DVDs to iTunes without transcoding?

[Ruahrc]

I have some DVDs I would like to digitally rip so that I can watch them anytime. I'm really looking to create some kind of "archival quality" rips that are essentially repackaged into a format that iTunes can accept. I know how to rip the DVDs into VOB files, and have been able to use ffmpegx to demux the audio into ac3 tracks and videos into m2v files. I'm getting stuck on how I can (or if it's possible) to repackage the DVD content into a container that iTunes will accept, while avoiding any lossy and time-consuming transcoding of the movie? I'd also like to keep the 5.1 AC3 audio as well as multiple language tracks etc (again, think "digital archival").

Is this possible? Seems like the most common solutions (i.e. handbrake, ffmpegx, etc) all require transcoding into h.264 format. Is it possible to just remux the files into m4v format or am I stuck transcoding them, which takes a long time and also loses quality?

I will transcode all the files into small versions so I can load them onto my iPod, but the big versions that I will play back on my TV (connect MBP to TV via HDMI) I have plenty of space on an external drive and a 5.1 sound system (with optical connection from MBP to reciever) so I'd like to preserve all the quality if I can.

Anyone know how to do this? I'd prefer mac apps but if I have to, I could make do with windows solutions as well.

Ruahrc

 

[dukebound85]

why do you need itunes to see it? why not just a folder with them contained on your hdd somewhere?

itunes cant even play dvds

 

[jaw04005]

iTunes doesn’t support MPEG-2, so therefore no it’s not possible.

 

[ARF900]

Without 3rd part software you wont be able to rip any DVD with copy right protection on it. Handbrake isnt that bad if you just leave it running over night, you can set it to automatically turn off or put your mac to sleep when the rip is done, plus if you know how to use it you can get perfect quality out of handbrake with a relatively compact file size.

 

[Ruahrc]

So the only way to get the videos into iTunes is to re-encode as h264?

iTunes would be convenient to have as then I would be able to browse/sort the collections and view them in one centralized media application (along with my music, podcasts, etc). A lot of the DVDs I own are TV shows so there are many episodes rather than just a few movies.

Say then I didn't want to go the iTunes route (or only import small iPod sized h264 versions into iTunes), how would you remux a VOB into a file that is playable by quicktime X?

Ruahrc

 

[phairphan]

If you're ok with not using iTunes, there's no reason to de/remux. Just rip the DVD straight to a folder and use DVD Player.

 

[tbayrgs]

So the only way to get the videos into iTunes is to re-encode as h264?

iTunes would be convenient to have as then I would be able to browse/sort the collections and view them in one centralized media application (along with my music, podcasts, etc). A lot of the DVDs I own are TV shows so there are many episodes rather than just a few movies.

Say then I didn't want to go the iTunes route (or only import small iPod sized h264 versions into iTunes), how would you remux a VOB into a file that is playable by quicktime X?

Ruahrc

How about using something like Plex--it offers a ton more flexibility with file types and you'd being able to browse/sort in one centralized media application without relying on iTunes. If you haven't tried it before, take a look--visually it blows away iTunes/Front Row. It takes a bit of work/patience to set it up initially but you'll love the end results. You can then obviously maintain your iPod friendly files separately in iTunes.