Easiest method to rip a DVD to a Windows Movie Maker compatible format

[computer2slow]

I'm trying to help a friend rip some homes movies they made on there camcorder a Sony DCR-DVD108. They want to be able to import them into Windows Movie Maker. What is the easiest way preferably freeware to get to a compatibly format Movie Maker can import?. They aren't the most proficient in computers. If there are no free prgrams what are some pay options.

Thank you for reading.

[RCWorldforum]

Yes we are not the most computer savy people but I hope this site can help change that.
I thought I had the procedure down pat with my digital camera but with new camcorder it seems too difficult to us for some reason. I know there has to be an easier way.
I finalize disc and put in putor and open with the Sony program, drag/drop clips I want to desktop, used to convert with Imtoo but trial ran out and showed a Divx trial expired on clip so here I am.
Computer too slow has been trying to help us but I get too confused downloading a bunch of different stuff. Then get frustrated when I cant get them to work.
I don't mind learning a better way or buying programs as long as I know they will work and isn't too hard to do. I only make 5-10 minute movies of R/C's about once a month so...
Thanks in advance for your help.

Dave

[guns1inger]

You have really made life difficult for yourself through the choice of a DVD based camera with no other output method. If you want to maintain image quality, ditch the idea of using Windows Movie Maker, and invest a little extra cash in Womble Mpeg Video Wizard. This will allow you to edit the footage from your camera with minimal effort and no quality loss. If you want to use WMM, then you will have to convert your footage to either DV avi (13 GB/hr) using virtualdubmpeg-2 and the Panansonic DV codec (and you will take a quality hit), or to WMV format with something like SUPER (and take a big quality hit).

Womble is definitely worth the money if you have this type of camera.

[RCWorldforum]

Well on the choice of camcorder I blame my wife! It's what she wanted so you know how that gos...
Is there a better way to get the info from corder to the computer with this model?
On the quality issue-I'm not too concerned with that as I just upload to Youtube but she may want that in future home videos.
Thanks for the reply and how much does a Womble cost and what exactly does it do? Just convert or a whole program to replace Movie Maker and convert too?

Dave

[computer2slow]

Rc follow the link Mpeg Video Wizard. It's $70 but has a trial so you can see how you like it.

[computer2slow]

What is the best way for him to get the it off the DVD? Should they be left as vobs or would it be better to convert the vobs to mpeg2 with VOB2MPG.


Any and all tips are greatly appreciated.

[guns1inger]

I use VOB2MPG when I am editing files from my recorder