Start ripping your private dvd collection with dvd decrypter. If you live in Canada do the same with dvds from libraries. It is legal to copy for private use there. Then use format factory to convert it to mp4.

the rules in uk/canada/aus/nz are based on merit(and all slightly different)- you cant just say yeah you can copy that dvd that u dont own- unless you can proove its for a certain purpose

I'm happy to host one, point to one or even provide a simple InnoSetup bundle for Windows users, if it'd be valuable.

I can describe how I use tablet-encode on Windows (occasionally): I've got Cygwin (with Perl), with mplayer and mencoder downloaded from the link in tablet-encode's README.

It's not click and run, but perhaps someone could try these instructions, come back with some alterations and we can put together something for the less experienced users (if tablet-encode is valuable to them):

1. Install ActivePerlnce installed, open Command Prompt and type perl -V. If it shows lots of output, Perl is installed correctly. If not, you will have to re-run the installer and ensure the Add Perl to the PATH environment variable option is turned on.
2. Install 7zip: needed to unpack MPlayer zips.
3. Download MPlayer for Win32: choose the processor type based on your chipset; probably p4 for Intel, athlon for AMD :-)
4. Create C:\Program Files\tablet-encode directory
5. Unzip MPlayer-...-svn-30075.7z: put it in the directory created above
6. Add C:\Program Files\tablet-encode to PATH.
7. Install tablet-encode: direct link, unpack and put tablet-encode in C:\Program Files\tablet-encode.
8. Create C:\Program Files\tablet-encode.bat:

Hi Kathy, I use Super for converting everything to everything!

Kathy, if mystic is accurate here.. have you tried using the "Ipod" preset that comes with HandBrake?

All you should have to do is select a "Source" file.. on the right hand side click "ipod".. and then encode.

Have you tried this and it didn't work?

I managed to encode movies for the N900 with Handbrake in Ubuntu. Basic pitfalls you want to avoid:

- Use mpeg4, h264-support is rather limited as mentioned above

- the internal player does not support anamorphic scaling! The actual picture size can be whatever you like, but the movie must be encoded with quadratic pixles! (Most DVDs use non-quadratic pixles to get better resolution for widescreen movies, since PAL/NTSC were originally designed for 4:3 aspect ratio only). So go to the picture settings and disable anamorphic scaling!

-Bitrates up to 3500kb/s work fine on my device, which is more than enough for near-dvd-quality film. Higher bitrates may also work, haven't tested since I find it overkill

- Do not use multiple audio tracks! (multiple languages in one file)
- Either use stereo (with dolby pro logic if you want) AAC or multichannel ac3 (with extra codec pack). Multichannel AAC will not work!


no guarantees, these are just my settings that produce good outcome...

Bastler, I think Kathy and others would be appreciative if you could post screen shots of all your settings tabs, just so they can copy exactly what you have.

If you're willing, of course.

Nope. I'm just too stupid.

I can use 'handbrake' but the output breaks up into little blocky bits when played on the n900 - like the tv picture when the sat dish is blowing in the wind. It doesn't seem to matter which settings I use - I think I've tried them all. The result is unwatchable.

I installed 'super' but couldn't work out how to open/load from the dvd.

I tried Jaffa's complex method and got as far as "Unzip MPlayer-...-svn-30075.7z: put it in the directory created above" but the next bit was completely beyond me to understand how, where or what.

I wonder if you guys realise how incredibly simple things are when one is only used to working in windows. Click, install, play - it works. No command lines, no installing dependencies, no hunting for the right bits. I'm not globally stupid - I'm actually quite intelligent. I'm just waaaay out of my depth here.

just use windows to do it

I would... but how?

This is the first point where I've realised just how far behind the rest of the community I am. I feel like a total dunce. I can't put into words how unutterably depressing it is that I can't seem to follow people's instructions. But people are assuming I have a level of knowledge and experience I just don't have, never having worked with this stuff before. I'm sorry for being such a pain - you must all be fed up with me.