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Guide to Ripping DVDs + Converting them to AVI
For BACKUP purposes Only

For this guide you will require the following pieces of HARDWARE and SOFTWARE. This guide is VERY simple.

Hardware:
  1. DVD Rom/Burner - Unless you already have all the VOB files ripped by a friend
  2. Fairly fast PC - A fast machine is RECOMMENDED. Conversion takes 3 hours 10 minutes on an AMD 2200
  3. 10~ gb of HDD  - Ripping will use about 5 gb and Windows still needs its space.

Software:
  1. DVD Decrypter (The site)
  2. AutoGK        (The site)

DVD Decryper is used for the ACTUAL ripping step of this process. When you put your DVD into your DVD drive (on your PC ;)), under XP a menu will usually show up and if you've installed DVD Decrypter. Otherwise, install it, go to your Start menu and open it from there. When it loads, it will check what DVD you have inserted. You get to select what FOLDER the VOBs and other parts of the DVD will be saved to. Anywhere is FINE. It appears that DVD Decrypter recommends using a drive/partition based on the NTFS file system - or any other filesystem that is not limited to files sized 4 gbs. However - In MY experience a single file has been no more than 1 gb.

Hit the DVD -> HardDrive Button. It will now take about 15 minutes (usually less, occasionally more) to rip the DVD to your drive. In this state, PowerDVD can play it and you can possibly burn the file to DVD for actual playback (but-- I dont know, I dont have a DVD Burner).. If you ARE going to burn them, you do not need to convert to AVI. Instead I recommend you use DVD Shrink or a similar tool (I have no weblink for this site), although I don't really know how it works so its not much good contacting me. With that said I assume its fairly easy.

Anyway, now that your DVD file is on your drive you'll be lacking some space. Windows may start running a little slower :P
Now it's time to install, and start, AutoGK. AutoGK comes with a tutorial of its own, but it is very lengthy. However if this tutorial is "too fast" for you, you might want to read that.

1. Open AutoGK
2. Select Input directory. This is where you ripped your DVD to.
3. Select your Output file. Just name it whatever the DVD is. Say if its Shrek, name it 'Shrek.DivX.avi'.
4. Step 2: Select your audio track. BY DEFAULT, the RIGHT track is selected. You should probably leave it. As with Subtitles, if you want them choose them.
5. Step 3: Select how big you want the output. I set it to 1 CD (700 Mb).
6. Step 4: Click Advanced settings. Leave res. settings on Auto Width, but its a good idea to change Audio VBR MP3: 128. The sound SOUNDS GOOD on this, and doesnt take up 50% of the output file.
7. Now you'll probably want to change the codec to DivX 5..It is more widely used and I have had annoying experiences with XviD. However either is good :)
8. Click OK ;) :P
9. Click Add Job. Repeat the ABOVE steps until you have as many DVDs as you've ripped (and want converted) on the list. The conversion process is very CPU and RAM hungry. Chances are you'll want to LEAVE your PC while its doing this. I leave DVDs converting overnight, because I can get about 3 done and don't need the PC at this stage. You can set your PC to shutdown when its finished, you will see the checkbox. So, when you want to start, Hit START. It'll open a few different programs which you need not touch. Hitting Minimize will send AutoGK to the tasktray.

*Hours Later*
10. Open the AVI in your favourite Media player :).

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