Need help converting videos for iPad ?

[Fish Chris]

I swear I have tried literally 10 different programs...

Obviously I'd prefer a free one. But here's the thing, several of those 10 programs I've tried originally said they were free, but turned out to be trial versions. Fine, I went on and tried them..... and even these paid programs didn't work   ?

What I really want to be able to do, is to pop a DVD into my PC, have it come up with the menu of "actual names" (not some goofy PC file garbage like "vtc_10.8pr"

And then to be able to convert any of these scenes for use on my new iPad.

I'm not really that interested in converting whole movies, as 1) they take up too much space, and 2) if I want to sit down and watch a full length movie, I'd rather do that at home, in front of my 46" flat screen.

Just want some cool scenes from movies, and a few music videos....

Any good suggestions ?

Thank you,

Fish

[NateFollmer]

Well, you can't really convert those odd files on the DVD into a movie file. You need a program to make the DVD a file format that the computer understands (that's the easiest way to put it...)

I use Format Factory: http://www.formatoz.com/

You will 'rip' the DVD with this software and then you will have to convert that file into whatever the Ipad takes (probably .mov or something like that). I'm pretty sure that FF can write .mov files.

Watch what you are ripping though, if the DVD is copyrighted, it's illegal to copy it onto your computer. Format Factory will NOT allow you to copy a copyrighted DVD.

There's really no good free software out there that lets you just select parts of a DVD and copy only certain parts. It's all or nothing, or pay for something

Hope this helps!

[J Francho]

Wouldn't it be easier (and legal) to simply pay for Netflix or Blockbuster and stream or DL the movies?

[NateFollmer]

Wouldn't it be easier (and legal) to simply pay for Netflix or Blockbuster and stream or DL the movies?

Yeah... LOL Netflix is only $8 a month now and it works on my Wii, phone and all kinds of other junk... Can't beat it.

And my advice is legal... That program refuses to copy copyrighted DVD's

[.dsaavedra.]

i was able to convert scenes from dvds into mp4 format using Magic DVD Ripper. it is a trial version though, so you'll have to re-install when you run out of trial runs (i think it gives you 3 runs).

http://www.magicdvdripper.com/

also check out DVD VideoSoft Free Studio. i don't think it can do what you're looking for, but its a great piece of software to have for all your media needs, you can do things like download youtube videos, convert videos, rip audio from youtube videos (very handy), convert many formats of audio and video, etc.

http://www.dvdvideosoft.com/index.htm

[CFFF 1.5]

DVDFab will do exactly what you are looking to do. It isn't free but it works and converts any DVD to the type of file you need. Also try iSkysoft iMedia Converter. I recently got this program for free by liking their facebook page. here is the link to their page http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/iskysoft.

I haven't used either of these products for the purpose you are using them for but they should work.

[Fish Chris]

JF

Wouldn't it be easier (and legal) to simply pay for Netflix or Blockbuster and stream or DL the movies?

I'm talking about wanting to get certain scenes, or short videos, from DVD's which I already have paid for and own. I don't feel like I should have to pay for them again. Also, most of the stuff I want to get to my DVD is really obscure stuff, which I'd highly doubt if NetFlix or Blockbuster would carry anyway.

.dsaavedra. Magic DVD Ripper, and Videosoft both totally ring a bell. I think those are two I already tried.... but maybe I was not using them correctly. I will try again.

CFFF 1.5, DVDFAb didn't work for me either. Now, that iSkysoft might be one to try. I saw that thing that said it was free if I "liked their facebook page" and I thought, Yea', right. I've never even looked at a facebook page in my life, and really don't care if I ever do. Next.

But now maybe if they have a trial version.

Again, at this point, I probably would actually pay for a program which did what I need it to do. I've just done so many trial versions which failed, that unless I tried one that really worked first I wouldn't even think of giving them any $.

Their actually was this one trial version that worked really well..... but they kept it such a secret that it was a trial version until I actually spent the time converting a long video.... then I got this sweet, high quality vid, with "TRIAL VERSION" right in the middle of the screen. P'd me off so much, I quickly removed the program, and never even saved it in my favorites. Now, after trying so many programs, I don't remember where I found that one.

