Rip DVDs to my HD so that I can stream them to my PS3

[joegeis]

Okay, I've been pulling my hair out trying to figure this out but the more I try the more complicated things get! It just seems every time I hit a snag I need half a dozen more programs to fix it. Its like there is no end to this!!

Let me back up for a second. I am trying to rip DVDs to my HD so that I can stream them to my PS3 using Google's PS3 Media Server. Using that particular Media Server means that I do not have to worry about how my avi is encoded and really makes it foolproof for playback. HOWEVER, my headaches are coming from simply creating a working, high-quality avi file.

I have recently been trying to accomplish this with the "Adventureland" DVD. I could not rip the DVD using DVD Decrypter becuase I was getting the I/O error (for the blank/bad sectors regarding copy-protection. I also have AnyDVD, so I used that program instead. It ripped fine. I used AGK to create the avi file and now the audio is out of sync by a few seconds.

I have read many threads about the same problem and most of them say to use Virtualdub to resync the audio and video. However, when I try and open my new avi file with VDM, I get this error, "Couldn't locate decompressor for format 'XVID' (unknown)." I have read thisguide in the "how to" section but this seems to complicated and convoluted with requiring so many programs that it almost doesn't seem worth the trouble.

Can someone help me find simpler way to rip movies to my hard drive for playback on my computer/PS3?

Thank you.

[minidv2dvd]

can you play the xvid avi? try mpc. it sounds a bit strange vdub can't open it if you created it on the same computer. a "decompressor" is part of the codec. COmpressor/DECompressor. try installing the xvid codec and rebooting. then try vdub again. maybe also installing ffdshow would help.

[redwudz]

joegeis, in the future please use a more descriptive subject title in your posts to allow others to search for similar topics. I will change yours this time. From our rules:

Try to choose a subject that describes your topic.
Please do not use topic subjects like Help me!!! or Problems.

Thanks,
Moderator redwudz

And welcome to our forums.

[dbone1]

Have you tried a different format then avi? You can use MakeMKV to create an mkv file which should work with PS3MediaServer or you can throw the DVD into an mpeg (VOBMerge -> VOB2MPG)

[joegeis]

I unistalled the xvid codec that I had previously and installed using the link provided above and restarted. I opened VirtualDub 1.9.6, then tried File > Open video file... > Adventureland.avi, and recieved this error message:

---------------------------
VirtualDub Error
---------------------------
Couldn't locate decompressor for format 'XVID' (unknown)

VirtualDub requires a Video for Windows (VFW) compatible codec to decompress video. DirectShow codecs, such as those used by Windows Media Player, are not suitable.
---------------------------
OK   
---------------------------

I can play the video fine (obviously a/v is out of sync) in WMP11 and VLC (although I cant skip ahead while playing in WMP). I have just tried installing ffdshow using your auto link as you suggested, and nothing has changed, although I have no clue what that is/does or why I installed it or if it needs some configuration (this is the type of thing that had me pulling my hair out in my OP )

@redwudz - my apologies. Thanks for changing it for me.

@dbone1 - no I have not tried any other file type. I was hoping to stick with xvid, as it is what I have used in the past (I used to do this years ago and have ripped many movies to my hard drive with no issues, until now). I will consider it an option if I can't get this to work though.

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EDIT - I just restarted again after installing the mythical ffdshow and I'm getting the same results as above.

[redwudz]

When you open VirtualDub, does Xvid show up on the list under 'Compression'? If not, it's not installed. Not sure why. If you installed ffdshow, it would also show up on the same list. You should be able to configure either codec with the 'Configure' tab there.

[joegeis]

I have installed xvid and ffdshow using the autolinks above after having already installed vdub 1.9.6. Do I need to reinstall it or something?

Is there a way I can make avi files without the audio getting out of sync? That would be better anyways, lol.

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EDIT
Add Make MKV to the long list of applications I have now installed to try and make this work. It is running right now. If it DOES work, then can I just uninstall everything else and use just this one program to make these MKV files to stream to my PS3? What size are these roughly for a full length movie? I also noticed there were basically NO customization features with this program... Seems strange.

I will post back when its done. If someone has more ideas/solutions to my problem, I would love to hear them! Thanks for the input so far.

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EDIT 2
Finished creating the MK2 file. It plays well with VLC and the a/v is perfectly synced! I have not tried streaming it yet though. The file is 4.2GB, which is quite larger than a comparable avi. Did I do something wrong or is that standard? I have 1TB of storage, but would prefer my movies to me no more than 2GB if possible. Any suggestions?

[minerva.thegift]

As I understand it, MakeMKV generally just takes the raw video/audio from your DVD and puts it into the .mkv container. If you actually want to encode it (and thus end up with smaller files) you can use a program like MeGUI (a graphical front end for mencoder) or one of countless other xvid or x.264 encoders (to name just two of the most common encoding formats.) If a 4.2GB file works for you and you don't mind the size, that is going to give you your best video (assuming PS3 Media Server on your computer can stream it fast enough.) I tend to favor compression (x.264 .mkv files are my favorite, but opinions certainly vary there) because I personally don't notice much difference when encoding it and it tends to give me files that are about 1/4 the size of the raw video/audio from the DVD. It's largely a matter of personal preference, though. That being said, I'd be a bit concerned that perhaps PS3 Media Server won't be able to stream that large of a file fast enough to play a video without skipping or something. I don't have any experience with PS3 Media Server, so I don't have any evidence to back that up, its just something that makes me nervous.

