Handbrake question

[NitroxAZ]

I am thinking about downloading Handbrake but want to make sure it is the right thing. I need to be able to backup storebought dvd's to MP4 to be able to play them on my ipod. Is this the right program? If so, does this program allow the misc. material such as bonus features and commetaries to be backed up also?

[Abond]

I think it allows backing up bonus and features and comentaries. The problem is that it can not be attached to the menu or movie (AFAIK).

[NitroxAZ]

Does that mean it has to be uploaded to the ipod seperately and viewed seperately?

[Abond]

Yes, that's what I mean. You have several files that are main movie, features, making of and so on. I personally don't know a way to construct menu in iPod for them.
But I could be wrong - never had an ipod.

[NitroxAZ]

Thank you very much

[Abond]

Welcome to the forums!

[GMaq]

Hi NitroAZ,
There are many options for what you want to do, since you are asking about Handbrake I am assuming you are a Mac user, AFAIK handbrake only has a CLI for Windows. There is some confusion over chapters for iPods, Some authoring apps can put chapters in the .mp4 files but the iPods don't seem to recognize them, The downloadable iTunes movies have chapters in them that work but I'm not sure if it's working reliably with other applications yet. There are no menus for iPods so the only way to do it would be to encode the extras as separate files or find an app that does work and put chapter points into the extras to index them. If you use Windows, post again for some suggestions.

[NitroxAZ]

Actually I am not a MAC user. I thought that Handbrake worked with both, Is there a better option? Anything that is free?

[GMaq]

OK,
There are some good free apps out there but not any Point-and-Click-All-In-Ones. Some freeware suggestions:

1. DVDFabDecrypter or Ripit4Me (site is down right now) to rip the DVD's to your HDD

2.MeGUI is an incredibly good freeware that incorporates several CLI utilities and uses x264 for iPod Video. It requires you to know a little bit of AviSynth scripting and takes a bit of setting up to configure, In my opinion it gives the absolute best quality, but there is a learning curve involved.

3. ssj2_goha is a member here who has tweaked the 3gp Converter to do Hi-res H.264 video for the iPod, it works very well but sometimes has problems with certain VOB files. Search the forum for "ssj2_goha iPod Converter hack"

4. If you already have Quicktime Pro then MPEG Streamclip is a really good program to use as well.

5. There is a new version of Videora iPod Converter out that supposedly is much improved over the former ones but, I haven't used it in some time.

6. SUPER is a good fast encoder that converts many formats, it's quick and easy but has stability issues on some systems and doesn't allow for 2-pass encoding which gives lower quality final output.

7. Jesterware DVD to iPod Converter is NOT free but does the ripping and conversion all in one and is supposedly quite good and has recently been updated. It has a free trial I think

These are only the ones I've used or have read about, there are many many more in the "Tools" section in the left hand margin of the home page. Good Luck!!

[NitroxAZ]

Thanks again!!