Convert DVD movie library

[andyda]

I want to convert my DVD library of about 150 – 200 DVDs to play on either Apple TV, or a Mac Mini so I can view them on my TV. I might also be nice if I could play them on my iPod Touch as well.

I have used Handbrake in the past but it seems to me that I must have a DVD inserted in the DVD drive and then change DVDs when one is done.

What seems like might be an easier way would be to somehow copy the DVDs to my HD, then set up a queue in Handbrake and let it go to work on the conversion while I sleep.

Is this a reasonable approach or how could it better be done for unattended conversion?

What apps would I need to do this?

Thanks,

Andy

[EatsWithFingers]

MacTheRipper can be used to copy your DVDs to your hard drive. You can either rip the entire disc, or choose "main feature extract" (since that's the bit you'll be converting in Handbrake). If I remember correctly, it takes roughly 20 minutes to rip a DVD but that's because OS X has an in-built feature to prevent the DVD drive making too much noise when a DVD is playing: the upshot of this is the maximum speed of the drive is reduced, thus increasing the rip time. I think there is a way to disable this behaviour and permit rips to take around 5 minutes, but I'm not sure how "easy" or "safe" it is. EDIT: the feature is called riplock and is a feature of the drive, so is not OS X specific.

As for playing the DVDs on your Mini/Apple TV, you may not have to use Handbrake. I use the "main feature extract" setting of MacTheRipper, then use myDVDEdit to strip out any remaining menus, unwanted subtitles, etc. and make a VIDEO_TS folder that auto-plays and auto-exits. It's far quicker, and you have the added bonus of keeping any 5.1 audio tracks, toggle-able subtitles, and so forth.

Of course, you'll still have to use Handbrake to get an iPod Touch or iPhone compatible version.

[acme.mail.order]

Handbrake can work with disk images, but getting a readable disk image from a commercial DVD might be tricky.

Handbrake 0.9.2 was the last version to have the DVD decoder software builtin, so this is one of those cases where you don't want the latest version.

[andyda]

Thanks for the info.

I tried MacTheRipper, it is OK, but Ripper seems a little better to me and for $20 I will register it.

The only thing I do not like about the MacTheRipper or Rippit only solution is that the resulting output is very large (7 GB vs 2GB) when compared to using Handbrake to convert. And that when using the MTR or Rippet only solution is that they do not work with iTunes and Front Row. It is important that I have a consistent interface. My wife is not technically inclined and any solution has to pass the "wife" test.


My last experiment involved ripping with Rippit and then converting with Handbrake. It took about 20-30 minutes to rip/copy the DVD (a multi-episode TV series disk) to my HD and then I just set up a queue for all 4 episodes in Handbrake and let it run.

I am going to try ripping several DVDs and then set up a queue on all of them and let Handbrake run to see what happens. It seems it should just convert all the DVD copies to .mv4 without intervention.

Thanks again,

Andy

BTW: Handbrake 0.9.3 works just fine, you just need to have VLC in your Appliclations folder.

[blubbernaut]

Unfortunately that's just the way it works. You rip the DVDs (which only removes encryption, doesn't compress), then you use a compression or conversion program to make it smaller, or change the format (EG Handbrake).

If you are adding quite a few things to your iTunes library, might I suggest using VideoDrive http://www.aroona.net/VideoDrive/Home.html to do it, while it automatically get cover artwork and metadata. It makes your collection look great in Front Row, and eases compatibility problems you might have with various formats. (I'm not affiliated, just a happy user)

[EatsWithFingers]

Quote: Originally Posted by andyda The only thing I do not like about the MacTheRipper or Rippit only solution is that the resulting output is very large (7 GB vs 2GB) when compared to using Handbrake to convert. And that when using the MTR or Rippet only solution is that they do not work with iTunes and Front Row. It is important that I have a consistent interface. My wife is not technically inclined and any solution has to pass the "wife" test.

I thought Apple TV (not iTunes) could handle VIDEO_TS folders. I know Front Row does. But yes, size is an issue. For me, I prefer to have the original (i.e., non-transcoded) video, 5.1 sound and toggle-able subtitles, rather than a much smaller file. As a side note, you might want to check out Plex.