Apple TV resolution?
 

Semi-hijacking this thread but related to the Apple TV comment... If anyone is using an Apple TV, how do you get a suitable resolution for DVDs that you've backed up to it? I'm planning on getting an LCD widescreen (probably 720p rather than 1080p) and very tempted by the idea of using an Apple TV to stream the kids' DVDs rather than having to back them all up to blank DVDs. However, I noticed on the Apple TV website that the maximum resolution for MPEG-4 is 720 x 432 pixels and H.264 only goes to 1280 x 720. I'd already found many of the software solutions mentioned in this thread and my perception (admittedly based on not too much research yet) is that it's easier to get things to MPEG-4 than H.264. Is this correct?

The resolution question is not too big an issue for a DVD of The Wiggles or Bob the Builder but if I can do it for those DVDs, I think ours would be next and I don't want to have a nice TV with a poor quality source.

Note to self: DYOR before asking the question (I did admit I was only starting the research!). According to Wikipedia, the typical resolution for an NTSC DVD is 720 x 480 pixels so Apple TV's resolution makes more sense now...

i'm also gonna add.....

as i posted above, for ripping the dvd i use mac the ripper but this is not a burning/copying program.

i use roxio's "popcorn 2.0 to burn and copy to ipod format. it's simple to use and if you don't mind a slight (and i do mean very slight) loss of quality, it has a compression feature where you can fit a double layered dvd (8gb) onto a single layer dvd (4.7gb)

^

I also (hypothetically) use CloneDVD mobile for (if I hypothetically) ripped DVD's to my (hypothetical) iPod full of movies.

There is a lot of good information found here:

http://www.videora.com/en-us/Convert...e/dvd-to-ipod/

Very easy to use freeware!

Welcome to FlyerTalk bkafrick!

Since I'm in Australia can I at least think such thoughts?

I understand people may use AnyDVD to "open the doors" to the contents of a DVD. These people then need a copying program to "rip" the contents to HDD or another DVD.

I've heard IMGBurn is very good for this later process.

IMGBurn is also very useful for copying ISO files for backup purposes (eg your $$$ OEM Navigation disks) - bit perfect copies.

Or so I've heard... :)

Excuse me for bringing this to the front of the line again but I still need help.
Learning to speak Mac whilst learning to ....uh...backup DVD's is a lot to ask of an old codger.

Two questions, on my new Mac have appeard some Video TS folders with some VOB files in them. They must have gotten there by some miracle, almost as though someone had used MTR to put them there. Anyhow, I figured as long as they are there, I might as well put them in itunes.

Heres the two questions:
(1) has anyone else had trouble converting multi-episode video files (in my case "Friends" and "Seinfeld" episodes? I have Popcorn, Crunch, Visual Hub and Handbrake and all I can ever get is the first episode no matter what I turn the settings to.

(2) most feature movies convert fine but I have run across two exceptions (one rather old, one new) where I get the message "Contents of this VIdeo TS folder cannot be compressed", or some variation of that depending on the conversion program.

I'd be perfectly happy to be directed to any mac or video user forums but I figured the experts on here would probably know the answers.

Many thanks.

DVDFab Decrypter, then VOB Blanker (if needed), then DVD Shrink (fits it all on single sided DVD

All freeware

Welcome to the fold, we've been expecting you :)

Honestly, I have never converted multi-episode files. If I was so inclined, which I'm not, I would probably use www.tvtorrents.com and download them directly, but thats just wrong so I wouldn't do it.

If you are getting that 2nd error, try and find a copy of MTR 3.0 BETA ...its out there despite their despotic control over the code (which argues for using handbrake).
The issue is that newer DVDs use a system that introduces just enough errors in the disk that computers tend to hiccup but set top players will ignore them.