Converter to AVI?

[jonesnewton]

Hi, any ideas for a AVI converter, I just want to save my DVDs onto my laptop and save some space. I would also like the option of different language / subtitle settings.

Thanks

 

[Crispy]

I'm pretty sure that DivX converter dose that.

 

[johngalt]

AVI is a container, there are more than one type of codec that uses a .AVI extension but are completely different from each other.

That being said, if oyu want goo quality and smaller filesizes, look at DivX (proprietary) or XviD (Free, OS). If you want really good quality and don't care about the file size, look at other formats (including Matroskva containers, aka .MKV) - I have nothing but pure success viewing Blu-Ray rips that were put in an .MKV container, complete with Subtitles for foreign films / anime.

 

[Dark Nova Gamer]

A good free program that I reviewed at MintyWhite was called Daniusoft Video Converter Free.

You can get it here and try it out: Video Converter Free, Free WMV MPEG MP4 MOV AVI Video Converter

 

[johngalt]

I somehow missed part of my post in making this post - thanks for the reply, DNG, now I see it is missing.

A good one that I use is handbrake - HandBrake

 

[Wishmaster]

If encoding your dvds to a file, I would suggest the x264 codec.

Its far more effecient, and has a better quality at lower bitrates than something like Xvid.

I would also suggest using a MP4 container. You will also have the option of using AAC 5.1 Audio, or keep the original AC3.

But x264/AAC in a MP4 container will yield much better results, with reasonable file sizes. At least IMO.

MeGUI and Handbrake are probablly the best choices. Nero Encoder for AAC stereo and 5.1 is a good choice as well to go with them (which is free)

 

[johngalt]

As a matter of fact, at least one of the .MKVs I have is that exact combination - not sure *why* but it is lol...

h.264/AAC3 IIRC....

 

[Arc]

If encoding your dvds to a file, I would suggest the x264 codec.

Its far more effecient, and has a better quality at lower bitrates than something like Xvid.

I would also suggest using a MP4 container. You will also have the option of using AAC 5.1 Audio, or keep the original AC3.

But x264/AAC in a MP4 container will yield much better results, with reasonable file sizes. At least IMO.

MeGUI and Handbrake are probablly the best choices. Nero Encoder for AAC stereo and 5.1 is a good choice as well to go with them (which is free)

That is exactly the settings I use while using HandBrake . It provides the outcome as good as the original DVD with a smaller filesize

In fact, I have used almost all DVD to AVI/DivX/XviD tools , but I love HandBrake

 

[jonesnewton]

If encoding your dvds to a file, I would suggest the x264 codec.

Its far more effecient, and has a better quality at lower bitrates than something like Xvid.

I would also suggest using a MP4 container. You will also have the option of using AAC 5.1 Audio, or keep the original AC3.

But x264/AAC in a MP4 container will yield much better results, with reasonable file sizes. At least IMO.

MeGUI and Handbrake are probablly the best choices. Nero Encoder for AAC stereo and 5.1 is a good choice as well to go with them (which is free)

That is exactly the settings I use while using HandBrake . It provides the outcome as good as the original DVD with a smaller filesize

In fact, I have used almost all DVD to AVI/DivX/XviD tools , but I love HandBrake

So, MeGUI and Handbrake is all I need?
Do I>
RIP with MeGUI and convert with Handbrake?

 

[Arc]

So, MeGUI and Handbrake is all I need?
Do I>
RIP with MeGUI and convert with Handbrake?

Rip with handbrake using the settings prescribed by wishmaster, and no need to convert It will rip your DVD to AVI

 

[jonesnewton]

So, MeGUI and Handbrake is all I need?
Do I>
RIP with MeGUI and convert with Handbrake?

Rip with handbrake using the settings prescribed by wishmaster, and no need to convert It will rip your DVD to AVI

Sounds good.

Will this also get around the copyright - encryption??

 

[Arc]

Will this also get around the copyright - encryption??

In most of all cases
If sometimes not, You may use DVD Decrypter to decrypt it and then apply handbrake to convert it

 

[Wishmaster]

Handbrake and MeGUI are 2 different apps.

Really comes down to preference. They both use the x264 codec, so will be basically the same, except the UI.

I've only used handbrake once so cant speak to much about it.
But if im not mistaken, MeGUI just has alot more options for tweaking the encoder, but a bit more complicated to learn.
Handbrake has a lot of good presets, where as MeGUI is all manual but a little more flexible.
It has things such as EAC3to to extract streams, AC3 encoder, BeSplit, Nero option, Bitrate Calculator, TS muxer, MKV muxer, MP4 muxer, AVI muxer, and many more. Plus a slew of encoder settings.

