Convert DVD to MKV

[tsume]

I want to convert a bunch of my DVDs to .mkv videos. I tried with DVD Decrypter and StaxRip, but the 25 minute episode I did ended being like 400 MB, I obviously choose the incorrect settings.

So can anyone offer (free) software and instructions into convert DVDs to high quality mkv's with keeping the size small (around 100MB-200MB for a TV episode)? It will also be great if I can queue the videos to be encoded so my computer can convert them mkv while I sleep

 

[Jabberwocky]

Try Handbrake... works for me
You will also need anydvd running in the background

 

[Nuro]

Try Handbrake... works for me
You will also need anydvd running in the background

+1
I have converted all my discs using handbrake

 

[bdt]

Lifehacker is ALL about HandBrake and, beyond the basic prog, weighs in with gems like VidCoder, Batch Encoder and DropFolders (just for starters) ..have fun now.

 

[TYR]

400MB for 25 minutes sounds right. HD mkv's usually run at an even higher bit rate than that.

 

[Borrels]

400MB for 25 minutes sounds right. HD mkv's usually run at an even higher bit rate than that.

Free Video Converter works well for me - you can queue a bunch of files and play with the bit rate.

 

[Borrels]

I want to convert a bunch of my DVDs to .mkv videos. I tried with DVD Decrypter and StaxRip, but the 25 minute episode I did ended being like 400 MB, I obviously choose the incorrect settings.

So can anyone offer (free) software and instructions into convert DVDs to high quality mkv's with keeping the size small (around 100MB-200MB for a TV episode)? It will also be great if I can queue the videos to be encoded so my computer can convert them mkv while I sleep

Why would you want to convert DVDs to .mkv? I can understand converting them the other way round. Just wondering.

 

[TYR]

Why would you want to convert DVDs to .mkv? I can understand converting them the other way round. Just wondering.

DLNA players will stream mkv's from DLNA servers like TwonkyMedia on NAS's, so that is why I would choose it over an ISO image. MKV's will give you selectable sound tracks and subtitles, so that is why I would choose it over AVI's.

 

[Ockie]

Use Handbrake. Use the H.264 codec and you can set your file size manually. H.264 gives great quality.

 

[madlala]

I use Total Video Convert the HD Version...it works wonders..not only MKV, but any Video Formats

 

[Lament]

the program's name is Fair Use
you do know if you convert your dvd's to MKV there will be absolutely no difrence in quality?, you will be converting them to H264 AVI files and not MKV (by the way)

Edit : sorry, i see TVR did explain it, well if you are planning to use more than your normal Stereo audio and additional subtitles, then the MKV makes sense

 

[isie]

DLNA players will stream mkv's from DLNA servers like TwonkyMedia on NAS's, so that is why I would choose it over an ISO image. MKV's will give you selectable sound tracks and subtitles, so that is why I would choose it over AVI's.

you can create AVI's with multiple soundtracks and subtitles

 

[milomak]

handbrake does this for breakfast

 

[tsume]

Thanks for the input everyone. I tried out some of the programs, and after getting some instructions from an encoder from Anime-Anarchy, I've choosen StaxRip as the tool to encode to .mkv. The encodes come out great, plus with the instructions it seems easy to use now.

The new Handbrake seems to do only .mkv and .mp4, plus I read the instructions on getting soft subs on videos and seemed more of a hassle then that compared to StaxRip, where StaxRip automatically pulls in the subtitles.
So each to his/her own.

 

[SL1v3R]

I personally prefer mp4 format as it just seems more widely accepted when it comes to devices.