Backing up as avi's

[bbc0]

Hi, I would just like to be able to back up my dvd movies as avi's to watch on my laptop when travelling. Is there a simple way to do this. If someone could give me this in point form I can research the rest. I just don't know what to search for. Thanks.

[ammck55]

Welcome to the Forum, bbc0:
Is there a simple way to do this. If someone could give me this in point form I can research the rest.Yes. Auto Gordian Knot (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=92089), sometimes shortened to "AGK" would be the perfect tool for a newbie with your stated goals. This link will take you to a page where manono has been thoughtful enough to provide us with links to several outstanding guides. I used manono's/lenox's guide when I first started, and while you might find the in-depth explanations within it a bit daunting, at first, just follow the excellent screenshot crumbtrail and you'll be fine. The more times you use it, the better will be your grasp of some of the advanced settings, should you need them. For us Noobs, this program rocks, hard.

If you get stuck, or have any problems, post either here or in the AGK Forum. Good luck!

ammck55

[setarip_old]

@bbc0

Hi!

As an alternative to the excellent suggestion made by "ammck55", I've found that the following rather simple procedures will allow you to easily convert the vast majority of DVDs to DivX-compressed .AVIs:

1) Download and install a DivX codec

2) Use DVD Decrypter v.3.5.4 in "File" mode, set to "Movie only" to rip (remove copy protection) the needed .VOB files (plus an .IFO and .BUP file) to your hard drive

3) Load the .VOB files, in sequential order, into MPEG Mediator - set your desired video and audio compression, etc. and click on "Start"

That's it...

[bbc0]

Thanks for the help. I will give both a try.

[setarip_old]

Thanks for the help.

My (Our) pleasure ;>}

I will give both a try.
Let us know of your success!

[bbc0]

Anyone know where I can get AutoGK? I tried at the main website and in said I was forbidden to download.

[ammck55]

Auto GK (http://www.autogk.me.uk/index.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownload&cid=1)
Try that link, it was working as of two minutes ago.

ammck55

[bongoman31]

You may have good reason(s) to do what you want; just to make sure you know that when you rip files to hard-drive as instructed above with Decrypter, you can view those VOB's, i.e. watch your movie with Nero or any DVD viewing software, on your laptop.

[bbc0]

Thanks everyone. AutoGK worked quite well for me but now the sound is very low. Is there a way to increase the volume at all?

[CWR03]

If file size isn't an issue, I'd recommend using the AC3 audio. (If you did you'll need AC3Filter, which will allow you to adjust the audio.)

[ammck55]

I believe CWR03 has nailed this one for you-the same thing happened to me with my first AGK rip. Download and install the AC3Filter and go to Start > All Programs > AC3Filter > AC3Filter Config > Preset (lower left of gui) > Click the dropdown arrow and select "Loud", then save.

Congrats on making the full circle with AGK, you're just a few clicks away from the promised land! :)

ammck55

[botty]

Hi everybody
I'm reading this thread with some interest. I've got an Archos AV420 PVR and it needs MPEG4 simple profile to play back DVD's. I'm looking to copy my own DVD's onto the unit but they are CSS encoded. Does the procedure and software above do the trick. I really don't want to get heavily into it, I just want to watch the movies onthe go.
Any advice would be much appreciated. Indeed, I'd be happy to purchase software if the right program is out there at the right price, but cheap is good and free is best..

[ammck55]

I'm looking to copy my own DVD's onto the unit but they are CSS encoded. Does the procedure and software above do the trick?

In short, yes. Below is a quote from the second page of a nicely written four page review of your Archos AV420 (http://www.globetechnology.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040910.gtarchossep10/BNStory/TechReviews):
The AV420 plays "MPEG-4 SP with MP3 or ADPCM stereo sound, near DVD quality up to 704-by-480 @ 30 f/s, AVI file" along with XviD and DivX 4.0 and 5.0, according to Archos. If you want to watch anything else on it, you'll need to convert it to those formats.
A combination of DVD Decrypter and AutoGK should work nicely for you. I've never used MPEG Mediator, but I assume it would work, as well, although it would appear on the surface that AGK may be a bit easier for a noob to handle.

Remember to look at your audio profile in AGK and select "MP3"; from the spec's listed above, it doesn't look like the 420 accepts AC3 audio streams. In the AGK interface look under #4, Advanced Settings, I've been using "VBR (variable bitrate) MP3 128kbps", and saving around 500 MB's of disc space over the AC3 filesize.

Under "Step 3" where you select a target filesize, select one of the "DVD" profiles, if you choose one of the "CD" profiles, AGK will automatically create split points; if you want to view these files on your Archos player, selecting one, unbroken file would be the way to go, here.

Good luck!

ammck55

[botty]

Ammck55 - you are a star. Just what I was looking for.
Ill give it a go and report back in a couple of weeks - I'm treating myself to an upgrade. My old Athlon 1300 is a bit feeble for this stuff

[botty]

Ammck55, just to clarify a few points
the process is os follows
1. Rip DVD using dvddecrypter set to IFO mode.
This gives me an ifo file and several VOB files.
2. Open Autogk.
Set to DIVX encode - I get an error here "unsupported version of DIVX found" - where do i get a supported version - this was the latest from divx website)
3 Set to any DVD option or 2gb?
4. Cant find anywhere to set resolution.
5 Set audio to 128 and CBR
6. Do I add ALL the files (both IFO and VOB from dvddecrypter?)
7What should I expect the result to be and how long should it take on an Athlon 3700.

Sorry to be such a pain but I really don't want to spend several hours and then find I've done it all wrong!!
cheers
Botty