How
to Rip DVDs to Small AVI or MPG Formatted
Files
While DVDs are high quality and you can
rip them to your computer, they do have
drawbacks, such as large file sizes (4-9
Gigabytes per movie) and obscure file-naming.
By ripping a DVD to *.avi or *.mpg format,
you benefit from small and portable file
sizes, your own file naming, and free conversion
software (DVDx).
Steps
1. Download and install the necessary
software.
* Search google for "xvid binary".
XviD is a movie codec (compression driver)
which is useful for storing and viewing
high quality video on your PC. Its works
invisibly with Windows Media Player (and
other players). Install the XviD codec.
* Go to the SourceForge DVDx page. Look
at the bottom of the page (under the section
File Releases) and download free version
2.4, it's best to avoid the newer version
2.5.1 which has some disabled features.
o Download the DVDx archive file to your
computer (DVDx_2_4_setup.zip), open it and
double-click on "DVDx Setup".
Complete the installation of DVDx.
2. Now run the DVDx software. The program
window will appear.
You should insert the DVD you wish to
rip into the DVD drive. Alternatively, if
your DVD is saved as files on your computer,
you can rip from there.
On the DVDx window, there are three menus
available, File, Settings, and Tools.
DVDx Screenshot
DVDx Screenshot
3.
DVDx File Menu
DVDx File Menu
Open the File menu (screenshot shown), and
click "Open DVD Root" to select
your DVD drive as source.
A file window opens, and you can browse
to your DVD.
Alternatively, to open DVD files which
have been previously saved to your hard
drive, click "Open IFO" to select
your hard disk files as source.
In the folder selection box, select the
file VTS_01_0.IFO in the DVD target directory
on the hard drive.
Your movie is now loaded as source.
The Input Settings dialog automatically
opens.
The Input Settings Dialog
The Input Settings Dialog
4. Notice that the Input Settings dialog
will show, in the Program Chain Index section
at top left, the length of the movie to
be processed. Check a suitable audio track
is shown in the Audio section.
* Other settings can be left at default.
* Note: If during conversion you get an
error "DVD drive could not be locked",
you should install ASPI drivers (from Adaptec),
and then select the "Use ASPI"
option. Otherwise this will not be necessary.
* Now click OK.
5. Navigate to the Output Settings dialog
box (shown below) through the Settings menu.
Here you can choose output options such
as movie format (AVI or MPG), and set the
screen size (resolution) and audio quality.
The Output Settings Dialog
The Output Settings Dialog
6. Change several settings in the Output
Settings dialog box:
* Choose an output format (AVI is suitable
for playback in Media Player).
* Now choose an audio compression method.
Lame MP3 is capable of excellent sound at
small filesize (AVI only). If Lame is not
available, choose the MPEG video compression,
or download Lame MP3 drivers.
* Choose the XviD video codec in the dropdown
menu. Click 'Enable Video', but leave 'Enable
2nd' unchecked.
* Across in section Export Settings, choose
a screen size (resolution) for encoding.
o For widescreen monitors (size ratio
16:9) choose 480x576. Any multiple of 16
is acceptable.
o For normal monitors choose (size ratio
4:3) choose 720x544. Any multiple of 16
is acceptable.
* Next to the Max Frame number, click
the button named Whole.
* Other settings can be left at default.
* Click the Apply button.
7. Finally, under the File menu, click the
menu item called Destination.
* Browse to a suitable destination folder,
and type a filename into the box. Click
on Save, then OK.
* You are now ready to convert a DVD to
an AVI.
8. Click the red Record button at bottom
right.
9. Wait for encoding to complete and then
enjoy your movie.
Tips
* To support the authors, you can pay
an admin fee and download a fully working
version 2.5.1 ultra edition from LabDV.
* If you use hardware such as Phillips Streamium,
you can pipe AVI and MPEG video to other
rooms. In this case, limit your XVID bit
rate (click on 1st Pass in the Output Settings
dialog) to 900 Kb/s or so. That will prevent
the video from stuttering.
* You may wish to delete any DVD files you
have on your hard drive, following conversion,
to save disk space. Make sure your outputted
AVI or MPEGS are of a suitable quality before
deleting the source.
Warnings
* If you get a DVD drive error such as
"DVD drive cannot be locked",
download ASPI drivers (see External Links).
* Understand copyright laws in your country
before ripping any copyrighted DVDs.
* Understand that in the US the laws are
unclear and conflicting, you might be able
to rip a copy of copyrighted material for
your own use under the concept of Fair Use.
However, circumventing DRM may be illegal
in and of itself, regardless of ownership
of the IP or intent after disabling the
DRM method. Read Wikipedia on the DMCA for
more information.
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