Can someone recommend DVD to Xvid Tool?

[bargun9]

Hey everyone,

I have been a fond user of Handbreak on the Mac for converting DVDs to Xvid files. However, I have had trouble finding a comparable app on the PC side. Handbrake does have a PC version, but I had to upgrade my .net framework to install it, and right after doing so my computer starting falling apart (mostly issues with Norton). I ended up reformatting and I don't dare attempt Handbrake's PC port again. So I'm hoping someone can recommend a tool for PC based on the features I love most about Handbrake on Mac. I really appreciate your help (it need not be freeware, although that would be helpful).

-Encode to Xvid/mp3 .avi file straight from DVD or DVD folder on hard drive
-Allow you to select bit rate, not just target file size (I've found 1500 bitrate works best for me and want to be able to specify that setting)
-2 pass encoding option
-Multiple audio stream support (i.e. embed the movie audio as well as another stream of the commentary within the avi file)
-De-interlace option
-Audio bitrate setting control (i.e. 64, 128)
-Subtitle support (not just forced, but on/off with remote)
-Batch conversion
-Range selection for titles (i.e. only encode chapter 3 to 5)

Also, one final feature Handbrake on Mac doesn't have yet but I would love to find is conversion from other file formats to Xvid (not limited only to DVD sources, but also other .mov, .avi, .rm, etc. files).

I've done a lot of digging but haven't found a simple, one program solution for this on the PC. I've seen some solutions that offer some of these settings but require jumping around between various programs. I'm hoping someone here can help me find that one-stop solution that offers the features I listed above.

Thanks for your help everyone!

[~bT~]

u could try fairuse 2.5

[weaver4]

AutoGK
Avi.net
AutoMKV

But I don't know about the chapters.

[Ranguvar]

Use DVDShrink to decrypt the DVD t your hard drive. Make sure to turn off file splitting and select Re-Author so you can just choose the main movie and disable extra languages, subtitles, etc. Use a DVD demuxer tool to split the VOB into an MPEG-2 video stream and an AC3 audio stream (spearate files). Now use a muxer tool to combine the audio and video files back together into one MPEG-2 *.mpg file. Open that in VirtualDub, and choose your encode settings, and use Save as AVI.

That's the hardest, most complex way, but it gives you the most control over the encode if you understand it.

[Blue_MiSfit]

Why waste so much space and time demuxing, remuxing, and using VirtualDub?

Just rip the DVD with DVD Decrypter, Index it with DGIndex, and use AviSynth to feed VirtualDub or whatever other program you want.

AutoGK is a lot easier, and will probably be more along the lines of what you want.

[BlumiTheRipper]

I think GordianKnot would be a good alternative...
I'm using Gknot since 2004 and i never got big problems...

GordianKnot allows Xvid, Divx 5 & 3.11 and x264...
and many containers...
Just take a look at the gknot guide of doom9 ;9
it's pretty good and rather easy


greez BlumiTheRipper:)

[foxyshadis]

GK is always an exercise in sheer frustration the first attempt, it's only easy after that. MeGUI will typically give you better results whether you want a turnkey workflow or a little more control over it. All of the separate, overlapping old programs GK forced you to work with are integrated into just two. You just have to be sure to feed the chapter file into the final mux, which isn't that much of a burden.