DVD ripper?

[cdeemer]

Anybody recommend a free or inexpensive DVD ripper? I want to convert a DVD to mpeg or something I can put on the web. Thanks!

[Steve Grisetti]

Well, those VOBs on your DVDs are MPEGs, Charles. So you don't need to convert them.

You might try just copying the VOB/MPEGs to your hard drive and then using Windows MovieMaker to edit them. It offers a variety of output formats, including WMVs, which are ideal for displaying video on the web. And, best of all, the program is as stable as they come. It may not be flashy, but it runs like a top.

Unless we're talking, of course, about copyrighted and copy-protected DVDs, of course. Those are a whole other issue...

[cdeemer]

Far out. Thanks, Steve!

[cdeemer]

Steve, is there a reason you suggested MovieMaker and not Elements for editing the VOB?

[Steve Grisetti]

It's more likely to work more efficiently.

[cdeemer]

If I try to import a vob into MovieMaker, it won't accept it because it's not an accepted format.

If I double click on a vob, I get a conversion utility Prism ... which I assume is what I use to convert them to mpeg first? but you said .... I'm a complete ignoramus about all this.

I have 4 vob files, the first 3 a bit over IG in size and the last 700M. What I'm trying to do it put a DVD of a play of mine, which was made from a VHS (20 yrs ago), onto the web.

It must take forever to convert a 1G vob to mpg, hey?

[Steve Grisetti]

Once the VOB is on your hard drive, Charles, I believe all you need to do is change its suffix to MPG and it becomes an MPEG. Then you should be able to use it in MovieMaker.

If not, you can certainly convert it to a DV-AVI using the free download MPEGstreamclip -- then you can put it in Premiere Elements and output your WMV file from there.

But putting it into MovieMaker is the more direct route, if you can.

[cdeemer]

When I right click and rename, I'm not sure I'm changing the suffix or just adding .mpg to the title ... at any rate, it still gets read as a vob file. Do I have to go into DOS to change the suffix?

[Chuck Engels]

I don't think changing the suffix always works. Make sure you don't have the 'Hide Common Extensions' selected in your Windows folder setup or you won't be able to change the name easily. It will look like you are changing the suffix but what you will really be doing is renaming the file to '***.MPEG.VOB'. I suggest using MPEGStreamClip, it will probably be easier in the long run anyway

[cdeemer]

Downloaded and installed as you suggested ... and after running and a test run, yes indeedy, this is going to be the way to do it. Thanks so much, Chuck.

[cdeemer]

Chuck, is there a way to guestimate how long it would take to convert a 1G VOB to mpeg using this program? Seems like it would be a few hours.

[Chuck Engels]

I don't know, I have never used it. I have no problems with VOB files in Premiere Elements so haven't needed anything else.
Besides, if it doesn't work I would just capture real time with my Pyro Link

Somebody out there that uses the tool would probably be able to give you a guestimate.

[cdeemer]

Duh, it never occurred to me to load them in Elements and convert from there.