I think that the best combo is DVD Decrypter and Dr. DivX.  Use the Decrypter to reach the .vob files and then let the Dr. take over while you're sleeping.  Both are free, but I'd recommend avoiding the more recent versions.  Dr. 2.0 and DivX Codec 6.5.1.1 seem to work the best with Vista. 

Stick with VIDEO_TS.

You can rip out all the rubbish using DVD Shrink if you like and compress a bit with no noticable loss if you want a bit more space.

Good extenders like the Netgear EVA8000 (with the latest firmware) will access VIDEO_TS files and fully operate all the menus etc.

Hi,

This is the easiest way to do it in my opinion for use on 360`s etc.

Rip DVD using DVDShrink to 1 large vob ( obviously menu`s etc don`t count )

Rename the large vob to MPG ( depending on the DVD type you might need to do some reauthoring to get the stream you need  but most titles work for this method )

Use VideoRedo and run a quick stream fix on the renamed mpg file ( ensure you have correct audio stream selected )

Thats it, off you go it will playback on a 360 - no transcode or format changed required, no quality loss.

You just need to buy VideoRedo and download the DVD covers ( google images )

I used to use Mymovies but I just didn`t like transcoding ( limited fast forward etc ) and this allows you to keep the entire DVD structure if you want for future use etc.

forgot to mention the whole process only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish ( depending on your deck )

If you set the output type to dvr-ms rather than mpg in VideReDo then you will have full FF/REW as well as skip over extenders.  But you do lose the DVD menus and extras - when you say "retain the DVD structure" are you implying that you retain the DVD menu?

I find using DVR-MS to be not worth the trouble I get with playback ( frame skipping etc ) but thats probably down to me using a wireless network.

Yes I meant for any furture support for DVD in MCE extenders

I think the best program to rip/convert DVD's would be http://www.dvdfab.com/

 

You can rip, convert it to Xvid with the AC3 audio, select the subtitles you need/want.  It will convert a dvd to anything and has presets for things like IPHONE, ZUNE, etc... you can also batch convert your existing files.

Worth the $. ;)

farrow:

You can rip, convert it to Xvid with the AC3 audio, select the subtitles you need/want.  It will convert a dvd to anything and has presets for things like IPHONE, ZUNE, etc... you can also batch convert your existing files.

But not so good for extenders, particularly V1 extenders since that would require Transcode360 which can cause problems.  MPEG or DVR-MS are better formats for extenders but use more hard drive sapce - good thing that this is now down to $0.20 /Gig and work very nicely with MyMovies.

I'm surprised nobody has yet mentioned TMPEnc Xpress

http://tmpgenc.pegasys-inc.com/en/product/te4xp.html

Easy to use, supports subtitles, loads of formats to convert to and supports multithreading (properly)

Well worth the money

alanroy2:

I'm surprised nobody has yet mentioned TMPEnc Xpress

http://tmpgenc.pegasys-inc.com/en/product/te4xp.html

Easy to use, supports subtitles, loads of formats to convert to and supports multithreading (properly)

Well worth the money

But at $100 it costs as much as your OS - much more expensive than the alternatives mentioned above - most of which are free.

Yes, but its worth $100 (or £2.50) - pay peanuts, get monkeys.

Try the trial, you'll be surprised.

 I just wanted to post that this thread originally started in 2006 and has been recently resurrected.