DVD ripping/conversion question

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

I'm a newbie and I've been playing with WMM and reading all the helpful stuff out there for newbies ... but I'm stuck on one thing.

The episodes (Smallville) I've downloaded from the net, I can work with no problem. But the DVD I've ripped to my hard-drive, I know I have to convert the files to avi or something else and I have just about every recommended program (DVD2Avi, Smartripper, DirectX, etc.), but I don't really know how to get the DVD files into a format that I can then import into the movie maker program for use.

Also, I have S1-3 of Smallville on DVD and would like to be able to use clips from all seasons, but it seems like such a huge task to rip every episode, every DVD. Is there a simpler way and I'm just obtuse?

I'm contemplating doing a S4 only video just because that's the stuff I have access to at the moment. :-) I've been over the help menus for the programs, but things just don't seem to be clicking in my brain. Thanks.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Virtual Dub.

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

Thanks - I'll check into that.

[canthlian.livejournal.com]

Go here. (http://www.doom9.net) Go to the Guides section, and go for the DivX 5 option under DVD Backup. The guide is fairly easy to follow, gives you all the tools you need, and should turn out a similar file to your downloaded episodes.

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'll check it out. I'm realizing that the downloaded files are mpg and I've been reading that avi work better, but for now, it's a start and gives me something to practice with.

[canthlian.livejournal.com]

MPEG vs. AVI... now there's a loaded question. :P

Honestly, it depends on what sort of AVI codec you use. Personally, I've found that a DivX 5 encoded AVI file can be up to twice as good, quality-wise, as a same-size MPG. Although, and I'm not exactly certain why, MPG's seem to be the video format of choice when size isn't an issue. (Various versions of MPG are what's used on VCD's, DVD's and the like)

[entropic.livejournal.com]

permetaform has gathered a bunch of good vidding information here (http://www.livejournal.com/users/permetaform/150126.html), and there are a couple guides for converting stuff from DVDs in there. As far as using clips from all seasons, I think the simplest way would be to just rip an episode when you want to use a clip from it, and convert just the clip you want to use - that way you won't have a bunch of files taking up hard drive space if you don't need them.

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I've been pouring over permetaform's links and using the ever popular trial-and-error method. Thanks for the suggestions.

[heresluck]

You can also usually rip just the chapter or two that you need -- and then clip just the scene or two from those chapters that you want to use. I use SmartRipper and the VirtualDub MPEG-2 mod to do exactly that; works beautifully, and cuts waaaay down on the amount of hard drive space needed.