I get asked all the time how do you convert movies so you can watch them on your Zune HD, Blackberry Storm, iPhone, Motorola Droid or add them to my home media center. I don't want this blog post to be long winded rather step by step instructions as to how I convert movies. Unlike my buddy Chris I take a two step process in movie conversions. Additionally, I am approaching this from a Mac perspective. Not because I don't use Windows, but because my Windows machines are busy all day and I have free cycles on my iMac when my kids are in school so I put that thing to work.
Software Needed
RipIt - You can use this to take content off a DVD and put it into a format that is supported in HandBrake. This step to me is critical as I usually Rip 5 - 10 movies in a cycle, thus I need all the movies on the hard drive so I can queue up the encoding software and walk away for a couple hours. RipIt allows 10 free rips with no restrictions so give the program a shot it is worth the $19.95. I got the 5 user pack for an additional $9.95.
Handbrake - It's free and it works. The main focus of handbrake is to to get movies ready for AppleTV, iPods, iPod Touch and other things beginning with "i". Regardless it creates a H.264 file that is supported on most media players such as XBox 360, iTunes, Windows 7, Android, Blackberry, and a host of others. Â Handbrake supports multiple formats but I stick with something that is universal.
Instructions
1. Open RipIt
2. Insert your DVD
- Enter a title for the DVD your ripping. Most Movie DVD's will have the title information recognized.
- Click Rip
Wait for the Rip to Complete
RipIt shows time remaining on your rip and percent complete. For me I set my timer on my iPhone and go back to work
Some Eye Candy
If your ripping on your primary Mac or a machine you will be sitting at the dock icon actually shows the progress and time remaining. Again nothing special but it is a nice heads up feature.
Open Handbrake
This program is focused around Apple and iTunes but is super easy to use
Setting up the Encoding
1. Click Source then browse to the File created by RipIt (If your using DVD Decrypter locate the Video TS Folder)
2. Destination - Enter browser or manually enter the name and path of file that will be saved
3. Click Toggle Presets see the Next Step Selecting Presets to set your presets.
4. If you ripping Multiple Movies or multiple formats of a single movie select Add to Queue. If not click Start
***If you Doing multiple formats of a single movie makes sure that you give each file a unique name
Selecting Presets
I use the iPhone/iPod Touch format for my iPhone, Motorola Droid, and Blackberry Storm
If you want to watch on a TV use Normal, AppleTV, or Universal presets. Honestly, I cannot tell much of a difference.
Wait for Completion
After all your movies are queued up just wait for completion.
(Make sure your computer is set not to go to sleep after inactivity. Apple | System Preferences | Energy Saver)
Once the encoding is complete all you need to do is copy the file to your mobile device or add to iTunes for iPhone users. It is not a complex process. Happy mobile video to you.
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Thank you. Finally, my husband can put video on my iPod from our DVD collection. Funny something so simple and he was too stupid to figure it out.
Check back tomorrow because I am posting another option that you may want to use.
This is too easy. I am ripping all my movies. Including my boyfriends naughty ones. Let me stop thanks for such a great post. I will be coming back to this sit no doubt.
I’m confused. I just use Handbrake (on a Mac) for the whole process. Works great and it’s free.
While Handbrake on the Mac is free it cannot rip some DVD’s thus the need for RipIt or MacTheRipper. Beyond that I usually want to have multiple movies ready to encode. This cannot be done if the encoding program is reading from a disc thus I need to put the movies onto my hard drive in the proper format first.
While I like Handbrake it has its limitations. MacTheRipper is a free program that can replace RipIt if you want a totally free process. I like the support I get from RipIt and have not had any issues since adding this to my process.
Thanks for turning me on to this software! Thanks to my kids we usually only get about 3 good viewings out of a DVD before they end up scratched up and skip, with these programs I’ll have them indefinitely!!! FYI with another program that my personal IT guy turned me on to, I can now stream the media on my macbook to my TV via my XBOX 360. Check out 360 Connect, it was 20 $ and well worth the money. NO MORE MESSING WITH DVDs! Thank God!!!
I assumed my kids where the only ones that treated DVD’s like hockey pucks on the floor. I converted all my movies to digital. I can think of at least 5 movies i bought 3 or more times. I look forward to the day all movies come via download.
And 360 Connect is a great solution for Mac users with an XBox 360. Assuming you want to stream movies, music, or pictures to your XBox.
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