Can anyone help me get my DVDs (and features if possible) onto 700 MB CDrs?

[Mister Dark]

Hey everybody, I'm brand new to this and need help. I've tried investigating the matter and testing several programs, but I'm still stuck. here's my problem:

I'm trying to back up my DVDs to CDRs (VCD's as I understand). I want to put the film on a single 700MB CDR for playback on my computer, I don't care as much about dvd player compatability. Quality's not greatly important, as long as it's watchable I'm fine.

Here's what happens: DVD Shrink is cool and I like how I can choose to add stuff like commentary tracks and subtitles. But the smallest I've been able to compress is still like 1.9 GB, obviously too big for burning.

Easy VCD is simple but slow, and even though I tell it to make just one disc at 700 MB, it makes the file 777 MB and doesn't copy anything except the movie itself, no extra audio or subtitles or anything.

So here's what I need to accomplish:

1. An easy to understand way to set the file to automatically be no bigger than 700 MB in size. If the program can do this and is free, I don't care about other features.

2. The ability to fit not just the movie itself, but also subtitles and more than one audio track if possible.


What I DON'T care about:
1. The file type (assuming it's playable on my PC)
2. DVD player compatability
3. Quality (as long as it's at least WATCHABLE).


If anyone can help me, or tell me something I did wrong with the other two programs I mentioned trying, please do. My intent is basically just to cram my dvd films and as much of their features as I can onto a CDr. If this is possible, PLEASE tell me what programs I should use (or what I need to do). But please remember I'm new, I don't know about bitrates and codecs and all that, I just want an easy to understand wa to get a 700MB Avi or MP4 or whatever out of my dvds and I'm happy.

[tweedledee]

Hi, I'm curious, why do you need to do this? It seems like a lot of trouble for no gain (as far as I can see) You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, but I'm just puzzled.

[MOVIEGEEK]

Use Nero Recode(ND).

[ZippyP.]

VCD's are burned mode 2 so you can get 800 MB on a typical CD, so 777 MB will fit.

A Divx-avi will be better quality than a VCD, if that matters at all, although they will need to be less than 700 MB. Autogk can make avi's.

Sorry, I don't know about subs or second audio.

[aedipuss]

if you don't care about how many cds per movie you use i'd cut the movie up with dvdshrink into under 700mb parts and retain DVD quality, multiple audio tracks and subtitles. it's referred to as miniDVD. re-auther with shrink and cut it up on chapter points into cd sized pieces, burn the audio_ts and video_ts folders to cd as data. they will even play on some standalones.

[Mister Dark]

Okay guys, thanks for the replies. Stick with me if you would while I figure this out.

First, the reason I want to backup onto CDr is because I don't have a DVD burner, just CDr/rw. But I have a huge DVD collection and travel a lot, and would like to backup my movies on simple Cds so I don't have to ruin the main copies. I could just copy them onto VHS tape, but that takes more space and I can't switch to commentaries and such, one of my favorite DVD features.

I read something about 777 actually being able to fit onto a 700 MB CD, but it must be burned as an SVCD, and I don't know what that is or even what program uses it. Am I even saying the right terms? Is a VCD in fact a burned movie on a CDr?

As for the quality, I guess I'll streamline my whole purpose: I only want a free, newbie-friendly program that will compress my movies and commentary and subtitles onto one single 700 MB cdr, regardless of the quality and regardless of what file type it is.

I'm just a beginner at this stuff. I know that avis and rms and all that refers to different codecs, I just don't know anything about it. I can play pretty much any file type on my PC, so I just wanted to do just that- transform my dvds into CDrs (as much as can be fit onto one) so I can leave my DVDs at home in good condition.

I'll look at the programs mentioned, but that's more specifically what I mean. I think it's probably a case of something that isn't too difficult but I need to know what programs to use and what to tell the programs to actually do.

Thanks for trying to help, if you would write back and let me know if this makes any more sense.

[aedipuss]

like you said, if you first shrink them to 2.1 gigs or less then you can use shrink to cut them up into 3 cds. or leave it as a full dvd and cut into more parts. use the reauthor function on the main movie, click the |<->| tab and adjust to cut the beginning and end points to just under 700mbs per piece, save as you would for a normal dvd, but burn to cd as "data".

otherwise you will have to re-encode them to a different format. but vcd, svcd, xvid and the rest are not easy to make if you want multiple audio tracks and subtitles.

