posted
Um, it's been a while since I've done this, and I've converted to a format for Disney's MixMax video player rather than Zune, so Your Mileage May Vary.
I use a program called XiliSoft DVD Ripper to convert the DVDs into WMV format, and then use Windows Media Encoder (available for free from Microsoft's web site, last I checked) to convert to the apropriate bit rate, fps, resolution, etc. (The appropriate settings for same are presumably available in the Zune documentation, or failing that, available to a Google Search.)
I don't know if that's exactly "simple", but it works. And I'm fairly sure there's other programs to convert DVDs to a computer-friendly media format as well; DVD Ripper is just the one I've used, largely for its power and simplicity. It does cost money, however.
Posts: 3826 | Registered: May 2005
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posted
You can't make DVDs convert. They have to come to it on their own, through the Spirit. I suggest reading them lots of Zen literature and creating a happy environment for them to find the truth for themselves in.
quote:Originally posted by Kwea: I made a mistake...she has a Creative Zen Vision-W, not a Zune. I have corrected it above.
The same method should apply. I understand that the Zen comes with some software for conversion of its own; what I *don't* know is whether that software can turn VOB files (the standard files found on DVDs) into the AVI or WMV or MPG files a player like the Zen would prefer.
That said, there's a freeware program called DVD Decrypter (do a google search) that will at least get through most DVDs' copy protection and get those VOB files onto a hard drive to play with. Your DVD drive may also have come with software for converting un-copy protected files into other formats; one of our drives came with a version of Nero which can do similar things.
Posts: 3826 | Registered: May 2005
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This page has a list of utilities, many freeware, for converting the DVD (VOB) files to a Zen-friendly video file format;
This link is a mirror for DVD Decrypter, which can pull the VOB files from most DVDs so you can subsequently make them into a Zen-friendly format. I will note that, while it's a very good program, you may encounter problems with some disks, especially Sony disks (Columbia/Tri-Star): Sony takes a particular interest in updating their copy protection, and development on the program has ceased.
Posts: 3826 | Registered: May 2005
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posted
I use DVDDecrypter myself, it is great. I have yet to run into a problem with it myself.
I realize the conversion should be the same, I just wanted to make sure you knew I had changed the title and primary post. I figured I should own up to the mistake.
Posts: 15082 | Registered: Jul 2001
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