Best file format to play on Windows HTPC

[waynezo]

I want to store individual songs from concert DVD's on a HTPC. I would like to reduce the size of the vob with out losing any quality. There are so many encoders and formats I can't figure out which is best. I have tried handbrake. I like nero 9, but I don't want to buy it if there is freeware that will do the same. Divx is more affordable.
Any advice or opinions will be appreciated.

[joker_927]

Quote:

Originally Posted by waynezo

I would like to reduce the size of the vob with out losing any quality.

This is literally impossible. Some programs will get you buy with losing 'minimal' quality.

If you want to keep them in DVD form, DVD shrink is a very simple oldie but goodie.
Otherwise, you are looking at DVD archiving which means divx/xvid encoding. I used to use Gnot.

You could use some other codecs like H.264 or even WMV but those are more for HD content and from my experience you will still be looking at 5-8GB files per DVD.

[waynezo]

Yes I like DVD Shrink since I'm storing only my favorite songs not the whole concert.

I would also like to make a "mix tape" of favorite songs with windows dvd maker using the vob files extracted with DVD Shrink.

The menus look great in DVD Maker, but it doesn't work well with vob's I'm getting a lot of errors. I even tried renaming them .mpg. Is there a free DVD authoring software with cool menu's like DVD Maker?

[joker_927]

Doing so without menus is REALLY simple. DVDshrink will do it. When I tried to do this a year ago with menus, it was REALLY hard.

However, a quick good search returned this: (You might have to buy the program mentioned)

How To Merge Multiple Dvds Into A New Mixed Dvd?