Rip a DVD to an AVI or MPG File Using DVDx

Ripping a DVD to your hard drive as a AVI or MPEG file can help you back up your content while saving a bit of space. Furthermore, the files can be used for video editing. DVDx is a user-friendly, simple tool you can use to easily rip a DVD to an AVI or MPG file.

Steps

  1. Make sure you have DivX codec and Xvid codec.
  2. Install DVDx.
    • Download the DVDx archive file (see Sources and Citations for the link) to your computer as DVDx_2_20_setup.zip.
    • Open it and double-click on "DVDx Setup."
    • Complete the installation of DVDx.
    • Ensure you have Xvid (and/or DivX) drivers by installing AutoGK or downloading codecs separately.
    • Download the latest DivX free software (see Sources and Citations).
  3. Insert the DVD you wish to rip into the DVD drive. Alternatively, if your DVD is saved as files on your computer, you can rip from there.
  4. Open the DVDx software.
  5. Click File to open and browse for the file you wish to rip. Choose File and choose Open DVD root as one of the options in the drop down. Select the DVD drive connected to your computer in the Explorer window that appears. You can also open DVD files which have been previously saved to your hard drive by clicking "Open IFO" to select your hard disk files as source. In the folder selection box, select the file VTS_01_0.IFO in the DVD target directory on the hard drive. The movie files you selected are then set as input for the ripping process, and the Input Setting dialog automatically opens.
  6. Rip more than one movie (optional). If you have more than one movie on the DVD, select the file that shows up in the popup box and then choose which movie you wish to encode by selecting it from the pull down menu in the upper left corner. You will have to choose root menu and file for each one on the DVD, if there is more than one movie on the DVD. Ensure that the correct audio track and angle are selected. Its recommended to leave the default setting for the other options. Click OK to proceed.
  7. Navigate to the Output Settings dialog box through the Settings menu. Specify the encoding options for your rip in the output setting panel. Here you can choose output options such as movie format (AVI or MPG).
    • AVI with DivX for video and Lame MP3 for audio are recommended.
    • To rip movies without splitting the last few minutes into another file, set the maximum file size to infinite in the Output Settings. This is in the "Volume Don't exceed" drop down.
  8. In the Export Settings section, choose a screen size (resolution) for encoding.
    • For widescreen monitors(size ratio 16.9) choose 720 x 576. Multiple of 16 are acceptable.
    • For normal screen monitors choose(size ratio 4:3) choose 720 x 544. Multiple of 16 are acceptable.
  9. Next to the Max Frame number, click the button named Whole. Make sure you press this button for each new DVD movie or DVD file you choose.
  10. Click File , then choose Destination to specify location on your hard drive for output file. You can also find the Destination button next to the red Record button at the bottom right of the screen. Enter the file name, and click OK.
  11. Click the red button on the bottom icon toolbar to start the ripping process. Rip time depends upon the specifications of your system and the size of movie file. Once it's finished, you can find your ripped file in the specified directory.

Tips

  • To rip multiple movies (or chapters from movie serials) from the DVD, open up the DVD menu and choose the file that you want to encode for each file on the DVD.
  • You may wish to delete any DVD files you have on your hard drive, following conversion, to save disk space. Make sure your outputted AVI or MPEG files are of suitable quality before deleting the source.
  • If an unauthorized drive error appears, close the program. Right-click on your DVDx icon on your desktop and click Run as administrator.
  • If during conversion you get an error saying " DVD drive could not be locked", you should install ASPI drivers (from Adaptec), and select the " Use aspi" option. Otherwise, this will not be necessary.
  • DVDx now comes in 2 versions, Standard and Ultra. Standard is fully functional but does not rip copy-protected DVDs - that is left to the Ultra version. The Standard version is free but you have to join the site and pay a fee to get the Ultra version.

Warnings

  • Understand that in the US, the laws can be unclear and might seem conflicting. You might be able to rip a copy of copyrighted material for your own use under the concept of Fair Use. However, circumventing DRM (digital rights management) may be illegal in and of itself, regardless of ownership of the IP (intellectual property) or intent after disabling the DRM method. Read the Wikipedia article on DMCA for more information.
  • Understand copyright laws in your country before ripping any copyrighted DVDs.
  • Be aware that the free software does not rip copy-protected DVDs (that is, most of the commercially produced ones you buy in the store).

Things You'll Need

  • PC with DVD drive
  • A DVD movie or video
  • DVDx
  • XviD or DivX Codec (unless you rip to MPEG)
  • Lame codec
  • Hard drive with at least 1 GB of free space

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

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