DVD to AVI (DivX) playback strangeness

[vvw]

Hi all,

I have recently been playing around with the best (read: simplest) method to convert DVD to avi for backup purposes.

I have narrowed it down to Xilisoft DVDRipper 4, which rips straight from DVD to Divx AVI (or other formats if I choose). It's fairly quick compared to some of the others, and doesn't have too many settings, and squishes files down really neatly. For my purposes (ie: not editing), it has taken much of the process complication out of the equation.

However, I'm having some oddness in playback, as follows:
- Realplayer plays the new AVI without a hitch (16:9)
- WMP plays it at 4:3
- VLC reports an error on opening: "This avi file is broken. Seeking will not work correctly. Do you want to try to repair it? (This might take a loing time)." If I say yes to repair it, it's not excessive time, and the file plays fine afterward, but isn't really repaired, because next time I open it, it has the same error again. If I say no to repairing, VLC will still continue and play the file without any other problems.

I suppose I should be grateful that I have figured out a simple process with a file that generally works. But obviously I would like to be sure that I am creating reliable files, so I am hoping someone can point me to why the file is playing inconsistently across players.

I am running Windows XP with latest codec packs installed.

Any thoughts ideas? I am happy to upload a short avi for people to look at if necessary.

thanks in advance,
~vvw

[Baldrick]

I would try something else like FairUse Wizard together with AnyDVD(to remove dvd decryption) or maybe DVDFab.

[vvw]

Ok thanks I will try it out and see what happens.

[vvw]

Just wanted to say I tried avi.net today and it has worked very nicely! Thanks for the tip.

After testing with about 15 different applications, for anyone who is looking for a simple and reliable solution, this is definitely the one.