Using VLC to rip DVDs and compression
Got a DVD you want to make into a file? This is how to use VLC to copy (rip) a DVD:
VLC allows data streaming i.e. if you can watch it you can record it. You may have to download additional codecs (mediubuntu) if you are new to VLC and haven't done so previously.
Steps:
1. insert DVD
2. start VLC and File/open disk
3. select DVD (not DVD menus)
4. select the title number (maybe default of zero for whole film, or for series, you can select each episode. Check by just clicking OK and you can watch the episode. Start from step 1 once you know the title number)
5. select stream/save and press settings
6. select file, then browse (where file is to be saved). Name file and REMEMBER to give it extension .mpg so that it is recognised as mpg file when you click on it. Click 'save'
7. select MPEG TS
8. select video codec as h264. This is an excellent compression with good quality (though it is slower than e.g. mp4v). You may want to increase bitrate from 1024, to 2048 or higher if you want v.high quality, though I find 1024 suitable for general use
9. select audio codec as fl32. This is lossless compression (type of FLAC). You can also try FLAC, though I couldn't get the sounds to play back. Alternatively you can use mp3, though this is not lossless. Set extra channels if there are more than 2 (stereo) audio channels (e.g. surround sound).
10. press ok, then ok on 'open disk' page
11. if you want different audio or subtitles, you have to do this at this point by clicking on audio, or video in the VLC toolbar as it is recording. We are recording by STREAMING therefore we are just recording whatever is there. If you didn't click on 'play locally' on stream output tab previously you will not actually see the film as you are recording. It is recommended not to select this, as it makes ripping faster.
The progress is shown by the advancement of the bar at the bottom of VLC.
30 minutes of DVD (1 GB) compressed to 167 MB using h264 at 1024 bit rate
the same compressed to 206MB with MP1V. I'd say quality was slightly better with h264 even at same bit rate and with smaller file size.Thus, for high quality use h264 but go for much higher bit rate.
Of course, this is not for pirating DVDs, but for backing up your DVDs or playing on other devices (I am using it to stick 'family guy' episodes on data pen so I can watch them on my Eee PC 
)
Hope this is of use.
