best way to make small clips from DVD and convert to AVI

[tjodork]

I have premiere but when I add the vob files from my DVD to the project it starts conforming the video and takes my PC to its knees for a very long time.
I was hoping there was a simple "FREE" editor out there that I could set in and out points (typically 30 secs) and convert that clip to AVI ...then repeat.
Thanks for any help !!

[tjodork]

oh...and one other thing....if there was a way to watch the video at a faster speed.
My goal is to grab small clips of the soccer team scoring and it takes a long time to go through the video to find the small clip

[Steve Grisetti]

Well, a program like Sonic MyDVD will edit the VOB files natively -- but it costs money.

About the best I can recommend is to use MPEG Streamclip to convert the files to DV-AVIs. That doesn't let you grab just a segment -- but at least you won't have to wait for Premiere Elements to conform your files when you load them into a project.

[Chuck Engels]

Not the cheapest method but not unreasonable either.
I use the Pyro Link to capture the DVDs right in Premiere Elements or WinDV.
I can watch the DVD on a TV while I capture and can use the remote to fast forward or reverse.

The Pyro Link is not recommended anymore due to some real problems with the device and customer support.
But the lower end Canopus digital converters are not much more expensive and much more reliable.
Might be more than you want to spend but it is a good option for what you are trying to accomplish.

[tjodork]

Thanks for the ideas !

[Chuck Engels]

Here is your inexpensive software option
http://www.videoredo.com/en/index.htm

I'm pretty sure this will work very well for you, there are a few people here that use if for various purposes.
It does a really great job of converting mpeg files I know that.

[AVITRY]

What do you all think about Womble.com It's 19 dollars. I don't know if it converts to AVI but maybe the mpeg segment will do. I haven't really done much with it either, just wondering.