Netbook Movie Playing

[smite]

Quick Question ladies and Gents (and benny),
What is the best way to play DVD's on a netbook?
I don't want to use an external drive so would prefer to copy the disc onto the HD.
Any suggestions on the best method?
 
Just off to Comet / John lewis to get a HP for the Mrs.

[Benny]

Assuming you can copy the files across then just use VLC on the netbook, it'll play everything.

Or are you after the best program to rip the DVD's in the first place? (or both)

Your loyal servant, Bennage

[sulky_uk]

i concur with the benny

vlc is godlike

[smilodon]

Likewise I grovel before the majesty of VLC.

[T-Bag]

Yeah, just copy onto your computer and use VLC.
If you want to convert the process isn't quick or easy, getting the files preconverted takes the headache out of it. There are programs that do it in one step but I've found there's often a lot of trial and error to get good quality AND small files (both pretty important on a netbook).

Alternatively you can buy an external DVD drive. I pick one up with mine, and only use it for installs of OSs (setting up the pen drives for windows can be a pain sometimes, though linux makes it easy)

[Benny]

If you want to convert existing video files, I use handbrake.
Specifically for my iTouch, but it knocks most movies down to a reasonable size and quality is good (and it's quick and you can queue things up)

[smite]

Sorry for not getting back sooner.
 
We want to convert our current DVD's (kids) for long trips in the car, so the more we can get on the HDD the better so ripping, converting and decent playback is essentially what i'm after.
 
Already got VLC which is ok.
 
There used to be a program called DVDShrink, would that be any use?
I will have a look at Handbrake aswell.
 
Thanks Benny'meister and all for replies.

[smite]

If you want to convert existing video files, I use handbrake.
Specifically for my iTouch, but it knocks most movies down to a reasonable size and quality is good (and it's quick and you can queue things up)

Also interesting option for my iPhone, but how do you actually get it onto the phone / touch?. Jailbreak?

[Tutonic]

Also interesting option for my iPhone, but how do you actually get it onto the phone / touch?. Jailbreak?

As long as you convert the movie to the correct screen size/format etc, all you need to do is add the file to your iTunes library and tell it to sync to the phone.

[Penfold]

Sorry for not getting back sooner.
 
We want to convert our current DVD's (kids) for long trips in the car, so the more we can get on the HDD the better so ripping, converting and decent playback is essentially what i'm after.
 
Already got VLC which is ok.
 
There used to be a program called DVDShrink, would that be any use?
I will have a look at Handbrake aswell.
 
Thanks Benny'meister and all for replies.

Aye DVD Shrink then DVD Burn was the way I used to do it.

[Benny]

Yup, select the itouch profile on the right hand side, then you just drag and drop the converted file onto the iphone bit in iTunes....

Also interesting option for my iPhone, but how do you actually get it onto the phone / touch?. Jailbreak?

[smite]

Thanks Gents, Got AnyDVD to rip and Handbrake to convert.
Takes bloody ages to do but worth it.
 
Now need to get them all done in the free 21 days for AnyDvD

[smite]

Ditched the netbook, it was kak. Slow, crap screen res / colours & it was a fairly decent spec.

Bought an iPad 2 instead, all is good in the world again.

[Snokio]

Sorry to hi-jack this thread, but is there a program that will convert a DVD/Bluray into a Mp4 or similar without loosing any quality.
 
I want to retain HD and dump them onto an external HDD so it can be watched on a PC or TV (mainly the season DVD's). I have tried some of the ones mentioned here and they seem to cut the quality down (unless i'm doing it wrong!)
 
Thanks
Snokes

[BrotherTobious]

Doom9.org it be your friend my dear snokio.