What DVDx settings should I use if I want to rip a DVD for sharing ?

[sardu_ralphus]

I have this great DVD of a movie that I cannot find anywhere on Kazaa. So, I feel it is my duty to rip it and post it.

I downloaded DVD Copy plus off Kazaa, and it installed SmartRipper and DVDx. I followed the tutorial and converted my DVD to an MPEG file. However, I am beginning to suspect that the DVDx settings that DVD Copy Plus advocates may not be optimal. For one thing, I notice that most of the movies available for download are in AVI format instead of MPEG. Also, the emphasis in that package seems to be creating a VCD rather than a perfect file for sharing.

So: What DVDx settings should I use instead ? My DVD is North American NTSC.

Also, how do I make sure that the output file is the standard 700MB length that all the other available movies seem to be ? That "volume don't exceed" box seems to function as a file splitter rather than a compressor.

I have installed the K-Lite Codec Pack. I am not a complete newbie, but all these audio/video intricacies look like they are going to take a long time to master. For now, I just want to know what settings to use so I can get that DVD posted quickly.

[DwarfBaby]

You mean rip a DVD for your own personal use Right. You might want rephrase you question.

[zebi]

If it's a long movie you might have to split it.
When you compress you lose quality.
Now, once you have the mpeg file you then convert it to an avi file with a program like tmpgenc(www.tmpgenc.com).
For good quality and file size you should use divx(www.divx.com) or xvid(www.xvid.org) to compress the avi.

[sardu_ralphus]

I didn't say this DVD was copyrighted, by the way.

I see something in the DVDx output settings about being able to output an AVI file instead of an MPEG. Does this work ? What are the settings I should use?

[zebi]

Originally posted by sardu_ralphus
I didn't say this DVD was copyrighted, by the way.

I see something in the DVDx output settings about being able to output an AVI file instead of an MPEG. Does this work ? What are the settings I should use?

I can't tell you what settings to use cause i don't have dvdx.

[Jez83UK]

I am a relative newcomer to dvd ripping, but i was recommended GordianKnot, which is available for download from www.doom9.org . Using this I have created over 20 high quality rips, each fitting on one CD. The software includes everything you need, and you just follow the few simple steps to get a rip of a size determined by you. Wonderful software.

[sardu_ralphus]

Hey that Gordian Knot thing worked ! It took me about four hours to wade through the documentation, figure out the settings, and determine the purpose of each of the 500 programs it comes bundled with, but when I finally started encoding it all came out pretty damn good on the first try.

Thanks !