Converting DVD to MPEG2

By Alan O (aka Hitthebongo)

www.hitthebongo.co.uk

This guide will demonstrate how to extract the Main movie content from a ripped DVD and save it to an mpeg2 file using MPEG Streamclip for windows. The created file will trade in the complexity associated with a DVD vob file creating a far simpler mpeg2 file. This is desirable as the mpeg2 will only contain single video and audio streams thus making it far more compatible for use with other software.

Prerequisites

• Streamclip for windows 1.1 (Please read the Quicktime or Quicktime Alternative pre-requisites on the Streamclip link)
• DVD already ripped to the hard drive.
• Read the box below

Some considerations when ripping

When ripping a DVD with a program like DVDFab Decrypter or DVD Shrink, it is possible to re-author the DVD prior to ripping so that vob files are in a good state of readiness prior to mpeg2 conversion. That may mean ripping just the Main Movie or selected chapters if only short clips are required. In addition surplus audio streams in the main movie such as a Directors commentary or foreign language can be removed leaving just a single audio stream which may perhaps be an AC3-2 stereo or AC3-5.1 surround soundtrack. Subtitles may also be removed.

While these steps are useful to take they are not essential when using Streamclip 1.1 as it will automatically edit out menus and subtitles and will allow the user to select which audio stream is required if multiple ones are present. It doesn't hurt as a precaution though !
Note added 22 May 2008 - Streamclip 1.2b2 Beta includes ALL audio streams in the mpeg2 it creates so users may find it beneficial to remove surplus audio tracks at the rip stage.

IMPORTANT !
It is very important is to make sure that the rip does not in any way compress the output files. This is commonly done with the intension of shrinking the content of a dual layer disc on to a single disc. In the case of DVDFab Decrypter it is simply a matter of making sure that DVD9 is selected for the Quality selection prior to ripping to the harddrive. Failure to do this can lead to an mpeg2 being created that may be difficult to edit in other software...you have been warned!

LEGAL WARNING !
There are many DVD rippers that will rip the content of a DVD movie to a hard drive. Some of them are free including the regularly updated DVDFab Decrypter (freeware version) by Fengtao software. DVD Decrypter, and DVD Shrink are further examples although no longer updated. These have all proven to be very popular tools. Unfortunately they have also courted controversy for their ability to bypass the copyright protections found on a typical commercial DVD. Use of such software in many countries to bypass copyright protections would be considered a criminal action. Other countries may have more relaxed laws governing the use of such software.

This site urges users to take a responsible attitude and research the legal implications before considering the use of such software. Criminality is NOT encouraged. Other alternatives exist that do not bypass copyright protection which would be suitable for home movie DVD's. NERO for example has a very nice ripper as part of its product range.

Using Streamclip

1. Open Streamclip.

2. Click File - Open Files and navigate to the folder containing the ripped DVD vob files ( Typically VI DEO_TS )
3. Click on VTS_01_1.VOB to open the main movie. Click Open.
4. The window below may now appear. Click Open All Files

5. If the ripped vob has time code errors you may get the screen below. you should click Fix Now. That will in turn display a related box in which Do not skip any frame should be ticked. click proceed when done. If the warning doesn't appear, proceed to step 6

6. If multiple audio streams are present such as Stereo, surround sound or Directors commentary perhaps, the desired stream for the final mpeg2 will need to be selected in the Audio PID selection box. Only one stream can make it to the final MPEG2. Note AC3 3/2 indicates surround sound and AC3 2/0 indicates Stereo

7. Finally click on File and then click on Convert to MPEG...
8. You will finally be prompted to provide a name and save location for the converted file

Some free alternatives to using Streamclip for vob to mpeg2 encoding

Free alternatives to Streamclip for vob to mpeg conversion do exist but I have found that on certain DVD rips there may be audio synch issues when the created mpeg2 is processed further in other editing software - problems I've never experienced using mpegs created with streamclip. If however you would like to explore for yourself, here are a couple that may be worth considering

VOB2MPG (currently ver 2.3) is a very simple tool that has only one purpose in life - to convert a ripped DVD VOB set to a single MPEG2 file.

Stream Trimmer Another simple and useful tool. Stream Ripper is a neat solution for saving selections from an mpeg2 source file to a newly modified mpeg2. By selecting "All Files" it is possible to load a vob file as the input source which in turn may be saved to an mpeg2 - very useful !

Good Luck !

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Originally posted 12 March 2007...Last Updated 22 May 2008