Choosing the best program for the job... DVD to x264

[hardy]

I always copy the main movie but some are still over 5GB so I wanted to use either SUPER or StaxRip to shrink them down to 2GB - 3GB to fit on a single layer disc. My output format will be H.264 (x264) with the original audio if I can. I'd rather not compress the audio if that's possible. Which program is best for the job?

[Calidore]

You ever hear of that ancient curse, "May you live in interesting times"? Super is an interesting program put out by interesting people. I'd recommend going boring.

Staxrip I'm not familiar with, but I'll point out that Virtualdub is a hell of a lot smaller and doesn't require the .NET Framework. For DVD to AVI I personally use current Virtualdub + its MPEG2 plugin (chains the VOBs as a virtual movie file) + x264vfw. Very simple generally, plus makes it very easy to convert PAL DVDs from 25 fps to 23.976 non-destructively (hate the effect of the speedup, especially on the sound).

Best,

Calidore

[johns0]

For dvd to avchd i use handbrake to encode to mkv and use multiavchd to author.

[hech54]

Although H264 is a fantastic compromise between retaining original quality and file size...I don't understand why anybody would convert a 5GB movie to H264 when it is so close to fitting on a DVD as a DVD thus leaving you the ability to play on ANY DVD player. I also can't think of any DVD transcoding program (like DVDShrink) that alters the audio in any way...so again that is another non-issue to me.
I don't get it.

[jagabo]

Xvid4PSP. Or DgIndex + AviSynth + x264 + MkvMerge (for MKV) or Yamb (for MP4).

[hardy]

Would it be easier to use the DVD9 to DVD5 option with CloneDVD or DVDFab? Is their output quality going to better than encoding to x264.

[hech54]

Is their output quality going to better than encoding to x264.

The question is....What do you have that will play the x264 video file? An x264 video file burned
to a DVD is NOT a DVD.

[hardy]

That's all I needed to know Transcoding DVD9 to DVD5 with CloneDVD will work just fine lol

[hech54]

DVDShrink is free.

[tigredefogo]

My two cents:

>>> DVD to x264

XviD4PSP

>>> DVD9 to DVD5

DVDShrink

Both are free.