To just rip the dvd to your hard drive use Smart Ripper.
Takes about 12 min to rip a whole dvd to hd. Then to convert it to vcd/svcd/divx/mpg whatever use what you want. There are many out there you can use, but I prefere DVDx from www.labdv.com

I second that emotion DVDx is by far the easiest one I've ever used. Most of the programs out there only do a portion of the job. So you run one program to decrypt the files from the DVD. Another to convert to AVI format, and yet another to DivX. With DVDx you just install the DivX codec (from www.Divx.com) and then install Divx 2.0. When you click that link make sure you download v2.0, because it's the latest and greatest. I don't think the older versions are more stable they just support fewer drives and formats and do less.

Quote:1XMaxtor 40Gig ATA133/7200RPM
2XIBM 15Gig ATA100/7200RPM in Raid 0 on Raid controller of mobo

Hi Linux Boy,
for clarity and readability you might consider writing:
Maxtor 40Gig ATA133/7200RPM HD (No Array)
2 IBM 15Gig ATA100/7200RPM HDs (Raid 0)
XYZ 123 Brand and Model Integrated ATA100 Raid Controller

By the way I like that you have your system specs as your footer. That will make it easier for others to diagnose your problems. Just don't let anyone find out where you live that looks like a mighty nice PC .
Just a suggestion,
Christian Blackburn

DVDx is free by the way. However the website that hosts it isn't. You can't view the pages, I don't know why he has his stuff hosted there when it's true blue freeware. Strangely everyone is allowed to use the program's messageboard. When you're using DVDx don't use the Zoom feature it'll only distort the characters and or objects in your movie. If you want to crop you video, download the adware supported version of Divx Pro or the 30 dollar commerical version and use the cropping tools in that program instead. If you download the adware version you can remove the CME_Sys.exe from your registry, but you'll need to keep this in there:
 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"Trickler"="\"c:\\program files\\divx\\divx pro codec\\gain_trickler_3202.exe\""
 
Don't worry the program doesn't run it's just a dummy registry value. It's the CME_Sys.exe string value you'll want to yank.
 
Also NTSC films typically need to have following settings forced:
Frame Rate:
NTSC 29.97
[x] Detect 24HZ
[x] Force 24HZ
 
 
Happy Ripping,
Christian Blackburn

Thank you very much for all the replies. I used the Divx program, but the sound didn't seem to be there on the final .avi file. i tried stereo and AC3 options but still no sound.
i don't have the actual dvd disk now but it somehow created the scenes in the temp. folder and i can play thoes at full resolution and sound (even AC3 works, it has a seperate file that i can play with Power DVD XP). It's better than nothing. in fact it is just like the dvd itself with .VOB after it!!!)
 
;( I'm a rokie in this so i have no idea what is going on!!!
 
is there anyway that i could use the .VOB files and convert them to .MP2 or MPG ?
 
thanks again, i appreciate all your responds

Quote:Thank you very much for all the replies. I used the Divx program, but the sound didn't seem to be there on the final .avi file.
I have had a lot of problems getting the audio to come out right, but the thing that's worked the best for me is usually choosing 48HZ NO conversion dolby surround. Another trick is to play the video in another program like PowerDVD and write down whatever the default values are and then apply them when you get back.
Quote: don't have the actual dvd disk now but it somehow created the scenes in the temp. folder and i can play thoes at full resolution and sound (even AC3 works, it has a seperate file that i can play with Power DVD XP). It's better than nothing. in fact it is just like the dvd itself with .VOB after it!!!)



Hmm I don't know what version you have or what you did I've never seen it leave gigs behind in the temp folder. You should delete that or try to process it again. Please make sure you're using the Latest Version of Lame for audio v3.92 , Divx 5.02, DirectX 8.0+, and DVDx 2.0 or higher.
Quote:
It's better than nothing. in fact it is just like the dvd itself with .VOB after it!!!)
Actually that sucks that'll waste 4-8gigs whereas a compressed copy will come out to somewhere between 500-750MB which is much more fun, because then you can burn them to CDs and stop wasting valuable HD space.

Quote:
;( I'm a rokie in this so i have no idea what is going on!!!
Yes and unfortunately what you're trying to do takes a lot of time and practice.

Quote:
is there anyway that i could use the .VOB files and convert them to .MP2 or MPG ?
Run DVDx and choose "File" ---> "Open Ifo"

Quote:
thanks again, i appreciate all your responds
You're quite welcome. You'd be amazed how many people forget to say that .

Hi Guys,
I don't know if ALI got things worked out or not, but I did want to let both of you know about a program I wrote that checks whether or not you have P4 (it only does this once and then it just reads it from the registry), starts up the appropriate .exe, set's the priority to low, and clicks open dvd for ya. It slices, it dices, it's free. Anyways you both are welcome to give it a try: DVDx Launch. And no it's not a virus, but feel free to scan the hell out of it.
-Christian[/url]

i think i'm going to try some more programs that i have been already truggling with!!
Every program i try it has a lack of somesort. Easy Divx does rip the dvd's but i can't get the sound to work. I got another program called Easy DVD, i could never get it to work since the beginning. i think i'm going to stick to my VOB files a little longer.
i'm going to give a last try to this DVDx and see if it works. my brother was working with it and he ended up with nothing. i have to try it myself!!
 
thanks a lot for all your responds, if there is anything else, tricks or something i really appreciate it if you let me know.
thanks again.

Well I'm sure you're missing a setting here or there, but basically I've converted about 12 movies now and have it down to a science. They always come out great once I get the setting right and yes you do have to change them for almost every movie. If you want to paypal me 10 or 20 bucks I'll show you how to do it via TightVNC ( www.TightVNC.com) for 30 minutes or an Hour.
Cheers,
Christian