Uploading DVD Problems

[smassmusic]

I am trying to load a copywritten DVD onto my harddrive. (And I'm not doing so in order to sell it or make any sort of profit.) I used MacTheRipper, then Video Conversion for Mac. Problem is, the movie I wish to upload is in 16:9 widescreen and I'm not sure how to preserve that ascpect ratio. Everytime I try to convert it, there's no black bars on the top and bottom - the picture's just stretch.

Anyone know how to help with this?

[Baldrick]

Moving you to our mac forum section.

[Case]

then Video Conversion for Mac.

Got a link for that?

[smassmusic]

here you go, i downloaded the intel version:

http://www.sharewareguide.net/Audio-Multimedia/Rippers-Converters/video-converter-for-mac.html

[rumplestiltskin]

So what's the file type of the video after you've ripped it? VOB? MPG? Please advise.

[terryj]

wow, the software looks interesting, Seems to handle more than
Visual Hub, but I wonder what it's drawbacks are, such
as plugin dependency, etc.

If you successfully ripped the Main Title using MTR 3.0r14d or f,
then you should be able to load that into MpegStreamclip, fix
timecode breaks, and then export the file out as an .avi
in the proper frame size ratio either 504 x 304, or 544 x 304
maintianing (16:9) sizing.

Not having the program you use, look for a setting that allows you
to control either the frame size, or that allows you to select/deselect
maintaining aspect ratio in your export. Usually as a sub menu
to the Export Menu.

[terryj]

Here for the record, our responses given by the makers
of Video Conversion for Mac, their answers to my questions
are in BOLD:

First, let me say I tried to find a FAQ, but there wasn't any.
It took me to the main page of the software.
So if there is a FAQ, it's well hidden.

Now my questions:

1. I am interested in your software, however I'd like to know what
Plugin Dependecies your software has? Other software such for
converting video on the Mac relies either on Telestream's WMV Player
plugins, ( for WMV and ASF), Perian for Quicktime ( for MKV/OGG/DIVX)
and/or Quicktime's own MPeg-2 Component ( for Mpeg-2/m2v).

1. FFMMPEG is what we uses.

2. In converting WMV and ASF, does your software handle WM11 DRM'd
files?

2.I am sorry that our program can't decode the protected files.

3. How long will you continue to offer Power PC support? With Leopard
(Mac OSX 10.5) fast approaching, I would be concerned that in order
to support the newest Mac OS, you'd drop support for legacy
Power PC machines ( G4's) in favor of only supporting G5's or newer.

3.We can't tell the exact time, but in the next 5 years, we will provide support for it.

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions I look forward
to hearing from you.

so for what it's worth, the software seems to be good for most things,
but IMHO, Perian FLV conversion through QTPRo is more stable,
than through the ffmepg engine,
and MKV support as well, unless you have to embed subtitles,
then Merkonk's software MOKGVM2DVD is the better choice.

The rest of what it does can be easily handled by Visual Hub,
but I'd like to hear about tests as far as as it's speed compared
to Visual Hub in h.264 mp4 conversion ( from AVI, MOV, or M2V),
if anyone has both apps.[/b]