Anyway, let me try a few of these again.

Thank you guys,

Fish

[jokerjp1301600387]

Install VLC and stop worrying about converting the files...VLC will play anything.

 

[.dsaavedra.]

thats not really his problem, he has to rip scenes off of DVDs and convert them into something playable on the iPad. this is not something VLC can do.

[Fish Chris]

.dsaavedra. I guess those were not two of the programs I tried, because both of those worked !!! Finally !

But now, the way I'm reading jokerjp's post, he's saying I can download VLC to my iPad, so that it will play all kinds of files instead of just MP4's.... correct ? If so, that should work too. But of course now it seems I am able to convert anything I need to, to MP4's, so its all good.

Much thanks again,

Fish

[J Francho]

I'm talking about wanting to get certain scenes, or short videos, from DVD's which I already have paid for and own. I don't feel like I should have to pay for them again. Also, most of the stuff I want to get to my DVD is really obscure stuff, which I'd highly doubt if NetFlix or Blockbuster would carry anyway.

I hear you.....its frustrating.  Digital Rights Management (DRM) says it the material not the storage device that you pay for.  OK, why did I have to pay for my records twice?

[jokerjp1301600387]

.dsaavedra. I guess those were not two of the programs I tried, because both of those worked !!! Finally !

But now, the way I'm reading jokerjp's post, he's saying I can download VLC to my iPad, so that it will play all kinds of files instead of just MP4's.... correct ? If so, that should work too. But of course now it seems I am able to convert anything I need to, to MP4's, so its all good.

Much thanks again,

Fish

That is exactly what I'm saying....install VLC and you can play any format without the need to convert to mp4.   Even if you have the conversion process down, I suggest you give VLC a shot anyhow.  I stopped converting files that I had ripped in previous formats when I found VLC and it made my use of apple products much more enjoyable.

[.dsaavedra.]

yeah VLC is a great media player, it really does play any video you want. its worth having.

[Scorcher214]

I tried putting some movies i have on my comp, but the ipod, itouch, iphone, only use ceartain movie formats, not mp4, not avi, i forget what it is called but they do it so you can't download stuff off a torrent and put it on ur itouch. You have to buy a program to convert them.

[asufish]

I'm not sure what good downloading VLC to your iPad will do when iTunes won't let you drag .avi files into the library in the first place.

I hear you can download UTorrent, download movie Torrents all over the web, and then use an .avi to .mp4 converter to put them on your iPad, iTouch, or iPhone.

Just what I hear......

[.dsaavedra.]

I tried putting some movies i have on my comp, but the ipod, itouch, iphone, only use ceartain movie formats, not mp4, not avi, i forget what it is called but they do it so you can't download stuff off a torrent and put it on ur itouch. You have to buy a program to convert them.

i understand not being able to play .avi on an ipod, but you can't even play .mp4? thats outrageous... zune lets you play .m4v, .mp4, .wmv, .mbr. i'm almost positive you can play .mp4 on an ipod....

[asufish]

I tried putting some movies i have on my comp, but the ipod, itouch, iphone, only use ceartain movie formats, not mp4, not avi, i forget what it is called but they do it so you can't download stuff off a torrent and put it on ur itouch. You have to buy a program to convert them.

i understand not being able to play .avi on an ipod, but you can't even play .mp4? thats outrageous... zune lets you play .m4v, .mp4, .wmv, .mbr. i'm almost positive you can play .mp4 on an ipod....

You can.

[jokerjp1301600387]

I'm not sure what good downloading VLC to your iPad will do when iTunes won't let you drag .avi files into the library in the first place.

I hear you can download UTorrent, download movie Torrents all over the web, and then use an .avi to .mp4 converter to put them on your iPad, iTouch, or iPhone.

Just what I hear......

Part of the VLC app is the ability to load files in iTunes using the file sharing feature in iTunes. I assure you it works and eliminates the annoyance of conversion of files to .mp4 which is a pain in the ***. Tutorial on how to use the file sharing feature at the following link. http://lifehacker.co...of-vlc-for-ipad