Update...I got iRecord and immediately got 'cannot copy video stream due to copyright restrictions' and this is on DVDs of old stuff like 'Lost in Space.' Other than that iRecord worked very simply and well to record live video, etc.

The XO Laptop also does not seem powerful to run the video, but I am still at the very earliest stages of learning Linux other than that I am actually impressed with it.

Back to my goal of getting rid of DVDs. I think I will need to convert the DVDs to MP4s in my computer. I know the subject comes up often. Any current suggestions would be appreciated. Probably the fastest most automated way would be best.