Convert DVDs to what format to keep menus?

[David9799]

What format can i convert my DVDs to and keep the menus, bouns content etc? I don't want to loose any pic quality.

[guns1inger]

You can't really convert them and keep everything intact. You could use h.264 for encoding the videos to maintain a good quality level, but it is incredibly slow. Other formats will either suffer some quality drop, or require a lot more space. As for menus etc - what do you hope to do with them ?

[David9799]

As for menus etc - what do you hope to do with them ?

Nothing i just want to keep them and not loose them.

[SingSing]

Use double layer DVDR and make a 1:1 copy.

[guns1inger]

Use DVD decrypter in ISO -> Read mode to create an ISO archive of your disc. It is the only way you can keep it all together without losing quality and maintaining menus etc.

[David9799]

ok say i didn't want the menus etc and only wanted to keep the moive but wanted the movie to look great would would i use? divx?

Something i can play on DVDs to.

[guns1inger]

If you buy a new DVD player that supports Divx playback - even better, one that supports Divx Ultra playback, then Divx is an option. Keep the bitrates high enough and you will preserve most of the quality in about half the space. I certainly would not be aiming for CD size files if quality is high on the list.

For most DVDs it is quite possible to keep the quality very high while putting just the movie on a single DVD5. Using something like DVD Rebuilder to re-encode (if necessary) the movie will get you the best quality. It is surprising the number of commercial discs from major studios that still manage to encode a full 110 - 120 minute movie into less space than a DVD5, even when they release them on DVD9 discs. Once you remove all the menus and extras, many movies fit without any extra compression at all.