Good codec/converter for ripped DVDs?

[howlingblue]

So, I'm trying to save some space in my dorm room by sending home some DVDs and storing the rest on my hard drive (got quite a bit of space.)

I'm using CloneDVD mobile to rip out the video/audio to Divx right now, but I didn't like the compression to visuals ratio I was getting, so I was curious what you thought...

So, since I can also rip it to VOB and convert it to something else, should I go with Divx or something else?

P.S., anyone have some recommendations to what I should convert it with as well?

Thanks.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

http://www.fairusewizard.com/

http://www.videohelp.com/tools/FairUse_Wizard

 

[Auric]

MPEG-4 ASP codecs such as DivX are dated. Better compression can be had with MPEG-4 AVC. You could try Nero Recode. Free encoders like x264 with various GUIs are another option but it fails compliance and so cannot be hardware accelerated. Not that it is generally required for such low bitrate/resolution but I wouldn't use it for anything beyond temporary (as in watch once and delete).

Poke around videohelp and see what's new. But also consider a $100 HDD can store 50-100 DVDs with a fraction of the effort.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: Auric
).

Poke around videohelp and see what's new. But also consider a $100 HDD can store 50-100 DVDs with a fraction of the effort.

:thumbsup: Storage is cheap now.

 

[Stoneburner]

I still like Xvid.

 

[Kaido]

H.264 > Xvid

Handbrake http://handbrake.m0k.org/

 

[theprodigalrebel]

Rip the DVD using (free) DVDDecrypter or one of the many alternatives (free or paid). Use the x264 codec with the MeGUI frontend - give the video-track a 1.5-2.0Mbps bitrate and you likely won't be able to tell the difference when compared to the original. Keep the original AC3 audio-track or down-convert it to a 2-channel stream (mp3/Vorbis) if you desire. It all goes in a MP4/MKV container.

Handbrake is another widely used app for x264 transcoding but I'm not too familiar with it. It did seem much simpler the last time I gave it a look.

It's a fair bit of work to gain a little more than 50% of space - I suppose you could simply rip the DVD and only keep the stuff you want (eg. Main Feature+5.1 DD English Audio Track) to save some space and forget about transcoding. Experiment with a DVD or two and see if the effort is worth the space savings.

 

[sdifox]

Cheaper to get more hdd than transcoding.