Best software for ripping DVD to VCD/SVCD

[charles_n_t]

Can someone tell me which is the best software to convert from DVD to VCD/SVCD, Where the picture is almost same with DVD.

Thanks

[mats.hogberg]

There's no such thing as a VCD with picture quality almost same as DVD.
High bitrate SVCD's come close, but are still distinguishable from the original without looking too hard.
I'd recommend DVDx for an all-in-one DVD to (S)VCD ripping solution.

/Mats

[poopyhead]

I'd recommend DVDx for an all-in-one DVD to (S)VCD ripping solution.

dunno, heard people complaining about the quality of dvdx (and also weird subtitle problems) seems like dvd2svcd is the all-in-one frontend of choice now.

or just use multiple proggies like i do:
smartripper->dvd2avi->tmpgenc->nero

[dick_p_t]

I'd have to say that Eazy VCD is by far the easiest software to use and still give you the best quality you can get.

I should know, i wrote it.

[mats.hogberg]

I kinda dislike the UI of DVD2SVCD - it's a nightmare to me. Might as well use the programs it's a front for right away... The whole point of a front is to help the user with complex operations using userunfriendly apps - Not just to present the same complexity and unfriendlyness in another way. DVDx isn't that high on the scale of userfriendliness either, but succeds in hiding most of the ugly stuff a little better.
I really enjoy the raw power of command line tools (the more options and parameters the better) but a front is a front, and should make life easier for those who doesn't like command line tools.
Aren't there some human-computer interaction educated people out there on the freeware/open source scene?

/Mats

PS - This went well off topic - Sorry! DS
PPS - Dick - I'd love to try EasyVCD when it supports subtitles... DDS

[Tommybj]

I don't like EazyVCD, because it doesn't support subtiltles.

But I use DVD2SVCD or DVDx.

DVD2SVCD if i want selectable subtitles and DVDx if i only go for one subtitle.

They make the same quality and take almost the same time to encode.

Finally i use VCDEasy to make chapters.

Burn with Nero.

Tommybj.

[guitar_george_skank]

Try this guide for DVD2SVCD:

http://www.doom9.org/mpg/dvd2svcd.htm

I find it very easy to use although I did learn all this stuff by using the individual programs first so I sort of knew what to do. The guide is pretty easy to follow.

Just remember there is no "easy way". I found there was always (and still is) another question just around the corner. Try following as many guides as possible until you come to the right method for you and your equipment.

GGS.

PS I haven't tried EazyVCD as I don't do VCD's anymore but I've heard it's really easy to use. By the way, you can do both VCD's & SVCD's with DVD2SVCD, just like EazyVCD, but DVD2SVCD has the subtitles and is a bit more flexible IMHO.

[mats.hogberg]

That's the usual dilemma - you always have to sacrifice flexibilty on the altar of ease of use (or vice versa). Perhaps that's why I like simple command line tools - they are inflexibility personalized - they mostly do one thing and one thing only, but do it extremely well. By stringing different cmd tools together, you build complex sequences, but each step is simple and easy to learn.

/Mats

[dick_p_t]

FYI i will be adding chapter surport into Eazy VCD as well as ripping to DVD(-R) in the next few weeks.

after witch i will be looking into adding subtitle surport (SVCD and DVD(-R) only)

i can do anything given time and money

[mats.hogberg]

Dick_p_t - I can hardly wait for subtitles! But why only for SVCD/DVD? (I know - because it can be in a separate stream?)

/Mats

[djphotoman]

I'm asking the same question. Has anyone tried the all-in-one program DVD-Squeeze? They advertize no loss in quality to VCD. Any opinions on it? thanks,

David

[mats.hogberg]

"No loss in quality"? Compared to what? Surely not DVD video, 'cause them I can drag them to court for a blatant lie! It's pretty obvious that an MPEG1 at 1/2 the resolution (1/4 # of pixels), at 1/8 the bitrate, can be said to have no loss in quality. Now, I haven't tried DVD-Squeeze, but I see no reason to either. The freeware that's avilable is more than enough to keep me happy.
Now that I look at their site, the screen shots clearly shows that it's EasyDivX (freeware) they are selling. Now, THIS is what I call software pirates!
/Mats

[johneboy]

I kinda dislike the UI of DVD2SVCD - it's a nightmare to me. Might as well use the programs it's a front for right away... The whole point of a front is to help the user with complex operations using userunfriendly apps - Not just to present the same complexity and unfriendlyness in another way.

