Converting DVD video to MKV/OGM/etc. - the basics?

[ushumgal]

I'm something of a newbie, and I'm trying to convert DVD video into a more compact format (MKV, OGM, or Mpeg4), in order to have back-ups to take with me when I travel. I'm trying to get the file size (of episodes of Cowboy Bebop) down from 1.25GB to 250MB or so, and need to be able to play them on my 700mhz notebook (so I'm not certain that it will be able to handle MKV). I presumed that I needed to use DVD2AVI to convert the VOB files (ripped with Smartripper) into AVI, and then use VDubMod to convert the AVI to MKV or OGM or whatever. However, it doesn’t seem to work for me, and I suspect I'm missing some steps. Specifically, I am not sure how to keep all the audio tracks and the subtitles. Plus, the AVI that I create using DVD2AVI does not seem to want to play. Any ideas what I'm doing wrong? I have looked through the FAQs, and simply became more lost… Is there a basic procedure somewhere for doing this that I simply haven't found?

Thanks!
Jamie
LU2.DUB.SAR

[Koepi]

Welcome aboard, ushumgal,

you did read the disclaimer for signing up? And the forum rules?

Forum rule 1 clearly states that you have to read the guides.

Find then at http://www.doom9.org/ , there is a HUGE link on the left which says "Guides". Make sure to read a lot of stuff there to get an idea of the very basics of ripping.

Regards
Koepi

[stax76]

a popular way is:

-ripping with DVD Decrypter
-creating a DVD2AVI project with DVD2AVI
-creating a AviSynth script
-creating compressed audio files with BeSweet
-creating subtitles with SubRip
-loading everything in VirtualDubMod and creating a ogm or mkv file

most likely will be hard if you don't read some guides and use some additional frondends because of the involved scripts and commandlines (assuming you are not a Linux geek :D )

[ssjkakaroto]

as Koepi said ushumgal, the guides in www.doom9.org is the best place for anyone who wants to learn the basics ;)

[DevilsChild]

Originally posted by ushumgal
I presumed that I needed to use DVD2AVI to convert the VOB files (ripped with Smartripper) into AVI, and then use VDubMod to convert the AVI to MKV or OGM or whatever. However, it doesn’t seem to work for me, and I suspect I'm missing some steps. Specifically, I am not sure how to keep all the audio tracks and the subtitles.


You have a few misconceptions of the DVD backup process. DVD2AVI for the most part just indexes the vob files and separates (demuxes) the audio tracks. Nobody uses DVD2AVI to create an AVI. You need to open your vob files in DVD2AVI, then go to Audio -> Output Method -> Demux. Then you should press F5 to watch a preview of your video. If Video Type has a percent greater than 95%, you need to activate "Forced Film" by selecting Video -> Field Operation -> Force Film, otherwise don't do anything else. You'll have to apply a process called Inverse Telecine (IVTC) later on if the percent is less than 95%.

After you've set everything up as described above, go to File -> Save Project. This will create a .d2v file, which basically points to all the video frames in your .vob files. You'll need it later on.

You will then need to have a video codec (such as DivX or XviD) installed on your computer to compress the video. You will also need to use a program such as Gordian Knot to create an AviSynth script which will serve video frames to your codec of choice. The codec can then be directed by VirtualDubMod to receive video frames from AviSynth, compress the video, and store it in an AVI/OGM/MKV container.

Audio is actually the simplest part of the process. DVD2AVI will output an AC3 (Dolby Digital) audio file. You can re-encode (transcode) this AC3 to lower bitrate MP3/Vorbis/AAC audio using programs such as BeSweet or HeadAC3he. This lower bitrate audio track will need to be joined (muxed) with your MPEG-4 video file.

Read Doom9's DivX Encoding guides for more details.

[goweropolis]

I started using AutoGK (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=64266) a couple of weeks ago, and it works excellently for myself. I was not very comfortable with the variety of options in Gordian Knot (GK) (http://gordianknot.sourceforge.net/), and was worried that I would screw things up with the wrong selected option. AutoGK takes a lot of those worries away. It automates the process quite smoothly. When you install the program, it also gives you a thorough tutorial on using the program.

I still do a couple of manual steps to create an MKV file with OGG Vorbis audio and chapters (with titles) because AutoGK only creates AVIs and uses AC3 or MP3 for the audio. It sounds like from your perspective, you'll want to go the MKV route for the subtitles & audio options.

Here's hoping they add MKV to the output options in the future. And OGG Vorbis audio. And credits encoding ... :rolleyes:

[ushumgal]

Thanks, everyone - I'm getting a clearer idea of what I need to do now. I had looked through the guides, but was a bit lost because I didn't know the overall process to do this. Anyway, I have also found DVD2OGM, and that looks like it may also be a fairly simple alternative.

Thanks again!
Jamie
LU2.DUB.SAR