DVD directly to ASF?

[Anonymous65]

Is there a software converter that will read a DVD with AC3 audio and convert the audio/video on the DVD directly to the Windows Media format?

[jimmalenko]

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=276275 might assist.

[Anonymous65]

Thanks for the link, but no software listed that will do it in one step. I have found several converter software packages that say DVD to Windows Media, but they don't specify if it will do AC3 audio from the DVD or just mpeg audio.
Here is one software package, http://www.allformp3.com/dvd-to-wmv.html Has anybody used it?

[jimmalenko]

Good lord! I just followed that link and I see that they're actually recommending programs such as DVDSanta, Xilisoft Video Converter, WinAVI, DVD Cloner, etc etc.

IMHO, most "one-click-wonder" software isn't worth your time and pain. While simplifying the process almost unbelievably so that anyone could do it, you have to lose something, and unfortunately, you lose options, flexibility, and as a result of this, more often than not, quality.

But, if you're happy with what you get out, then good for you

From that link I gave, p_l recommends TMPGEnc Xpress, which allegedly can do it all in one (but I think you'd probably need TMPGEnc's AC3 plugin though).

[Anonymous65]

Thanks for pointing out some converters that I thought were mpeg only, like TMPGEnc Xpress. My TMPGEnc Plus copy will not open AC3 audio, it can encode to it with the plug-in, but not open any AC3 audio. Perhaps Xpress can also open AC3 audio?

[jimmalenko]

I'm pretty sure all TMPGEnc products need the AC3 plugin to decode/encode AC3. I guess if that's not an option then you could always decode the audio to WAV then use that as your source.