What is a good free program to convert DVDs to MP4

In My Humble Opinion
1

I bought a Zune for someone and want to put some of their DVDs on it. However all the programs I find that convert DVDs to zune compatible formats charge $30+ for the program. And their freeware programs usually have major flaws (watermarks in the middle of the screen, limited to 5 minutes of video, etc).

So does anyone make a totally free program that lets you pick the quality of video output that will convert a DVD into an MP4 or wmv that does not limit you to 5 minutes of video, or have watermarks, etc and that is easy to use?

2

I recommend Handbrake.

3

Seconded. Very easy to use (I run Debian Linux) and makes full use of multi-core processors.

If that doesn’t work for you, my understanding is that VLC might do the trick for you.

4

If either VLC or Handbrake don’t do it, try MPEG Streamclip. :slight_smile:

5

What I found that seems to work is to use DVD shrink or DVD Decrypter to rip a DVD into VOB format, then use Handbrake to convert VOB into MP4 format. It requires 2 programs, but seems to work.

I don’t think Handbrake can rip a DVD. But it does a good job of converting files into Zune compatible formats.

6

I can guarantee you that it does. At least the version I use (rev3167, x86_64 on Debian Linux).

7

Sure can. But what it won’t do is clean any copy-protection off of DVDs.

8

I was able to rip DVDs using HandBrake on my Macbook, but I think that to do so in Windows, you need another program to decrypt the DVD.

9

Another vote for Handbrake, though it’s been a couple of years since I’ve used it.

10

DVD43 is an excellent dycrypter, but there isn’t a 64-bit version available that works with Handbrake, if that’s what your Windows version is. (There is a 64-bit plug-in, but I haven’t been able to get it to work with HB.)