Best method for ripping DVDs to PC

[TheLemming]

Hi guys and gals,

I dont suppose anyone can recommend a (preferably free :P) program for ripping DVDs to my PC?

I'd ideally like to drop a few episodes of family guy, couple of movies etc onto the hard drive so I can watch without the DVD in the drive.

This also begs the second question, my current machine doesnt seem to want to play DVDs and MS Media player 10 suggests I pay Microsoft for the plugin to do so? Any ideas?

NB I dont want to distribute, burn etc etc simply format shift some programs I already own (As I'm sure the question is going to be asked...)

Should have a fully specced new PC end of March so in the mean time I simply dont want to spend anything on this heap...

[ThePassenger]

Space no issue method: DVDShrink to the HDD. VLC to play the image.

[TheLemming]

Ok the idiot questions moment.

VLC doesnt ring a bell?

Any suggestions for a "space more of an object" excercise?

Cosidering that until the new PC arrives I've a 20 gig HD with a 70 gig firewire external.

[Scraggles]

www.videolan.org = free video player

20 GB hdd ? get a 150 GB data drive or higher and use as slave, 70gb is still tiny

[TheLemming]

Scraggles said:

www.videolan.org = free video player

20 GB hdd ? get a 150 GB data drive or higher and use as slave, 70gb is still tiny

Cheers mate, will take a look.

New PC on the way as noted above so till then I pretty much have to make do with what I've got..

[MooSchmoo]

If space is an issue and you dont mind losing some quality then use gordian knot (have a search on sourceforge for it) and divx them all.. can get decentish quality from a 6-700mb divx as opposed to a 4.5gb dvd rip.

Should be able to install a divx codec pack and play em in mediaslayer then.

Cheers,
Matt

[chris.mapey]

I use DVD Decrypter (then Videora to convert to iPod) - works really well, and I have got better results with this than other free progs i have tried.

HTH

Chris

[woza]

i use dvd decrypter also, works perfectly, i then use auto gk to convert the videos on to my creative zen!

[SS HSV]

Any DVD (free trial) then Nero to burn the image. The new Any DVD HD does HD! too and allows you to display true HD through a non compliant video card.

[_deano]

if one were to rip a DVD with wither DVD shrink or into DivX, would the sound still be surround sound or stereo?
thanks
dj

[jimothy]

If you want to save space and compress them, rather than keeping them in DVD format, then get Handbrake. Dogs danglies.