DVD to Pocket PC HELP Needed!

[TheGadgetGuy]

Ok. I've been trying to get this program (DVD to Pocket PC) working properly, with no success.

I downloaded the demo version, and it 'started' to make a 5 minute copy of a DVD. It ripped the DVD, then crashed when attempting to turn the MPG file into a WMV file. I was able to manually convert the file to WMV format, and it ran on the XDA.

The problem is, the program doesn't work anymore. I can't get it to rip ANY more DVD's, not even the same DVD I used initially.

I love the idea of the program, and was really looking forward to buying it if it worked properly. I have a shiny new 512MB SD card just begging to be used.

Does ANYONE out there have the actual, whole version of the program that they can tell me about? I have been burned before buying badly written Pocket PC programs, and don't want that to happen again. If someone can loan me the full version so I can evaluate it, I'd REALLY appreciate it!

I just want to make sure the program works properly. The demo seems to be really flaky.

Thanks.

-Robert
(Robert@Glover-Enterprises.com)

[sublimatica]

The demo crashes for me too at the same stage you described, so I uninstalled the damn thing and moved on.

I'm using Win2K, and this may be my problem - the website says XP only. Whatever. Can't be bothered.

I guess this program must work - otherwise, why do they sell it? Crashing halfway through is an obvious bug, no? ;)

[cruisin-thru]

I have the full version, running on xp pro, it works flawlessly, I leave a dvd in the drive overnight and in the morning I have a film for transferring to sd or cf card, never crashed on me either.

[TheGadgetGuy]

That's interesting.

I am also using XP Pro, and like I said in the previous post, the program (demo) 'started' ripping the DVD, then promptly crashed at the point when it was supposed to be converting it to WMV. I was highly disapointed to say the least.

I even tried uninstalling the program and reinstalling. The exact same thing occurred. :(

[alexlloyd54]

I'm using the full version on WindowsXP, and it's GREAT!! 8) 8) 8)

[TheGadgetGuy]

I uninstalled it again and reinstalled, and now it's working properly. VERY cool. I think it's worth the $25.00.

[Sniss]

I also have the full version of this software, worth every penny

One thing worth mentioning is the Step 2 Only option from the Special menu

If the program doesn't complete the final step of converting to WMV, just select the Step 2 only option and it'll finish off

You can also trick it into converting any mpeg files into wmv by renaming them to DVD.mpg, placing them in root c:\ and running a Step 2 Only

Very useful for TV episodes, as it compresses Simpsons episodes to 30mb

[db]

I think I saw this software in PC Magazine. Are you saying that you can download an entire Movie DVD onto your PDA?

[Sniss]

Yep,

It compresses a 90minute movie to approx. 128mb
so increase the size slightly for longer films

i've had two 90minute films no problem on a 256mb SD card, and haven't had any issues with slow load time or memory problems

Hope this helps

[db]

How do you download the DVD? Can you give me kind of a dumb guys version. I'm a bit new to this stuff.

Also, maybe I can ask you... I can't seem to open images with TIF extensions?

[Rudegar]

how to make a dvd small enough to fit on your 512MB sd card
http://www.makayama.com/dvdtopocketpc.html

the easist way to open tif is to use
irfanview to change the picture from tif to jpg

otherwise maybe this program does it
http://www.acdsystems.com/English/Products/WinCE/feature2?LAN=englishX10

[jacro]

This is slightly off the thread, but...

I personally thought that $25 was a bit steep for software that just rips a DVD, and then uses freely available microsoft tools to convert it into a small file. Theres a whole load of free stuff available that will do all this.
Another problem I had with the software is that it is not configurable. The demo 5 minute video I produced had a frame rate of 20 fps. The playback was noticably jerky. I would be prepared to suffer a 25% increase in file size for 25fps.

I would recommend anyone thinking of buying this software to check out the following free tools, to see if you can't get a result as good or better:
http://www.dvddecrypter.com/
http://fairuse.free.fr/lang_en/index.html

If the video files don't play in the built in media player, check out...
http://www.pockettv.com/

Plus look at the guide to creating content in http://www.pockettv.com/index.html#forums