Easiest util I've found so far is handbrake. Using the windows version. Google handbrake to find it.

Rather than type all the settings in here, just send me an email if your are interested and I'll send you the profile.hb file with the settings I am using.

Just noticed this site allows upload of zip files, so I attached the profile.

Thanks for makling your settings available. This is a project which I shall be getting stuck into shortly and your experience should save me a lot of trial and error.

In the meantime this has come available
http://tabletblog.com/2007/08/dvd-to...two-steps.html

Let me go another step and explain more, don't know if this helps anyone.

I am using handbrake to convert DVD video discs that were already ripped/copied , with the copy protection removed.

I use AnyDVD running in the system tray of Windows XP, then I start DVD decryptor. These two tools I use to copy all DVDs that I come into contact with. All of my copied DVD's have no copy protection, it is all stripped away.

AnyDVD can 'see' and remove the protection on the original, and DVDdecyptor rips to a 'clean' ISO image, free of protections. DVDdecryptor can then be used in write mode to create copies of the ISO file stored on hard drive. Delete the ISO file when done. This makes perfect 1 to 1 copies of the DVD without having to mess about with compression or editing.

Whenever I want to see/save a movie on the Nokia, I just put in the DVD disc (my copy, with no protection) and run Handbrake to convert

It's not necessary to use AnyDVD & DVDdecryptor. One or the other will do the job. AnyDVD is a device level de-CSSing tool whereas DVDdecryptor is a standalone de-CSS & file or ISO image copy tool.

AnyDVD can be used with any DVD capable media copier like Nero whereas DVDdecryptor is self contained.

Of course, it goes without saying, that either program's use should be within the legal constraints in your home country for copying copyrighted material for one's own use
http://www.internettablettalk.com/fo...ilies/wink.gif

Wrong. DVD decrypter doesn't break the many of the newer DVD releases, especially if they are from Sony. I can name a couple if you want to try and you'll see what I mean.

When Sony started playing around with new copy protections , DVD decryptor choked.

DVD decrypter is no longer supported by the author, I think support/releases stopped with version 3.5.4.0

AnyDVD on the other hand is actively supported.

Now I could just use AnyDVD by itself, but I really like the ISO ripping and burning ease that DVD decryptor offers , it's small, fast , and offers DVD-DL support. Also, I have grown used to using it for ISO rips, cause it was free and works with pretty much all the DL burners.

AnyDVD breaks everything and DVD decrypter pretty much is only doing the rip to ISO for me, and the burn back to DVD-DL if I want a disc copy.

THx

Craigy, I have been playing around with Handbrake including trying your profile.

Using my test setup your profile created a final file size of 143,374 whereas my own 'optimum' settings produce a file of 80,420. I don't see any discernable difference in quality, if anything my result might even play a little smoother.

I am happy to post a zip of my profile if you are interested in trying it?

My aim is to encode dvd's in one step, 5.7Gb dvd is now a 607Mb mp4.

Also my Handbrake files will only play on Nokia Media Player, MPlayer doesn't like them. This is a far as I have got.

Cool ! Yes , please post your optimized settings. Thank you.

The profile_Xvid.zip is attached.

A word of explanation as to what the settings are and the assumptions behind the choices.

Resolution: 400 x 240 - The ideal 1/2 of the N800 native 800 x 480 screen resolution
Container: mp4
Video: -
Encoder: Xvid - Superior to Mpeg4 and H.264 is not supported on N800
Bitrate: 512kbps – Sweet spot compromise between quality and file size
Frame Rate: Same as original (usually 25 fps) – helps maintain sound & video synching
2-Pass Encoding – Helps Handbrake to get a more accurate fix on the encoding variables.

Audio: -
Encoder: AAC – Superior to mp3, ogg vorbis is not supported by Nokia or MPlayer
Bitrate: 128 or even 160Kbps – equivalent to 190Kbps for mp3
Audio Sampling: 48khz – Highest available
Audio Track: Auto
Audio MixDown: 2 Channel – for listening through earphones

Please feel free to challenge or correct my assumptions. I find this a complex subject and much of what I have gleaned is only over the past few days and I look forward to your comments.

Nonetheless I am very pleased with the results. The only nagging doubt is that I might prefer it if the files were playable on MPlayer.

OK, Craigy, understand how you come to AnyDVD + DVDdecrypter use now.

Personally there hasn't been anything that DVDdecrypter hasn't worked through.

I also use other options, CloneDVD2 & DVDShrink. As my DVDrw drive only does DVD5 discs & haven't felt that it's worth buying a DL one because of the price of media. CloneDVD2 requires a CSS free readable source so AnyDVD would work if I enounter your issues.
My usage is primarily to create backup copies for my 6 & 8 yr old "cherubs" so recompression of the movie isn't a heavy consideration.