Converting DVD to MKV file

[thearm]

Ok, here it goes... I have a feeling I'm going to be torn a new one.

I did a search on Afterdawn for what I want to do and I found only found one link (below) which did not help me. It seems there are a lot of people wanting to convert MKV's to DVD but I want to convert my DVDs to MKV files to put on my media center PC.

Only one I found in the first two pages of search results when putting in 'DVD to MKV' : http://forums.afterdawn.com/t.cfm/f-...vx_mkv-797741/

Many many years ago, I tried many different programs to accomplish converting DVD to avi using Xvid and Divx and never was happy with the outcome. I used EasyDIVX, Vdomi, and a few others I can't think of. I seem to remember the audio never syncing correctly.

A week ago, I thought "All this time has went by, I'm sure there is now a great easy way to convert my DVDs into a fairly small file." So I started the journey and one again, I was wrong. I used AutoGK which worked but the file was very pixelated. Even when I made the file size 1400MB (Maybe that's normal?). I converted Dead Zone which the audio and video where way out of sync. Then I moved on to Sideways which converted sucessfully. But it was very pixelated and soft looking. It's already a soft movie but it just wasn't what I was looking for. I can probaby handle soft but not pixelated. I tried to convert Sideways with DVDx and the aspect ratio was streatched even though I think I selected the correct AR. I tried all AR setting in DVDx and none of them looked like the normal AR of the original DVD. I'm now using AutoMKV which seems like a VERY versitle tool. I installed all the dependencies here: http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=140178. I've tried using the default settings except setting MVK and X.264 and setting 'constant quality' then I process the job. When finished, all I get is an audio file in the output directory and a bunch of other files :/ I also tried to do an AVI container with the Xvid encoder. Same thing.

I tried to ONLY install the dependencies file on the above site in case AutoMKV requires a certain version of Xvid, avi synth ect... Then I tried to uninstall everything and install the latest CCCP codec pack (yes, I know codec's packs are bad). No go.

I looked at the guide on Afterdawn on AutoMKV but all it states is definitions of different fields in the program. It doesn't give example setting for a given job.

So I guess I have a couple questions. Am I using the right program for what I want to do? Should I be encoding my DVDs to MKV or should I use another container and codec? The files would be played by a PC from a hard drive so I read that MKV is the way to go since it's so much better than Xvid. I see some encodes that are DVD quality. But, maybe those are hard core pro's that spend a lot of time on each DVD to get it right. If I can't get close to DVD quality without spending a lot of time on each and every DVD encode, I'll give up now. If it's possible, I'd like some info.

Thanks you ladies and gents,

thearm

Specs:

Encoding PC
Asus Striker II
Q9550 Processor
Windows 7 64-bit (Could that be the issue? Not yet compatable?)
DVD was ripped w/ DVD Decrypter

[lowellriggsiam]

If I am understanding your intent just to convert a DVD to MKV, just use makeMKV, if you would like to go to xvid/divx try dvd to iso using dvddecrypter , then iso to xvid using fairuse wizard. The quality will be acceptable.

[craigarta]

FairUse Wizard has a option for mkv in the advanced options

[lowellriggsiam]

FairUse Wizard has a option for mkv in the advanced options

Good point!

I am still using an older version.

[thearm]

Thank you for replying guys! The thing is, I"m wanting to rip all of my physical DVDs to my RAID drive when I build one for my Media Center and I'd like to make this a one step process meaning physical DVD to MKV file. Not DVD to my hard drive then to MKV. I have almost 400 DVD to do and I'd like to do 400 steps instead of 800 steps I did try Fair Use Wizard, but like you said lowellriggsiam, you need to make the DVD into an ISO first.

I also believe I've tried makeMKV but I can't remember my results. I've tried a lot of different software.

Before I left for work today, I setup an encode with Handbreak so I'll check that out when I get home.

So, I'm doing the right thing, right? I mean, these programs are supposed to work, right? Should I not be expecting near DVD quality with these programs with a 1400MB file? Any tips for quality improvement?

Thanks again!

EDIT:

To clarify the above. When I said at the bottom of my origianal post 'DVD was ripped with DVD Decrypter,' I meant I just have a test rip until I get it right. Once I find a way to do this right, I'd like to encode directly from the DVD drive with the original DVD. A one step process.

[thearm]

Handbreak worked. That's the first application that actually worked. Thanks for your responses gents. I appreciate it.