DVD ripping, and video editing

Hello

I just got myself a new DVD RW drive. It came with Power DVD, and I already had Nero installed. So I am covered when it comes to burning and viewing DVDs.

What I would like is some way to rip the video file from the DVD and save it on my HDD. Then I want to be able to go into it and cut up video clips, get sounds, and basically do whatever I want to do with the video clips.

I would rather not spend any more money on this computer, so free software is my first choice. However, I would like to know what they best program(s) are to do this with, regardless of cost. If it will be worth it, I can pay.

Oh, and just to answer any questions that might be raised, I am not planning on pirating DVDs. I just want to be able to take the DVDs that we own, and play with the video files from those same DVDs.

 

Heres what I do:

Get DVD Shrink 2.3 it is freeware I believe

simply put in the dvd into your dvd-rw drive, open dvd shrink, select the drive with the movie, if it is able to open the dvd (perhaps a new type of protection can stop you.) Then look to see if the dvd allready isnt less than the required ammount to burn to a dvd-r, if it is GREAT! If not, you will have to compress some of the movie to make it smaller, you can also select the kind of audio you have and such to save space. This will save the DVD files to your hardrive, only thing is, its not in something like .avi its the actual dvd files. Im not sure if theres an editor for that (but of course theres always something for everything these days.)

 

Genius Boy... I've done exactly what you've described, and it's rather time consuming. The actual ripping of the DVD isn't that time consuming, but once you have the .ISO file on your hard drive, you'll need a program to convert that file to .mpg or .mpeg (or whatever format you'd like it in). This conversion can take up to 6-7 hours. I usually start this conversion of an evening and let it run it's course while I sleep. I've found this to be the easiest way, as you can't really do anything while the conversion is taking place due to the amount of resources and processor time it demands.

To explain the process of ripping DVD's in a little more detail, I actually use about 3-4 different programs... one to rip the .ISO file from the DVD, one to convert the .ISO file to an .mpg format, and one to split the movie in half so that I can fit it on a regular CD-ROM. I would gladly provide links to each of these programs I use, unfortunately, I don't recall the names of the programs since I haven't had access to my computer for some time. I'm at work right now... but if you'd like to just e-mail me, I can get those links for you sometime.

One other thing... I can also provide you with all the instructions for the process of ripping your DVD's. I hope you understand that it will probably be over the weekend before I can get all this information for you, since I've recently moved due to my job status. Nonetheless, I can provide this information for you, and it would be better to use this e-mail instead of the one I've provided in my profile: Joseph_Trexler@hotmail.com

The instructions I can provide are in HTML format and actually walk you through each step of the process. Perhaps someone here on the boards could sit and type out each step for you, since it's not that difficult, but if you feel you need more detailed information, feel free to e-mail me a request and I will attach a .zip file in a reply with all the information you'll need!

 

MG has some listed (rippers) that look okay. One says it does all the steps for you <shrug> maybe worth a look or try.
ripper

 

Hello all! I hope that someone can help me! I'm in desperate need of help! Here's my background:

I purchased a DVD burner (NEC) for my Dell Dimension 4500...and the software that came with it is called Sonic MYDVD. When I first attempted to burn a DVD, the program told me to switch to PAL format or it would not work in my DVD player. Well, not knowing what that meant at the time, I did what it said. After the DVD was burned, needless to say it did not play in my Sony DVD player cause I don't have a PAL/NTSC converter.

So anyway, after learning that I need to use NTSC cause I live in the US, I changed it in the program and tried to import my files again and it would not let me. It told me my files are PAL. So at first, I thought the Sonic program converted my files to PAL! That made me angry! But then after lots of research and troubleshooting several areas, I began to pop in my backed up mpeg files from a few months ago. And those did not work either! And I also tried other files on the hard drive which did not work as well! So I can't imagine that the Sonic program INFECTED all my files! Also, I had a few mpeg files on the hard drive that I downloaded a few years ago that I thought I would try and believe it or not, they worked! So then I began trying to figure out why THOSE worked and nothing else did. But I can't seem to figure that out. The only difference is the few files that worked opened up in Windows Media Player and the rest of the mpeg files opened in Real One Player. So just for kicks, I forced all mpeg related files to open with WMP, and even rebooted. But nothing.

I was told there are programs out there to convert PAL files to NTSC but you lose quality. And again, I don't think that is the issue anymore. I think my COMPUTER thinks I'm running in PAL mode. Does that make sense? Cause really, how can all the files be affected? So I took a look at the language in the control panel and it says US...I don't have enough knowledge in that area so I didn't screw around.

Does anyone know what my problem is? Does anyone have a resolution for me?

Somebody also mentioned a system restore before I installed the Sonic program? And also they think it's a system change. Perhaps in the registry? I'm too afraid to go in there! I dont' have the knowledge to start changing the registry if that's it.

I'm out of options...I'll try anything! Oh and I even downloaded Nero to try and that didn't work. I also downloaded the new MovieFactory v3 (huge download 100mb) and after a few hours of building the DVD, I got errors. So I burned just a few mpegs and that worked but it brought my mpeg4 files down to mpeg1! Horrible quality loss!

Thanks so much!!!! PLEASE HELP!

-Patty

 

Hi Patty,
I think you'll have better response to this post if you create it as a new thread. Just cut and paste the body into the new thread. This one has been over for a while.