Preparing for Media Server

March 27, 2005 4:46 AM

What is the best (easiest) way to convert an IFO DVD file to MPEG4 which I am prepping to get something like this for my home network.
posted by benjh to Computers & Internet (4 answers total)

Auto GordianKnot is the easiest way to do it. Read up on the spyware (fairly innocuous and easily removable) in the newer versions before you install.
posted by Mayor Curley at 6:47 AM on March 27, 2005

Dr. Divx (http://www.divx.com/divx/drdivx/) is fairly popular, and fairly easy. It's $30.

I use Mplayer/Mencoder to rip DVDs to whatever, or convert video formats on other files. It's free. It's definitely not easy to use although if you're looking for an easy way to do it you can sort of "steal" someone else's command line arguments and get a pretty good encoding. I rarely futz around with the parameters, I've found what works for me and script it. I just pop a dvd into the drive and a couple hours later I have all the content ripped, alternate audio tracks compiled, etc. The biggest problem is that I have to manually name the tracks (a pain for stuff like DVD's of TV shows)
posted by RustyBrooks at 8:45 AM on March 27, 2005

I'm not sure what sort of system environment you plan to use for ripping and conversion, but Handbrake does exactly what you want (on the supported platforms), is free, and has a user interface consisting of approximately one button.
posted by majick at 11:35 PM on March 27, 2005

I second handbrake. Although, I have only ever ripper the main title and not the extras with it. It's a cinch.
posted by putzface_dickman at 8:04 AM on March 28, 2005