[Mister Dark]

aedipuss, that's not bad advice, but I do need to limit the movies to a single disc if possible. You bring up a good point though- you mention burning the disc as "data". What burning program are you using that offers this? I have "RecordNOW" which allows the data option but when I drag the 777 MB file over, its stays at 777 and won't fit. How do I burn as a data disc otherwise?

One more point- you last comment is what I mean I suppose. I don't know about re-encoding, but that may be what I'm talking about. I just want to, in essence, take the movie (and extra audio and sub track) off of the dvd and dump it onto my PC, at 700 MB in size, in whatever format necessary.

[manono]

I recommend using AutoGK and the XviD codec. Most movies will compress down to 1 CD with fair quality. Subs can either be "burned" into the video or kept separate (external) for playback along with the movie (separate will allow for somewhat better video quality). Better would be just one audio track done using MP3. A second audio track will compromise the video quality some more, as trying to fit the whole thing onto 1 CD will be pushing it for some movies, but up to you. You might give the audio tracks mono audio with a low bitrate, if you don't care so much about the audio quality.

As mentioned before, making AVI (MPEG-4 and XviD) will give better quality than will a VCD. The AutoGK package comes with all you'll need for encoding and playback.

[whitejremiah]

staxrip (set the output for divx media format, and it's only gonna be compatable with a few dvd players, but it can do what you want it to...mind you the quality may be a little lacking, too, but it will be at least viewable....at least for a normal movie.......)

i've used this program before and it's gonna be the easiest way to go, basically it will tell you that you're missing a bunch of programs then it will have a download button, just download whatever you need, and let it rip (no pun intended) this tool is still quite new in comparison to a lot of other programs mentioned thus far, but it does get the job done, and at least in my opinion, it's actually EASIER to use than the other methods.....

also, mind you, no matter what method you go, you will need to decrypt the dvd first, for this, i recommend dvd fab decrypter...it's free and it will get the job done pretty easily....you will need nearly 10gb of free space open though (at least till your done with the conversion)

[Mister Dark]

Thanks guys, I'll look into what you describe.

I wouldn't mind avi, but it sounds like it'll be a liitle big for 700 MB if I include evrything. I don't even mind shrinking the dvd as a whole, then shrinking it even further with a different program.

I mean, isn't there some program that you can basically just tell to cram the film and a couple features into 700 MB, without concern for quality loss? 'Cuz I guess that's essentially the thing I'm trying to do, and it's almost as if the programs here are all too advanced to care for a simple (and probably uncommon) need such as this.

Anyway I'll look into this further, I've been fiddling for two days now. Thanks again, and please- post anything else you guys think of because I'm not going anywhere!

[whitejremiah]

wanting to compress your movies down is definately not uncommon........i personally have a dvd player that can in fact play divx and xvid files, and it is a very useful thing to have.........i burn several movies to one dvdr myself (generally i aim a bit higher, like 1.4gb, basically the size of 2 cd's) and for example, i can sit down and watch say 3 movies or so in one sitting if i ever got really bored one day......also as a nice side bonus, i dont have to sift through menus and previews just to get to the movie itself.....

[wulf109]

DVD2ONE gives the greatest compression of any transcoder. Much more than DVD Shrink. You might consider making miniDVD's,since you only want to play on your computer. You can convert with DVD2ONE or DVD Shrink.
Trancodeing would be the only thing necessary and would preserve the AC3 sound.

[whitejremiah]

wulf109, that may be so, however by the time you're done compressing a dvd down to 1.4gb in mpeg 2, you're gonna lose a LOT of quality reguardless........may as well just compress it down to a minidvd divx rip instead at that point....

[wulf109]

You can make a miniDVD in 5-6 minutes as opposed 1-2 hours as VCD or DIVX. Since quality was not a high priority I assume speed is.

[whitejremiah]

point taken

[Bob W]

I think the best way (and fastest) to do what you want is to use a program like Pocket DVD Wizard https://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=Pocket_DVD_Wizard

There are several other similar programs that do the same thing. I use it to a DVD movies onto a flash memory card for viewing on a pocket pc. You can get a full movie down to as small as 400 MB (depending on what resolution you select) LOL.

[whitejremiah]

the 5.8 out of 10 rating that the program you suggested...well, im not too sure how well it works myself as i havent used it, but it may be worth a shot....

