VIDEO_TS to .avi conversion help?

[itsjamesd]

Facts about me:
- Newbie in DVD Ripping.
- Mac user.
- Also have access to Windows XP. Last resort though.

I already have a software to rip DVD's and get VIDEO_TS output folders.
I'm looking for a software to convert the "movie only" from the VIDEO_TS folders into .avi video file and .srt subtitles file.
Is this conversion I want possible with lossless quality?
If lossless quality is out of the question what software can provide the least quality loss possible?
If the output file after the conversion is large in size I don't care.
I only want to achieve the best quality possible.
Also between .avi, .mp4, .mov and all the rest video types, which one of all is the best for quality?

Thanks in-advance.

[Case]

I'm looking for a software to convert the "movie only" from the VIDEO_TS folders into .avi video file and .srt subtitles file.

D-Vision v3 or v4 is good for conversions to AVI. So are Visual Hub, its replacement(s), ffmpegX, MPEG Streamclip and a few others.

Is this conversion I want possible with lossless quality?
If lossless quality is out of the question what software can provide the least quality loss possible?

Converted video is different from its source, therefore there is quality loss. The quality of a conversion is mostly determined by bitrate in combination with a specific codec, regardless of which software you use.

If the output file after the conversion is large in size I don't care.
I only want to achieve the best quality possible.

Then keep the VIDEO_TS folder. 100% quality.

Also between .avi, .mp4, .mov and all the rest video types, which one of all is the best for quality?

H.264 MP4 is about as good as it gets. HandBrake can let you make such a conversion with ease.

[itsjamesd]

D-Vision v3 or v4 is good for conversions to AVI. So are Visual Hub, its replacement(s), ffmpegX, MPEG Streamclip and a few others.

All of that software mentioned above is Mac compatible, right?
If it is I guess I'm going to give a try to D-Vision, since you mentioned it first.

Converted video is different from its source, therefore there is quality loss. The quality of a conversion is mostly determined by bitrate in combination with a specific codec, regardless of which software you use.

So, if I understand correctly, from a certain VIDEO_TS folder, the outcome conversions to .avi will always be the same regardless of the software I use?
Might be a silly question, but that's how I got it. :/

H.264 MP4 is about as good as it gets. HandBrake can let you make such a conversion with ease.

In order to use HandBrake will I need the software that converts VIDEO_TS to .avi too?
As in, firstly convert VIDEO_TS to .avi and then use HandBrake to convert the .avi I got to H.264 .mp4 or I simply use HandBrake to convert the original VIDEO_TS folder to H.264 .mp4 without bothering with the .avi software at all?

Thanks for the help, you were extremely helpful.

[Case]

All of that software mentioned above is Mac compatible, right?

Yes.

If I understand correctly, from a certain VIDEO_TS folder, the outcome conversions to .avi will always be the same regardless of the software I use? Might be a silly question, but that's how I got it.

Many software packages can convert to both high quality large files and lesser quality small files with higher compression. The quality is in the settings, not in your software package of choice.

... or I simply use HandBrake to convert the original VIDEO_TS folder to H.264 .mp4 without bothering with the .avi software at all?

HandBrake will happily convert from VIDEO_TS. No need to go to AVI first.

[itsjamesd]

Ok, thanks A LOT for the help. Appreciate it.