Converting a DVD to MKV file

Ok, here it goes... I have a feeling I'm going to be tworn a new one.

I did a search on Afterdawn for what I want to do and I found only found one link (below) which did not help me. It seems there are a lot of people wanting to convert MKV's to DVD but I want to convert my DVDs to MKV files to put on my media center PC.

Only one I found in the first two pages of search results when putting in 'DVD to MKV' : http://forums.afterdawn.com/t.cfm/f-41/convert_dvd_to_avi_divx_mkv-797741/

Many many years ago, I tried many different programs to accomplish converting DVD to avi using Xvid and Divx and never was happy with the outcome. I used EasyDIVX, Vdomi, and a few others I can't think of. I seem to remember the audio never syncing correctly.

A week ago, I thought "All this time has went by, I'm sure there is now a great easy way to convert my DVDs into a fairly small file." So I started the journey and one again, I was wrong. I used AutoGK which worked but the file was very pixelated. Even when I made the file size 1400MB (Maybe that's normal?). I converted Dead Zone which the audio and video where way out of sync. Then I moved on to Sideways which converted sucessfully. But it was very pixelated and soft looking. It's already a soft movie but it just wasn't what I was looking for. I can probaby handle soft but not pixelated. I tried to convert Sideways with DVDx and the aspect ratio was streatched even though I think I selected the correct AR. I tried all AR setting in DVDx and none of them looked like the normal AR of the original DVD. I'm now using AutoMKV which seems like a VERY versitle tool. I installed all the dependencies here: http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=140178. I've tried using the default settings except setting MVK and X.264 and setting 'constant quality' then I process the job. When finished, all I get is an audio file in the output directory and a bunch of other files :/ I also tried to do an AVI container with the Xvid encoder. Same thing.

I tried to ONLY install the dependencie file on the above site in case AutoMKV requires a certin version of Xvid, avi synth ect... Then I tried to uninstall everything and install the latest CCCP codec pack (yes, I know codec's packs are bad). No go.

I looked at the guide on Afterdawn on AutoMKV but all it states is definitions of different fields in the program. It doesn't give example setting for a given job.

So I guess I have a couple questions. Am I using the right program for what I want to do? Should I be encoding my DVDs to MKV or should I use another container and codec? The files would be played by a PC from a hard drive so I read that MKV is the way to go since it's so much better than Xvid. I see some encodes that are DVD quality. But, maybe those are hard core pro's that spend a lot of time on each DVD to get it right. If I can't get close to DVD quality without spending a lot of time on each and every DVD encode, I'll give up now. If it's possible, I'd like some info.

Thanks you ladies and gents,

thearm

Specs:

Encoding PC
Asus Striker II
Q9550 Processor
Windows 7 64-bit (Could that be the issue? Not yet compatable?)
DVD was ripped w/ DVD Decrypter

 

What you want is to convert using H264/x264 as your codec(which is normally found in an MKV container).

You can use HandBrake , MeGui . I use FairUse Wizard.However, I am not sure what exactly your process is,you should get a good quality video for 1.4GB Divx/Xvid encoded AVI.

Here's some settings for x264/H264 explained:

http://mulder.dummwiedeutsch.de/pub/x264/

 

Thanks cyprusrom. I'll have a look at that link tonight.

Fair Use I don't want to use because it will only work with an ISO and I'd like to convert from DVDs straight to an MKV file. I have a lot of DVDs to do so I'd like as few steps as possible.

Thank you as well vurbal. I'll look into Staxrip.

This morning, I set up an encode with handbreak with the mkv container and the x.264 codec and it looks acceptable. I see some screen tearing every once in a while so that will have to be resolved but the quality is ok. I'll try to tweak it.

So, I'm doing the right thing, correct? These programs should work and these programs are what other people are using, right?

 

I can't say enough good things about Handbrake using the higher x264 settings. I had some problem DVDs... a 60's TV series and all the DIVX and XVID encoders could not deal with the film grain. So I switched to H264 AVC using Nero and TMPGEnc... but there was still way too much color banding where there's a single color and a gradual light drop-off.. Only Handbake to date dealt with this situation yielding decent results. I'm also using Handbrake to compress mjpeg video shot with my digital camera which tends to be rather grainy.

BTW, I've never had sync problems using DIVX in Dr DIVX or TMPGEnc.

 

The only thing I remember from my efforts years ago to encode a DVD to Xvid or Divx was the auto sync issue with multiple programs. A few weeks ago, I encoded Barry Lyndon and Dead Zone with AutoGK. Barry Lyndon came on ok. Dead Zone, the auto was all messed up. I read how to fix it but I can't be doing that when I have a little under 400 DVDs to encode.

I used Handbrake two days ago and it looks GREAT! It encoded Dead Zone perfectly! This morning I setup a queue of about five DVDs to encode, Barry Lyndon is one of them, so I'll check on them when I get home. Hopefully, handbrake doesn't have any issues queuing up jobs.

I like how Handbrake has profiles already set up. Great great program and I'll be donating money to them in the near future.

 

I notice some tearing on occasion with my H264 files using an mp4 container. But when I go through the video frame by frame, there are no defects. So I have to assume it's a sync issue with my VLC player, my old CRT monitor, or both. I know some video games have options to sync the graphics to the monitor refresh rate. Maybe VLC does too. I just haven't explored it that deeply.

 

I can't remember if the screen tearing happened when I was connected to my PC via VNC or when I was not. I believe I tried it both ways and there was tearing. I'll have to look again then I get home. I know VNC uses some kind of video driver for their remote desktop.

But I'll look into that video synching. I'm using a Panasonic PT-AE2000U Projector to view these files when they are done. I have other MKVs that work fine so I can't say its the PC or the projector.