You shouldn’t have to purchase a movie twice.
If you buy a DVD, you should have the right to watch it anywhere and in any format you choose, be it on your iPod, Zune, PC, or LCD TV. Sounds good, but how do you then go about transferring the media across platforms? Here are two options you can try:
Handbrake (Freeware)
Handbrake is an extremely popular free DVD ripper which can take DVDs and rip it to multiple formats, including iPod optimized videos (Download DVD43 for full DVD decrypting support).
If you’re looking to convert non-DVD files(other video formats), you can pick from a variety of free video converters widely available on the net.
Movavi Video Converter (Commercial product)
This on the other hand, is a commercial video converter which does the following:
- Converts video into multiple file formats
- Rips DVDs into any format
- Extract audio from movies
- Merge multiple video files
- Trim down and edit large video files
- Supports for multicore processors for faster speeds
With prices starting at USD29.95 for a personal copy, you’re paying the extra cash for the ease of use (simple and intuitive) as well as the extra video editing features. If you’re new to video editing and ever wanted to do something like this excellent video below for example (RSS readers – please click through to the post!)
…Movavi would be a good place to start. A word to the wise that it only offers very quick basic video editing. Perfect for novices. Anyone more serious in video editing may want to consider free specialized packages like Zwei-Stein.
Conclusion
When compared to the free alternatives, there is no doubt Movavi brings many things under one roof, but can it is hard to say if it justifies their premium pricing
- If your primary focus is just to rip DVDs and convert files, or even to do some serious video editing, seriously consider the other free alternatives highlighted in this post.
- If on top of ripping DVDs and converting files, you’re truly interested in doing very minor editing your own home videos at a novice level,and want everything in one package – Movavi may be a better alternative if you’re willing to shell out the extra bucks.
Oh yes, it is assumed you already own the original DVDs before you start ripping them :)
Disclaimer: Movavi has paid me to review their service, and to give an honest opinion. Please note that all opinions expressed in this post are completely my own, and have not been influenced by Movavi in any way.
What do you use to rip DVDs or convert files? Tell us in comments!
[tags] movavi, video converting, rip dvd, freeware [/tags]
June 2nd, 2007 at 9:49 pm
I’m so glad I stumbled upon this website… its like an all in one of the things I want to know about but never bothered to Wiki it! Question: Is dvd43 compatible with DVDShrink?
June 3rd, 2007 at 6:51 am
Hi Paula it seems that DVDshrink can alread bypass most protection so you don’t really need DVD43 if you’re already using it. See this link for more info
http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=127491
June 5th, 2007 at 8:29 am
Thanks!
P.S. This page is bookmaked right below Wiki
June 6th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Why does this post keep show up as fresh on your feed? i’m using bloglines.
any idea?
August 5th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
Good freeware, thank you
October 10th, 2007 at 5:00 am
ime having trouble finding the proper software which converts your movie files so you can then put them into dvd shrink. Everytime I drag and drop an avi or mpeg file shrink comes up saying invalid filename. When I go to open its not there but if i open it in another window the files there HELP!!
December 2nd, 2007 at 7:28 pm
I think that DVD Shrink only works with files that are already in DVD format (ie. *.ifo / *.vobs etc), and have already been compiled as a DVD. It only re-compresses such so that they fit on a disk. e.g. from a hi-capacity disk to a 4.5Gig one.
You will need some other program to get those AVIs etc. into the DVD format in the first place. There are load of these. DVD maker (on vista), Toast (mac), Nero, DVD Studio Pro…. the list is long. Come back to DVD Shrink after you DVD is compiled (if need be)
December 13th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
I want to know how I can rip a dvd from Nero. Will it let me or is that like not possible? It’s a family video and I want to put it on youtube, but I can’t seem to figure out how to do so.
January 11th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Well, I use aimersoft dvd ripper, it’s good to rip dvd, and the basic editing function is also very useful, you may try it, you will find it’s easy to convert dvd to video you want
http://www.aimersoft.com/dvd-ripper.html
March 21st, 2008 at 6:33 am
I have the Movavi Converter 6 and when I try to convert a dvd (a store bought one) to MP4 it says it cannot becuase of copyright laws. Is there any way around that? Sort of defeats the second reason I bought it. THe first was becuase I wanted to convert movies I downloaded from file sharing but then I started having pc problems so stopped files sharing. So now it seems I have a useless program and no movies!?
March 21st, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Well you could try Handbrake listed above….
May 19th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
I want to rip a DVD that I have how do I go about doing that, what do I need , please help me I have to get it back to my friend and I want my own copy
July 13th, 2008 at 3:14 am
I’ve a problem I could do with some help on. I have aimersoft dvd ripper for mac and it works great on shop bought dvds. However, I’ve tried to rip a dvd we got recently of a baby scan (a sony dvd recorder hooked up to the scan machine) but it doesn’t work and is returning the error message: ‘not a valid IFO file’. The DVD works in Mac DVD Player. I think it has something to do with the order of the files in the VIDEO_TS directory, but how do I change the order of these? Please help.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:44 am
I share you with wondershare DVD ripper which I used.
http://www.dvd-ripper-copy.com/dvd-ripper-platinum.html
It takes 40 minutes to rip a 2 hours movie with nice quality.
You can choose the chapter you want to convert.
It still supports video editing, such as crop black bar on screen, trim time length to get a specific clip, merge several chapters into a single video file etc.
September 7th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Free movies from: http://101giveaway.com
December 15th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I have used the Nidesoft DVD Ripper.It is a powerful and professional DVD rip software.It is not only has a wonderful and easy to use interface but also provides powerful movie edit functions such as trim a DVD section, crop black edge, change the movie color, etc.
http://www.nidesoft.com/dvd-ripper.html
February 16th, 2009 at 9:45 am
use dvd santa, it is excellent converts almost any type video file.
also will convert camcorder to dvd and many other editing options.
dvd santa 4.5 if your using vista.
February 16th, 2009 at 9:51 am
use dvd santa, it is excellent converts almost any type video file.
also will convert camcorder to dvd and many other editing options.
dvd santa 4.5 if your using vista. it will also make large dvd size
file and compress them from 9 gig down to 4gig and will rip them all
as well.
September 2nd, 2009 at 8:05 am
I have a DVD burner, What format is a DVD? I just want to dld movies and burn them to a DVD but don’t know how to do it…if any one can help I would greatly appreciate it, I have files like .avi and mp4 but don’t know what to do with them. E-mail @ …Huggermuggers@yahoo.com and I will love you forever and give you my first born son.
September 11th, 2009 at 11:46 am
You can try Cucusoft DVD and Video Converters Suite which includes Cucusoft Ultimate DVD and Video Converter Suite. It is the best all-in-one DVD and video conversion software converts DVDs and videos to play on almost any portable device including iPod, iPhone, Zune, PSP, video capable MP3 players, video capable mobile phones, and Pocket P.C., etc.
September 30th, 2009 at 8:21 am
Hi I want to take a scene from a DVD and eventually combine it with scenes from other DVDs and put them onto a different DVD. I am trying to take a scene of my daughter performing from a DVD containing other performers and just use her scene. After I get her scenes from several similar DVDs, then I want to put them together on a DVD that will contain just her scenes. I would also love to be able to play it directly on my laptop as well, if that is possible.
What software will allow me to do that?