Converting DVD disks to mp4

[ranchhand]

This question probably has been asked many times, but here goes:
I have a lot of DVD backed-up movies, and since DVD is going the route of the dinosaurs, I would like to convert them to mp4 and hopefully they will play on the new Sony TV I just ordered from a flash drive plugged in to a USB3 port on the TV.
My problem is converting them to mp4; I tried Format Factory (ok, don't laugh) and the result would not play. VLC and Windows Media Player would not load them.
I could create ISOs but I doubt the TV would load an ISO (my computer does just fine, but a TV is not a computer).
In addition, would Cinavia still create a problem with converted mp4 files?
Thanks....

[johns0]

Use vidcoder to convert to mp4 or mkv,cinavia is only an issue if you play through a sony or similar blu-ray/dvd player.

[ranchhand]

Thanks...I'll give it a whirl.

[ranchhand]

Thanks johnsO, it's a great app! One question (now you knew that was coming, right?
[Attachment 84096 - Click to enlarge]
The audio was so I could only hear it with volume turned up to max on my computer.
The help video was good, I see where the audio gain can be increased [path: Picker Custom / Custom / 1/2 audio track(s): English / Pick the "gear" icon / Gain(dB)

[Attachment 84097 - Click to enlarge]
Can you give me a good setting number that you think is standard for a video? It would save me a lot of encodings to find a good setting.
Thanks for your help, much appreciated.

[johns0]

Use audacity to find out how strong or weak the signal is and increase or decrease it if needed.For video choose a setting and encode a bit and do this a few times with different settings to see the video results.

[Santiago]

Shutter Encoder and HandBrake are free video converters.

[ranchhand]

Thanks to you both.

[cholla]

I have not used vidcoder.
I did observe this from the image:
You went from AC3 5.1 448 kbps to aac stereo 2 channel 160 kbps.
maybe johns0 can tell you how to keep the original audio with vidcoder.
I believe that will have as good of audio as the video did before the conversion.

[johns0]

To keep the original audio in the settings panel choose passthrough.

[Sharc]

Can you give me a good setting number that you think is standard for a video? It would save me a lot of encodings to find a good setting.

Try in steps of 3dB, means like 3dB, 6dB, 9dB ..... Don't overdo as it may result in clipping (=distortion).
Or as suggested simply tick "passthrough" to keep the original audio.

[ranchhand]

Thanks to all again, appreciated. Passthrough sounds like he easiest way to start.