Converting DVD files into MPeg

I have DVD files that I want to convert in to MPeg1 or MPeg2 to save space and collate them into a viewing clip so to speak.

I've got full version AVS Video Converter 6.0 that will let me convert the IFO files into whatever specs I want.

However not wanting it to be extremely big file format, what size frame (pixels)/kbps/frame per second would be suitable to convert it to, to have great sound and viewing quality, without it also taking up 4-5GB.

I don't want to use AVI format as I do prefer MPeg.

Any advise greatly appreciated

Why the preference for MPEG-1/MPEG-2. If you want good sound and viewing quality, then the best choice is surely MPEG-4.

oh, and AVI isn't a format. It's just a container. You can put and MPEG in a AVI container.

Use Handbrake. It has a bunch of presets for all common formats (including iPod video) and is super easy to use. Will give you the best results with the least hassle.

http://handbrake.fr

Windows, OSX and Linux.

Yeah thanks, I would normally put it in MPeg4, I didn't look properly at the options to convert (still working out program), until now !

As for AVI, I'm not gonna edit it, so I thought I'd just go straight to MPeg?

Ha what a mad software site hehe wish I'd known this before I paid for AVS (yes peeps, I pay for my most of my software )

9 times out of 10 there is a free open source equivalent of what your about to pay for.

i'm not sure I know what you mean.

all my mpeg-4s are in avi containers.

o0h ok?

I may have misunderstood when I was researching into stuff, that AVI was a container, yes, but it was mainly or best for when you were editing DVD files etc. And there were recommendations just to go straight to Mpeg and not use AVI as a container file.

Anyway I wanna put some movies on my ipod anyway so I have to stick to MPeg4 for that.

yeah, i guess the whole container/format thing can get confusing.

I use mpeg-4 (divx) in an avi container, because that is what my dvd player players.

I don't think avi is a container format specifically for editing..

This is where you will LOVE Handbrake. It's good enough that even OSX zealots use it, that tells you something.

cinematize is also great for MAC.