Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryT
How does one actually get video onto a PC? Please excuse my ignorance, but it's something I know nothing about.
If I record a TV programme onto a DVD-R, how would I then get it in a "watchable" format onto my PC?
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If you've recorded it your self on a DVD-R using a DVD recorder then its usually pretty simple.
DVD's as you know record video in MPEG2, so you need to convert the VOB files on the DVD to another format.
I'm partial to MP4 as this usually allows you to shrink a 2 hr dvd (4.4 GB) to around 600-1000MB.
One of the Easiest programs to use to do so for non Protected DVD's is
Handbrake.
Just go to the
Handbrake site, download the version for your system and install.
Once installed, its pretty simple to use with presets for all the various formats, such as general MP4, ipod, psp, etc. Just point it to the disk drive, and let it run.
it usually takes about an hour or so per DVD, but is very dependent on your system performance, so on a fast Desktop you should be bale to do it much faster.
For Protected DVD's i.e. most commercial DVD's I use DVD Shrink or DVD Fab Decrypter to remove the protection and then use Handbreak. Just Google for them, as while DVD shrink is available for free, DVD fab has an older version available for free.
DVD shrink is also nice as it allows you to streamline Movie DVD's removing extra stuff like trailers, extras, language you may not want and Shrink the whole thing down to a resonabe size, like a single layer DVD or even a CD.