One simple DVD 2 SVCD Solution?

[mmitchell_houston]

I'm exhausted from work, and from messing with running 3-4 apps just to rip a DVD to (S)VCD.

Normally I read the forum for answers, but I gotta know... is there ONE DAMN PROGRAM that will actually rip a protected DVD to an SVCD (even if it takes two or three CDRs to hold the finished movie?).

I would love to capture chapters and menus, and I'd even be willing to pay $50 for the app.


I'm just TIRED of messing with Smart Ripper, DVD Copy Plus, and all this crap just to get the job done.

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I'm tired, but REALLY am willing to listen...

[hwoodwar]

I personally prefer DVD2SVCD. It can be used as a "front end" to TMPGenc, or CCE. It has all the necessary programs included in it except for TMPGenc or CCE. It's interface can be overwelming at first as it has a lot of options. Fortunately, like 99 percent you can leave at default. To use it:

1. Install DVD2SVCD
2. Go to the encoder tabbed page and select CCE or TMPGenc
3. Browse to the executable file for CCE or TMPGenc
4. Select the rate control mode (I prefer 2-Pass VBR)
5. Select the motion search precision setting (I prefer high quality)
6. That is all the setup you need to do. I personally do one more step. On the bitrate tabbed page I set all the CD sizes to 800mb and use 2 CDs

To begin to rip a DVD go to the Conversion tabbed page.
1. Click on the open folder icon on the IFO file, line
2. Browse into the Video_TS folder on the DVD
3. Select the VIDEO_TS.IFO file and click open
4. Click the CD icon on the IFO file line, the audio tracks should display after a few seconds
5. Click Go and then rip and convert
6. At the "Continue?" window click OK and the process starts
7. When the DVD2SVCD (displays on screen automatically) log indicates the program is finished (using my settings it takes about 14-18 hours on a 1gig system for a 90 minute movie.) The CD images will be stored in the movie subdirectory/folder. Use VCDeasy, Nero, or whatever you nomally use to burn the images to CD.

DVD2SVCD will copy over the chapter points (just press the advance to next chapter, or chapter number on your remote.) It does not transfer over menus and other extras.

[gmatov]

mmitchell,
Get a copy of DVDx 2.2 and go to town.
I've tried a ton of progs and this is THE easiest to use. It will rip and convert from the DVD as well as files ripped to your drive, if you are short of time for that session, and will convert a 2 hour movie DVD to 2, 3, or 4 CDs, depending on your settings, and your quality desires, in 2 to 4 hours.
I just went thru an exercise with DVD2SVCD that took about 20 hours, what with asking me, while I was asleep, if I wanted to do this or that, and the result was 30 Gigabytes of data that I could not burn into a viewable movie backup. NONE of the files are of any use. I'll stick with the plain old, newbie technique of using DVDx. At least I get something to burn, and it is damn nea r DVD quality. Give it a try, but you might get the purists mad if it works for you.

[mmitchell_houston]

hwoodwar: Thanks VERY much for the details explaination. I really appreciate the time and effort you put into being so clear. I've saved the text for future use on projects where I am worried about quality. Your comments went way beyond the call of duty. Thanks.

But, I'm gonna try DVDx 2.2 and see if that can get it done in one simple step. Thanks for the suggestion, gmatov, I appreciate the suggestion.

Aside from me just being lazy, I'm also trying to find a one-step solution for a friend who has zero video / RIPPING knowledge, and isn't good at picking this stuff up. Whereas I can just sigh and use three or four apps to get the job done (TMPGenc is one of my fave apps), he'll just cuss and quit.

Thanks again, guys. I really appreciate it.