I'm looking to convert a large collection of DVDs into videos files to be stored on a hard drive. The DVDs have subtitles I want to keep, and some have multiple audio tracks. I've been trying out a few different programs but I still don't know which format to use for the best picture, but smallest file. I'm looking for near DVD quality, about 2g per 100min. I'm an absolute technophobe when it comes to video formats, so just wondering which is the best choice, divx 5, xvid, nero video, or h.264 (avc). And does anyone have any good program suggestions for converting DVD images or DVDs into these files? Thanks.
AVC is more efficient than MPEG-4 Part 2. I would suggest x264 for encoding though, but it is an encoder only not a codec. mkv would probably be the best container choice since it would allow multiple audio(original AC3/DTS)/subtitles streams.
