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How to import a DVD to a format I can put into iTunes?

MythicFrost

MythicFrost

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Mar 11, 2009
3,944
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Australia
I'd like to import some DVDs that I own onto my computer to a format that allows me to just drop the movie file into iTunes... is that possible?
I'd like to watch some of these movies on my ATV & iPhone.

What procedure do I need to do that? Would Toast 9 be able to do it?
 
MRoogle will give you many, many, many, many, many, ... threads about this.

In short: Use Handbrake to convert the DVD video using the Apple TV or iPhone presets in Handbrake. Be sure VLC is installed on your Mac.

Or use MacTheRipper first and then Handbrake.
Or RipIt and then Handbrake.
Or Fairmount and then Handbrake.
 
Thanks for your replies,

What purpose does VLC have? What exactly does it do? Is there anyway so that I don't have to use it?
 
MythicFrost said:
Thanks for your replies,

What purpose does VLC have? What exactly does it do? Is there anyway so that I don't have to use it?
Click to expand...

HandBrake uses VLC to do the decryption of the DVD on the fly. Otherwise, you can use a 2-step process and first copy and decrypt the DVD using RipIt, FairMount or MacTheRipper. Then, encode to h.264/MP4 format using HandBrake.
 
I decided to use Handbrake w/ VLC. Does Handbrake normally use 500% CPU? :eek:
Not that it's a problem but I'm curious, also when output as an ATV format can it be used on my iPhone as well?
 
MythicFrost said:
I decided to use Handbrake w/ VLC. Does Handbrake normally use 500% CPU? :eek:
Not that it's a problem but I'm curious, also when output as an ATV format can it be used on my iPhone as well?
Click to expand...

If you have a machine capable of 500 to 600% CPU usage, yes.
That would mean you either have a 4-core iMac with Hyperthreading or a Mac Pro with 4 cores and HT or 8 cores.

Be glad, it just makes it faster.
 
afaik handbrake will use all the cores the computer has... so, pretty sure it would be close to half the time.

I miss my Mac Pro :eek:
 
MythicFrost said:
Ah great, FYI it's an 08 MP Octo @ 3.0GHz, says it'll take 30 min.
Click to expand...

My 27" i7 iMac transcodes in similar times. I find that RipIt and Handbrake take about equal amounts of time on average... and while I am transcoding one using HB... I can be ripping the next with RipIt.

/Jim
 
Ah I see, good to know... How do I increase the resolution of the DVD further? I'd like to have it higher quality but it won't go any higher than 720x572 or something, any reason?
 
MythicFrost said:
Ah I see, good to know... How do I increase the resolution of the DVD further? I'd like to have it higher quality but it won't go any higher than 720x572 or something, any reason?
Click to expand...

DVD doesn't equal BluRay (HD)

I rip using RipIt to an external FW drive, then
I transcode using HandBrake (Universal preset), then
I fill out "tags" using MetaX (Moooo)

MetaX is set up yo send my movie to iTunes where I (may) reset my artwork associated with the file.

Easy peasy, Everything is free except RipIt and that is currently available in the MacHeist nanobundle offering.
 
I have a question, why is the sound volume for the movie I imported really low compared to any other iTunes movies?
Although, strangely enough all my movies seem quiet compared to how loud my music is when it's playing but the imported movie was really quiet.

The default quality for the movie was 60.78% is that normal? If I put that higher will I get better quality picture/(& louder)sound?

Any idea why?
 
I've got an encode going now... Universal preset.

Constant Quality 60.78%

I don't believe that would affect volume

What movie?
 
I've tested this with Finding Nemo, comparing playing the imported movie vs via DVD player from the disc, the imported movie is very quiet (with iTunes volume at max).
Any idea's what to do about this? Could it be my Snow Leopard? :cool:
 
what sound format are you using? sometimes i do find that using AC3 does sound a bit softer.

try using the dolby formats if possible, that ensures that you get the best sound preservation
 
I have uploaded two images of the audio section in Handbrake, one is a preset for the ATV, the other is for Normal.
 

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what sound format are you using? sometimes i do find that using AC3 does sound a bit softer.

try using the dolby formats if possible, that ensures that you get the best sound preservation
Click to expand...
Which one of those settings would I change? Would I change AC3 to DTS?
 
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