphic (whatever?) set to "none" so I can tell it to keep the aspect ratio. Although I'm not sure why it is showing a ration of 720x528 when it is also showing the original as 720x480 - shouldn't keeping the aspect ratio keep the same dimensions as the original?

720x480 is the raw resolution of the video stream, but DVDs are weird in that they use non-square pixels. Scaling it to 720x528 gives the video square pixels at the same aspect ratio, and that's generally preferable for PC video.

[JeffL]

720x480 is the raw resolution of the video stream, but DVDs are weird in that they use non-square pixels. Scaling it to 720x528 gives the video square pixels at the same aspect ratio, and that's generally preferable for PC video.

Ah, that kinda makes sense. Thanks.