How to convert VIDEO_TS to DIVX or else with 2 languages in stereo

[djdan]

I have numerous unprotected DVDs that I want to put in a safer format (Hard drive) in either divx or Mp4 but they mostly have 2 languages. Is there a free or cheap way to convert the VIDEO_TS to some good file format (Windows Xp or 7). I tried some softwares but they always convert to only one language. Is there a file format that can hold the video stream plus two stereo audio stream, so that if I have to re-author the DVD with that file, I will still be able to have both languages to choose from when played on TV. Thanks a lot . Dan

[nic2k4]

... so that if I have to re-author the DVD with that file, I will still be able to have both languages to choose from when played on TV.

People convert DVD to DivX to play the movie on different media player (ipad, wd live ...), if you only want to archive the DVD use ImgBurn to make an ISO file (and save it to an NTFS drive). That way you will preserve the quality and features of the DVD; encoding between compressed (lossy) video formats will decrease the quality, doing it more than once makes it worse.

[Baldrick]

If you really want mp4/divx then try handbrake or vidcoder. They can keep several audio tracks, in either a mp4 or mkv. Just add more audio tracks under the audio tab. But you will lose quality by shrinking the video to mkv/mp4 h264 video...and it's not good to convert it back to dvd.

[djdan]

Thanks for the reply. As for the first one, I prefer to convert them because I have a lot to backup. And I don't mind losing a bit of quality. What would be the best converted format to have the smallest files but best quality and also by keeping the 2 stereo languages tracks. And finally what would be the best program to do it (Even not free) . Thanks a lot to all. Dan

[nic2k4]

Thanks for the reply. As for the first one, I prefer to convert them because I have a lot to backup.

Ok, but it's still not clear whether you intend to use the backup files for playback or only for safe keeping so you can make replacement DVD's. Making ISO files of your DVD's is a lot faster than converting them, but that would limit your playback possibilities. As Baldrick pointed out MKV or MP4 are good formats to use for multiple language and the files can be view with many DVD/Bluray/media players.

[djdan]

Hi! and thanks again. It's just to make a safe backup. To make ISO would lead to a near 4.5 Gigs, and as files that can come up to half of that or less . I don't mind the speed nor losing some quality, as it's only for backup , in case of........ So If I use MKV or MP4, then what would be the easiest or best software (Free or cheap) to do the job. And as that may surely be in a near future, I'll be able to play them directly on TV via USB KEYS as they are already in file format.

[nic2k4]

That's correct. The key is to choose a format that you will be able to play on your TV, check the user manual. Keep in mind that MKV and MP4 are containers that can use many CODEC's. Also, Xvid is like DivX, but open source and both are better suited to DVD resolution. Once you have your collection converted to files you can put the DVD's in storage.

[djdan]

Thanks for the tips. I will try Handbrake and vidcoder this weekend. As last questions, you state something about Xvid and divx and it bugs me more now. What would be the best format then, as I may use it in the future as files.