[Bob W]

the 5.8 out of 10 rating that the program you suggested...well, im not too sure how well it works myself as i havent used it, but it may be worth a shot....

Hmm you know I actually wanted to point you to Pocket DVD Studio https://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=Pocket_DVD-Studio and that was is rated at 9.6 however both programs have worked well for me

[hech54]

Thanks guys, I'll look into what you describe.

I wouldn't mind avi, but it sounds like it'll be a liitle big for 700 MB if I include evrything. I don't even mind shrinking the dvd as a whole, then shrinking it even further with a different program.

Don't forget about 800MB(90minute) CD Recordables...and maybe even larger though I've never used any above 800MB.
They work well with the right burning software and the right burner.
I use TDK 800MB quite often....burn with Prassi Ones.

[FulciLives]

So far based on your needs the best thing would be what manono already said. Use autoGK and use the XviD codec along with MP3 audio (I suggest 128kbps for decent quality audio).

Most movies can fit on a single CD-R this way with the "worse" case scenerio being 2 CD-R discs per a single movie.

autoGK is freeware and a new version just came out the other day.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[kschang]

You can even specify a custom size for AutoGK... Great if you have special media sizes in mind, like memory stick and such.

[Mister Dark]

Wow, I step away for an hour and when I come back, tons of responses! Thanks everyone, I really appreciate all of you trying to help.

You've given me a lot to try. I gave a shot to autogk earlier, but I think something messed up with vobdub or whatever it is- it kept restarting itself and now I can't get autogk to even open. So I'll try that later.

Until then I'll definitely look into what some of you mentioned. I guess speed isn't too important, but right now, yes, I prefer that over quality. I guess it's because I only have an okay PC monitor and laptop, no standalone dvd player (just PS2 and Xbox unmodded) so I don't care much about the quality as long as I can watch my movies and see what's going on. It was mentioned that a full movie could be compressed to 400 MB- that would be fantastic, that's the kind of thing I'm looking for.

Basically, once I find something that puts my films (hopefully with commentaries and subs) onto a CDr (definitely NOT a dvd), then it's all I need. Thanks again for trying, I'll look into this new batch of suggestions. Please keep any ideas coming, one of these methods surely should work!

[Mister Dark]

Crap, those Pocket DVD programs mentioned shortly ago are pay programs. I can only use free programs- not to be cheap but because obviously I'm not sure what will work and I can't afford to experiment. Damn, those were looking good, but thanks.

[Bob W]

Crap, those Pocket DVD programs mentioned shortly ago are pay programs. I can only use free programs- not to be cheap but because obviously I'm not sure what will work and I can't afford to experiment. Damn, those were looking good, but thanks.

I believe they offer a demo but it may be limited to something like 10 minutes of play time so give it a try. Trust me this is the way to go for what you want to do.

[whitejremiah]

really, quite honestly, give staxrip a try, it's free and if autogk couldnt get it done for you, this is probably the next best thing.....

[oldfart13]

Still can't get Staxrip to work on my PIII...it just highlights but never loads even though the latest .net framework is loaded...

[redwudz]

I'll throw in my personal favorite, FairUse Wizard. I use the Xvid codec. It may not have the quality of AutoGK, but for me it's easier to use for DVD to Xvids. As long as the DVD file is decrypted (DVD Fab Decrypter works well for this), just set the CD size and go. I use 700MB most of the time and the video is more than adequate for laptop viewing. There is a freeware version available.

I use the discs on my laptop when traveling. You can also store them on your laptop hard drive or burn several to a DVD data disc as another alternative.

[jman98]

Hech54 - Your post about 90 minute TDK CD-Rs was really interesting. Unfortunately, TDK has chosen not to release such discs in the USA, forcing us to buy 90 minute CD-Rs from any no-name company we can find who makes them.

Some of you might want to look at:
http://www.tdk.com/tecpress/cdmediaces2002.html
where TDK said in 2002 that they will NOT produce 90 minute CD-Rs until there is an Orange Book standard for such discs. I could be wrong, but I think that there still is no Orange Book standard for these discs.

[hech54]

Orange Book Schmorange Book...
....if my software (Prassi Ones) sees these discs as 800MB available to burn....(vs. seeing them as 700MB and the need to overburn)....I see no problems with them at all.
I have made music compilation CD's with them on MANY occasions and they play just like any other CD-R....they even play in my car.
And to be honest I do not have the exact item I pictured...I only have a 25 pack...