How to Rip DVDs to Small AVI or MPG Formatted Files

For most people, ripping a DVD needs to be as simple as possible. There are several types of software available, both free and for a price, that can make ripping a DVD to small AVI or MPG formats as painless as possible.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer
• Software

Getting Started

1. Make sure your computer can play a DVD. Remember that some computers do not have a DVD drive and the proper software. You cannot play a DVD in a CD drive.
2. Choose software specific to the kind of computer you are working on (i.e., Mac or a PC).
3. There is free software out there but buyer beware—this is truly a case of you get what you pay for. VideoHub is excellent, easy-to-use software for MACs that is inexpensive ($23.32). Flash DVD Ripper is designed for PCs (Microsoft Windows). It, too, is easy to use and is relatively inexpensive ($35).
4. Download and install the software of choice. You may want to install it to your desktop so it’s easy to find.

Ripping a DVD on a PC

5. Put the DVD in the DVD drive of your computer.
6. The DVD may start playing. If so, stop it. If it doesn’t start playing, go to "My Computer" and look for the DVD drive to find the file of the DVD you are ripping.
7. Launch the software program that will allow you to rip the DVD by double clicking on the program icon.
8. The software will open. In Flash DVD Ripper, click on the "Open DVD" screen.
9. Select the type of format you want to convert the DVD to—AVI or MPEG.
10. Decide where you want to save the file. It may be easiest to save it to your desktop.
11. Click on the "Convert" button. This will bring up a new menu where you must decide Output Parameters. These include:
    Output Format: NTSC (US and Japan) or PAL (all other countries)
    Select Chapters: Use the Select button to check the boxes of all chapters you want to rip (You probably want to check all of the boxes.)
    Output Video Size: If you want to make your AVI or MPEG smaller, check the Resize Output Video box and choose the size from the drop down menu. You can choose one of the preset sizes or you can experiment with your own parameters in under "Custom."
12. Click "OK." The Select Chapters screen will close.
13. Click "OK" again. The Output Parameters screen will close.
14. The converting process will begin. How fast this process goes depends on how long the DVD is and the processing speed of your computer.
15. When the process is complete, the converted file will be saved to your desktop.

Ripping a DVD on a MAC

16. Put the DVD into the DVD drive of your computer. The DVD may start playing. If so, stop it.
17. Look for the DVD icon on your desktop.
18. Launch the software program that will allow you to rip the DVD by double clicking on the program icon.
19. The software will open. In Video Hub, click and drag the DVD icon from your desktop to where it says: Drag files to be converted here.
20. Click on the button to choose the type of format you want to create—AVI or MPEG.
21. If you are creating an AVI file, this software will give you the option of changing the size of the file. Checking the 320 Pixels Wide box should reduce the file size by half.
22. If you are creating an MPEG file, check the Profile box and go to the drop down menu to choose your final output size. You may need to experiment with the choices in the drop down menu (such as VCD or SVCD) to determine what looks good to you and how big you want the file to be.
23. Decide where you want to save the file. It may be easiest to save it to your desktop.
24. Click "Start."
25. The converting process will begin. How fast this process goes depends on how long the DVD is and the processing speed of your computer.
26. When the process is complete, the converted file will be saved to your desktop.

Tips & Warnings

• There is always the chance that the software you choose will not work on your computer for whatever reason. Many software companies allow free trials so you can try it out before purchasing it. Take advantage of this so you can find a program that works for you.
• Generally, the larger the size of the file, the better the picture quality. In other words, don’t reduce the size of the file too much or the quality will be compromised.
• It may be illegal in your country to rip a copy-protected DVD. Review the copyright laws before ripping any DVD.
• A music CD will play properly in a DVD drive but a DVD will not play in a CD drive.

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