Anyone use Handbrake?

AsSiMiLaTeD

So I have most of my DVD collection finally stored on my PC, they're currently all stored in the standard VOB file format. We're talking about 300 or so SD DVDs, around 2.5 TB of video.

The next step is to get them all into a format that's more 'user friendly', I'm thinking MP4. I have a couple quick questions:

1 - Does the MP4 track retain the surround audio channels, or is it only 2.0?
2 - I'm displaying these on a 57" HDTV. I've noticed there are several presets I can choose from, will the 'Normal' preset work for displaying these, and what quality setting should I choose?

Any other tips or settings are welcome if anyone cares to share...

Sami

I would suggest couple of trial runs to see which setting works best for you. I personally would start with MKV format.

On the video tab, if file size is important, you can specify a target size which will determine quality.

On the audio tab, to get surround, you need to add true surround format passthrus otherwise you will end up with Pro Logic II by default. Just click on the 'Add Track' and select source, Codec and Mixdown.

AsSiMiLaTeD

I'm wondering if the mkv format will play on my TiVo, guess I can check that out...

AsSiMiLaTeD

The one thing that's confusing me is the anamorphic setting on the picture settings screen. When I choose a setting it gives me a wierd display size, should I just set that to None?

fatchowmein

I tried Handbrake a few years ago but didn't like it. I thought it was clunky and slow. I prefer MakeMKV. However, we probably have different goals in mind.

I prefer leaving my DVD movies in vob format except for TV shows. I use MakeMKV to convert the individual episodes into mkv files.

Good luck.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Yeah i want to get rid of all the VOB files. My TiVO can play those, but it's the whole thing where you have to select each vob file individually to play it, kinda breaks up the movie watching experience a little. I know there are real time transcoders like the PS3MediaServer for my PS3, but I'm trying to get away from those.

fatchowmein

Oh, I see what you're trying to do. I'd recommend DVDfab but the free version doesn't have the vob -> mp4 option.

Try the videohelp.com website. There are some guides that may be able to answer your Handbrake questions.

http://www.videohelp.com/guides?searchtext=&tools=&madeby=&formatconversionselect=DVD+to+MP4&howtoselect=%3B&orderby=Date&listall=1&hits=25&archive=0&search=Search+or+List+Guides


*Edit. Correction. You can download DVDfab and use it free for 30 days, including the vob to mp4 option (it's under DVD to mobile), so if you're fast enough you can get your entire collection done before it expires.

http://www.dvdfab.com/en/download.htm

mantis

Someone needs to come out with a more legal/ affordable way to store dvd and even blu ray movies.
I'm considering picking up a Sony Blu ray megachanger but changers suck **** and are slow as balls.
For years and years we have had the ability to store our cd's and not have to spin them. It's extremely nice clean and very convenient. I want my movie collection to be the same.

Ricardo

My car has manual transmission, so I use it all the time.

fatchowmein

mantis wrote: »

For years and years we have had the ability to store our cd's and not have to spin them. It's extremely nice clean and very convenient. I want my movie collection to be the same.

Yep. No other choice if one wants their movie collection to be as convenient as their music collection.

Sorry, off on a tangent...