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Converting a DVD for iPod or iPhone

Overview

The following describes how DVDRemaster can be used to convert a DVD so it can be watched on video iPod, iPod touch or iPhone. We will cover the following topics:

  1. Requirements
    Prerequisites to successfully complete this tutorial.
  2. Reading a DVD
    Importing a DVD on your hard disk or using it directly from your DVD drive.
  3. Setting up DVDRemaster
    Explaining some of the DVDRemaster settings relevant for this tutorial.
  4. Converting and after
    Describing what happens during and after the conversion.

Requirements

Before starting this tutorial, make sure you have the following items available:

Reading a DVD

On a DVD, the video content is found in the VIDEO_TS folder. If you plan on experimenting with the different settings available in DVDRemaster, it is recommended to copy this folder and its contents to your hard disk before beginning the conversion. Since hard disks are much faster than DVD drives, having a local copy on your hard disk will increase the speed of the conversion and save you from reading it again from the much slower DVD drive.

To make a local copy, simply drag and drop the VIDEO_TS folder from the DVD to your Desktop. Note that this will fail if the DVD is encrypted unless you are using Mac DVD Ripper Pro.

Once you are ready, launch DVDRemaster and click on Source. You will then be prompted to choose the VIDEO_TS folder containing your movie. If you made a local copy earlier, simply select the VIDEO_TS folder on your hard disk. Otherwise, select the one on the DVD. You can change the destination folder simply by clicking on Destination and choosing a different folder.

Setting up DVDRemaster

Now that you have selected the source and destination folders, you are only a few easy steps away from having a movie viewable on your video iPod or iPhone. First, make sure you are in the export mode by selecting the Export tab. Then, from the Format drop-down list select iPod/iPhone.

Depending on your intention you can select among the following presets from the Preset drop-down list:

Fast
Half the original frame rate and a width of 320 pixels, this mode prefers speed of encoding over quality and size. Ideal when you are in a hurry and need the movie as quickly as possible.
Normal
Full frame rate, this is a high-quality setting having a width of 480 pixels. It should satisfy most people.
Better/Best
Full frame rate, these are high-quality settings having a width of 640 pixels. They should satisfy the most demanding. Emphasis is put on quality over size.

If you require increased control over the settings, you can create custom presets by clicking on the Configure button.

Next, for each video track you can select which audio track to use by simply clicking in the Audio column for a given video track and selecting from the list of available audio tracks. You can perform the same task for subtitles using the Subtitle column. You can also select which tracks to convert using the check boxes.

That's it! You are now ready to click on the Export button in the lower right corner.

Converting and after

DVDRemaster then creates a folder in your destination folder in which it stores all the converted movies. A movie is created for each video track you choose to convert. These movies can be played in QuickTime Player or dragged on top of iTunes if you wish to import them in your movie library. Depending on the settings, iTunes will make another copy of the movies imported to the iTunes library. In this case, you can safely delete the original movie after it has been imported in order to save space on your hard disk. Once it is in your iTunes library, simply synchronize your device and enjoy your movie!