[joegeis]

As I understand it, MakeMKV generally just takes the raw video/audio from your DVD and puts it into the .mkv container. If you actually want to encode it (and thus end up with smaller files) you can use a program like MeGUI (a graphical front end for mencoder) or one of countless other xvid or x.264 encoders (to name just two of the most common encoding formats.) If a 4.2GB file works for you and you don't mind the size, that is going to give you your best video (assuming PS3 Media Server on your computer can stream it fast enough.) I tend to favor compression (x.264 .mkv files are my favorite, but opinions certainly vary there) because I personally don't notice much difference when encoding it and it tends to give me files that are about 1/4 the size of the raw video/audio from the DVD. It's largely a matter of personal preference, though. That being said, I'd be a bit concerned that perhaps PS3 Media Server won't be able to stream that large of a file fast enough to play a video without skipping or something. I don't have any experience with PS3 Media Server, so I don't have any evidence to back that up, its just something that makes me nervous.

thanks for the input. It looks like I am back where I started though! I do want encoding for easier playback and less storage requirements. I have used AGK for the encoding and ran into a/v sync problems. I would really rather not have to try and manually re-sync the audio after every rip, so I am trying to find a process that will allow me to rip from DVD to some encoding type (wether xvid or x.264, I don't care). My requirements are that file size for a full length movie be no more than 2GB and the audio is in sync. I'm not asking for a lot here, lol.

You mentioned that you like x.264. Do you have a process that you use for going from DVD to x.264 that you would kindly share? I'm really at a loss here and I am starting to think that there is no "good answer" for ripping DVDs to HD like there used to be anymore.

Thanks

[dbone1]

To encode to x.264 mkv you can use either Ripbot 264 or Handbrake. I have used both and they both work well. Here is a brief writeup I did on Ripbot (i am sure there are many guides out there for using both Ripbot and Handbrake). Honestly, once you figure out the settings that best suit you it is very easy to use.

[joegeis]

dbone - I think an auto-link covered up your link to your write up, because that link only takes me to the download page. Can you re-link for me please?

[dbone1]

dbone - I think an auto-link covered up your link to your write up, because that link only takes me to the download page. Can you re-link for me please?

Yeah, you are right, here it is:

http://www.mediasmartserver.net/wiki/index.php/RipBot264

[joegeis]

thanks. looks pretty in-depth/complicated. I will try and work my way through it when I have some time to dedicate later today. I'm multi-tasking right now, lol.

Thanks,

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EDIT

Okay, I have gone through your walkthrough (simpler than it first looked, thanks) and I am now encoding. I decided to go ahead and use MKv instead of MP4 since I am using PS3 Media Server so that I could keep the higher quality audio. I can't wait to see what the finished product will look like!

I'll post when its done.

Thanks,

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EDIT 2

Well, that didn't work. The audio is off by more than 5 seconds. I'm going to try messing with different settings and see if I get better results, but not too hopeful... Any other ideas? Am I doing something wrong?

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EDIT 3

Tried using the mp4 format with 2.0 sound and it is just as bad. I used the MKV file I created with MakeMKV as the input. Is that okay? The audio was in-sync when I play back the MKV file.

Any more help would be great, lol.

[quicken]

I was in your position not too long ago. I read an article in Maximum PC (Mar '09). It is now online I believe from their website. I stream to multiple xboxes in the house. The program has multiple settings for xbox, ps3, etc. So I am in the process of converting my dvd library to .mp4s on my hdd. I am running a quad and it takes about an hour per movie. If you are running a single core - 12 hours per movie. Handbrake crunches to about 2 gb per file. I stream to large TVs and cant see or hear many differences.

Anyway, I use anydvd to rip the image to the hdd, encode with handbrake, and then stream with twonkymedia. I can access all of my pictures, music, and videos on my hdd.

I hope this helps you. I am trying to do the same thing now with blu-ray.

[joegeis]

thanks, I am giving handbrake a try right now. So far I like the software a lot more than RipBot 264 because it has more options, but the test will be in the output quality and if it is in sync.

I am encoding using MP4, H264 and 2.0 channel AAC, with target output size of 2000MB.

[quicken]

I have encoded many, many, many of my home library dvds. I have had a 1% failure rate where something didn't sync and it was usually my fault by multitasking too much. I don't limit my size in handbrake, I let it compile naturally. Most files result in just under 2000 mb. When you get into longer movies, I have seen the file hit 2800mb. The only trick I have to play with now and again is subtitles. Sometimes it takes a few tries.

[joegeis]

The first one I encoded I accidentally selected the director commentery, lol. Second attempt complete and it is perfect!! I am really glad that I know have a good and fairly simple process for ripping my DVD library!!

1. Rip raw data to temporary location with AnyDVD
2. Encode to H264 and AAC audio (.mp4 shell) with Handbrake (using ffdshow)
3. Stream with PS3 Media Server
4. Make popcorn

Granted I have only done this with 1 DVD so far, so I will post updated results after having ripped some more.

Thanks for all the help!

[joegeis]

FYI - I have been having some troubles with the MP4 format streaming. I get very choppy playback with PS3 media server, although the file itself is pristine. I have started encoding using the MKV shell, H264 video and mp3 audio with much smoother results. Keep in mind I am streaming to a PS3 over wireless G, so for others using ethernet, you probably wont have these issues.

[minerva.thegift]

Keep in mind I am streaming to a PS3 over wireless G, so for others using ethernet, you probably wont have these issues.

I think you're quite right - smaller file sizes are likely easier to stream over this slower wireless speed so .mp3 is probably a better format for your audio (to get the file size down.) In any case, I'm glad you got it working Feel free to post if you run in to any other problems.

For that matter, if anyone else comes across this thread looking for ways to stream to a PS3, post here if you have questions. I think this is mostly resolved, but new questions always seem to pop up.