How does one rip DVDs to MPEG?

[MDesigner]

I know nothing about this topic.. I don't even have a DVD-ROM yet.

But at some point I'd like to experiment with ripping. So:

1) What's a good ripper and where do I find it?
2) Which MPEG format to use? MPEG1, 2, 3, 4? What are the differences?
3) Are there any DVD-ROMs I should avoid that, for some reason, won't rip properly?
4) Are all MPEG formats suitable for burning as VCD? I tried burning a VCD once, and when I popped it into my Pioneer DVD player, the audio was great, but there was this horrid popping sound every once in a while.

Thanks!

 

[Wedesdo]

insert dvd into drive.

use a ripping utility (i use DVD-Decoder) to rip the dvd to your hard disk - takes around 6 GB
use flaskmpeg to encode the movie to divx format - takes 8-12 huors
split and burn divx to cd.

there's a good website for this, but it also contains other "material." PM me if you want the info.

finally this is all perfectly legal if you are just looking to make backups of those expensive DVD's

 

[Nerd]

www.divx-digest.com <//- best place to go to learn how to do as you are asking.

 

[UberNeuman]

Yeah! Those 9.99, 14.99, 19.99 DVD's can never be replaced.........

 

[MDesigner]

Actually, in all honesty, I'm not interested in pirating DVDs. I have no desire in watching movies on my PC at 640x480. Why, when I can watch them on my TV with my surround sound setup?

But I am interested in maybe clipping out favorite parts of my movies and making them into MPEGs.

PS: Sign up for the Columbia House DVD club, it's sweet. Five DVDs for $0.50 each, then three more (which MUST cost at least $19.95). After that, you can quit if you want.. or take advantage. Every DVD you buy gets you one more at a discounted price (usually $12 or $14). Cool stuff.

 

[Aihyah]

dvd uses high variable bitrate mpeg2 the only way to go for mpeg 2 basically. ripping dvd to err cd only works ok when ripped to divx which is hacked mpeg 4. mpeg1 is ok if you want to rip to vcds, low bitrate mpeg 2 is good for scvd...neither touches dvd divx is kewl for small rips for cramming laptops full of movies lcd screens and lousy are crappy for movies anyhow.. hehe