Or at least it used to be that way, please correct me if wrong. As I said, I havent used Handbrake in a long time so it very well may have changed.


What you will need:
1. One of the 2 x264 GUis. Handbrake OR MeGUI. Which ever you prefer.
2. Avisynth
Avisynth rev. 2 | Get Avisynth rev. 2 at SourceForge.net

3. If you want to use Nero for you AAC audio, Nero - Download the Nero AAC Codec
I find this to be the best Audio encoder for AAC, even 5.1

4. FFDshow. I would highly reccomend Shark007s.
Shark007's FREE Codec solutions - Windows 7 codecs
Just set Use FFDshow in the H264 tab.

That will get your encoder set up. You may need to set the directory in the options to where Nero AAC encoder is located.

And as Arc pointed out, you will need a decrypter.
The one mentioned is a good one. Theres also the option of AnyDVD which works great, but a bit on the pricey side.

Once you get used to the x264, you will not want a Xvid

 

[jonesnewton]

OK thanks.
I have found Ideal DVD to AVI converter, its the only one so far that works, well nearly, it rips the DVD into AVI, but it puts it into individual files rather than just one file?
Is there a way to avoid this or is there some software to convert it?
I have seen on others that you can select to merge into one file..

Thanks again..

UPDATE on my plight>>>>
For info,
if you use this and want to do what I want to you have to select BATCH RIPPING , just found it..And it works well..

Thanks all..

 

[Arc]

Hi Neil !
I would not go with that software. I believe it compromises with quality. When a converter\ripper program emphasize on its speed, you can be sure that it will produce a huge information loss . Have a quick comparison. Convert a small dvd chapter using both the programs and you will be able to see the difference.

All I am saying out of my experience. The so called converters are just not good. All the brilliant converters or rippers come free it may not be Handbrake .... the others like GordianKnot, AutoGK, VirtualDubMob, NanDub, etc all are free. But they maintain the minimum possible quality hamper in the processing . You may ask me why I use Handbrake out of all these .... the answer is Handbrake is easiest to operate .

Ideal, ImToo, Xilisoft, etc a lot of paid converters are available ..... but believe me, if you want quality, you should not use those .

 

[Wishmaster]

I agree with Arc.


If you do not wish to take the time to learn handbrake or MeGUI, & want a One Click type encoder, one other thing I can suggest:

Of all the "make file from DVD " type apps, Nero Recode is, IMHO, one of the better ones. You can simply choose to make a nero Digital file from DVD or set it up via sliders, (Good Quality, Better Quality for video and stereo or 5.1 for sound)

Oddly, Nero Digital = x264 codec inside MP4 container with AAc Audio.

It isnt a free option, but does work quite well for a click and create type app.

MeGUI & Handbrake are still superior in every way & free. Just takes a bit to learn.

 

[Vale]

Arc, can you explain how to rip a dvd to avi using only handbrake please ? i only have mp4 and mkv as output types ?

Cheers.

 

[jessejw]

Hi, any ideas for a AVI converter, I just want to save my DVDs onto my laptop and save some space. I would also like the option of different language / subtitle settings.

Thanks

You can use DVDFab 8 it is not free.
You can also use WinFF, which is free, but I'm not sure about different languages

 

[Wishmaster]

Arc, can you explain how to rip a dvd to avi using only handbrake please ? i only have mp4 and mkv as output types ?

Cheers.

Is there a particular reason you want AVI?

The reason I ask is:
AVI,MP4, and MKV are simply containers to hold audio and video streams. Think of it as a box.
Playback quality itself should not be affect by the container type.

However the types of files they can hold, and how well they support them, does make a difference.

For example, a video encoded with the H264 codec, and audio streams such as AAC or AC3, (especially the H264 codec) the MP4 or MKV would be the superior container.

 

[Arc]

Arc, can you explain how to rip a dvd to avi using only handbrake please ? i only have mp4 and mkv as output types ?

Cheers.

It does not support AVI in the last two versions i.e. 9.5.4 and 9.5.5 But the option is there in version 9.5.3 .

However, I completely agree with wishmaster that MKV is a better container that AVI . So if the encoding is done in MKV, it is a better alternative . Actually I have re-encoded a lot of my movies in MKV format it's cool !!