Ripping DVDs

[Stingly]

I was just wondering what programs people were using to rip DVDs? I know that LMCE has a very nice DVD copier, but the resulting files are just so massive I don't think I can realistically use it. Its nice to have all the meta data and cover art, but 8Gb is just too much of a price to pay - so I am trying to consider other alternatives.

Obviously one solution is to create a divx avi from the DVD (my current favourite option I think), which means using another program to do so. Anybosy do this already and if so, what's a good program to use? I found this:

http://www.exit1.org/dvdrip/

from a Google search, but have no idea what it would be like! I'm also open to suggestions that run on Windows as I have a machine that runs Vista too.

[Zaerc]

I have seen some discussion about using "handbrake" to do just that, so you might want to search for that.

[totallymaxed]

I was just wondering what programs people were using to rip DVDs? I know that LMCE has a very nice DVD copier, but the resulting files are just so massive I don't think I can realistically use it. Its nice to have all the meta data and cover art, but 8Gb is just too much of a price to pay - so I am trying to consider other alternatives.

Obviously one solution is to create a divx avi from the DVD (my current favourite option I think), which means using another program to do so. Anybosy do this already and if so, what's a good program to use? I found this:

http://www.exit1.org/dvdrip/

from a Google search, but have no idea what it would be like! I'm also open to suggestions that run on Windows as I have a machine that runs Vista too.

DVD::rip looks good... and although I have no personal experience of it. People I know speak highly of it. The nice thing about it is that its UI etc is perl so it has ease of customisation etc without digging down into C++.

Another option is Handbrake... this is command line tool (it does have GUI version too) and is wrtten in C++ but you can wrap it up in any scripting language you enjoy and that makes it a great 'building' block technology. Its also a single binary with very few if any dependencies  - which means its unlikey to have any impact on lmce or updates etc. The main limitation with Handbrake as compaired to DVD::rip is that it purely out puts MP4, MKV, AVI or OGM... but not iso's. However you could chain together other tools to make iso's or Divx files.

Search the forum for Handbrake as there has already been some discussion about using it in the way you describe.

Andrew

[Stingly]

Thanks, I'll give Handbrake a go too I think, along with dvd::rip and a program that my mate suggested: http://www.dvdripperwizard.com/ - which apparently is full featured even though it says its not. Will compare quality and compressed file sizes to try and find the easiest and best to use - I've got a lot of DVDs to rip!