Converting VIDEO_TS for backup!

[cookieme]

Hi

What is the best settings for converting VIDEO_TS for storage? I'm looking for minimal quality decrease. Also I'm not sure whether to keep special features and subtitles. Is there anyway all this can be done?

THanks

[yoda313]

Hello,
Is it on the disc or the harddrive (and size, over 4.7gb?) If its on disc use dvdshrink. If not use a divx encoder and make it any size you want .
Kevin

[cookieme]

I've ripped the dvds to my harddrive using mactheripper!

[major]

Open the VIDEO_TS folder from your hard drive in ffmpegX and select the DivX preset. Hit encode.

[cookieme]

major should I ignore the special features and subtitles? When I select the divx preset as shown on your web site, should I add any extra options or just go with the preset? Once I've converted to divx what is the best player to use? Should I use quickime but then i need a divx codec?

[thoughton]

When you say 'storage', do you mean storing them on a harddrive or on removable media? If media is it tape, CD, DVD, what?

[cookieme]

Harddrive!

[thoughton]

In that case just do what Major said.

As far as playback goes, VLC is good if you dont want to install any codecs. Otherwise I would suggest Cellulo but you'll need the appropriate QT codec for whatever you're playing back.

[cookieme]

How about using mplayer which gets installed with ffmpegx? Also if I follow what major says I still haven't got answers for what to do with special features and subtitles, as well as whether to add settings to the divx preset to enhance quality etc!

[major]

Subtitles should be extracted as VobSub files (.idx/.sub pair) with the "Extract" button. Additional features can be kept only if they are video streams (no interactive stuff), by setting the "Title" number and encoding them separately. To get more quality, enable the checkboxes in the options tab. See the online manual to know what they mean. Use the PSNR tool to measure the quality increase vs encoding speed decrease for each option.

[thoughton]

How about using mplayer which gets installed with ffmpegx?

If you want to use mplayer go right ahead. If you want suggestions I'm suggesting VLC or Cellulo.