Newbie help....

[Centropolis]

I've read a few guides on this site about getting a DVD movie onto VCDs or SVCDs. However, I am still quite confused as to what programs I need to do this. I know there are quite a few guides on this topic but that's my problem, I don't know which one works for me. I guess the problem is, too many choices. It seems they all do the same thing but "then I thought to myself..."then why put so many if they are the same?" Some guides only use 2 programs while others use like 4 or 5. What does it mean?

Can someone please direct me to a guide that is the absolute EASIEST steps to get a DVD movie onto two or three VCDs/SVCDs?

[redwudz]

For DVD to SVCD's, look into DVD2SVCD. You can't get any easier.

[ZippyP.]

Easiest isn't best, I like this guide.

[Ripper2860]

Ease into it with the following ...

1. EazyVCD -- It contains all of the programs required and has a very simple interface. It installs several "best of breed" applications -- TMPGEnc (encoder), DVD2AVI (Frame server), BeSweet (audio), VCD IMager (creates ISO files), ChapterXtractor (creates chapters), and VStrip (DVD Ripper/VOB extractor). It is bascically a user friendly "front-end" to integrate all of the products.

** The bundled version of TMPGEnc is not the most current, but works. Also -- it is the FEE version of TMPGENc so the MPEG-2 (SVCD/XVCD/DVD) encoder is only good for 30 days. You must purchase TMPGEnc Plus after the 30 days to do MPEG-2 encodes (XSVCD/SVCD/DVD). The free version will do MPEG-1 (XVCD/VCD) indefinitely.


** It's even easier than DVD2SVCD **

2. If you need more horsepower and flexability w/o losing the unified front-end concept -- go with DVD2SVCD. It contains everything except the actual encoder. It works with TMPGEnc, Cinema Craft Encoder, or Canopus Procoder.

Give either or both a try. They are both quite good!

BTW -- EazyVCD will only do DVD conversions -- not AVI's or WMV's, etc.
DVD2SVCD will do it all!