I spent a lot of time trying to figure out which resolutions were best for which aspect ratios when converting my DVDs to h.264 iPod video MP4 files

I made a little webpage, plus an excel file to handle the calculations if anyone else is needing help with this. To use the excel file: simply put in the Aspect Ratio of the DVD (if you don't know, you can usually look on the dvd or the case or google the movie title + "Aspect Ratio"), then enter a width (must be a multiple of 16 - a chart of multiples is included) - the excel file will automatically calculate the closest height for the given width and tell you which encoder to use (H.264 or MPEG) in Handbrake.

thanks to all the people on the VideoHelp and iPodLounge forums that helped me get this stuff straight

more info, plus the best settings are here:
http://cuestreetstudios.com/projects/video/

--bp

brandonjp%20-%20handbrake%20-%20dvd2ipod%20-%20aspect%20ratio%20guide.xls