A tool that does it all...correctly!!!

[bdirks]

I don't have time to search through all the posts on this thread so I'm just gonna ask the question:
Is there any software out there that will convert a video file to any other format reliably?

I've bought and paid for DVD Fab, DVD Catalyst, AVS, and tried several other freeware "solutions" but none of them do what they advertise!

I want to convert a Blu-ray movie so it'll play on an iPhone, iPad, NookColor, Zen Vision W or any other gadget I may have. I have the software that'll rip the Blu-ray movie and I've paid for the software that claims it'll convert a video file to NookColor but when I run the ripped video file thru this software and copy it to my NookColor, the NookColor says it can't play the video.

Can anyone recommend a piece of software - that doesn't require a software graphics genius to use - that will convert an .M2TS file to an .MP4 file correctly that will actually play the device I'm aiming for.

And!!!!
I don't want to have to install 5 freewares that have no documentation and have to be run in a certain order and then pieced together with a file splicer! Criminy! It's got to be easier than this!

Thanks for any help I can get.

[mrswla]

I don't have time to search through all the posts on this thread so I'm just gonna ask the question:
Is there any software out there that will convert a video file to any other format reliably?

No.

Can anyone recommend a piece of software - that doesn't require a software graphics genius to use - that will convert an .M2TS file to an .MP4 file correctly that will actually play the device I'm aiming for.

Bdrb can create mk, mp4, and/or dvd from m2ts.

[Moontrash]

handbrake

[bdirks]

I don't mean to be ungrateful but I've tried this one and it requires ffdshow, Haali Media Splitter and avisynth. Not exactly what I'm looking for. Plus it's in BETA. There are so many products out there that claim they can convert any video file to any other format and they have templates like iPhone 4, iPad, NookColor, Zen Vision W, Blackberry, PSP, XBox, etc. Most of them actually convert my video file so it'll play on my selected device but none of the conversions fill the screen of the device I play the converted file on. So why would I accept that and watch a movie that displays even smaller than the device's screen?
And when I choose a custom resolution and/or frame rate, the video won't even play. So who are these people writing this software? Do they think we're just idiots and we'll accept whatever crap they throw out there? If I'm paying for software, it had better work!

More suggestions please.

Or hey, I'm actually a programmer but I've never done this kind of development. Is there an open source group out there that's working on video conversion tools that needs a hand with GUI development? I'm very much into making software easy to use and intuitive. Lemme know.

[Moontrash]

Staxrip does pretty much the same as Handbrake but a few things more. It can be used to trim a file to the rez u want I believe. Does it to mp4 also

no software is dead on 100%

[mrswla]

it requires ffdshow, Haali Media Splitter and avisynth.

All three of these run with no input from you, so basically it's like they're part of bdrb. I have used bdrb many times to convert bluray's into ipod and ipad videos. All of them fill the screen. It may be in beta, but it's one of the best programs out there!

[orsetto]

There is no Swiss Army Knife that will work the way you want. If they're simple and self-contained, they screw up, if they're versatile and more accurate, they require a galaxy of support codecs. Do not blow off the suggestion of Handbrake: its a killer program that has been available for years on multiple platforms. Its kinda slow, but usually very accurate with conversions and excellent at maintaining lipsync audio (which tends to get munged even more than the video with other converters). Handbrake is always in Beta, because its never stagnant and always evolving, don't be put off by Beta. Try it.

Another alternative is the SlySoft suite of AnyDVD-HD decrypter, and CloneDVDMobile converter. These are payware and not cheap, but offer 30 day free trial. CloneDVDMobile is self-contained with canned settings for various phones, iPods and portable devices. It works very fast (about 3x) converting DVDs to mobile files and usually does a decent job. I don't think the current version can create Nook files, thats pretty bleeding edge, I didn't even know the Nook could play video at all! But SlySoft updates frequently, they'll probably offer a Nook setting soon, or you could check the list of existing settings to see if one comes close to what the Nook requires.

[Cornucopia]

OP: That's like asking, "which Swiss Army Knife will take care of ALL of my home repair & construction needs without effort or fail?"

Use the right tool for the right job and get a good range of tools in your toolkit. (and learn the ropes some more)

Scott

p.s. Sometimes it's NOT always easier than this.

[Nelson37]

Your main request of "filling the screen" is a good example of where the problem lies.

In Many, but not all, cases, "filling the screen" would be considered by most to be the WRONG thing to do. Read up on Aspect Ratio.

[bdirks]

Then what's the screen for if not to fill it with your video? Every sample video I've ever run on any device always fills the screen. These are wide-screen devices, so the video should fill the screen.

I've been messing with converting videos off and on for a couple of years now with little success to show for it. Hence the frustration with having to have half a dozen different pieces of software to try to accomplish what in today's world would seem to be a routine task. Especially when you have web sites out there touting their product as being the one tool that can do it all.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I guess I'll try Bdrb and see what happens.

[jagabo]

Then what's the screen for if not to fill it with your video? Every sample video I've ever run on any device always fills the screen. These are wide-screen devices, so the video should fill the screen.

Most widescreen movies have an aspect ratio of ~2.35:1 not 1.78:1. So they should not fill a 16:9 display. The closest common movie aspect ratio is 1.85:1. It's pretty much only recent TV shows that are shot 16:9.

[TimA-C]

I don't have time to type anymo

[filmboss80]

I don't have time to type anymo

And I'm much too important to be bothered with the kinds of tasks other people must perform.

[PuzZLeR]

Tools like HandBrake, StaxRip are some of my suggestions as well, even SUPER. But none will do it all.

The more "all-in-one" an app is, the more "jack of all trades" but "master of none" it becomes - used for simplicity not superior results.

For superior results? Use a dedicated app for the job. An all-in-one typically omits some nice features due to conflict or clutter.

BTW - The new HandBrake release is available this week.

[ricardouk]

my suggestion:
rip the disc with dvdfab hd decrypter

and then use either of these tools:

1- if you know what each device plays i recommend Avanti as you can "fine tune" a lot of options

2- Xmedia recode has a lot of conversions profiles for dozens of devices from mobile phones to ipods etc.

3- Format factory, altough i dont use use it, lots of people recommend it, i prefer self contained apps like the previous ones

4- SGI Video Converter, similar to xmedia recode but with fewer profiles
https://www.videohelp.com/tools/SGI_s_Video_Converter

5- theres also xvid4psp altough it depends on other apps you get everything with the installer

6- for h264 videos you can try staxrip, handbrake, VidCoder but they're h264 "oriented" tools.

[edDV]

The OP is a prime candidate for a pay service. Netflix comes close for wide player support. There will be more solutions for those willing to pay.

The cable and sat providers are getting the message allowing you to get your channel subscriptions over IP. Then there is Slingbox.

So do the work or pay for service.