Convert DVD to WMV/AVI

September 24, 2005 8:32 PM

What is the *easiest* way to take a clip from a commercial DVD and turn it into a WMV or AVI file. I own the DVD I am using and need a hastle-free way of showing lots of DVD clips in my class lectures. Also, the quality needs to be reasonable -- but not perfect. And again, I'm looking for the *easiest* way.
posted by JPowers to technology (7 comments total)

Rip the disc to unencrypted MPEG2 with Mac the Ripper, transcode the MPEG2 to AVI or WMP with Sorensen Squeeze 4. You can select whatever compression level you'd like.

Mac the Ripper is free; Squeeze and the WMP component are not.
posted by Rothko at 9:13 PM on September 24, 2005

DVD2AVI. You visually identify from where, to where, and save the clip however you like. Very straightforward.

(Windows, not Mac.)
posted by effugas at 9:49 PM on September 24, 2005

autogk
posted by Rhomboid at 9:56 PM on September 24, 2005

I'm a fan of VirtualDub (free!) for hacking up AVIs. You'll need one of the tools mentioned above to actually read the DVD though.
posted by polyglot at 11:18 PM on September 24, 2005

VirtualDub hacks up AVI's, but doesn't handle the ripping. I haven't tried AutoGK -- I'll definitely check it out, once I get my drive fixed -- but DVD2AVI is the definitive "just grab this chunk and put it on my hard drive" tool.
posted by effugas at 2:14 AM on September 25, 2005

Rip the section you want using DVD Shrink
Open VOB files in Ulead Video Studio 9
Darg to timeline and save as AVI/MPEG/WMV

Done it a thousand times.

I guess if you dont have Video Studio then you're outta luck with this method. It's out there if you really want it and know where to look.
posted by lemonfridge at 7:04 AM on September 25, 2005

Just look for dvd ripping software or dvd to avi stuff.

And just remember that if you are in the USA you are now breaking atleast one law if you do this.
It doesnt matter about fairuse, that's in the garbage now.
If its a comercial dvd then any of these rip programs will be circumventing copyprotection which means, you = criminal.

If you are in any other country you are fine though.
posted by Iax at 10:43 AM on September 25, 2005