how can i put (a dvd) file into a .m4v, .mp4 or a .mov file format after i've ripped it with smart ripper?
By .m4v do you mean a raw MPEG-4 part 2 stream or an incorrectly named mp4? Numerous apps out there for creating mp4 files. I'd forget about quicktime as a container if you are using only MPEG-4 streams. Nero recode is pretty easy, otherwise there are numerous free ffmpeg/XviD/x264/mencoder/gpac/mpeg4ip based apps. MeGUI for one.