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2011-05-15, 17:32
(This post was last modified: 2011-05-17, 14:44 by Yokozuna.)
Hi All,
I want to convert my DVD's to flat files so I can store on my hard drive. I want to know which is the best video format to convert to (including any specific settings). I have a big plasma tv and want to retain the high quality screen resolution and audio quality. Storage is not an issue as I have a Qnap SAN.
Which software do you recommend?
e.g.
Handbrake
MakeMKV
or is something else better to use?
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Try MakeMKV - and for SD conversion its free - no encoding - just true 1:1 rips.
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2011-05-15, 17:51
(This post was last modified: 2011-05-17, 13:38 by Yokozuna.)
I have looked at MakeMKV. Looks straight forward and easy. As you said, it is free for Standard Definition. Are there any other options?
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I'd recommend HandBrake for ripping to h.264 if you prefer to save a bit more file space. You can get rips that are indistinguishable from the original DVD with file sizes of ~2 GB.
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Handbrake is great for H.264 encoding. I use it set to High Profile, RF 19 for DVD (RF 18 for BD), Pass Through for audio formats.
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2011-05-16, 12:51
(This post was last modified: 2011-05-16, 13:46 by Yokozuna.)
Handbrake Settings
I found the...
- Video Codec H.264 (x264) on the Video tab
- Constant Quality RF:19 on the same Video tab
- AC3 Passthru Audio Codec on the Audio tab
Do you output to MKV or MP4 format?
Can you please send me your preset file of the settings you use in Handbrake so I can import and try?
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+1 for handbrake, encoding to MKV
I found it surprisingly easy to use. h264 at constant quality 19, with passthru audio (whether it's AC3 or DTS) works great. Especially if you are ripping multi audio channels from the DVD (directors commentary, different languages, subs etc) it gives you lots of easy options for defaults etc. And MKV seems to be completely standard with XBMC and other media players, right down to changing subtitles and audio channels etc. And I'm hoping that MKV will survive into the future as a "standard" home cinema format.
I'm just still not too sure what to do with Bonus material off the DVDs.
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2011-05-17, 12:09
(This post was last modified: 2011-05-17, 13:42 by Yokozuna.)
I have decided to go with creating my movie content in MKV format.
I have about 8TB of available storage on a QNAP device so as you say, why worry about trying to trim the file size to save storage space and waste hours encoding each movie!
The decision really comes down to what your application needs are and what you want to do!
If you only want to carry the content on a portable USB drive or on your laptop hard drive and use your laptop as your output display device in a hotel room during your travels, then the output size/resolution will be be less than if you want to display on your big fat plasma in your lounge room!
MakeMKV is very straight forward to use.
However, I noticed that after I ripped the movie, the sub-titles are automatically displaying when viewing in XBMC. Is there a setting in XBMC that I need to switch-off?
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I use DVDFab - quick, easy and free with the option to rip the full movie or just the main movie.
If you rip the full movie then it will copy the menu screen and all the extras on the DVD.
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Thanks T800. Worked a treat!
Cooksy, DVDFab is not free!
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T800
Posting Freak
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Someone mentioned that MakeMKV is free for DVD.
If you go on the MakeMKV forum you can get a free registration code to use while it is still in beta so you can use all functionality.