Ripping DVD to "something useful" is a multi-step process for me:

NOTE: You still need VirtualDub for this method, but it's pretty
automated instead of requiring you to fiddle with all the settings
manually.

Convert to unencrypted using DVDfabDecrypter (you can usually skip
this step, but if you get CRC errors in the second step, start back here).

Open the files from above (or open the disk if you want to try to go
directly from the disk) in DVD Shrink. Save the output as an ISO file.
This will fit on a burnable DVD so you can keep a backup.

Load the ISO into a "virtual DVD drive).

Load AutoGordianKnot and use it to pick out the video "tracks" you
want to convert to DivX from the virtual DVD. You can set it up to
convert several sequentially, so for example if you have a DVD with
multiple episodes of aTV series, all of the ones on a single disk
could be converted overnight while you sleep.

I'd suggest doing one short conversion with VirtualDub manually first,
then another short one this way. The results in both cases will be
*much* better than using the video in from a DVD player, and you can
see how much easier it would be to do them in batches.

--- In nhj_mpm_201_202@yahoogroups.com, "swallman_2000" <swallman@...>
wrote:
>
> I spent a lot of time the past few days working on encoding a variety
> of material down to the MPM and have some info to share.
>
> The most important thing is that for the video to fill the screen,
> you need to have it set at 320x240 or 640x480. Also, it HAS to be in
> DivX format (won't support any other format).
>
> I've been able to convert a DVD down to correct size using Dr. Divx,
> and it worked just fine. Be forwarned however - the memory
> requirements are pretty high. I only have 512 MB and ran out of
> memory the first time - had to change the size of my swap file in
> Windows.
>
> I also had a bunch of videos that I downloaded off the web that
> weren't in the correct size/aspect ratio. I used an open source tool
> called "VirtualDub" to resize the videos down and had really good
> luck. The only real problem is that converting anything down that
> has an aspect ratio other than 4/3 means you're going to have black
> bars on the top and bottom (just like widescreen TV). You can resize
> so you don't have the bars, but then all the people are really TALL.
> If anyone is interested, I'd be glad to write up some docs on
> resizing, etc. (but I just found out how to do it by searching the
> web).
>
> I believe that Dr. Divx will also resize down, but VirtualDub is a
> lot more powerful to use and will let you do more.
>
> --- In nhj_mpm_201_202@yahoogroups.com, "Mark Zavala" <mzavala@g...>
> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Guys,
> >
> > I have tried ripping dvds and encoding them to mpeg-4 and avi
> > formats but none of these will play on my MPM-202. I don't know if
> > I'm doing something wrong or not. What software (if any) have you
> > used to do this? Sorry for sounding like such a beginner.
> >
> > Thanks in advance!
> >
> >
> > Btw, I guess I can comment on my experience with my MPM-202 to
> > date...
> > I really like plugging the device into my computer and it appearing
> > as an external drive. I've copied loads of stuff (other than mp3s
> > and movies) onto it so far. One complaint I have is that the thing
> > doesn't charge while it's in "pc link mode" (device is plugged into
> > usb port and on). I didn't notice this until my battery died (I
> > figured it was charging the whole time).
> >
> > I haven't fooled with the unit enough to find many other complaints
> > but I'll post more info as I come across it.
> >
> > -Mark
> >
>