Personally, i like DVD2SVCD, not for its friendly UI, but because instead of having to be at my computer for each step...
1. Rip DVD - 30min
2. Process D2V file in DVD2AVI - 30min
3. Test CQ values in TMPGenc for optimal size/quality - 30min to 1 hour
4. Encode with TMPGenc - A long $#@*ing time

So, for me, its great, cause all i do is pop the DVD in, load the INI file with my settings, and go to bed, and 24 hours later, i have my VCD mpeg

[guitar_george_skank]

Can CCE be used as the encoder with EazyVCD or is it just TMPG?

GGS.

[dick_p_t]

TMPGEnc Only at this stage, i will look at other encoders at a later stage

[mats.hogberg]

Personally, i like DVD2SVCD, not for its friendly UI, but because instead of having to be at my computer for each step...

That part was taken care of long before we started complicating matters with GUI: .BAT-files!

/Mats

[djphotoman]

forgive my ignorance in asking this, but once I make a VCD from a DVD with Eazy VCD, what's the best way to make a second VCD copy? Just copy from the VCD to another CD-R? using Windows Explorer?

[Executioner]

DVD2SVCD for me, but I've used the other method also: manually running each program. I like DVD2SVCD because all I do is insert the DvD and alter the bit rate depending on how many CD's I would like to use.

[guitar_george_skank]

djphotoman:

Just use Nero or some other CD writing software to make a "CD Copy" of your VCD.

GGS.

[djphotoman]

Okay, thanks. Got a couple more questions:

I first did a "lowest quality" DVD rip to VCD and I see when it plays back it is the wrong aspect ratio, that is, it's taller than it is wide. Do I have to set the proper aspect ratio from the start?

2nd question, I also did a "highest quality" (which took forever) and forgot to select select "Split" to CDR 80mb and so it made just one large mpeg file. So, now my cd burn program won't allow the burn since the file is too large for the CDR. My question is, do I have to restart from the beginning, or is there a way I can split the large Mpeg file I have now onto 2 or more CDRs without having to run DVD rip again?

thanks for the help!

David

[guitar_george_skank]

Q1. In TMPG, on the video tab, select 4:3 (PAL or NTSC depending). On the Advanced tab select 16:9 display (assuming your DVD is a 16:9 one which it sounds like it is). Make sure you also select "Keep Aspect Ratio (Full Screen)" for the video arrange method also in the advanced tab.

Q2. Open up TMPG and select MPEG Tools from the file menu. Select the Simple De-multiplex tab and load your mpg file. This will split the file into the video (.mpv) and audio (.mp2) parts which you can then put back together again using bbMPEG. bbMPEG also gives you the choice however to split across discs. See the following guide for bbMPEG.

http://www.vcdhelp.com/bbmpegedit.htm

This is for SVCD (MPEG2) but the principles are the same. Instead of selecting SVCD just choose VCD (or MPEG1 of your making an XVCD).

Hope this helps.

GGS.

[djphotoman]

thanks GGS, I tried what you said for fixing the aspect ratio, but it still plays back the same way: (about 2:1 veritcal:horizontal). It plays back on the tv set (or on the pc monitor) with two black lines on the left and right of the video. Everything looks a little stretched in the vertical. The DVD is not a movie, it is a recording from videotape of a dance competition. I purchased the DVD (very expensive) and want to make a backup copy to VCD for my dance partner. She said we could just copy to videotape, but I tried to explain to her that can't be done (easily anyway).

David

[guitar_george_skank]

Load the ripped .vob files into DVD2AVI and press F5. Look at what it says in the statistics window. Does it say 4:3 or 16:9?

GGS.

[mats.hogberg]

djphotoman,
I see no reason why it'd be hard to transfer the DVD to VHS - Chances are good for that there's no MacroVision on the DVD, and even if it is, maybe you can find / already have a hack to disable it on your DVD player. Then just hook the DVD to the VHS, hit play and rec respectively, and take a cup of coffee!

/Mats