grab a clip, convert and compress in one shot

[hard_hook]

Is there software that will enable me to grab a clip from a dvd (not protected) using a time code, convert the clip to an MPEG and compress the clip all in one pass?

If not what is the best combination of software products to do this?

Thanks
HH

[jimmalenko]

AVISynth should allow you to do this using a combination of the DGIndex.dll plugin and the Trim() command. Basically you configure your script with the starting and ending frame numbers, then open that script in your favorite encoder and it should allow you to open your selected VOB(s) straight off the DVD, and encode your selected sections to MPEG.

The question must be asked though - what's your end use for this ? Is MPEG diabolically important, or would Divx / XviD be sufficient ?