tool to extract clip from a dvd to avi

[syeager]

My girls are creative souls that want to take music and add it to video clips from some of their favorite movies. What is the best tool to visually choose a small clip of a dvd and extract it to an mpeg or avi file? They currently use Windows Movie Maker to create their clips, but it will not see vob files. They love the transitions they can do in Movie Maker but are always searching for clips to use but they have the full dvds and would love to be able to create their own clips from the dvds

[Baldrick]

You have several options,

dvd shrink, see http://forum.videohelp.com/topic358361.html

avidemux, open vob, cut, save as dv-avi or some other codec.

videoredo, cut, save as mpg and it might be possible to edit in wmm if you have a mpeg2 decoder installed but its usually very buggy.

[yoda313]

might be possible to edit in wmm if you have a mpeg2 decoder installed but its usually very buggy.

Yes wmm is not usually known for wide compatibility with other formats. Of course you could go the long way around and convert any input format to dv-avi with a dv codec but it would result in some quality loss with the extra conversion step.

If you're really into video editing you might consider getting a more sophisticated platform than wmm. While it is free wmm does have limitations in what formats it will accept.

Ulead and Pinnacle both offer basic versions of their editing programs. I think both start around 50.00 USD for their entry level programs.

The nice thing about pinnacle is you can upgrade in stages. I initially bought the basic version. I was able to upgrade online to plus without buying a new disc package at the store. That is a good way to get started if you want a "real" video editing suite.

There are other brands of course but you're most likely to find Ulead and Pinnacle at electronics stores or places like Target and Walmart, etc. Also you can download trial software of other programs to see if you like them.

This would give you greater flexibility and more creative options.